Fruits Basket Manga Review
For those who have seen the Fruits Basket anime, it is almost essential to read the manga to get the full Fruits Basket experience. The anime follows up to volume eight of the manga, which has almost 20+ volumes so far in
"Once upon a time, God told the animals, "I'm inviting you all to my banquet tomorrow! Don't be late!" Hearing that, the mischievous rat lied to his neighbor, the cat, and told him the banquet would be the day after tomorrow. The next day, the rat rode on the back of the ox and nimbly landed before the banquet hall. After him followed the ox, the tiger, and all the rest, and together they feasted until morning.
All except for the cat, who had been tricked."
Story Summary:
Fruits Basket is the story of a high school girl named Tohru Honda. After her mother is killed in a car accident, Tohru lives in a tent while her grandfather's house is being remodeled. One morning, she encounters a house, which belongs to the Sohma family, in the woods; she talks to the owner, Shigure, who is fascinated by her interest in the Chinese zodiac...and her sympathy for the cat who was left out. Later that day, a mudslide buries Tohru's tent, and she is invited to live in the Sohma household; however, after a mishap, the Sohma's secret is revealed: whenever a member (who is cursed with a spirit from the Chinese zodiac) of the Sohma family is hugged by a person of the opposite sex, he or she will change into an animal from the zodiac. Tohru soon finds out, however, that the cuse holds a darker, more sinister meaning...especially for the cat who was left out.
Story:
This is one of the most engaging stories I have read. Even if this story were a novel, I'm sure I would still be drawn to it. The drama and comedy are balanced well, and each character is given his or her own spotlight in the manga at some point. The story can be light, heartwarming, dark, or sad; the storyline can go in any of these directions yet still be sweet and believable. It also twists and turns a bit at times, but that only keeps readers more drawn to the story. Even if this story is classified as shojo, it can appeal to anyone...and that's one of the things that keeps Fruits Basket from becoming an ordinary story.
10/10
Characters:
The characters in Fruits Basket are some of the more unique ones that are hard to find nowadays; each character has his or her own unique personality, which makes it easy to distinguish them from one another. The characters lead the story and make this manga an enjoyable read. They never become boring, and sometimes they're even a bit unpredictable with their actions; every character has a past which is dark and almost heartbreaking, making the characters feel even more real. If it weren't for the colorful cast, I doubt I would like Fruits Basket as much as I do.
10/10
Art:
Fruits Basket has a very cute and adorable style which drew me in, and I'm sure others are enamored by it as well. The style fits the themes of Fruits Basket, and every character is richly drawn. As the story moves along, the manga-ka's art style matures with the characters. After a few volumes, one can tell the characters are growing up by the widening of their faces and the narrowing of their eyes.
9/10
Final Thoughts:
Fruits Basket is a story that should not be missed by any fan of manga. Its themes of friendship, overcoming the darkness, and doing your best are themes that anyone can use. Tohru's kind nature is affected by everyone...even the readers of this great manga series.
Rating (Overall): 9/10
Genre: Comedy/Romance/Fantasy
Age Rating: 13+
Released in the
(This review was written by FURUBA4EVER)