Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket is a heart-warming anime that tells the story of a young girl named Tohru Honda, and how she befriends a cursed family called the Sohmas.

At the start, we learn that Tohru is an orphan whose mother died in a car crash prior to the beginning of the anime. Unable to burden her friends or extended family with her troubles, she chooses to live in a tent in the woods by herself and handle all her problems on her own. However, when she discovers she's pitched her new home on Shigure Sohma's property - worse, the same property the prince of her high school, Yuki Sohma, lives on! - Tohru begs them to let her stay in exchange for payment. Shigure and Yuki won't allow her to pay, and they invite her, as a friend, to stay with them in their house. The trouble is, the Sohma's have a very tightly kept secret - and naturally, Tohru stumbles right into it! There are twelve cursed Sohma family members, and Yuki and Shigure are two of them! When hugged by a member of the opposite sex, the cursed members transform into the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac - the dog, rat, ox, boar, dragon, rabbit, snake, monkey, tiger, sheep, rooster and the horse, plus the outcast cat who is shunned by society.

As the anime progresses, Tohru meets one zodiac member after another and befriends nearly all of them. She also meets the mysterious, cold and cruel head of the Sohma family - Akito - who threatens to have her memory erased if she tells anyone of the Sohma's secret. Along the way, Tohru must confront some of her deepest fears - the continuing overwhelming loss of her mother, failing tests, the possibility of losing her memory, and most imporantly...the deepest secret of the Sohmas yet.

This anime is a wonderful one to watch. The animation is beautiful, the music is perfect and all the characters are charming, plus they develop and grow as the show goes on. The storyline isn't an epic, but has great filler episodes to take one's mind off the overall themes of the anime, and the fillers won't leave you bored and wanting to fast forward through them. The ending is a bit abrupt and darker than the rest of the show however, and may leave you feeling as though you're just hanging in front of your TV, trying to figure it out. However, the Fruits Basket manga is still continuing in Japan and carries the story much further than the anime does.

The anime does not include all 12 members of the zodiac - it does not introduce Kureno (the rooster) or Isuzu "Rin" (the horse). The manga does include both of these characters.

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Main Characters:

Tohru Honda - VAs: Yui Horie & Laura Bailey

Tohru Honda is the kind, selfless heroine of Fruits Basket with a tragic past. But despite her past, she remains optimistic and strong no matter what life throws her way. After Shigure and Yuki Sohma discover her living in the woods without a home of her own, they invite her to stay despite family secrets they hide. Tohru cherishes all her new friends in the Sohma family and does her best to help them all.

This member of the Sohma family is in Tohru's class and is loved by all the girls in high school for his pretty looks, intelligence and athletic ability. However, Yuki is very distant and doesn't get close to anyone, except Tohru. As a result of the Sohma Curse, Yuki transforms into the rat of the Chinese Zodiac whenever he is hugged by a member of the opposite sex.

Kyo is one of the cursed members of the Sohma family, but he is not one of the twelve members of the Zodiac. According to legend, when God hosted a banquet for all the animals, the rat tricked the cat by saying the banquet was on a different day, and the cat missed the entire ceremony. Because of this, he was left out of the Zodiac. When embraced by someone of the opposite sex, Kyo transforms into the cat, and he is an outcast among the Sohma family. Because of this, he has a brash, furious temper that often gets away with him and he has trouble expressing his true feelings. He also despises Yuki, and the two of them fight almost constantly.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Shigure lives on his own and works as a novelist. Carefree and easy-going, he's happy to let Tohru stay in his house despite his family secret. He can be a little preverted sometimes, but he also has a serious side. When he's not driving his poor editor crazy, Shigure is often trying to be the voice of reason in his house. When embraced by someone of the opposite sex, he transforms into the dog of the Chinese Zodiac.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Kagura has a slightly duel personality and can either be very sweet and loving...or very insistent, loud and obnoxious. Ever since she was a little girl, she's been in love with Kyo, and she accepts him for what he is and loves him despite the fact that he's an outcast. She quickly comes to accept Tohru as a good friend after seeing her interact with Shigure, Yuki and Kyo. When embraced by someone of the opposite sex, Kagura transforms into the boar of the Chinese Zodiac.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Hatori is also the Sohma family's personal doctor and has the ability to erase memories - an ability that comes in handy whenever someone from the outside discovers the secret of the Zodiac. His personality is cold and withdrawn, but this is due to his own tragic past and a lost love. In reality, he cares deeply for the other members of the zodiac and he also learns to care deeply for Tohru.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Momiji is friendly, playful and almost always cheerful. He adores Tohru from the moment he meets her and has no objections to hugging her and transforming into his Zodiac form - the rabbit. However, despite his cheerful personality, Momiji hides a tragic past and often offers the most intellectual insight to difficult situations.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Hatsuharu is also a double-sided character due to his zodiac sign. Most of the time, he's a polite, thoughtful young man who cares for his family and friends, and he goes by the nickname "White Haru". However, he can quickly revert to a more brash, fighting side, which earned him the nickname "Black Haru". When embraced by a member of the opposite sex, Haru transforms into the cow of the Chinese Zodiac.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Ayame is flamboyant, flashy and overly-confident of himself. He runs his own business - something of a lingerie and fabric store - and when he's not with his two best friends, Shigure and Hatori, he's trying to bond with his estranged younger brother, Yuki. When embraced by a member of the opposite sex, Ayame transforms into the snake of the Chinese Zodiac.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Kisa is shy, quiet and young. Teased because of her hair and eye color, she quickly became an outcast at school and ran away from home because of this. Tohru helps her realize that she does have a voice and she must keep going no matter how much it hurts to do so. Kisa views Tohru as an older sister (she even calls Tohru "Sissy") and follows her with devotion. When embraced by a member of the opposite sex, Kisa transforms into the tiger of the Chinese Zodiac.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Hiro is arrogant, rude and selfish. He is extremely jealous of Tohru because she spends so much time with his childhood love, Kisa. Because of this, Hiro is often quite mean to Tohru, despite the other zodiac members asking him to be nicer to her. When embraced by someone of the opposite sex, Hiro transforms into the sheep of the Chinese Zodiac.

One of the twelve cursed members of the Sohma family, Ritsu is apologetic and lacks any confidence whatsoever. However, after meeting Tohru, Ritsu learns there are things worth living for. When embraced by someone of the opposite sex, Ritsu transforms into the monkey of the Chinese Zodiac.

Though he is not one of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac, Akito is the head of the Sohma family. Mysterious, dark, and often cruel, Akito demands extreme loyalty from all members of the zodiac no matter what the cost. He seems to despise feelings of love, and he often uses mental and pyshical abuse to keep Zodiac members from straying from what he feels is their family duty. He decides to trust Tohru when she first enters the lives of the Sohmas, but his decision is balanced on a fine line, and no one knows when he might give the order for her memory of the Zodiac members to be erased...

Other Characters:

Arisa Uotani, "Uo-Chan" - VAs: Yuka Imai & Parisa Fakhri

One of Tohru's two best friends, Arisa was once a part of an all-girls gang until Tohru's mother helped her escape her lifestyle and move on to something better. Because of this, Arisa is extremely protective of Tohru and will do anything to help her out. She also considers Tohru's mother as a role model and even dresses in some of Kyoko's old clothes.

Tohru's other best friend is Saki. She's a pyshic and can sense auras and electrical currents around people. Because of this, most of her classmates fear her or fear being electricuted around her. Saki often has an air of mystery and strangeness about her, but she'll do anything to help Tohru and wants nothing more than for her best friend to be happy.

Kyoko Honda was killed in a car accident a few months before the anime begins, leaving her 15 year old daughter behind. However, when she was alive, she was a willful, independent woman with a fun, exciting personality and a wild side. Even after her death, she continues to impact Tohru's life, and her words of wisdom guide her daughter through the series and difficult times.

The Prince Yuki Fanclub consists of four main girls, though the entire club is made up of half the female population of the high school. The four main members dedicate their lives to protecting their "Prince" Yuki and keeping any girl who is not a member of their club away from him. They particularly despise Tohru for getting so close to him, and they'll do just about anything to keep her away from him.

This young boy is Saki's little brother. Although he can not read or control electrical currents like his sister, Megumi possess a different talent. He has the ability to cast curses on people simply by focusing hard on their names. He and his sister are fairly close, and he's also good friends with Tohru and Arisa.

Though he is not one of the twelve members of the Zodiac, Kazuma plays an important role as a Sohma. He is a martial arts master who's grandfather carried the Curse of the Cat before Kyo Sohma was born. Because of this, Kazuma unofficially adopts Kyo as a son and trains not only him, but Yuki, Kagura and Hatsuharu as well. He is one of the few people who knows that Kyo has a dark, horrible secret - and it is Kazuma who takes a chance that Kyo might can overcome this with the help of his friends.

This guide does contain some unavoidable spoilers, so consider yourself warned. If you choose to read on and haven't seen all of the show, you do so at your own risk!

Tohru Honda lives in a tent. It hasn't always been this way, but with her parents gone and her Grandfather's house temporarily under construction she thought it seemed like a good idea at the time. But, as Tohru is about to discover, her happy little home in the woods is not her own. She's pitched her tent on land belonging to the Sohma family, and meeting them will change her life forever.

Tohru has only spent one night in the Sohma house, and already she's stumbled on the family secret - literally! It seems the Sohmas have been living under a curse for generations. If they are ever hugged by a member of the opposite sex...poof! They turn into animals! Now that Tohru has discovered the secret, she may not be able to move in after all. Worse, the head of the Sohma family may decide to erase her memory!

It's Kyo's first day at school, and he doesn't like it one bit! But when his daring escape attempt prompts another potentially violent confrontation with Yuki, Tohru has no choice but to intervene. Ever action has a consequence, and Tohru's action has set in motion a chain of events that will soon lead her to discover there's a lot more to Yuki and Kyo than meets the eye.

Tohru is settlign into her new role as the Sohma's housekeeper, but when another member of the Sohma family pays a visit, she may soon find herself without a house to keep! Kagura is coming along with her earth-shaking love for Kyo. Once she arrives, there is no wall strong enough to keep her from her husband-to-be! Shigure's house may never be the same!

Tohru always knew she wouldn't be able to stay with the Sohma's forever, but when the renovations to her granfather's house are complete, she finds herself wishing she didn't have to leave so soon. Now in an unfamiliar house, surrounded by her cruel inlaws, Tohru does her best to adjust to live without Yuki, Shigure and Kyo - but they may not be able to survive with her!

Tohru's two best friends, Saki and Arisa, have always been a bit overprotective of her. So when Tohru confides in them that she's been living with the Sohma's, it's only natural they would want to check it out for themselves! It's an impromptu slumber party, and Shigure, Yuki and Kyo will have to watch their step when the girls arrive. The slightest slip could reveal the family secret!

Once again it's time for the school's annual Cultural Festival, and Class 1-D's rice ball stand is a success thanks in large part to Tohru's delicious homemade treats. But what should be a day of fun turns tense when the festival is visited by two unexpected guest - Momiji and Hatori Sohma! Akito has sent them to the school to do some checking up on Yuki and the others. The only question is...why?

At Hatori's request (or rather, demand), Tohru pays a secret visit to the Sohma Estate. But when she arrives to find the sprawling compound practically deserted, not even the fun-loving Momiji can help to ease Tohru's nerves. Thanks to Yuki's previous warning, Tohru fears the "important matters" Hatori wishes to discuss may include erasing her memory!

Akito Sohma demands strict loyalty from every member of his family. The family tradition of gathering together on New Year's Eve threatens to leave Tohru alone at Shigure's house during the celebration. To make matters worse, Tohru has never spent the holiday without her mother. Kyo and Yuki must quickly decide to remain with the family or rush to Tohru's side in her moment of grief.

With Yuki and Kyo always competing in one form or another, the arrival of the unpredictable Hatsuharu Sohma complicates matters even further. Hatsuharu's wild personality shifts without warning earning him the nickname "Black Haru" among his family. How will he react to the strange girl who knows the Sohma Family Secret?

The arrival of Valentine's Day brings with it the thread of amorous girls doing their best to get close to the popular Yuki and Kyo. But when the heat is on, Kyo flees the scene...only to run into his most ardent pursuer, Kagura! Back at Shigure's house, Torhu gives gifts to all her new friends. With emotions high, Kyo flies into a rage...and towards a confrontation with Shigure!

As a gift to Torhu, Momiji invites the residents of Shigure's house to a vacation at the Sohma family hot springs resort. While there, Tohru learns that two new Sohmas will soon be enrolling in her school - Momiji and Hatsuharu! Considering the existing situation, the addition of the two new Sohmas are sure to make every day at school much more interesting.

It's the first day of a new school year, and Tohru is excited that Momiji and Hatsuharu are coming to high school. There's trouble in the halls when the Student Council President discovers that Momiji is wearing a girl's uniform, and then even more trouble when Black Haru surfaces! But the real problems begin when Tohru runs into an unexpected visitor in the hall. Akito Sohma has suddenly appeared at school, too!

While tending to the garden with Yuki, Tohru has a rather creepy first encounter with a new member of the Zodiac - Ayame Sohma, the snake! But the real surprise comes when Tohru discovers that Aymae is also Yuki's older brother! Ayame has made a special trip to Shigure's house in order to close the gap that exists between him and Yuki, but in order to succeed, he may just need Tohru's help!

Tohru and her friends plan a visit to Kyoko's grave on the first anniversary of her death. There is much smiling as they all remember how wonderful Torhu's mother was in life, and Hana and Yuki are both amazed at how happy Tohru seems only a year after the tragedy. But there is something else hiding behind Tohru's smile that not even her closest friends can see. Torhu's struggle to cope with the loss of her mother is far from over, and it takes a chance meeting with Momiji to remind her that all of her efforts are not in vain.

At Shigure's urging, Tohru, Yuki, Kyo and Hatori pile in the car for a trip to the Sohma's lake house. But what should be a relaxing vacation turns out to be rather stormy when Torhu discovers that something's bothering Yuki and Kyo. And the boys' moods only worsen when an uninvited guest suddenly arrives - Ayame!

As Golden Week comes to its end, Tohru meets yet another member of the Zodiac - Kisa, the tiger! But as cute as she is, Kisa seems to be having some very serious problems. She's run away from home, and she's lost her ability to speak! But Tohru's special brand of tender loving care may be the one that can help Kisa find her voice again.

Th Prince Yuki Fan Club wants Yuki all to themselves, so they've hatched a new scheme: "Operation Destroy Tohru Honda"! But they can't get to Torhu while Hana is around, so Minami and the rest of the girls go to Hana's house to discover the secrets of her Electric Wave powers. However, they didn't count on one thing...Hana's curse-casting little brother, Megumi!

The Spring Midterms are now over, but instead of breathing a sigh of relief, Tohru finds that her worst nightmare has come true - she's failed a test! Now Tohru has only one chance to make amends for her failing grade, and only a few days to study for the restest. And to make matters worse, she's coming down with a cold!

Yuki and Tohru journey to Ayame's clothing boutique after Yuki unexpectedly tells his brother that he would like to see it. Along the way Yuki divulges his reasoning for this newfound interest in his estranged older brother. But upon arrival, Yuki and Ayame separate for a private conversation. Tohru is more than nervous about how Yuki will emerge from this confrontation.

Tohru and Kisa have been spending a lot of time together, but not everyone is as happy about it as they are. Tohru learns this the hard way, when she meets a new member of the Zodiac on the street and he steals her purse! It's the young Hiro Sohma, and one way or another, he's not going to let Tohru have Kisa all to herself!

With only half of the school year remaining, the time has come for the crowning of a new President of the Prince Yuki Fan Club. Many girls including Minami vie for the position. But the outgoing president, Motoko, vows that she will never let any other girl get close to Yuki!

Shigure's house receives yet another visitor - Ritsu Sohma, the child of the hostess at the hot springs! Whenever Ri's around, it seems to be one mishap after another. But Ritsu's biggest bombshell is yet to come. Tohru is in for the surprise of her life!

Yuki and Kyo's martial arts teacher comes to Shigure's house to visit with his former students. His name is Kazuma, and his granfather was the previous Sohma afflicted by the curse of the cat. He comes bearing a terrible secret about Kyo. As hideous as this news is, Kyo must not avoid it any longer if he is to have any hope of becoming a full member of the Sohma family.

Kyo's shocking transformating into his true form is finally complete! Unfortunately for Tohru, she witnesses the entire spectacle, and it leavers her feeling disoriented and confused. Kagura comes up with the family's last hope to save Kyo...whether Tohru likes it or not!

Tohru prepares herself for the task of getting through to Kyo. Is there anything she can do to save him? And as if this isn't enough, Akito suddenly wants to see Tohru - immediately! Has the time finally come for her memory to be completely erased?!

Favorite Quotes:

Kyo & Yuki: Have you no shame?!
Shigure: No.

Shigure: I thought it might be fun to travel by car. Don't worry, leave all the driving to me.
Yuki: Shigure? Do you even HAVE a license?
Shigure: *very long pause* Of course I have a license.
Yuki & Kyo: Why'd you have to think about it?!

Shigure: There, I called her. I called my editor. I hope you're happy.
Hatori: Yes I am. Stop crying.
Shigure: I can't! You spoiled all my fun!
Hatori: And you call youself an adult...

Kyo: Today's the day, rat boy! Once I get up there, you're dead!
Yuki: Oh good! I haven't heard THAT line in a while!
Kyo: If you're so tough, why don't you come down here and fight, you coward!
Yuki: What's your hurry? Afraid you won't be able to beat me once we change back?
Kyo: Look at you, calling all your little rat friends to help you, huh?
Yuki: You know I didn't call them; they just decided to come out on their own!! But I don't see any cats coming to help you. I guess you have no friends here either!

Kyo: *angrily pointing at Yuki* Just like I'll beat you one of these days!
Yuki: Wait, wait, I think I've heard this one before!

Kyo: One of these days, I'll make you say you're sorry!
Yuki: I'm sorry.
Kyo: Dammit! That's not what I meant! Don't you have any shame?
Yuki: Yes, I'm ashamed to be seen with you, shouting in public.
Kyo: Oh that's it! We're taking this outside!
Yuki: We ARE outside, you stupid cat.

Ayame: Yuki, let's deepen the bond between us brothers!
Yuki: Before you can do that I'll drown you in the deepest part of that lake.
Ayame: That's right! No matter what happens we'll be together.
Yuki: I'll let you drown alone!

Shigure: Good morning, everyone!
Yuki: Good evening is more like it. I think your sleep schedule is a bit off.
Shigure: Nope, such is the life of the creative mind. *notices Kisa* Well, who is this pretty girl? Would you like Grandpa Shigure to give you a candy?
Yuki: Stop that! The way you say it, it makes you sound like a dirty old man!
Shigure: I see Yuki is being cold as usual.
Yuki: And, as usual, you're being an idiot.

Shigure: So, anyway, I was wondering if you could stop by the house and take a look at Tohru's cut. That is, if it isn't a problem.
Hatori: No problem. I'll stop by the house this evening.
Shigure: Hmmm? What's this, Hatori? I don't think I ever heard you sound so eager to come over. Could it be you have a secret crush on Tohru?
*long silence from the other end of the phone*
Shigure: I knew it! You naughty, naughty man, you!
Hatori: No, I was simply too amazed by your stupidity to say anything.

Kagura: You don't know what a woman feels like when she's in love!
Shigure: Oh, yes I do! Or at least I've felt enough women to venture a guess.

(Kagura is doing laundry and tries to wring out Kyo's shirt, causing it to rip in two)
Kyo: Tell me what I think just happened didn't just happen!
Kagura: My love!
Kyo: My shirt!!!

Saki: *reading "Sigh of a Summer Affair", Volume 1, by Shigure Sohma* How sad... love, doomed from the start.
Shigure: Oh, you're reading that? What do you think?
Saki: You don't want to know what I think...
Shigure: *afraid* Oh... no?
Saki: ...but when is Volume 2 coming out?

Momiji: Are you sure? Shigure said it hurt really bad.
Hatori: Yes, well, I did that on purpose.
Shigure: Oh, Ha'ri, you're killing me! Why would you be so cruel?
Hatori: It seemed to be the only way to shut you up at the time.

Kagura: I'm here for Valentines, silly! It's a very important day for lovers to be together!
Kyo: You're not gonna find any lover in this house!
Shigure: Kyo, behave please. I don't want the house getting... you know... smashed.
Kyo: Damn it! I should've left on that journey sooner! How was I supposed to know today was Valentines?
Yuki: It's called a calendar.

~ Sher

Favorite Images:

~ Sher

~ Kat

For more images, see the gallery!

Fanfiction:

Beauty and The Batman by Keydarsanz the Great

Fan art:

Fruits Basket by LaRose

Favorite links:

Cartoon Doll Emporium

~ Kat

This page created by Sher