Fruits Basket, Volume 22

I don't even know what to say for this volume. I read it at work as quickly as I could, sneaking off to my desk to cry a little. This volume is heart-breaking, sad, sweet, a little funny, and wonderful. The retelling of the banquet myth sheds more light on the family curse. It's hard to say anything else about the story without giving so much away. I will say that Hana-chan and Uo-chan get to shine in this story, even with relatively small parts. Just... go and read this... now.

This is one of the best books in the series, if i must say so myself. Tohru and Kyo, Yuki and Machi. all great couplees. plus a few more that i wont mention(dont want to give to much away). Anyway, this series is definetley a must read!!

To make this simple, it is the best book in the series ( my opinon ) And also the second to last. Thier are only 23 volumes of Fruits Basket. Although this is not the end, i almost cried ( books coming to ends-sad thing) This is THE MOMENT!!! If you have read the whole series, you must buy this. Since I dont want to spoil it, lets just say that Akito comes to his sences and makes a decision. I would reccomend this to anyone.

It's hard to believe, but we're finally at the penultimate volume of Fruits Basket. This one is heavy on couples issues, as Kureno decides what to do with his life, Hiro and Kisa discuss what the change in his status means for their relationship, Yuki tries to figure out how to explain the curse to Machi as they reach the point where it wouldn't be fair of him to proceed further without full disclosure, and Kyo struggles to face Tohru again just as his time runs out - gaining the most surprising cheerleader of all in the process. This is also the biggest volume of all for Akito, as she reaches a crossroads and we find out whether Momiji's kind but blunt conversation with her at the hospital sunk in - and she issues a Zodiac summons combined with a proclaimation regarding Kyo... Perhaps the biggest character of all in this volume, however, is the curse itself; as from the Main House to Shigure's place, Aya's pad to Ritsu's lodgings, the wheel that Momiji set into motion turns - leading to an unforgettable montage that won't leave anyone with a dry eye who's followed the series through it's course. This is what everyone's been waiting for - and the emotional payoff is big.

Out of the entire "Fruits Basket" series, the penultimate volume is the most important. And the twenty-second volume is when Natsuki Takaya truly mingles transcendent love and joy with the bitterness of a troubled past. Assorted plot threads are quietly wrapped up in preparation for the grand finale, even as Takaya finally deals with the biggest problem that faces the Sohma family. Things will never be the same after this. After years of bitter hatred and estrangement, Kyo finally has a messy, painful confrontation with his biological father, only to remember something about his mother's suicide and how she was driven to it. But his relief is short-lived -- Tohru thinks she's been rejected by him, and doesn't want to see him. Cue excessive teasing by Yuki, Arisa and Hana. At the same time, Arisa grapples with her feelings for Kureno, and a repentant Akito arranges for the cursed Sohmas to gather in one week. And when Tohru is finally released from the hospital, Kyo pursues her across the town to tell her how he really feels about her. And their important meeting will change the Sohma clan forever... as well as the curse. There are a lot of different changes in the twenty-second "Fruits Basket" -- at least one character's "happily ever after" is shown, surprising details of the curse are revealed, and the very heart of the Sohma family is changed forever. I won't say just what happens, except that it means that the series is really almost over, because there's few places left for it to go after what happens here. And after many bleak chapters full of sadness, there's finally an even balance in these stories -- Takaya starts focusing on joy, uncertain love, and optimism as well as the sorrow and fear (especially Kyo's meditations on his late mother, and his feelings about her). There are some outright cute moments, such as Tohru's adorable reaction when Kyo reveals that this was their second kiss. In fact, Kyo and Tohru experience some big changes in this volume. He finally faces his demons and his haunted past (including learning the REAL reason his mother committed suicide), and resolves to live for the future, while she struggles with her love and insecurities -- and the scene where they finally confess their feelings is beautifully awkward and heartfelt, as well as rather funny at times. And the other characters are explored as well -- Akito's changing personality, her pain and fear, and her relationship with Shigure; Yuki gaining the strength to pursue his own love; Arisa finally connecting with Kureno. The penultimate volume of "Fruits Basket" is a bittersweet experience -- bitter because it's almost over, and sweet on its own merits. And one more left to go...