Karen Fukuhara on Kimiko’s First Words in ‘The Boys’: “I think it’s earned”

“The Boys” is one of the most popular superhero series globally, and its fourth season concluded on July 18, 2024. Although the initial reactions were lukewarm, the series gained momentum, ultimately earning a Certified Fresh rating with high scores.

The fourth season featured many fascinating and surprising moments, most of which we’ve covered in our weekly reviews. However, one character we haven’t discussed much is Kimiko, whose most shocking moment came in the season finale when she – SPOILER ALERT – speaks for the first time!

In this spoiler-filled article, we’ll delve into Kimiko’s major moment and share what Karen Fukuhara, the actress who plays Kimiko, thinks about this shocking event and its impact on the series moving forward.

As mentioned earlier, this article contains significant spoilers. If you haven’t seen the Season 4 finale or don’t want any details revealed, stop reading now, as we will discuss key plot points. In the midst of the chaos, Kimiko had a standout moment in the dramatic finale. Cate successfully brainwashed Frenchie, aligning him with the villains and potentially setting him up as an antagonist in the final season.

This brainwashing deeply affected everyone, especially given the nature of Kimiko and Frenchie’s relationship. The series has consistently suggested their relationship is purely platonic, and with a deeper exploration of Frenchie’s sexuality this season, fans were convinced they could never be a couple. However, their passionate kiss in the finale challenges this theory, making the brainwashing even more heartbreaking.

In a desperate bid to “bring back” Frenchie and convey her inner turmoil, Kimiko releases a powerful cry of anguish, marking her first spoken words in the series. In a recent interview with Variety, actress Karen Fukuhara shared her thoughts on this pivotal moment:

Kimiko speaks for the first time ever, if we’re not counting the musical dream sequence in Season 3 — and it’s to scream “No!” as she and Frenchie are separated by “Gen V” characters Cate (Maddie Phillips) and Sam (Asa Germann). What was it like finally getting to talk? And finding out the trigger to get Kimiko to be able to speak was this tragic situation with Frenchie after they had finally entered a real romantic relationship?

KAREN FUKUHARA: It was really exciting, reading that in the script. Almost as exciting as when I read that I could heal in Season 1. I think it’s earned, as well. I think it has been building up to this moment. We see Kimiko at the top of Season 4 trying to tackle her speech therapy — and really, it’s not the physical speech therapy that she needs, it’s the emotional therapy that she needs in order to get there.

And it’s such a visceral moment at the end of the season, when we see Frenchie getting taken away and there’s nothing else she can do but to scream out his name. And it’s gutteral. I loved where we took it this season, it was a really great surprise. And I feel like I always get that question from fans: When is she gonna speak? And just you wait!

Source: Variety

We’re eagerly anticipating how Kripke and his team will develop Kimiko and Frenchie’s storyline in the final season, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest news. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates about the show!

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