Anime fans in general will agree that Fruits Basket is an absolutely wonderful series, right? It’s fun, heartwarming, tragic, and down right adorable. The series is full of charming and even cynical characters, but they’re all great in their own unique way. There is something about each individual character that draws you to them, whether it’s Tohru or Akito- Yes, even Akito. When a film was announced, we’re pretty sure that the entire Fruits Basket fanbase screamed in unison.
Fruits Basket: Prelude is almost here and we had the absolute pleasure of checking it out early… And what a treat it was. Taking us back in time to follow Tohru’s mother and her growing relationship with Katsuya, Fruits Basket: Prelude is a bittersweet farewell to the characters we’ve grown to love and a story that has broken hearts and sparked hope.
Synopsis
Before there was Tohru and Kyo – there was Katsuya and Kyoko. Discover the turbulent beginning of Tohru’s mom’s dark past, and the man who breathed new hope into her. Watch the evolution of their love story and the birth of the Honda family, as this chapter completes the full adaptation of the heartwarming Fruits Basket story.
© NT.H/FBP
Review
It has been a while since Fruits Basket ended. Well, it feels like it has been a while… It only finished airing last year. But, despite the series ending on a really strong note there has always been a desire for more. Just to see everyone again. Seeing all of the wonderful characters that made the series shine back in the spotlight was fantastic. However, it wasn’t their story this time. Kyoko and Katsuya’s story is the highlight of this Prelude. It’s a story that is able to recreate many of the feelings that we all felt while watching the series.
There are moments of fun, moments of pure devastation, scenes that will have you gleaming with joy… And the occasional moment that will ignite a fire of rage within you. Characters are mistreated, characters are left… But, within those moments of hopelessness are elements of light that squeeze through the gaps. The thing that makes both Kyoko and Tohru’s story stand out is that they are both deemed as outsiders, something we can all relate to to some degree, and no matter what they do there will always be those that attempt to cast them out further. But these main characters are immovable forces of nature that grow stronger thanks to the small group of friends that surround them. It’s an uplifting story about second chances, love in unlikely places, and enemies.
© NT.H/FBP
Kyoko and Tohru are incredibly similar when it comes to their story, it’s just the circumstances that are unique. Even though Kyoko is no longer present in Tohru’s life, the fact that their journeys are similar adds and extra layer to their bond that extends well beyond the realm of physicality. There’s so much of Tohru in Kyoko and having the chance to really explore her troubles and the pivotal and transformative moments in her life was a pleasure that strengthened my bond to Fruits Baskets. Because Kyoko had such a profound effect on various characters, the Prelude doesn’t feel like a solo story. It feels more like a continuation of a legacy, and an extension of a cruel yet beautiful world. Kyoko is at the centre of Fruits Basket, and her own experience just enhances her significance. She may not be a main character in the series, but she is always there.
Looking back at the original series from the early 2000s, which is still charming in its own way, it’s hard not to compare and contrast when it comes to the animation. Of course, there is a giant leap in time, and with that a progession of technology but it’s impossible not to look at how things have evolved. What’s so great about Fruits Basket: Prelude, and Fruits Basket in general, is that even though we’ve reached new heights in regards to animation itself, Fruits Basket still holds onto the classic design from the manga and original show. There’s this convergence between old and new forms of animation and it’s this perfect combination. It’s brilliant to look at since there’s so much life and colour, but when the tone drops, the animation reflects that and that’s something Fruits Basket has always excelled in. Because of its visual dedication to the source material, there’s a hint of nostalgia in there but it’s still clear how far animation has come. It doesn’t try to mimic that somewhat dated anime look, but it does use it as an influence. Fruits Baskets: Prelude is a perfect example of a film that respects the past and embraces the future. It may not be as epic or as explosive as Demon Slayer, but Fruits Basket: Prelude is still a stunning piece of animation in its own right.
© NT.H/FBP
Now, Fruits Basket: Prelude, like a majority of anime films, isn’t on for very long. It’s roughly 1hr 30. In comparison, the My Hero Academia movies are on for around 1hr 40. So, Fruits Basket: Prelude is by no means too short. However, 40 minutes of Prelude is spent recapping the major events that occur in the final season of Fruits Basket. It’s both a pro and con. It’s put together beautifully and it still packs quite the punch in terms of emotions. But, we’ve seen this all before. While the recap is very very good, it would have been great to have seen more of Kyoko and Katsuya’s evolving relationship and how that relationship developed further once Tohru was born. We see them interact as a family which is great, but it just doesn’t feel like enough, especially when 50% of the film is dedicated to a compilation recap.
All the content is there and it is truly wonderful. It’s able to evoke a brutal emotional response due to Kyoko’s heartbreaking story. On the flip side, it’s also a beautiful redemption story whereby Kyoko is able to pull herself up from the darkness she succumbs to. It’s all there, and it is brilliant… But it feels as though it could have done more in terms of expanding. Perhaps that’s just being greedy. That’s not to say that the recap should have been cut, absolutely not- it’s important. The recap could have been a lot shorter to allow Kyoko and Katsuya’s story more room to flourish and unravel.
Verdict
Fruits Basket: Prelude is a sweet and endearing farewell to a beloved series. Not only does it dive into Kyoko’s past, but it is also a perfect bridge that binds the entire Fruits Basket story together. While the film does spend a lot of its time recapping events from the series, it’s hard to ignore just how well the eventful arc was condensed. Combined with the beautiful and painful story of Kyoko’s dark and traumatic past, Fruits Basket: Prelude is a must for all Fruits Basket fans. In order to fully understand and appreciate Fruits Basket in its entirety, we have to go back to the start.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Distributed by Crunchyroll, this special event film will arrive in select movie theaters in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 20th, dubbed in English. So, what are you waiting for? More Fruits Basket goodness awaits.
Need a refresher? Fruits Basket is available to stream on Crunchyroll right now in its entirety! For more anime news, click here.
