Fruits Basket, Vol. 16

Features

• Comic: 216 pages
• Published by: Tokyopop April 10, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1598160249
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1598160246
• Book Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 4.8 ounces

Product Description
A new chapter is opened in the Sohma family's story--and the rumors are true! Kyo has indeed met Kyoko in the pastand when he did, she told him the story of how she met Tohru's father, which he then tells to us: Tohru's birththe truth about her mother and fatherYuki's declaration of independence Grab your best friend and get ready for the New Year's Eve ball--everything you've been waiting to know is right inside the next volume of the super-popular Fruits Basket, the world's #1 shojo manga!

Reader Reviews
This volume of Fruits Basket deals with the histories of several characters, both major and supporting. First up, we get a long, four chapter summary of the romance between Tohru's parents - her juvenile delinquent mother Kyoko and eccentric but kind father Katsuya, who's eight years Kyoko's senior. Rescued from an abusive home life by Katsuya, Kyoko basks in her relationship until her pregnancy. Terrified that she'll be a horrible parent, she keeps her baby with the assurance that Katsuya will help her through any rough spots - but of course, as we already know, her worst nightmare sadly comes true... The real kicker here is that their story is told not by Tohru, but by Kyo. Although it's been hinted that he had met Kyoko, it now turns out that he knew her quite well. But why hasn't he told Tohru that he knew her mother when it would obviously thrill her, and why is he haunted by Kyoko's death? We don't find out in this volume, but it looks like we - and Tohru - are eventually in for a bombshell... Next is a chapter that seems to start taking Yuki out of the running for Tohru as he starts flirting with Machi. Although it's in her point of view and we get to know her mindset slightly better, the chapter's real significance is to show how very far Yuki has come with help from Tohru, Haru and Kakeru. Finally it's New Year's Eve again - which means another decision to be made by Yuki regarding whether or not to go to the Main House for the holiday. He goes with intentions of forgiving Akito for his child abuse, but gets rewarded for his pains with another irrational, violent episode on Akito's part. The effort is not wasted though, as it leads to a very touching scene in which Yuki frees Hatori from the guilt he's been suffering for years because of the incident with Yuki's childhood friends - and quite possibly also because he did no more to protect Yuki than Aya or Shigure did. As with the last volume, this entry largely sets up bigger things to come.