I would never defend what Akito does in this series, simply because what’s done is indefensible. What I will say is what we see in Fruits Basket as a whole is why generational trauma is a cycle that’s so hard to break… and I’m not even getting into anything that has to do with Akito’s backstory, but with the way Yuki and Kyo act throughout the series… and the way Rin lashed out at the end of the second episode. As my favorite psychologist always says, “hurt people hurt people”, and when it comes to the Somas, you have years of them experiencing and learning that abusive behavior is acceptable… which is why Tohru’s presence is such a wrench in the machine that is Akito’s family - and why he feels so threatened by her, even if he pretends not to be.