Fruits Basket Episode 11 Review: This is a Wonderful Inn

We have seen this coming, haven’t we? In this episode, Fruits Basket is checking the next holiday: White Day! Of course the boys have to return the favor–handmade chocolate by Tohru–and I clearly remember one of the scenes here from the old anime. Mostly because there was a piece of music in it that was so perfect that I recorded it to my phone… Let’s see what this week’s episode had in store for us!

Japanese Title: とってもステキなお宿です (Tottemo Suteki na Oyado desu)

Episode 11 – This is a Wonderful Inn

Tohru seems to be in trouble, and while Yuki and Kyo are worried, Tohru bravely smiling in front of them makes them forget everything. Momiji then visits them at home and invites not only Tohru but also Yuki and Kyo to a trip to the onsen (thermal baths) as a return gift for the chocolate Momiji received from Tohru on Valentine’s Day. In this moment, when Tohru cries thankful for her friends because she doesn’t have much money left, Yuki and Kyo realize what her problem is: She spent too much money on the chocolate ingredients for Valentine and is now behind her school fee payments. Their guilt makes them agree to join on the trip together with Momiji.

As it turns out, the four of them are visiting an onsen that is part of the Soma household and have a nice weekend there, as far as it is possible with a crazy okami (innkeeper). Tohru hears from the Monkey zodiac for the first time and enjoys the rest of the trip with the boys.

Highlights

The most idiotic traveler in the world

This story is 100% Tohru and I remembered when Momiji started telling the story. I really enjoyed the animation for this part! And that was also one half of the dark part in this episode.

Ping Pong Battle

Yuki and Kyo are of course fighting it out again. The real highlight was when Kyo played with Tohru and she put all her power into the hit, and still missed the ball.

Yuki’s Return Gift

DEAR HEART, YUKI-KUN! YOU ARE SO PERFECT. T___T When he runs out to not laugh at her clumsy ping pong and she runs after him, that’s the time he chooses to give her his return present. It was so perfect. The two of them in the comfy yukatas, on that beautiful Japanese bridge and Yuki touching Tohru’s hair… I would’ve melted if I were there in that moment… and that’s probably why he wouldn’t like me in the first place. But let’s stick to the good things.

Rit-chan’s mother

She was the other creepy and dark half of this episode. The crazy mother of one of the zodiacs, who clearly has so many complexes that they cause her to be sick… Not only the children are cursed by turning into animals, their parents have it hard as well. I still really enjoyed watching her and I think she is a good mom. I hope we will see her again!

Momiji’s age

Finally, there it is. Tohru thought Momiji was a cute little boy in elementary school. Turns out he is only one year younger. That boy tried to get into the bathroom with her. Kyo and Yuki were right to try to hit him for that. He still managed to get into bed with her, which really surprised me. But then again, it’s Momiji…

Tohru’s too nice

This is nothing new, but my favorite quotes from this episode are ‘There’s lots of princes in the Soma family!’ and ‘Imagining what he might look like when he studies makes me smile.’ The second quote was about Kyo and at first I thought this is a first sign of her being in love with him. But then I wondered if she would think the same about Yuki or Momiji and the answer is yes so… It’s just Tohru being waaaay too nice. Our perfect, little rice ball.

Comments

Opening and Ending

After 11 episodes, one would think that the opening and ending get more boring, but I am honest: I love them more and more. I can hardly even skip the opening at this point, and that after I thought it was kinda boring.

Momiji’s Onsen Song

If you have watched the previous version of this anime, you might know Momiji’s onsen song. If not, go and google it now. It is a beautiful song by Momiji and Tohru and I was hoping there would be at least something similar in this version. Sadly there is not, and that’s all right, but I still want people to know that once upon a time there was an anime that had a cute Momiji song in it at this point of the story.

Onsen

Just a quick reminder: In a real onsen you can not go with your towel still on. You go in there naked, strangers yes or no. It’s a no-no to go with a towel or your bathing suit. Do NOT do it during your own Japan trip. Go naked or don’t go at all! (Or find out if the onsen you’re going to/staying at has a private onsen you can book, so that nobody else is in there if you’re uncomfortable with being naked in front of strangers.)

Dokidoki Barometer

YUKIIIIII! This episode had also sooo many good Momiji moments, but Yuki took the cake with his present, his thoughtfulness and the beauty of the animation, the setting… Momiji will have more chances in the next episodes, I guess.

COMING NEXT: You’re Looking Like You’re Having Fun