FRUITS BASKET

Fruits Basket (Japanese: フルーツバスケット, Hepburn: Furūtsu Basuketto), sometimes abbreviated Furuba or Fruba (フルバ), is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. It was serialized in the semi-monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine Hana to Yume, published by Hakusensha, from 1998 to 2006. The series' title comes from the name of a popular game played in Japanese elementary schools, which is alluded to in the series.

Fruits Basket: A Beloved Romantic Comedy Anime and Manga Series

Fruits Basket is a popular manga and anime series that has captured the hearts of fans around the world. Written by Natsuki Takaya and published by Hakusensha, Fruits Basket has become a classic in the shōjo genre, featuring a mix of romance, comedy, and supernatural elements. The series has also been adapted into two anime adaptations and has a sequel manga series titled Fruits Basket Another.

The Storyline

The story follows Tohru Honda, a young orphaned girl who finds herself living in a tent after her mother passes away. She is then taken in by the Soma family, who offer her a room in their house. However, Tohru discovers a family secret: some members of the Soma family are cursed to turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite sex. This includes Yuki, the rat; Kyo, the cat; and Shigure, the dog, among others.

As Tohru becomes closer to the Soma family, she learns more about their family curse and tries to break it. Along the way, she falls in love with both Yuki and Kyo and faces challenges with her newfound family and friends. The story deals with themes such as acceptance, family, love, and loss, making it relatable to a broad audience.

Manga Series

The manga series of Fruits Basket was first published in Hakusensha's Hana to Yume magazine in 1998 and ran until 2006. The manga was serialized in 23 volumes and has been translated into numerous languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish. The series received critical acclaim and won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga in 2001.

Anime Adaptations

The first anime adaptation of Fruits Basket was produced by Studio Deen and aired from July to December 2001. The series was a faithful adaptation of the manga's first eight volumes but did not cover the entire story. In 2019, a new anime adaptation was produced by TMS/8PAN and directed by Yoshihide Ibata. This adaptation covers the entire story of the manga and includes new scenes and updated character designs.

The new anime adaptation received praise from fans and critics for its beautiful animation, emotional storytelling, and fantastic voice acting. The English dub of the series is available on streaming platforms such as Funimation and Crunchyroll, making it accessible to audiences worldwide.

Sequel Manga Series

Fruits Basket Another is a sequel manga series that takes place after the events of the original series. It was written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya and serialized in Hakusensha's Hana to Yume magazine in 2015. The series takes place ten years after the original story and follows a new protagonist named Sawa Mitoma.

The sequel series explores the lives of the next generation of the Soma family, including Tohru and Kyo's daughter, as well as other characters from the original series. Fruits Basket Another was released in two volumes and has been translated into English by Yen Press.

Conclusion

Fruits Basket is a timeless romantic comedy series that has captivated audiences with its relatable characters, emotional storytelling, and stunning visuals. Whether you're a fan of the manga or the anime adaptations, the series is an excellent example of the shōjo genre and has something for everyone to enjoy. With a sequel manga series and a new anime film, Fruits Basket continues to be a beloved series for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Fruits Basket tells the story of Tohru Honda, an orphan girl who, after meeting Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure Sohma, learns that 13 members of the Sohma family are possessed by the animals of the Chinese zodiac and are cursed to turn into their animal forms when they are weak, stressed, or when they are embraced by anyone of the opposite gender who is not possessed by a spirit of the zodiac. As the series progresses, Tohru learns of the hardships and pain faced by the afflicted members of the Sohma family, and through her own generous and loving nature, helps heal their emotional wounds. As she learns more about Yuki, Kyo, and the rest of the mysterious Sohma family, Tohru also learns more about herself and how much others care for her.

Takaya began a sequel titled Fruits Basket Another in September 2015, and the spin-off series The Three Musketeers Arc in April 2019. The original manga was first adapted into a 26-episode anime television series in 2001, by Studio Deen and directed by Akitaro Daichi. A second anime television series adaptation, produced by TMS Entertainment and directed by Yoshihide Ibata, premiered from April 2019, with its first season airing from April to September 2019, its second season airing from April to September 2020, and its third and final season airing from April to June 2021. The reboot anime series was initially a co-production of Funimation, who released the series through a partnership with Crunchyroll, although the series would later be completely moved under the latter. A compilation film titled Fruits Basket: Prelude premiered theatrically in Japan in February 2022, and was released theatrically in the United States and Canada in June 2022 and in the United Kingdom in July 2022.

As of December 2018, the manga had over 30 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series, as well as one of the best-selling shōjo manga series of all time. It has been described in academic works as "a classic fan favorite in shoujo manga around the world".[6]

If you want to watch the series:

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