Fruits Basket

OhHaiDer :]


Good evening all~
I told myself I wouldn't do this
But I'm going to do it anyway
Today I present to you..
Fruits Basket!


Fruits Basket


Story & Art: Natsuki Takaya
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Teen (13+)
Synopsis: (Wikipedia) When high school student Tohru Honda's mother died in a car accident, Tohru begins living in a tent and supporting herself. That is, until she finds a home in the least likely of places, inhabited by her classmate Yuki Sohma and his cousins Shigure and Kyo. The Sohmas however, live with a curse. Thirteen members of the family are possessed by spirits of the Chinese zodiac and turn into their zodiac animal when hugged by the opposite gender or when under stress. When Tohru discovers the Sohmas' secret, she promises not to tell and is allowed to keep living with them. The Sohma's curse, however, is deeper and darker than Tohru realized, but her presence soon becomes a large, positive influence on those possessed by the zodiac. She sets out to break the curse, and on the way, meets and discovers each of the Sohma's vengeful zodiac spirits. Each has a different personality, just like the animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Tohru's existence changes the Sohma clan's lives forever...


Art Review: 4/5


I always thought Takaya's style of art was cute, but the eyes bug me out a bit; a minor fault. What stands out to me, unfortunately, is the crampiness and amount of reading needed for this manga. A lot is covered, and that results in a lot of dialogue, and at times its hard to pay attention for someone who isn't a rabid fan. Despite that, it's a very cute manga.


Story Review: I always thought this story was cute on the outside, deep on the inside, and I still do. This manga is cute, funny, romantic, dramatic and deep all at the same time. I have watched and read this series and I enjoyed both. Again, I never appreciated the horrendous amount of reading and patience needed, but that doesn't present much of an issue against how great this series turned out. But I know all of you out there, like myself, are kind of scared of Akito. I also love the cute spin taken on the Chinese Zodiac, and Tohru's reaction to it in the beginning, but I also love how it eventually takes a serious turn, as most things do in this manga. For those who catch on, this manga is a brief description of human nature, and possibly of religion, that I've seen throughout. I love the ending as well, however I shall not even stick in a spoiler alert because from my understanding, people become gutted once teased with the possible ending. If you have the time, another good series to check out.


9/10