Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya is by far my favorite manga series so far. The story takes place over 23 volumes, which sounds like a lot of reading but it’s soooooo worth it.

Synopsis

The synopsis is kind of crazy.

“After her mother’s death, Tohru Honda finds herself living with the Sohma family consisting of three cousins: Yuki, the ‘prince charming’ of their high school, Kyo the hot headed, short tempered outcast, and Shigure the mischievous novelist. Tohru finds out the Sohma family secret that when a member is hugged by the opposite gender or they are tired out, they turn into the 2 animals of the Chinese zodiac.” – Anonymous, IMDB

What Did I Like?

Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya is a fun slice of life story that takes its time letting you get to know the characters. The main character, Tohru Honda, is someone I wish I could model my own behavior after.

Tohru almost seems too perfect but we learn from how she behaves in various circumstances that she isn’t. Kyo has his mysteries and his quirks that at times make you want to slap him and other times jump in his head to see exactly what is going on in there. Shigure has a mystery about him that makes you wonder if he’s as innocent in his dealings as he wants you to believe.

The 23 volumes don’t focus entirely on Tohru and at times she isn’t even mentioned. This allows us to get to know the other people in her life and find out why they do the things they do and what shaped them into the people that Tohru loves.

What Didn’t I Like?

It felt like some of the relationships were dragged out way too long in this one. Things that should have happened could have happened much sooner and it would have made watching the character’s development a bit more interesting. I’d love to go more into this aspect, but I can’t without ruining the series for you, so you will just have to read it to find out more.

What’s next?

Fruits Basket Another (strange title but that’s how it’s being marketed) comes out in July and takes place after Tohru and the others have graduated high school. We will get to meet a new young woman and watch as she interacts with a few previously unmentioned Sohma boys.

Fruits Basket has a happy ending but the twist and turns at times makes you doubt if it will actually happen. There are times you will sit back and laugh, maybe cry a few tears, but in the end, you will be cheering all the way.

If you like the manga, you should check out the anime, available on Amazon or on iTunes. I love it so much I keep it on my phone to listen to at work. It’s a feel-good anime that leaves you with all the right warm and fuzzy feelings.