Fruits Basket

Mike has mentioned Fruits Basket here before, and he was kind enough to give me a copy. I finally got to see it, Sarah loaned it to a friend who loves anime before I got to watch it. Mike's talked about it in terms of kindness and grace,and I don't have much to add to that other than he's right. It represents our deep desire for Grace. I will add that I loved the animation it's self. It's very self aware of the anime tradition, and switches styles on the fly. It even pokes fun at it's own animation. At one point a character takes the symbol used to show anger off of one of the other characters, places it on himself and says 'there now I'm angry'. The great thing is how smoothly it's worked into the the script, by the time you catch the joke they've moved on. If you enjoy anime and I'd give Fruits Basket a watch.

- Peace

All the different shapes of kindness (from Fruits Basket)

Tohru:
... But think of all the girls at school who like you and say you’re really nice
Yuki:
But I’m just being nice because I WANT them to like me. It isn’t how I really feel. Really I’m just selfish. But you Tohru are a nice person.
Tohru:
Well maybe I’m just being nice because I want you to like me. Maybe I’m the one being selfish.
Yuki:
You couldn’t be even if you wanted to.
Tohru:
Well I don’t know about that. Mom said anyone can be selfish sometimes.
When we’re born all we know how to do is want. We want food, we want attention. It’s just instinct I guess… but kindness,..
We aren’t born with it. It grows inside us like our bodies do…
(Tohru’s mom in flashback)
Not everyone has kindness but I think everyone has the potential. Sometimes it’s hard. You’ll find someone who doesn’t seem to have it but if you look really hard you’ll find it.
Tohru:
That’s why I always try to find the good in people. So I can see all the different shapes of kindness and sometimes that’s all it takes for someone to find the goodness in themselves.

Ok, ok, I’m a big sucker for this stuff.

Fruits Basket and Mike's Twin

Dave made me blog it.
Fruits Basket, A story of redemptive grace.
(Wiki has a link here)
Sometimes I just fall in love with an anime…
Fruits Basket is the story of a young girl who, in spite of great tragedy in her own life, maintains an extraordinarily positive outlook. Not only that but when she meets a family beset by a strange curse she responds with kindness and love even when they treat her badly. Her love begins to change the entire clan and they begin to treat others with kindness.
Yup, I’m a sucker for a story in which love conquers all.

Mike's Twin?:
My hat,..
my glasses,..
my size,..
plays guitar a lot like me too.