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danicamarie's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
sadcipota's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
missmandy's review
5.0
I was worried that I would hate the art style compared to the anime (my absolute favorite btw), but I found it very easy to get used to and enjoyable.
theemmers's review
5.0
I finally am doing it, kids. I’m reading the thing. Sorry it took me 15 years and almost a dozen people over the years saying, “you should read Fruits Basket!” to finally pick it up.
saramarie08's review
4.0
Tohru is a hardworking, charismatic high school student trying to get by and work her way to college. She's had her share of tragedy, as she lost her mother recently, and she was squeezed out of her grandfather's house while he does renovations. At the onset of our story, she is living in a tent on seemingly uninhabited land. Here, she is discovered by the Sohma family, whose land she has been living on. They invite her into their home in exchange for her domestic skills, which they are severely lacking. Here, Tohru finds out their secret -- that they are all members of the Chinese zodiac, and they turn into their animal forms if embraced by a member of the opposite sex. But, the longer Tohru stays, the more she discovers that this might not be the only secret the Sohmas have.
Tohru isn't your typical shōjo heroine. She is bubbly and carefree on the outside, but she has suffered greatly in her short life, and has had to persevere to become the person she is today. Her depth is revealed slowly throughout this first volume, as she imparts wisdom beyond her years to the members of the Sohma family who are experiencing some of their own struggles. I also really enjoyed Tohru's friends, especially Hanajima and her strange ability to sense the energy of others. The personalities of the Sohmas are wonderfully related to the animals they house. Kyo is the cat, tricked into being left out of the Zodiac in the original myth, and he is every bit a moody, lovable kitty who simultaneously needs people and can't stand to be around them.
This collector's edition combines several of the original volumes into one. This series was originally published from 1998 to 2006, and it still resonates with today's audiences. This is one of the more popular series in my library currently.
Yen press rates this for Teen. As there is a lot of romance in this series, and the characters are mostly older teens, this rating seems appropriate.
Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 8-12
Tohru isn't your typical shōjo heroine. She is bubbly and carefree on the outside, but she has suffered greatly in her short life, and has had to persevere to become the person she is today. Her depth is revealed slowly throughout this first volume, as she imparts wisdom beyond her years to the members of the Sohma family who are experiencing some of their own struggles. I also really enjoyed Tohru's friends, especially Hanajima and her strange ability to sense the energy of others. The personalities of the Sohmas are wonderfully related to the animals they house. Kyo is the cat, tricked into being left out of the Zodiac in the original myth, and he is every bit a moody, lovable kitty who simultaneously needs people and can't stand to be around them.
This collector's edition combines several of the original volumes into one. This series was originally published from 1998 to 2006, and it still resonates with today's audiences. This is one of the more popular series in my library currently.
Yen press rates this for Teen. As there is a lot of romance in this series, and the characters are mostly older teens, this rating seems appropriate.
Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 8-12
hannah_sweet's review
5.0
How sad do you want to get? This series likes to tell you that it is a fun and lighthearted shojo and it is. But that is only 5% of the 95% story of heartbreak, sadness and just utter pain.
Personally, I loved this series and loved the character in it. It truly needs more love like a lonely child.
If you have the guts and the heart then definitely check it out.
Beware that the art style isn’t great but this was written on the 90’s so it was top level style for that era.
Personally, I loved this series and loved the character in it. It truly needs more love like a lonely child.
If you have the guts and the heart then definitely check it out.
Beware that the art style isn’t great but this was written on the 90’s so it was top level style for that era.
peachtealeaves's review
5.0
This review is going to be very biased and slightly incoherent, so apologies in advance. I can’t quite tell if this “technically” or “objectively” deserves five stars, but oh my god this was exactly what I needed right now and therefore, it gets five stars. Below are my many reasons for this high rating.
- Art: I know some people may disagree with me on this, but I actually quite enjoy the art style in this! I think Fruits Basket gets a bad rep for its art style because of the original anime, and I would agree that the anime doesn’t look great. However, I think this has more to do with the uncanny valley and harsh coloring than the art itself, as I had no issues with the art style in this volume. There is the occasional awkward panel, but overall the art is really cute and does a great job at conveying the emotional moments of the story.
- Characters: I adore the characters in this story, plain and simple. They are all so sweet and sincere and clearly care about one another, even if they don’t always want to admit it. Their relationships with one another are very heartfelt and I cannot wait to see them grow and develop over the course of this story! I’m wholeheartedly invested in their lives after just this first volume, so massive props to Natsuki Takaya!
- Story: The story of Fruits Basket is a very classic shoujo narrative that fans of the genre are certain to enjoy. However, this isn’t just a repackaged version of previously done stories. There are several aspects of this story that make it distinct from the genre and, thus, make it even more endearing. I won’t get into specifics for the sake of spoilers, but just know that you’re in for a very charming ride with this one!
- Humor: I genuinely laughed out loud while reading this story several times. The humor here is very “teenager” at times but I really liked it and was smiling wide for 99.9% of this book. If you’re a fan of that shoujo style of humor then I think you’ll find a lot of laughs in this!
- Surprising Seriousness: There are several surprisingly dark and serious moments in this that really took me by surprise. However, despite their contrast with the rest of the book’s tone, they didn’t stand out “too much.” Instead, they added a level of sincerity that served to highlight the other, lighthearted scenes.
Overall, if you just want a tooth-rottingly sweet and fun story then you should definitely check out Fruits Basket! In the year of our lord 2021 I think we could all use a bit of lightheartedness, and this story is the perfect source of it!
- Art: I know some people may disagree with me on this, but I actually quite enjoy the art style in this! I think Fruits Basket gets a bad rep for its art style because of the original anime, and I would agree that the anime doesn’t look great. However, I think this has more to do with the uncanny valley and harsh coloring than the art itself, as I had no issues with the art style in this volume. There is the occasional awkward panel, but overall the art is really cute and does a great job at conveying the emotional moments of the story.
- Characters: I adore the characters in this story, plain and simple. They are all so sweet and sincere and clearly care about one another, even if they don’t always want to admit it. Their relationships with one another are very heartfelt and I cannot wait to see them grow and develop over the course of this story! I’m wholeheartedly invested in their lives after just this first volume, so massive props to Natsuki Takaya!
- Story: The story of Fruits Basket is a very classic shoujo narrative that fans of the genre are certain to enjoy. However, this isn’t just a repackaged version of previously done stories. There are several aspects of this story that make it distinct from the genre and, thus, make it even more endearing. I won’t get into specifics for the sake of spoilers, but just know that you’re in for a very charming ride with this one!
- Humor: I genuinely laughed out loud while reading this story several times. The humor here is very “teenager” at times but I really liked it and was smiling wide for 99.9% of this book. If you’re a fan of that shoujo style of humor then I think you’ll find a lot of laughs in this!
- Surprising Seriousness: There are several surprisingly dark and serious moments in this that really took me by surprise. However, despite their contrast with the rest of the book’s tone, they didn’t stand out “too much.” Instead, they added a level of sincerity that served to highlight the other, lighthearted scenes.
Overall, if you just want a tooth-rottingly sweet and fun story then you should definitely check out Fruits Basket! In the year of our lord 2021 I think we could all use a bit of lightheartedness, and this story is the perfect source of it!
zadiem's review
5.0
I love how much I freaking love these books ahhhh.
Rereading them as an adult is so cool and so amazing!! They're still so good too!!
Rereading them as an adult is so cool and so amazing!! They're still so good too!!
laurehittle's review
5.0
i’ve been hearing about this manga for years from friends who were and are deeply impacted by it. i’ve made it through this volume once before but did not continue; this time, i’m reading alongside those same friends (plus one or two not involved in that earlier reading). i’m not accustomed to manga, so there is some acclimation as i get used to it, but i am already understanding why those friends were so deeply impacted, and am grateful they kept after me to read it (and read it with them). Now i need volume 2.
One concrete thought before i go—i love how each character and situation becomes more complex as more is revealed. Choices and personalities that seem cruel or arbitrary or even just inaccessible at first often turn out to be tragic or sensitive, revealing a need for kindness and acceptance.
One concrete thought before i go—i love how each character and situation becomes more complex as more is revealed. Choices and personalities that seem cruel or arbitrary or even just inaccessible at first often turn out to be tragic or sensitive, revealing a need for kindness and acceptance.