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margeryb's review against another edition
4.0
"Repeat the good and the bad. Do it all... and pile on the years."
Four stars for the volume, but overall Fruits Basket is a five star series for me.
After nonstop building tension and climaxes in the last several volumes, Volume 23 is the falling action and resolution of the story. Personally, I love a good long resolution that catches up on the state of all the characters after the stress of the climax (for example, I have no problem with the length of Return of the Kings endings). However, it is especially appropriate for Fruits Basket because of how long the series it, because of its immense ensemble characters with its spidersweb of interconnections and relationships, and because of it's themes of endings and beginnings, dealing with change, and personal growth. We need to see how these characters are moving on after the curse that bond them together was broken. We need to see how these characters are moving on after all the emotional growth of the series were they allow themselves to open and vulnerable with the important people in their lives. There were also a few loose ends to be tied up.
Being a resolution, this isn't the most exciting volume of the series, but it definitely emotionally satisfying with enough emotional punches left to throw. The one that hit me the hardest was Yuki calling Tohru "Tohru" the first time instead of the formal Honda-san. This friendship!
It is hard to pin down the ephemeral stuff that makes Fruits Basket five star great. It's the world building, foreshadowing, character development, and themes, and - of course - how all of them are executed so well. Takaya-sensei created and grew characters that readers passionately care about who want to become better people for themselves as well as for their friends and family in a series that so full of heart and hope even when it gets to its darkness.
I love this series both for the stories it tells and how it tells it.
Four stars for the volume, but overall Fruits Basket is a five star series for me.
After nonstop building tension and climaxes in the last several volumes, Volume 23 is the falling action and resolution of the story. Personally, I love a good long resolution that catches up on the state of all the characters after the stress of the climax (for example, I have no problem with the length of Return of the Kings endings). However, it is especially appropriate for Fruits Basket because of how long the series it, because of its immense ensemble characters with its spidersweb of interconnections and relationships, and because of it's themes of endings and beginnings, dealing with change, and personal growth. We need to see how these characters are moving on after the curse that bond them together was broken. We need to see how these characters are moving on after all the emotional growth of the series were they allow themselves to open and vulnerable with the important people in their lives. There were also a few loose ends to be tied up.
Being a resolution, this isn't the most exciting volume of the series, but it definitely emotionally satisfying with enough emotional punches left to throw. The one that hit me the hardest was Yuki calling Tohru "Tohru" the first time instead of the formal Honda-san. This friendship!
It is hard to pin down the ephemeral stuff that makes Fruits Basket five star great. It's the world building, foreshadowing, character development, and themes, and - of course - how all of them are executed so well. Takaya-sensei created and grew characters that readers passionately care about who want to become better people for themselves as well as for their friends and family in a series that so full of heart and hope even when it gets to its darkness.
I love this series both for the stories it tells and how it tells it.
rainmisoa's review against another edition
5.0
What a great way to end the series! This volume had everything you would want to see when finishing up a series. I am in awe! I was so glad seeing how everything turned out. All those questions you had before were answered and you got to see everyone's lives wrap up beautifully. The emotions, the plot, the characters, the artwork, and outcome was formed in such a way that you are cheering throughout the entire volume. Oh, and the romance! Do not forget about the romance! That is the key for this series! Totally had everything to do with how I feel towards this series. Man, I love it! I truly do! It's what makes me a very happy donut eater! X3
It's official. I am in love with Takaya-sensei. IN LOVE!!! Seeing how she brought us from volume one all the way to the last volume in such a fluid, smoothe, true to what she wanted out of this series way without destroying any of her characters, I'm impressed. Her art style is very beautiful because of her simplicity and her story is very much true-to-life, even if it does have some fantasy elements to it. One thing that I love about her is she's not afraid to show herself through her work. I feel as if I got to meet her because of her interactions with the reader through her side panels and even through the characters themselves. She's such a sincere person and funny as hell! I would love to get together with her and have a video game night party! She seems as if she would be a lot of fun to hang out with. The whole concept of this series came out of her head and she did wonderfully with it. I'm very glad that I was able to read this series. It is absolutely amazing. I give my thanks to Takaya-sensei for giving us such a beautifully created story for us readers. You could learn a lot from just reading Fruits Basket. It really helps you grow as a person... I know... I did. *Smiles*
I'm happy with how the characters lives turned out to be. Everyone had their fair share in the light and everyone literally got their happy ending. So don't fret, my friends! Do not fret at all! This entire manga is a huge spoiler! Big spoiler! I can't talk about anything in great detail or it'll all be over and done with. XP Instead, I'm going to do something a little different for this review. I will mention a character, say a word or two, and then move on to the next. That way, you'll know what to expect (more or less...) without me giving too much away. Besides, everything that happens in this volume is epic anyway. I'm only doing this as a way to get you motivated to read it! So! Let us begin this... uh... game? (Dude, you get more bizarre as time passes by.) Oh, shut your textual mouth! This is going to be fun! (Doubt it.) Don't knock it till you've tried it! (Whatever... just get on with it.) Right. Here goes!
Kureno: He's so sweet! Go home to love~ Uotani: Kickass! And making dinner~ Hee! Shishou: Wants grandkids... and possibly a relationship? He seems too out of it, though... Hanajima: Loves giving Kyo hell... has some goals up her own sleeve. *Smirks* Kisa: Getting along well with Hiro. <3 Hiro: I smell he's making progress! Ayame: He and Mine will be just fine. Kagura: Annoys the fuck out of me. -_-" I might actually dislike her more than... NOPE! I won't say it! >_< Rin: I know how she feels... it's hard to forgive. Haru: Still very much a silly boy who loves his girl~ Ritsu: Holy crap! He's a man! Manabe: Very much his mendoukusai self with his girl, Komaki. Hatori: Can finally smile happily... thanks to Mayu. *Smirks* Shigure: I'm glad he's found his happiness again. He's still a jerk but that's why we like him... or at least, I do! X3 Akito: ...very hard for me to describe. Don't like him... can't forgive him... but can understand him a bit more now. *Shrugs* Machi: Will always chase after her "Prince." Katsuya: Still gorgeous even after everything. Kyoko: I knew she wouldn't say something so horrible. At least now she's happy with him. Yuki: Taking a stand and being a man. He's grown so much. Kyo: The definition of a true man. Take her with you! Tohru: ...the best female lead in any shoujo manga. *Smiles*
There you go. I hope you can all get a better idea of what will come with this volume! (If anything, you just confused them more.) ...I really don't like you. (*Chuckles*) *Head/desk* ANYWAY!!! This is one of my favorite manga so I highly recommend the entire series. You will have plenty of laughs, cry many tears, and see yourself grow into a better person. It's one of those works of art that you must have always and forever because it is just THAT amazing. I'm... a bit sad to see it end... (For once, I agree with you.) ...but it's like Takaya-sensei said. It's not really ending. As long as we treasure and remember it always, it'll never truly be over! There are endless possiblities for these characters! We can still be a part of it! Thinking that way... I think it helps us part ways a bit easier, don't you think? (Sentimental much?) You know you're going to miss it, too. (...) *Smirks* I knew it. (Shut up.) *Giggles* Anyway, read this series, guys. This is just too good for you not to read it. Even the cranky guy behind the parenthesis says so! (Leave me alone.) Well, that's all for this review and series. It's been an epic journey we went on but it's time to say so long for now! (See you in the next review.) Wha-what!? You're going to stick around? (It's fun torturing you.) ... *Stares at reader* ...I'm so screwed... (*Smirks* Not yet, you're not.) *Falls over*
IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE! THANK YOU, TAKAYA-SENSEI, FOR THE AMAZING RIDE! JA MATA NE!!!
It's official. I am in love with Takaya-sensei. IN LOVE!!! Seeing how she brought us from volume one all the way to the last volume in such a fluid, smoothe, true to what she wanted out of this series way without destroying any of her characters, I'm impressed. Her art style is very beautiful because of her simplicity and her story is very much true-to-life, even if it does have some fantasy elements to it. One thing that I love about her is she's not afraid to show herself through her work. I feel as if I got to meet her because of her interactions with the reader through her side panels and even through the characters themselves. She's such a sincere person and funny as hell! I would love to get together with her and have a video game night party! She seems as if she would be a lot of fun to hang out with. The whole concept of this series came out of her head and she did wonderfully with it. I'm very glad that I was able to read this series. It is absolutely amazing. I give my thanks to Takaya-sensei for giving us such a beautifully created story for us readers. You could learn a lot from just reading Fruits Basket. It really helps you grow as a person... I know... I did. *Smiles*
I'm happy with how the characters lives turned out to be. Everyone had their fair share in the light and everyone literally got their happy ending. So don't fret, my friends! Do not fret at all! This entire manga is a huge spoiler! Big spoiler! I can't talk about anything in great detail or it'll all be over and done with. XP Instead, I'm going to do something a little different for this review. I will mention a character, say a word or two, and then move on to the next. That way, you'll know what to expect (more or less...) without me giving too much away. Besides, everything that happens in this volume is epic anyway. I'm only doing this as a way to get you motivated to read it! So! Let us begin this... uh... game? (Dude, you get more bizarre as time passes by.) Oh, shut your textual mouth! This is going to be fun! (Doubt it.) Don't knock it till you've tried it! (Whatever... just get on with it.) Right. Here goes!
Kureno: He's so sweet! Go home to love~ Uotani: Kickass! And making dinner~ Hee! Shishou: Wants grandkids... and possibly a relationship? He seems too out of it, though... Hanajima: Loves giving Kyo hell... has some goals up her own sleeve. *Smirks* Kisa: Getting along well with Hiro. <3 Hiro: I smell he's making progress! Ayame: He and Mine will be just fine. Kagura: Annoys the fuck out of me. -_-" I might actually dislike her more than... NOPE! I won't say it! >_< Rin: I know how she feels... it's hard to forgive. Haru: Still very much a silly boy who loves his girl~ Ritsu: Holy crap! He's a man! Manabe: Very much his mendoukusai self with his girl, Komaki. Hatori: Can finally smile happily... thanks to Mayu. *Smirks* Shigure: I'm glad he's found his happiness again. He's still a jerk but that's why we like him... or at least, I do! X3 Akito: ...very hard for me to describe. Don't like him... can't forgive him... but can understand him a bit more now. *Shrugs* Machi: Will always chase after her "Prince." Katsuya: Still gorgeous even after everything. Kyoko: I knew she wouldn't say something so horrible. At least now she's happy with him. Yuki: Taking a stand and being a man. He's grown so much. Kyo: The definition of a true man. Take her with you! Tohru: ...the best female lead in any shoujo manga. *Smiles*
There you go. I hope you can all get a better idea of what will come with this volume! (If anything, you just confused them more.) ...I really don't like you. (*Chuckles*) *Head/desk* ANYWAY!!! This is one of my favorite manga so I highly recommend the entire series. You will have plenty of laughs, cry many tears, and see yourself grow into a better person. It's one of those works of art that you must have always and forever because it is just THAT amazing. I'm... a bit sad to see it end... (For once, I agree with you.) ...but it's like Takaya-sensei said. It's not really ending. As long as we treasure and remember it always, it'll never truly be over! There are endless possiblities for these characters! We can still be a part of it! Thinking that way... I think it helps us part ways a bit easier, don't you think? (Sentimental much?) You know you're going to miss it, too. (...) *Smirks* I knew it. (Shut up.) *Giggles* Anyway, read this series, guys. This is just too good for you not to read it. Even the cranky guy behind the parenthesis says so! (Leave me alone.) Well, that's all for this review and series. It's been an epic journey we went on but it's time to say so long for now! (See you in the next review.) Wha-what!? You're going to stick around? (It's fun torturing you.) ... *Stares at reader* ...I'm so screwed... (*Smirks* Not yet, you're not.) *Falls over*
IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE! THANK YOU, TAKAYA-SENSEI, FOR THE AMAZING RIDE! JA MATA NE!!!
lcgerstmann's review against another edition
5.0
This is the end (23 volumes) of one of the best stories I have ever read. I started reading it after watching the anime with my 7 year old daughter. The anime was cute and sweet but way too short, so we started reading the manga together. I quickly carried on without her for several reasons, mostly because the cute sweet story I loved from the anime matured and became quite dark and emotionally complex but also because I couldn't read fast enough with her, I couldn't put this story down. Sadly, the anime stops right where the manga gets good, so so good. Not only is the story amazing, the character development is deeper than almost anything I've read before, they will all stay with me forever, especially Kyo and Tohru, one of the best couples ever. I loved how this series ended, which softens the blow of it being over. Most of the characters found happiness, but not all of them (Momiji, Kagura), so it wasn't an implausible "everything turned out perfectly" scenario with 20 different HEAs. Even the characters who found love go into it scarred.
Everyone in the universe should read this series and laugh and cry and fall in love they way I did.
If we all were more like Tohru, the world would be a better place!
Good bye Fruits Basket, I will miss you!
Everyone in the universe should read this series and laugh and cry and fall in love they way I did.
If we all were more like Tohru, the world would be a better place!
Good bye Fruits Basket, I will miss you!
banana83854's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so sad this journey is over AND that I waited so long to continue with this manga. The ending was so beautiful, I can't stand it and might cry. Oh how I wish they'd finished the anime as well!
clauleesi's review against another edition
5.0
This is a review for the entire manga.
Finally, FINALLY, I finished this beautiful classic of a manga. I dropped it several years ago when it wasn't even finished, and then didn't have the time nor patience to continue reading it from where I left off. So in December 2016 I sat my ass down and decided to just get it over with. And oh, if it wasn't even lovelier than I remembered.
There's just so much to like about [b:Fruits Basket|271199|Fruits Basket, Vol. 1|Natsuki Takaya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442161482l/271199._SX50_.jpg|542633] - the amazing and big cast of characters with their deeply moving backstories, the asian mythology, the humour and fun that actually worked well with the grim sadness that runs through every page. I have been reading manga for over fifteen years, but I can count on one hand how many have made me cry, but [b:Fruits Basket|271199|Fruits Basket, Vol. 1|Natsuki Takaya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442161482l/271199._SX50_.jpg|542633] totally made me tear up multiple times. It is just so powerful and moving. As I said, it's both grim and sad, but [a:Natsuki Takaya|26306|Natsuki Takaya|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1385812617p2/26306.jpg] still manages to incorporate a very positive message.
And once again, the characters. I don't even know which ones I would call my favorites - as my friend said, the main character Tohru is one of the sweetest, most caring and at the same time, real manga characters that I've encountered. Even though her mother very recently passed away, she continues on being her kind self, something I found quite annoying in the beginning - I mean, how?
As the story progresses though, we learn about Tohru's own struggles with wanting to surpress all the hurt from missing her mother, while still not wanting to forget her. And it's almost healing seeing Tohru together with the other characters - how she heals them just accepting and being there for them. It warmed my heart.
As I mentioned, the cast is big, and therefor I won't go into each and everyone of them. But let me just say this - even though we miss diversity in sexuality, gender and race, we get diversity in personality. Every single one of these characters was different from the other, had their own struggles and insecurities, strenghts and weaknesses. I adored Kyo, Momiji, Rin, Kisa, Tohru's mother and just - everyone. You could even sympathise with the villain, and maybe even the "heroes" sometimes had darkness in them as well.
The story flowed beautifully, with some innocent banter to lighten up the atmosphere after a long arc about family and suffering, and cute romantic bits at time, althought the romance part truly is just a small bit of this manga. It's a lot about love, but more about loving yourself, your friends and maybe your family than a potential partner.
My only complaint has to be that I surprisingly felt that the art was way better in the beginning - it got more generic and simple as we neared the end, and I wish the mangaka had kept her cute style.
All in all, a manga I would recommend to most and hold very dear myself. It's truly a classic for a reason, and I am now considering rewatching the anime - though I want to make this year the year of finishing mangas.
Finally, FINALLY, I finished this beautiful classic of a manga. I dropped it several years ago when it wasn't even finished, and then didn't have the time nor patience to continue reading it from where I left off. So in December 2016 I sat my ass down and decided to just get it over with. And oh, if it wasn't even lovelier than I remembered.
There's just so much to like about [b:Fruits Basket|271199|Fruits Basket, Vol. 1|Natsuki Takaya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442161482l/271199._SX50_.jpg|542633] - the amazing and big cast of characters with their deeply moving backstories, the asian mythology, the humour and fun that actually worked well with the grim sadness that runs through every page. I have been reading manga for over fifteen years, but I can count on one hand how many have made me cry, but [b:Fruits Basket|271199|Fruits Basket, Vol. 1|Natsuki Takaya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442161482l/271199._SX50_.jpg|542633] totally made me tear up multiple times. It is just so powerful and moving. As I said, it's both grim and sad, but [a:Natsuki Takaya|26306|Natsuki Takaya|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1385812617p2/26306.jpg] still manages to incorporate a very positive message.
And once again, the characters. I don't even know which ones I would call my favorites - as my friend said, the main character Tohru is one of the sweetest, most caring and at the same time, real manga characters that I've encountered. Even though her mother very recently passed away, she continues on being her kind self, something I found quite annoying in the beginning - I mean, how?
As the story progresses though, we learn about Tohru's own struggles with wanting to surpress all the hurt from missing her mother, while still not wanting to forget her. And it's almost healing seeing Tohru together with the other characters - how she heals them just accepting and being there for them. It warmed my heart.
As I mentioned, the cast is big, and therefor I won't go into each and everyone of them. But let me just say this - even though we miss diversity in sexuality, gender and race, we get diversity in personality. Every single one of these characters was different from the other, had their own struggles and insecurities, strenghts and weaknesses. I adored Kyo, Momiji, Rin, Kisa, Tohru's mother and just - everyone. You could even sympathise with the villain, and maybe even the "heroes" sometimes had darkness in them as well.
The story flowed beautifully, with some innocent banter to lighten up the atmosphere after a long arc about family and suffering, and cute romantic bits at time, althought the romance part truly is just a small bit of this manga. It's a lot about love, but more about loving yourself, your friends and maybe your family than a potential partner.
My only complaint has to be that I surprisingly felt that the art was way better in the beginning - it got more generic and simple as we neared the end, and I wish the mangaka had kept her cute style.
All in all, a manga I would recommend to most and hold very dear myself. It's truly a classic for a reason, and I am now considering rewatching the anime - though I want to make this year the year of finishing mangas.
jay_mack9712's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*Clapping and crying* This is how you finale! This is a masterpiece! I have never felt this way about a series in so long! From start to finish this entire story, characters, world is so strong, so addicting, so beautiful! It makes you want to keep turning the pages! For how big the cast is, I am awed by how much I was able to love each and every one of them for so many different reasons! I loved this series!! I am absolutely a wreck from it! But what an amazing reason to cry about!
shinzu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0