Fruits Basket Episode 5 Review: I've Been Fooling Myself

Fruits Basket is progressing quite fast, and according to last week’s preview, Tohru is about to move out of the Soma house! How will they all deal with that? I promise, this was a very touching episode, and like before, the series manages to do it in such a tasteful and not cringe-y way. I still wonder if it is because of the good dialogue or because of Tohru’s character…

Japanese Title: 勘違いをしていました (Kanjigai wo Shiteimashita)

Episode 5–I’ve Been Fooling Myself

Tohru’s grandfather called her to let her know she can move in back to his house, since renovations have been completed. She realizes that she was a fool to think that her life with the Somas would continue like this, but she remembers that even as a child she has been a bit dim and that she should have expected it. Back with her real family, nothing seems to have changed. Her grandfather still calls her Kyoko-san, she has two cousins who wish she weren’t there, and her aunt is treating her like a bug. Unexpectedly it is her grandfather who comes to her rescue when they step over the line and he gives her a choice: move back in with the Somas or stay with the family.

In the meantime Kyo and Yuki try to deal with the fact that Tohru moved out, which doesn’t work too well…

Highlights

Shigure pulling strings

I think I and everybody else who likes Shigure, likes him because at front he is this happy-go-lucky funny guy who likes to do what he wants and isn’t bothered by anything while he knows exactly what is going on and has a sharp mind. He is pulling so many strings in here. I love to see it unfold like that. The first time was when he left Tohru’s note on the table and let Yuki take it, the second time when he told Kyo to follow Yuki and then when he pretended to casually talk about Yuki being devastated about Tohru leaving. Yes, as if that was just small talk… I think he might be a Yuki/Tohru shipper at this point!

You go, grandfather!

Okay, aside from the fact that he keeps calling Tohru Kyoko-san, I totally like him. He knows what’s going on, that his family is horrible and he gave a good speech about family. I liked the whole explanation where he says they are his family and he loves them and they love him, so if they are mean to him he can put up with it once in a while. But Tohru doesn’t have to do that if she doesn’t want to. And how he slaps her awful cousin. Police officer? NO, THANK YOU! Go away, idiot!

Yuki and Kyo to the rescue

Nothing to say here. If you have watched it, you know. They were perfect. I am in love. With both.

Daddy

I like that they mentioned him and showed him from the back. He is not just some guy who got a girl pregnant. He is there, and Tohru misses and loves him, obviously. I am thankful they took the time to show that.

Themes and Trivia

Fruits Basket

This is a short explanation to the title! They play the game ‘Fruits Basket’ but end up giving Tohru not a fruit but a rice ball. How horrible children can be! And how cute is Tohru to still wait for someone to call her out. That’s why this series is called Fruits Basket. So that Tohru is finally able to play this game happily with someone – the Somas – and be included.

‘Home’

The moment where Tohru cried and said that she wants to live with the Somas even if it’s selfish, she uses the word kaeritai (I want to go back home) instead of simply ‘moving back’ or ‘going back’ or ‘living with the Somas’. I got goosebumps when she said it, because using that word feels as if she has accepted it as her real home instead of being a guest or someone who tends to the Soma’s needs in exchange for a place to sleep. She feels like she belongs there.

Comments

Family

I don’t want to say much but (and I am putting it nicely): screw that cousin! Screw his mom!

Everybody’s sad

Wow, way to go and express your feelings! Everybody is sad, nobody is openly admitting it. That’s NOT how dealing with emotions work!

Dokidoki Barometer

This episode is definitely a draw. If I were following my heart I’d put Yuki in first place, because he appeared with sparkles (!! I LOVE sparkles !!) and suddenly started going towards Tohru and just thinking about him has my heart racing. Thinking back to the episode, however, Kyo has this precious moment with Tohru. How he drags her out of the room, pushing her head around without hugging her, but I think it’s pretty clear that’s what he wants to do. Get between her and that family. But he can’t without turning into a cat so… touching her forehead and pulling her around is probably the most intimate thing he can do at this point. The head is always a very personal space, don’t you think? And then they made him say similar lines to Tohru’s mom, which was beautiful. So I follow my heart halfway and the other half I am being fair and give them both a point this episode. I’ll try not to always make it a draw, but for the reasons I put above… both win.

COMING NEXT: Perhaps we should invite ourselves over