Fruits Basket

This is my first review, so it might not be great.

Fruits Basket was the very first manga series I ever completed, and it's what got me into reading more manga. The story starts with our sweet Tohru living in a tent before moving in with the Sohmas, and it goes from there. Fruits Basket is absolutely hilarious and incredibly heartwarming. It makes me laugh and say "aww" every time I read it. Even though Tohru is adorable and innocent, and the story is sweet, this manga has more swear words than any other manga I've read! That just adds to the humor. This is definitely my favorite manga and will probably remain so for a long time. I highly recommend it!!!

If there ever was a story worthy of praise, it would be Fruits Basket. This manga isn't your typical fare where the main character is a clumsy, good-for-nothing girl whose life magically falls into place. Instead, happiness here is earned through genuine effort, loyal friendships, and the protagonist herself—Tohru—who unites everyone with her unique experiences.

The pacing, introduction, and conclusion of Fruits Basket are masterfully woven, creating a narrative that's both engaging and somewhat straightforward. The way characters are introduced makes each one unforgettable in their own right. I could easily name all twelve zodiac animals and describe their individual stories. If not by name, then certainly by their zodiac sign—it's that memorable.

The plot is simple yet profound: a girl learns about the deep secrets of the Sohma family, meets each member, heals them, and earns a special place in their hearts. That’s essentially what drives the story forward.

The art style is simple and beautiful, perfectly fitting the theme with its blend of seriousness, silliness, and warmth. There’s nothing to criticize; it just works.

So, who are these characters?

Tohru: A clumsy, air-headed girl who has lost both her parents. Not wanting to burden her friends while her grandfather is away, she moves into a tent in the woods. She has an uncanny ability to connect with people through words passed down from her mother.

Kyo: The Cat of the zodiac [though he’s not officially part of the twelve]. He’s shunned by everyone and despises Yuki, the Rat. Kyo is hot-tempered but kind at heart.

Yuki: The Rat of the zodiac, often portrayed as a kind and considerate "prince." In my view, he exhibits signs of a split personality, appearing cold at times.

Arisa Uotani: One of Tohru’s friends, known as a "delinquent." Her inspiration is Tohru’s late mother, whom she still deeply respects. Arisa loves Tohru dearly and isn’t afraid to threaten others when necessary.

Saki Hanajime: Another of Tohru’s friends, seen as eccentric and always dressed in black. She can read minds and send strange electrical signals. Saki notices something unusual about the Sohma family.

Akito: Likely the biggest antagonist in the story. I can’t say much without spoiling things, but I grew fond of him towards the end.

There are many more beloved characters, including favorites like Momiji, Haru, Ayame [xD], and Rin [who appears later in the manga and doesn’t get an anime introduction].

The enjoyment derived from this series is absolute. Whether you pick it up for humor, drama, or emotional depth, Fruits Basket will have you laughing, rejoicing, and crying without fail. Enjoy reading. =)

Fruits Basket is the cheesiest thing I've ever read, but instead of dismissing it with eye rolls, I found myself getting emotional as I went through it. It's so sincere that you can't help but fall in love with it.

I particularly enjoyed Yuki's character development. Initially, I was a bit annoyed that the school council parts were overshadowing Tohru's moments, but eventually, it all made sense to me and I truly appreciated how Yuki evolved as a person. And then that conversation at the very end... oh wow. :'(

Yes, it's "girly," but you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you skipped it just because you might not fit the intended audience.

I absolutely adore this manga. A friend recommended it to me, and although at first glance the story seemed somewhat cliché, it quickly evolved into something much more compelling. As the plot thickens, so do the characters' developments, making you unexpectedly grow fond of characters you initially disliked, such as Kyo. Initially, he came off as irritating, but learning about his past makes you empathize with him.

The protagonist, Tohru, is incredibly endearing. However, given the numerous volumes, some segments can feel a bit tedious. Occasionally, I found myself wishing for more comedic elements. Yet, when humor does appear, it's usually in a sweet and delightful manner. What truly sets Fruits Basket apart is its charm, which has undoubtedly captivated its readership.

Fruits Basket is an exceptional manga that resonates with a broad audience. After completing all 23 volumes, I can confidently say it ranks among the finest narratives I've experienced. Initially, the story leans heavily into comedy and light romance, but it quickly reveals deeper layers within each character. The transition from humor to more serious themes is seamless, never feeling forced or out of place. There's a moment in everyone's life when they can relate to the challenges the characters face, making it refreshing to encounter such well-rounded individuals navigating their problems.

The artwork showcases Takaya-sensei’s unique style but feels more refined. The expressions are vivid and immersive, capturing emotions without relying on excessive cuteness typical in shoujo manga. The settings are meticulously drawn, and certain interactions between characters are incredibly endearing. Throughout the series, characters undergo transformations—whether physical like growing hair or psychological growth—there's always something new to observe. Nothing is as it initially seems in Fruits Basket; there's always a reason behind every action, and it's fascinating how your perceptions of the characters evolve as the story progresses.

Overall, anyone who reads this manga will likely find enjoyment and leave with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Whether you connect with the characters or situations, it's a beautifully crafted tale that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression. Embrace the good, confront the bad, and let the years add depth to your experience.

Fruits Basket offers numerous life lessons to absorb.
From sibling relationships to friendships, family ties, and romance.
Even though the 12 zodiac characters are cursed and transform into animals when touched by non-family members—which is far from reality—the anime portrays real-life situations that we commonly experience in our daily lives.
It might seem uninteresting, but don't judge it until you've watched it!!

Well, here I am, breaking my own rules... In my profile description, I mentioned that I didn't think I could ever give something the highest or lowest rating. And while I'm sure I could find some flaws if I looked hard enough, I am utterly satisfied with the manga for Fruits Basket.

Can it be a bit cheesy? Absolutely. I adore this series, but even I can't deny that. But let's be honest—I have a soft spot for stories like this one, filled with plenty of sad backstories. That's actually one of the things I love most about this series: not a single character feels overlooked. Even Tohru's 'normal' friends and Yuki's fellow student council members have their place in this tale. They don't seem overshadowed by the magical elements either.

It certainly helps that I've always been fascinated by fables, folk tales, and things like the Chinese Zodiac. But what truly shines here are the characters—not the curse plot. It's an added bonus that I support every single canon pairing.

I adored Fruits Basket from the moment I first watched it, and my friend introduced me to the manga afterwards. For any anime fan, the manga is a must-read as it wraps everything up neatly and delivers a fulfilling conclusion to an amazing series!

The narrative was fantastic, although at times it felt like there was an overload of events happening simultaneously, which made it somewhat perplexing. However, the characters truly elevated the story. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop and ended up reading for eight straight hours because the characters were so captivating. The relationships within the manga were exceptionally well-written, and I felt as if each character could have been a real person (minus the curse, obviously).

The artwork occasionally posed some confusion since some characters looked quite similar, making it hard to tell who was speaking at times. Nonetheless, this didn’t significantly detract from the overall story.

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga and am pleased that it was my first read; it's ideal for anime fans or anyone seeking a superb story with remarkable characters. I gave it a nine instead of a perfect ten due to minor issues with the story and art, but it's undoubtedly worth the read!

This manga can be described as a mixed bag. If you've read it, you understand what I mean. It blends various issues and themes into one cohesive story, resulting in a truly wonderful combination.
The series has few flaws, and those that exist are minor.
Most characters were well-developed, more or less, except perhaps for Kakeru, Yuki's "evil friend." The series might have been better without him; he seemed out of place and set a bad example of friendship.
As the series progresses, Akito, the head of the Sohma family, becomes more likable to almost everyone. However, there was a period near the end when I found Akito less appealing, possibly due to a shocking revelation in Volume 17.
The artwork is quite good, though like most manga, it had moments where improvements could have made it more visually appealing.
I laughed a lot throughout the series, from start to finish. There's plenty of comedy, and it's genuinely funny. It avoids the crude humor often seen in modern American TV shows, which I appreciate. Clean humor is the best humor.
As the characters reveal more about their stories and pasts, it feels like a veil lifts, allowing you to see clearly. Pieces of the puzzle from the beginning fit together with new revelations, completing the picture.
It's hard to imagine anyone going through this series without shedding a few tears. I cried at several points, but the last two or three pages of the final chapter hit me the hardest. The ending was so beautiful and happy; I couldn't help but react. I remember thinking, "Oh my god. Oh my god." It was surprising yet excellent.
A few questions were left unanswered at the end, but maybe that's intentional. After all, this was ultimately Tohru's story, not the other characters'.
Overall, I recommend this series to anyone who hasn't experienced it yet. I'm confident you'll enjoy it. The chapters flow smoothly, and you get to know the characters deeply. By the end, it feels like saying goodbye to old friends.

Some might argue that this manga is unrealistic, but it's not meant to be. Its purpose is to instill hope. Most characters in this anime have faced rejection and endured pain in various forms—physical, emotional, spiritual—but they all somehow find solace and refuge in each other’s hearts and words.

I must apologize for rating this a nine instead of a perfect ten. Everything about it was flawless, save for the significant slowdown towards the end. It felt like it devolved into nothing more than characters yelling at each other about becoming better people, wishing they were each other, and so forth...

Okay, initially, I found Fruits Basket a bit odd. My friend recommended it, but I wasn't in the mood for an excessively long manga. So, after about a month, I decided to give it a try and soon realized I couldn't tear myself away from the computer :P

I know you might think I'm crazy for giving it nearly a full ten, but it's true. The story is one of a kind, unique. Where else would you find characters turning into animals when hugged by the opposite sex? I also love how the 'love' aspect develops throughout the story. It has drama, comedy, and romance, making it my favorite. Fruits Basket was among the first mangas I read and definitely one of the most enjoyable.

The art, like most mangas, started off as okay but improved significantly over time. The male characters are all handsome (*coughs* hot *coughs*). The female characters are decent too, though some look a bit masculine.

Character development in Fruits Basket is impressive. Compare the characters from the first chapter to the last, and you'll see they've matured. I appreciate this kind of growth rather than characters staying static for years. The personalities and attitudes of the characters are funny in their own ways. No emo behavior here. Some main characters evolve from tough to soft (you get what I mean).

Enjoyment-wise, I gave it a ten because it’s an awesome manga that made me cry (yes, really), laugh a lot—seriously, A LOT—and feel moved by the sweetness between the main couple. It’s a full package deal XD

Overall, I loved it so much. Whenever I feel lonely, I read it, and it always makes me laugh and helps alleviate my loneliness :P It's a truly great read. After finishing it, I felt refreshed. It's the kind of manga that makes you crave more and more.

Last but not least, I LOVE IT SO MUCH (I now officially want to re-read Fruits Basket lol)

Fruits Basket is definitely one of those rare shoujo manga that comes along once in a blue moon. It's meticulously crafted, avoiding unnecessary scenarios that don't advance the plot or develop the characters, providing a fulfilling journey from start to finish.

Story: 10

You only truly appreciate near the end how everything in Fruits Basket was meticulously planned from the beginning, with abundant foreshadowing right from the start. This level of planning is rare in shoujo, as I often feel manga artists are making it up as they go along. I started reading this manga at a young age and found it represented a journey through youth for both the characters and myself. It offers life lessons that help you navigate everyday challenges and especially tough times. I admit to crying like a baby when something tragic happens, but never did I expect to shed tears over mere words alone. That's how brilliant the dialogue is.

Art: 8

This was my first manga ever, so admittedly, the art seemed amazing back then. However, objectively speaking, it’s not that great overall. The artwork particularly improves dramatically as the series progresses. Yet, the strength of the art lies in its ability to convey emotions and events without words. A single page of drawings can summarize complex feelings and situations perfectly. While the characters may look somewhat alike and limbs might appear slim and unrealistic, the art excels in other aspects.

Character: 10

Another standout feature of Fruits Basket. The characters have interesting quirks from the outset, which blend well together for good humor. And while quirks make characters engaging—especially in large casts—it's their growth and maturation that makes them seem human. Nothing is black and white, and Fruits Basket portrays the grey areas of people better than most shoujos I've read.

Enjoyment: 10

It's long—23 volumes long—but it keeps you hooked until the very end. Unlike some shoujos that drag on endlessly with random plots and characters, everything here is meaningful, and no chapter feels wasted. Despite having an incredibly short attention span, I managed to finish it, which definitely counts for something.

Overall: 10

Perfect for those who have lost faith in the originality of shoujo manga.