Isuzu loves snooping through Shigure's life, especially when she's totally convinced that he is hiding something. But when Tohru finds a passed-out Isuzu in the house, she tries to drag Isuzu to the hospital. Meanwhile, Yuki goes to the ASB council room only to find it trashed again! But as the secrets of who vandalized the room come out of the closet, Yuki accidentally gets locked in one. Who will be the one to help her get out? (courtesy of Amazon)
Review*
*My "reviews" of manga are a combination of a summary and a review. It's hard for me to really talk about a volume of manga without going in depth with the plot. So if you're really concerned about spoilers, beware.
Fruits Basket volume 14 has another big character study. It's Rin's turn. Like most of the members of the zodiac, she has had a horrific life. Her parents were repulsed by her. For years, they put on a happy show, but one day the switch just flipped and they made sure she understand how awful she was and how no one wanted her. But it turns out that one person did want her...Haru. They were in love. I love how Takaya drew them together. Full of passion and painful desperation to be together. Their relationship was short lived. Akito wouldn't stand for it. And as the god of the Sohma world, what Akito says goes. Rin is now haunted. She shuts out the world, because so no one will get close to her.
Leave it to Tohru to worm her way into someone's life who wants to be left alone. Tohru won't give up Rin. When Rin is in the hospital, Tohru insists on visiting her no matter how unwelcome Rin makes her feel. Tohru does this out of her innate goodness, but also because she recognizes that she and Rin have something in common. Rin wants to break the curse just as much as Tohru and appears to be the only Sohma member who is actively looking for a way to do it.
The rest of the volume is scenes from Yuki's student council meetings. I'm not a big fan of these meetings. They detract from the main plot and introduce lots of extra characters. It's getting to the point that I'm having trouble keeping track of people.
I missed Kyo in this volume. He hardly showed up at all. Volume 14 isn't my favorite, but it still develops the story.
I still have yet to try manga, but I can definitely relate to reading something that develops a story, but leaves a little something to be desired. Great review, Alison - very balanced :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Rin sounds like a very tortured character, I didn't realize manga could be so dark. Don't know why I thought that, probably just because of the illustrations which is a silly assumption on my part:) I always like reading these manga reviews just because they're so different from what I normally read, it's fun to see what else is out there and of interest to you!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to get into the manga ever since I watched the anime (which I adored!) but I haven't really had the chance. It's a shame Kyo wasn't around in this one - he's my favourite character :). Thanks for the review; I'm going to try and start getting into this again!
ReplyDeleteI only read three manga stories and I loved them. Now I want another to try out. This one sounds okay, but it's vol. 14, so not sure If I will try this one. :) lol.
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