Scan barcode
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
3.0
The second best selling shojo manga series in Japan, Fruits Basket has also been incredibly popular in the United States. Originally published in Japan in 136 chapters from 1999 through 2006, the series was distributed in 23 paperback volumes in the US. This title has been flying off the shelves at my library, so I thought it was about time I saw what all the fuss was about.
The story centers around orphan Tohru Honda and the members of the Sohma family that she ends up living with. During the first volume, Tohru discovers the secret that 13 members of the Sohma family are possessed by the animals of the Chinese zodiac. When these Sohmas are embraced by a member of the opposite sex, they are transformed into their zodiac animal. Through the course of the series Tohru becomes closest to Yuki (the cat) and Kyo (the rat), who also attend high school with Tohru. Despite the generally upbeat nature of a lot of manga, especially shojo manga, even in the first volume (the one I read), this series hints at serious issues and appears to get even deeper as the story moves along.
I have to admit that my heart is not in actually reading any form of graphic novel. I'm really excited that they're becoming "legitimate" reading material and I love the quality of material in the field right now, it's just not my thing. I say this because I doubt I will finish reading this series, but that shouldn't reflect poorly on the series. I've had more exposure to anime than manga, so I might have to check out the Fruits Basket anime, but I know reading the entire manga series is going to be a challenge for me just because the format is challenging for me. Still I enjoyed what I read enough, that I may just try some more.
The story centers around orphan Tohru Honda and the members of the Sohma family that she ends up living with. During the first volume, Tohru discovers the secret that 13 members of the Sohma family are possessed by the animals of the Chinese zodiac. When these Sohmas are embraced by a member of the opposite sex, they are transformed into their zodiac animal. Through the course of the series Tohru becomes closest to Yuki (the cat) and Kyo (the rat), who also attend high school with Tohru. Despite the generally upbeat nature of a lot of manga, especially shojo manga, even in the first volume (the one I read), this series hints at serious issues and appears to get even deeper as the story moves along.
I have to admit that my heart is not in actually reading any form of graphic novel. I'm really excited that they're becoming "legitimate" reading material and I love the quality of material in the field right now, it's just not my thing. I say this because I doubt I will finish reading this series, but that shouldn't reflect poorly on the series. I've had more exposure to anime than manga, so I might have to check out the Fruits Basket anime, but I know reading the entire manga series is going to be a challenge for me just because the format is challenging for me. Still I enjoyed what I read enough, that I may just try some more.
cruelmidnight's review against another edition
5.0
I began this series when I was 15. I re-read this series in my early 20s.
Even with age and the wisdom that comes with it, this series still has the same deep meaning with an array of characters that cause you to think deeply about a person’s experiences and how it affects their personality, decisions, love life, and family functionality.
I can’t say enough good things about this series and each book gets better as the characters become older.
Tohru begins as a naive girl who quickly strengthens with experience and through all the horror she sees, still manages to continually see the best in people and give empathy toward situations.
She was truly inspiring as a young teenager trying to understand the world and people around me.
Even with age and the wisdom that comes with it, this series still has the same deep meaning with an array of characters that cause you to think deeply about a person’s experiences and how it affects their personality, decisions, love life, and family functionality.
I can’t say enough good things about this series and each book gets better as the characters become older.
Tohru begins as a naive girl who quickly strengthens with experience and through all the horror she sees, still manages to continually see the best in people and give empathy toward situations.
She was truly inspiring as a young teenager trying to understand the world and people around me.
_ash0_'s review against another edition
I read 10-15% but not liking it enough to want to continue. The artwork was a major turnoff and probably the reason for DNFing the book. It was really difficult to understand what was happening. Also the characters were pretty dumb and silly. I think I will stick to darker manga and stop trying to read light ones in future. I prefer darker and more complex plot lines in my manga.
jmitschke's review against another edition
3.0
A cute supernatural comedy series where a young girl is taken in by a mysterious family, who turn out to all be possessed/enchanted by various animals of the Chinese zodiac.
coffeedragon's review against another edition
4.0
It's been such a long time since I last read this series (and watched it), and you bet I'm excited about the remake, especially after rereading this first volume.
While the art hasn't kept up at 100%, it's still visually appealing. The characters are all humorous and complex in their own ways (well, our mains so far, which is the important part). While Tohru is a little too optimistic for my tastes, it's also very refreshing. Her mother is such a wonderful person who gave her so much wisdom and unknowingly, she is healing and helping everyone around her and even educating readers, imparting words of love. Reading this series now that I'm older is also very interesting. There are certain dynamics between Kyo and Yuki that are ironic and sad, and the gender expectations jump out at me a bit more.
Really excited to keep reading this!
While the art hasn't kept up at 100%, it's still visually appealing. The characters are all humorous and complex in their own ways (well, our mains so far, which is the important part). While Tohru is a little too optimistic for my tastes, it's also very refreshing. Her mother is such a wonderful person who gave her so much wisdom and unknowingly, she is healing and helping everyone around her and even educating readers, imparting words of love. Reading this series now that I'm older is also very interesting. There are certain dynamics between Kyo and Yuki that are ironic and sad, and the gender expectations jump out at me a bit more.
Really excited to keep reading this!
jaisuus's review against another edition
5.0
What a gorgeous Manga. I love it, I love the characters. So much better than the Anime, so much more satisfying. The storyline is great and the characters are fantastic and developed.