As we guessed, this episode was about Yuki, and Ayame was the other reason to make it more lively. After watching Ayame and Yuki talking about visiting his shop, the first thing that came in my mind is…how did this episode appeared now? This was the only episode which was not shown from the original and after the end of the season 1 I though that they cut this episode and might not include in the remake but to my surprise, they did include it which made me look into the manga where I confirmed that this actually happened after the Kyo’s true form arc. I love this episode and I’m happy that they didn’t cut it. This episode is not good just because of Tohru x Yuki but also is a very significant part of the development of relationship between Yuki and Ayame. So it would not just be sad but disappointing if they would not have included this episode.
Anyway, the episode with Yuki visiting to Ayame’s shop is here where Yuki tries to understand is brother in a better way. Although I would say that it was quite rushed as Yuki seemed to be furious on his brother and suddenly changed his way speaking and expressed his wish to visit his brother’s shop. But still it feels good to see him making some efforts to give a chance to his relationship with his elder brother rather keeping his distance from him and pushing him away even though Ayame’s actions make him restless. Nobunaga Shimazaki sounds really fascinating being furious. That’s also because it makes me think of another character that he voiced in Kiznaiver. Agitated Shimazaki is amusing. Yuki is my favorite and is his agitation towards his brother which makes me laugh hard. It’s like whatever Ayame does is beyond the understanding of Yuki and his mind freezes. The best thing about Ayame’s character is the reaction of his brother to his mischiefs.
I like it how they revealed Ayame’s profession by making him mending Yuki’s torn shirt. It was a good start to highlight what his business is about. And although Ayame’s shop is pretty eccentric, I was impressed by knowing that he can craft WHATEVER customer desires. He does that by himself and that is very cool. I would love to visit his shop for a cosplay despite of all bizarre merchandise in his shop.
Ayame is undoubtedly one of the most amusing character of Fruits Basket. When I watched him in the original I was as agitated as Yuki but, in the remake I can’t help but wish for more episodes with him and Yuki. It was hilarious to watch him impose ‘brotherly love’ on Yuki shirt. Probably it’s Takahiro Sakurai’s voce that makes it more hilarious but his performance is just beyond brilliance when it comes to make us laugh. It’s not just his eccentric behavior but there is more to his character which we also get a glimpse of in the first season. His guilt of not being able to support Yuki in the past is genuine. And now he wants to repent and he is doing everything he could to make Yuki understand it no matter how long it takes. I also feel like Ayame doesn’t like to be serious and sincere about himself. May be it’s because he doesn’t want to show that side of his personality so he abruptly get back to his wildness.
It felt good when Ayame said that he was not good with Yuki as he did the same thing to Yuki what his parents did to him. Yuki had no hope left when he was pushed away by Ayame as he was his last hope and the last one to abandon him. It made Yuki went into that darkness and filled hatred in his heart for him. It was very sad to see little Yuki running towards his cold brother for help. Ayame realized his treatment towards Yuki when he grew up and was treated the same way by Yuki and that indifferent attitude of his brother made him scared. It’s hrd to understand how Ayame begin to realize that but I think some people do understand that as the siblings grow older, they get closer to each other, leaving behind all animosity in the past.
The bond between these two brothers with completely opposite nature is the best relationship in this anime even more than Yuki and Tohru. It warms our heart to see the development in their relationship and it seems like beginning of a promising bond that Yuki could have with some one. This was the first time when we watched Yuki opening up to Ayame directly and Ayame to Yuki. There was also a point of realization in their discussion here we got to know that Ayame and Yuki do actually have somethings in common as both of them longed for being needed and authorized in any way. Ayame started business of making outfits and Yuki started his base. For both of them the person who accepted their flaws is the most comforting place for them. They finally opened up to each other and I found very touching especially when Ayame told Yuki has his own existence that he is not a tool but a human with feelings that matters and assured him that he is not alone. That moment Yuki finally saw an elder brother in Ayame that he always wanted. Although that doesn’t stop Yuki from being irritated by Ayame’s behavior he is not as indifferent towards him as before.
We also get to see some past details in Yuki’s life. Until now there was no explanation about how Yuki started living with Akito. In the previous episode we get to know that raising and adopting Zodiac members can be a source of money, I think that Yuki’s parent give their son away to Akito for the sake of some money and power. What we saw in the beginning of this episode, it is evident that Yuki is not close to his parents especially his mom. She straightforwardly said to his face that he is a tool and it was heart breaking. This explains why Yuki was always so aloof and reserved. He has always been alone and no one gave him love or support in such a tender age. Hi parent gave him off to the head of the family, his brother pushed him away and he ended up being tortured by Akito throughout his childhood. He had no one to look up to or get love and warmth from some one until he met Tohru.
That’s the reason behind my shipping Tohru and Yuki as she was the first person who gave him love and treated him warmly with all his flaws (Although I do know what will come out of this relationship and Yuki’s feeling towards her I’m just enjoying it until it is revealed). And I was in cloud nine when Tohru came out with Mine in that white dress and Yuki couldn’t looked away. The way he came closer to Tohru with that ‘romantic’ look on his face, it was the best moment of Yuki x Tohru so far. My heart skipped a beat.
It was a great episode with two of my favourite relationships being highlighted in the best way. It was a great start of the development in the relationship of Yuki and Ayame. Although they still have a long way to go it was good to see them being opening to each other and have a serious discussion and try to understand each other even if it’s hard to do that all the time. The episode ended with Yuki having a little idea about how Ayame thinks of him and he didn’t regret visiting his shop. It’s just the beginning. In the end the appearance of Hatori completed episode as how it can be an episode about Ayame without his Tori.
