The twentieth episode of the 2001 Fruits Basket anime lures Yuki into Ayame's peculiar clothing shop, where his flamboyant brother's real longing is simply to build the shared memories the two never had as children.
Summary
Drawn in by Ayame's advertising, Tohru and Yuki drop by his fabric shop, only to discover it caters to men with an array of decidedly feminine outfits. Ayame is thrilled to have his brother stop in, while his assistant is far more eager to get her hands on Tohru.
Key Events
Mine Kuramae, who runs the shop alongside Ayame, bewilders Yuki by cataloguing all the costumes she likes to wear, then dresses Tohru up in a golden gown so the brothers can share a moment. Yuki gets Ayame to admit that the two of them are opposites in nearly every way, and Ayame confesses that what he most admires is his younger brother's gentleness. Behind the theatrics lies Ayame's wish to build the happy memories the pair were denied in childhood, and Yuki concedes that at least one good thing came of the trip: the chance to see a very cute Honda-san. Little by little, he edges toward accepting Ayame just as he is.
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Notes
This 2001 episode adapts chapter 36 and corresponds to the 2019 entry I Can't Believe You Picked It Up. In the manga the events fall after Kazuma exposes Kyo's true form to Tohru. It aired in Japan on November 15, 2001, and in the United States on May 27, 2003, with the opening For Fruits Basket and the ending Chiisana Inori.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of shop does Ayame run in Ayame's Secret Life?
Ayame runs a fabric and clothing shop alongside his assistant Mine Kuramae that caters to men with an array of decidedly feminine outfits.
What does Ayame admit he admires most about Yuki?
Ayame confesses that what he most admires about his younger brother Yuki is his gentleness.
Why does Ayame go to such lengths to spend time with Yuki in this episode?
Behind the theatrics, Ayame's real wish is to build the happy memories that he and Yuki were denied during their childhood.
How does Yuki's attitude toward Ayame change by the end of the episode?
By the end of the shop visit, Yuki edges toward accepting Ayame just as he is, rather than resenting his flamboyant older brother.
Which manga chapter does Ayame's Secret Life adapt?
This 2001 episode adapts chapter 36 of the manga and corresponds to the 2019 entry I Can't Believe You Picked It Up.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Ayame's Secret Life? The Fruits Basket Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Fruits Basket anime series, manga, and official materials. Fruits Basket was created by Natsuki Takaya, published by Hakusensha, and animated by TMS Entertainment. All rights to Fruits Basket and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byNatsuki Takaya
- Published byHakusensha
- Animated byTMS Entertainment
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to TMS Entertainment and Hakusensha.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to the game's respective publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: volume covers, credited to Hakusensha and Natsuki Takaya.
Official resources:
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