One ofFruits Basket’sbest aspects is its exceptional character development. While the fast-paced plot involving the Zodiac Curse that turns humans into animals is interesting,the story is driven by its relatable and fascinating characterseven more. The Sohmas themselves are especially intriguing, asthe Zodiac Curseaffects each of the family members and drives their behavior.
It is all too easy to become attached to the series' dynamic characters, cheering for their successes and lamenting their losses. From the kindhearted, warm Tohru Honda to the fiery, impassioned Kyo Sohma,Fruits Basketcontains seemingly every possible archetype. These variedFruits Basketpersonalities are allso unique and lovable that they keep viewers coming back time and againfor multiple rewatches.
10Hatsuharu Sohma May Have a Temper, but He Is One of the Most Loving Characters
Hatsuharu Is the Ox Zodiac
Hatsuharu, the mighty Ox Zodiac, is an emotional character who wears his heart on his sleeve. Known affectionately as “Haru” by his loved ones, his personality and story inFruits Basketare complex. Haru is a mostly soft-spoken, mellow character, but heholds a grudge due to the Rat Zodiac, Yuki, taking advantage of his kindnessin the zodiac animals story.
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Fruits Basket has been my favorite romance anime of all time for years, and my reason for loving the series so much may seem surprising.
Some of the other Sohmas look down on Haru for allowing the Rat, Yuki, to deceive him and steal his place at the family banquet. This is not the only problem Haru faces, he alsodeals with Akito’s wrath due to Haru’s romantic relationship with Rin. Despite his problems in life, Haru remains upbeat and devoted to his loved ones, willing to risk anything for his lover, Rin, and standing up for Yuki, even though Yuki lied to him in the past.
9Ayame Sohma Has an Incredible Love for Both Fashion and His Brother, Yuki
Ayame Is the Snake Zodiac
NoFruits Basketcharacter is more bubbly and outspoken than Ayame Sohma, the Snake Zodiac. He has become a true fan-favorite due to hislove for fashion, dramatic outbursts, and the comedic remarkshe often makes. Ayame is cocky and self-assured, but his love for his family members is always apparent.
He is the brother of Yuki Sohma, who he has a pretty strained relationship with. Admirably, heworks hard to rebuild his bond with his brother, proving his love for his sibling, although they have grown apart. Ayame may seem conceited at times, but his adoration for others and desire to impact others' lives through fashion make him an admirableFruits Basketcharacter.
8Kyoko Honda’s Selflessness and Willingness to Care For Others Make Her Inspirational
Kyoko Honda Is the Main Character, Tohru’s, Mother
Kyoko Honda is Tohru’s mother, whounfortunately died in a car accident before the story ofFruits Basketbegan. Her past was rough, suffering familial abuse and even stumbling into a dangerous gang and becoming the leader. Despite her rocky past, Kyoko became a warm, affectionate mother and raised Tohru into a very goodhearted person.
All of Tohru’s friends and acquaintances admired Kyoko because she was the type of person everyone could not help but love. Shecared for Tohru’s friends, Arisa, Saki, and Kyo, like they were her own. Anyone who needed a helping hand or shoulder to cry on knew they could call on Kyoko and even after her death, her memory lived on through Tohru’s shining example.
7Momiji Sohma Has Endured Hardships but Always Retains a Positive Outlook
Momiji Is the Rabbit Zodiac
Momiji Sohma’s cheerful disposition brightens up anyFruits Basketscenehe appears in. The ever-smiling character has not always known a happy life though. In his youth, Momiji was abandoned by his own mother and exiled from his family, never permitted to spend time with Momo, his little sister.
10 Best Fruits Basket Quotes
Fruits Basket is not just an entertaining and romantic shojo manga series, it is also packed with profound insights into life, friendship, and love.
Momiji struggles with unrequited love,developing a major crush on Tohru but knowing she will never be his, since Tohru and Kyo are in love. None of these negative occurrences erase Momiji’s positive outlook and the encouragement he offers others. Momijiis the kind of friendeveryone hopes to find: supportive, funny, and willing to do anything to help someone, making him one ofFruits Basket’sbest characters to aspire to be like.
Akito Is the God Zodiac
Akito Sohma isFruits Basket’smost controversial character. Because ofher abuse of many members of the Sohma family,Yuki most of all, and her desperation to keep the Sohma family under her control, many viewers dislike Akito. She takes on a villainous role for most of the story, until she gradually starts to change.
Akito’s own past was riddled with mistreatment, leading her to act out that same harmful behavior towards the ones closest to her. At the end of the series, she shows bitter remorse and apologizes, althoughsome characters rightfully struggle to forgive her. Love her or hate her though, she is one of the most intriguing and best written characters inFruits Basketand always at the heart of the series' biggest conflicts.
Hatori Is the Dragon Zodiac, Which Manifests as a Seahorse Transformation
Hatori Sohma isone of the most underrated characters inFruits Basket,with an unusualzodiac animal transformation. Although he is technically the dragon, when the Zodiac Curse is activated, he turns into a seahorse instead. Hatori also has a sought after skill that is unique to him: the power to erase memories.
If anyone catches wind ofthe Zodiac Curse,Hatori can instantly make them forget, keeping the family’s secret safe. He sadly had to use this ability on his ex-fiancée, Kana, to protect her from Akito’s rage, wiping away all memory of their relationship. Hatori is a very fascinating character, with truly distinctive powers, and he has had to make heartbreaking sacrifices for the Sohma family’s sake.
4Shigure Sohma Can Be Sweet in One Moment, and Manipulative in the Next
Shigure Is the Dog Zodiac
Shigure is characterized as immature, lazy, and unlikable, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is adored by fans. Hisquick wit,cunning ability to always get what he wants, and enduring love for Akitomake him one of the best characters in the series to watch. Shigure indeed has his idle, slothful moments, but when it comes to Akito or someone else he loves, he is willing to work hard.
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Shigure was willing to take Tohru into his home and care for her, proving he does have a soft side. Thedual sides of his personality clash, because he can be affectionate and loving, but he also possesses a manipulative, selfish streak. Shigure may be troubled and flawed, but he does love deeply and protects those who matter to him.
3Yuki Sohma Struggles With an Identity Crisis, but Gradually Discovers Who He Is
Yuki Is the Rat Zodiac
Yuki, the Rat Zodiac, begins the series unsure of himself and with no concrete identity. He is very good-looking, popular, and chased after by every woman he knows, but deep down, he was struggling because of his tough childhood and fractured relationship with Kyo.Watching Yuki blossom into a confident person who knows who he isis one of the most satisfying parts ofFruits Basket.
By the end of the series, he has taken on the job of student council president, finding fulfillment and his own voice in the leadership role, after years of being silenced and mistreated by others like Akito. He even patches up his relationship with Kyo and finds a girlfriend he loves, Machi.Fruits Basketwould not be the same without Yuki, and his positive growth and the way he learns to stand up for himself make him one of the series' best characters.
2Tohru Honda Spreads Positivity in Everyone’s Lives, Breaking the Zodiac Curse
Tohru IsFruits Basket’sMain Character
Tohru Honda is not only the kindest character inFruits Basket,she is the kindest character in anime.There is nothingTohru would not do to help someonein need, evidenced by how she gives much of her time and effort to improving the Sohmas' situation with the Zodiac Curse. Tohru was even brave enough to call out Akito and suffer her anger, since she knew it could potentially help the Sohmas lead happier lives.
Tohru eventually learns to prioritize her own needs too, since she was definitely prone to running herself ragged for the sake of others. With Kyo’s help,she strikes a perfect balance between self-sacrifice and self-care. Overall, Tohru is a symbol of positivity and an inspiration for allFruits Basketwatchers to look on the bright side of life.
1Kyo Sohma’s Character Arc Is Emotionally Moving as He Learns To Love and Be Loved
Kyo Is the Cat Zodiac
Kyo Sohma isFruits Baskets’best, most unforgettable character. At the beginning, he seems to be nothing more than an angry, standoffish person, but it becomes evident that he is dealing with deep regrets for past mistakes and exclusion from the rest of the family due to his position as the Cat Zodiac. When Tohru comes along,he finally learns what it is like to genuinely love another and to be loved.
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Fruits Basket’s best couple is a true inspiration, providing not just entertainment, but meaningful lessons on how to properly love another person.
Kyo’s change throughout the series is the most noticeable, as he lets another person in to see his true self. His journey throughout the series is emotionally moving because he had to endure being ignored and treated poorly by the other Sohmas for so long before finally being accepted. Kyo is a passionate, giving person who truly loves others, even though he was not always the best at showing it.
Fruits Basket
Cast
Fruits Basket (2019) is an anime adaptation following Tohru Honda, a high school girl who ends up living with the mysterious Sohma family. She discovers that twelve members of the Sohma clan are cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when embraced by the opposite sex. The series delves into the lives and challenges faced by the cursed members while exploring themes of acceptance, friendship, and personal growth.
