Fruits Basket
Synopsis
After the accident in which she lost her mother, 16-year-old Tooru moves in with her grandfather, but due to his home being renovated, is unable to continue living with him. Claiming she will find someone to stay with but also fearing the criticism of her family and not wanting to burden any of her friends, Tooru resorts to secretly living on her own in a tent in the woods. One night on her way back from work, she finds her tent buried underneath a landslide. Yuki Souma, the "prince" of her school, and his cousin Shigure Souma, a famous author, stumble across Tooru's situation and invite her to stay with them until her grandfather's home renovations are complete. Upon arriving at the Souma house, Tooru discovers their secret: if a Souma is hugged by someone of the opposite gender, they temporarily transform into one of the animals of the zodiac! However, this strange phenomenon is no laughing matter; rather, it is a terrible curse that holds a dark history. As she continues her journey, meeting more members of the zodiac family, will Tooru's kindhearted yet resilient nature be enough to prepare her for what lies behind the Souma household's doors? [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Fruits Basket is a generally beloved anime, praised for its heartwarming story, well-developed characters, and exploration of emotional themes. Some viewers find the plot slow or repetitive, and the incomplete adaptation is a common point of criticism. Despite its flaws, the anime is considered a touching and enjoyable experience for many, especially those who appreciate character-driven stories and gentle narratives.
Strengths
- Characters are well-developed, likable, and relatable, with unique personalities and backstories.
- The story is heartwarming and touching, with a good balance of comedy, drama, and romance.
- The anime explores themes of family, friendship, trauma, and healing in a sensitive and meaningful way.
- The English dub is well-cast and the voice acting is excellent.
- The animation complements the story and creates a visually appealing experience.
Weaknesses
- The plot can be slow-paced and repetitive, with some episodes feeling like filler.
- The story is incomplete, as the anime only covers part of the manga and leaves some plot threads unresolved.
- The main character, Tohru, can be seen as overly naive,clueless or unrealistically kind.
- The ending is not satisfactory.
- Some viewers may find the show to be overly sentimental or cheesy.