Fruits Basket: Prelude

Fans love this series, the characters, the stories and conflict, the life lessons and histories, the interactions between such different personalities - it's magic. I wasn't expecting magic from this film (why would I, it's not the main storyline), but I also wasn't expecting...to be so disgusted.

'Fruits Basket: Prelude' tells the story of how a grown man in a position of power at an educational institution takes advantage of a troubled teenage girl.

Now, this series isn't perfect: 27-year-old Shigure's "🎶high school girls, high school girls🎶" (actually, 75% of his character is true cringe) and 27-year-old Ayame essentially abducting underaged Tohru for a lunch date, to name two age-inappropriate behaviors. However, the series doesn't come close to the predatory severity presented in 'Prelude.' What's even more dangerous, is the lack of repercussion to Katsuya for his actions: Yuki and Kyo express their disgust constantly to Shigure, whereas Katsuya gets disapproval from his family about Kyoko because she's a reformed rebel, not because of her age.

'Fruits Basket: Prelude' is Katsuya's success story as a groomer. And it's not okay.

A must watch movie after watching the anime series. The actual movies starts at around 25 minutes until then it is a recap of the series. A really beautiful movie explaining the relationship between Katsuya Honda and Kyoko Honda.

The prequel movie about the Honda couple was emotional, romantic and leaves a lasting impression along with the flashback scenes of Tohru and Kyoko.

The story of Katsuya and Ryoko was heartfelt, and quite romantic. The animation was solid and on par with the prior season's quality.

Fruits Basket - Prelude - did get me to tear up twice. It hit all the emotional notes as the original, and Kyoko's story in retrospect to nearly all other characters is truly one where you can't help but root for her. It also made me reflect on my own ways of expressing grief, and when a film can get you to do that I think that's something special.

Overall, the film is an excellent way to preserve the story of Kyoko and Katsuya. For long term fans of Fruits Basket, this is just a cherry on the cake.

My Rating : 10/10.