REVIEW: ‘Fruits Basket: The Final Season,’ Episode 11 – “Goodbye”

Fruits Basket the Final Season Episode 11 released on June 14th, 2021, to premium subscribers of  Funimation and Crunchyroll.  This episode is the third to last episode in the entire series, and we follow characters Tohru, Kyo, and Akito as forgiveness and love hang heavy in the air.

The beginning of Fruits Basket Episode 11  finally shows viewers how Tohru deals with the aftermath of her conversation with Kyo and their deep feelings towards one another. It’s funny this role reversal in their relationship because it’s always Tohru willing to endure all the pain in order to make sure she can still be around Kyo. Still, this time, it’s different, and she feels as though things between her and Kyo are over. Within the past couple of episodes, watchers have been able to examine Kyo’s coping mechanism of running away; however, in Fruits Basket Episode 11, it is Tohru running away when they finally face one another.

Kyo doesn’t let her run away from him this time, though, and It is an eye-swelling moment. He expresses how he knows that the conversation they had before her accident had affected her. It’s such a wonderful display to see one of my favorite “he’s a mean idiot, but I still love him” characters truly express the sincerest amount of empathy towards another person. I have loved Fruits Basket since I was a teen, and for me, this feels like I am bracing to say goodbye to a character I have grown up with as he and Tohru finally are able to profess their love for each other. 

For a show that punished our Sohma characters for emotional warmth through physical intimacy, the sheer amount of willpower it took to not cry over Tohru and Kyo exchanging kisses and hand-holding makes my inner 13-year-old self squeal with joy. I think TME Entertainment perfectly captures the softness and tenderness between these two characters that feel so wholly organic. Even when Kyo expresses the shyness of his body when it comes to physical interactions, Tohru accepts him. This moment is perfect, and seeing it on screen was a dream come true. 

Woven within this episode is the shattering of the Zodiac curse and Akito’s steps towards redemption as she deals with the totality of her actions. Told through a wonderful monologue from voice actor Laura Bailey (Tohru), watchers are in for a treat as the animation, music, and script in Fruits Basket Episode 11 perfectly blends the lore of the supernatural and the romance together in one of the most beautiful episodes in the entire series. 

All of this sets up Akito to finally let go of the pain and jealousy she has always lived with. The scene that ensues is a lovely showcase of the Sohma clan realizing that they are no longer chained to their curses. They break free. Akito’s voice actor Colleen Smith Clinkenbeard once again stuns, and TME Entertainment animates the collective tears of our protagonists as they confront a scary future with a new beginning on the horizon. However, as the tears flow, so does hope, as is one of the best parts about any good episode. 

Fruits Basket Episode 11 was a perfect episode that will please long-time fans and new fans alike that have been there since day one of Tohru and Kyo’s journey. The brilliant blend of animation, scriptwriting, voice work, and music created 24 minutes of pure bliss as some of the most monumental displays of love and hope were showcased, which says a lot when it comes to the series. This is an episode that will always be a great re-watch and brings viewers a promise that the final two episodes of the series will be nothing short of amazing. 

Fruits Basket is available to watch on Funimation.