Scan barcode
gapagrin's review against another edition
3.0
Fruits Basket was the first anime I ever watched - several friends introduced me to it at university and it started an interest in Japan that eventually resulted in me moving there. Picking up the manga of this was therefore a bit nostalgic as well. I'd forgot how much I rather like Tohru - she may look and act cutesy, but she has a lot of hidden strength as she tries to put her painful past behind her and maintain a positive attitude no matter what, staying strong not just for herself but for those around her. Tohru can also be surprisingly wise when it comes to understanding people.
This first book introduces the Sohma family, who take Tohru in when they find her camping in their woods while her grandfather's house was being built (she didn't want to be a burden on anyone else so she didn't ask to crash with a friend). They offer room and board in exchange for her services as their housekeeper because they apparently are incapable of cooking or cleaning up after themselves. They also have a curse that they are trying to keep hidden from the rest of the world...which of course Tohru discovers within the first few chapters.
This first book introduces the Sohma family, who take Tohru in when they find her camping in their woods while her grandfather's house was being built (she didn't want to be a burden on anyone else so she didn't ask to crash with a friend). They offer room and board in exchange for her services as their housekeeper because they apparently are incapable of cooking or cleaning up after themselves. They also have a curse that they are trying to keep hidden from the rest of the world...which of course Tohru discovers within the first few chapters.
aeoliandeductress's review against another edition
4.0
Furuba was the first anime I actually watched all the way through. For me, the last several episodes were the best part- the story had just started to go deeper and darker and fascinate me... and then it ended. So of course I needed to read the manga.
The first volume provides a quality introduction to the story, but is fluffier and more "sit-com" style than my personal taste. However, I will say this is part of Furuba's overall charm- it draws you in with quick jokes and family squabbles, then drops various bombshells on you as to the truly twisted nature of some of the characters' lives.
Then enters Kyou, a brash orange haired relative of the men. He threatens Yuki, challenging him to a fight. Tohru tries to stop it, trips, and falls into Kyou. When she does this, much to her surprise, Kyou turns into a cat. Bewildered she rushes around, falls, and knocks into Yuki and Shigure, turning them into rat and dog. It turns out the Souma family is cursed with the spirits of the Chinese Zodiac- if they become physically stressed/weak or are hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they turn into the animal that possesses them. There are 13 in all- one of whom is the spurned cat (Kyou). According to legend, the cat was tricked by the rat and unable to attend the major banquet held by the gods. Because of this the cat is hated and not one of the animals. Tohru had heard this story as a child and felt sorry for the cat. After transforming back and explaining, Tohru swears to keep their secret. Yuki fears that the family may erase her memory, but the head of family, Akito, actually agrees to let her continue living with them with this knowledge. With these conditions, it is also agreed that Kyou, the cat, must agree to live with Shigure and his arch-rival, Yuki the rat. (Kyou is continuously trying to fight Yuki, determined that by beating him he can finally become a REAL member of the Souma family. Yuki however is much stronger and always defeats Kyou.)
While living there, Tohru also meet Kagura, another member of the Souma family and the boar/pig of the zodiac. Kagura appears to be in love with Kyou, much to Kyou's dismay. It turns out that zodiac members can hug each other without fear of transformation. Tohru manages to win Kagura over, despite some initial jealousy.
At the end of the first volume, the renovations on her grandfather's home are finished. She does move back in with him, despite not really wanting to leave. Once again, Tohru is determined to be as minimal a burden as possible. Yet her grandfather's family is less than kind to her and the Soumas miss her terribly. Yuki and Kyou eventually go and retrieve her, working together despite their hatred for one another. Tohru gladly returns home with them.
This volume does a great job of introducing us to the main characters' personalities and helping us see them as a dysfunctional but overall sweet family. While a bit fluffier than my normal taste, it sets the stage well for the story that unfolds.
The first volume provides a quality introduction to the story, but is fluffier and more "sit-com" style than my personal taste. However, I will say this is part of Furuba's overall charm- it draws you in with quick jokes and family squabbles, then drops various bombshells on you as to the truly twisted nature of some of the characters' lives.
Spoiler
Tohru, our protagonist, was living in a tent for a few weeks while her grandfather's house was being renovated. This is due to Tohru's EXTREME giving nature- she does not want to burden anyone else by asking them to care for her. One day she stumbles upon a house where she sees little Zodiac animal crafts. She comments on how cute they are and engages in a brief conversation with Shigure, the house's owner. Their conversation is interrupted by Yuki Souma, a classmate's of Tohru who is known as the enigmatic "prince" of their school. They walk to school together, sparking Yuki's interest in where she could possibly be living that brought her across his path. After discovering what she was doing, Shigure and Yuki offer her a room in exchange for housework.Then enters Kyou, a brash orange haired relative of the men. He threatens Yuki, challenging him to a fight. Tohru tries to stop it, trips, and falls into Kyou. When she does this, much to her surprise, Kyou turns into a cat. Bewildered she rushes around, falls, and knocks into Yuki and Shigure, turning them into rat and dog. It turns out the Souma family is cursed with the spirits of the Chinese Zodiac- if they become physically stressed/weak or are hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they turn into the animal that possesses them. There are 13 in all- one of whom is the spurned cat (Kyou). According to legend, the cat was tricked by the rat and unable to attend the major banquet held by the gods. Because of this the cat is hated and not one of the animals. Tohru had heard this story as a child and felt sorry for the cat. After transforming back and explaining, Tohru swears to keep their secret. Yuki fears that the family may erase her memory, but the head of family, Akito, actually agrees to let her continue living with them with this knowledge. With these conditions, it is also agreed that Kyou, the cat, must agree to live with Shigure and his arch-rival, Yuki the rat. (Kyou is continuously trying to fight Yuki, determined that by beating him he can finally become a REAL member of the Souma family. Yuki however is much stronger and always defeats Kyou.)
While living there, Tohru also meet Kagura, another member of the Souma family and the boar/pig of the zodiac. Kagura appears to be in love with Kyou, much to Kyou's dismay. It turns out that zodiac members can hug each other without fear of transformation. Tohru manages to win Kagura over, despite some initial jealousy.
At the end of the first volume, the renovations on her grandfather's home are finished. She does move back in with him, despite not really wanting to leave. Once again, Tohru is determined to be as minimal a burden as possible. Yet her grandfather's family is less than kind to her and the Soumas miss her terribly. Yuki and Kyou eventually go and retrieve her, working together despite their hatred for one another. Tohru gladly returns home with them.
This volume does a great job of introducing us to the main characters' personalities and helping us see them as a dysfunctional but overall sweet family. While a bit fluffier than my normal taste, it sets the stage well for the story that unfolds.
asummaryofsorts's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hannahwreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
averyconfusedhomosapiensbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-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
2.0
alanaschulte's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
geenahnola's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
pcrthos's review against another edition
4.0
J'avais besoin de ce petit retour en enfance. Je lisais tellement de manga à l'époque sans jamais vraiment en finir un car les bibliothèques n'avaient jamais tous les tomes (ou ils étaient encore un cours de publication). Puis, j'ai arrêté de lire des mangas ou même de lire tout court. Puis un de mes amis m'a reparlé de Fruit Basket et je pense que j'avais juste besoin de ça là mtn. Je crois que je préfère toujours lire que regarder des animés à vrai dire
book_leigh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My oh my...I didn't reread what this manga was about before I started reading it. What a shock when I got to the main point in the first part! It's a great read, I loved it and I can't wait to read more. It's surprisingly emotional on top of being funny!
breezy610's review against another edition
4.0
it's so fuuny and cute. i can't wait to read the next book in the series.