The appeal and reviews of the first Fruits Basket TV series

Fruits Basket: A moving story and charming characters

"Fruits Basket" is a TV anime series based on the popular manga by Takaya Natsuki, which aired on TV Tokyo from July 5 to December 27, 2001. The 26-episode series was animated by Studio Deen and directed by Daichi Heitaro. The original series was serialized in the magazine "Hana to Yume" and was widely loved as a "comical, heartwarming, school-themed, slightly mysterious story that will appeal to the viewing public."

story

The main character, Honda Tohru, is a high school girl who has been living alone in a tent since her mother died. One day, Tohru ends up living in the home of her classmate, Sohma Yuki. Yuki is an idol to the girls at school, and she begins living with her guardian, Sohma Shigure. However, the Sohma family has a big secret. They are cursed with the ability to transform into animals if embraced by a member of the opposite sex. After learning this secret, Tohru begins a journey with the Sohma family to break the curse.

character

Honda Tohru has a bright and dedicated personality, and lives by the words of his late mother. He is good at all kinds of housework, keeps the Sohma house sparkling clean, and can cook delicious food. Sohma Yuki is a classmate of Tohru's, and is a beautiful boy who is worshipped as an idol by the girls, but he is indifferent to his popularity and has a somewhat unapproachable air about him. Sohma Kyo is a fiery boy who hates Yuki, and lives with Tohru and the others as a member of the Sohma family. Sohma Shigure is Yuki's cousin, and while he works as a novelist, he also plays the role of a guardian who loves young high school girls.

Tohru's best friends, Saki Hanajima and Arisa Uoya, are also important characters. Saki can sense the radio waves emitted by people and living things, and her mysterious ability makes her classmates fear her. On the other hand, Arisa is a strong-willed girl with a delinquent vibe, and even her classmates fear her. Raru Sohma is Kyo's childhood friend, and is head over heels in love with him, but when she gets emotional she can lose sight of what's going on around her. Momiji Sohma is half German and half Japanese, and is a cute boy who is as cute as a girl, but his tendency to get carried away is a flaw.

Hatori Sohma is the doctor of the Sohma clan, and has a cool personality and rarely smiles. Akiharu Sohma is a boy with a dual personality who is madly in love with Yuki, but becomes aggressive when he is in a black suit. Kisa Sohma has a sensitive heart due to the experience of being bullied in middle school, and trusts Tohru. Touji Sohma is a clumsy boy who is secretly in love with Kisa and cannot be honest about his feelings. Ayame Sohma is Yuki's older brother, and although the two siblings do not get along well due to their lively personality, he acts with the sole desire to get along with his younger brother. Ritsu Sohma is a young man with an unusual personality, whose mother is the proprietress of the Sohma family's hot spring inn, and who feels calm when he dresses up as a woman.

Other characters with unique personalities such as Hanajima Kei, Sohma Momo, Sohma Sekima, Kuramae Mion, and Sohma Akito add color to the story.

Production Staff

Fruits Basket was created by a talented team of people. It was written by Takaya Natsuki, directed by Daichi Heitarou, assistant director Miyasaki Nagisa, and written by Nakase Rika. Character design was by Hayashi Akemi, art direction by Shibata Chikako, color setting by Matsumoto Shinji, cinematography by Kawaguchi Masayuki, editing by Matsumura Masahiro, and sound direction by Daichi Heitarou and Ebina Yasunori. Music was by Muto Seiji and Abe Jun, with music production by Starchild Records and music cooperation by TV Tokyo Music. Animation was produced by Studio Deen, animation producer was Noguchi Kazunori, associate producer was Moriyama Atsushi, and producers were Kobayashi Noriko (TV Tokyo) and Yamasaki Ritsushi. It was produced by TV Tokyo, NAS, and the Fruits Basket Production Committee.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "For Fruits Basket", written and composed by Ritsuko Okazaki, arranged by Tatsuya Murayama, and sung by Ritsuko Okazaki. The ending themes are "Small Prayer" and "Serenade Pf Solo Ver.", also written and composed by Ritsuko Okazaki, arranged by Tatsuya Murayama, and sung by Ritsuko Okazaki. "Small Prayer" was used in episodes 1 to 24 and 26, and "Serenade Pf Solo Ver." was used in episode 25.

subtitle

The subtitles of each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: Episode 1 (2001/07/05)
• Episode 2: Episode 2 (2001/07/12)
• Episode 3: Episode 3 (2001/07/19)
• Episode 4: Episode 4 (2001/07/26)
• Episode 5: Episode 5 (2001/08/02)
• Episode 6: Episode 6 (2001/08/09)
• Episode 7: Episode 7 (2001/08/16)
• Episode 8: Episode 8 (2001/08/23)
• Episode 9: Episode 9 (2001/08/30)
• Episode 10: Episode 10 (2001/09/06)
• Episode 11: Episode 11 (2001/09/13)
• Episode 12: Episode 12 (2001/09/20)
• Episode 13: Episode 13 (2001/09/27)
• Episode 14: Episode 14 (2001/10/04)
• Episode 15: Episode 15 (2001/10/11)
• Episode 16: Episode 16 (2001/10/18)
• Episode 17: Episode 17 (2001/10/25)
• Episode 18: Episode 18 (2001/11/01)
• Episode 19: Episode 19 (2001/11/08)
• Episode 20: Episode 20 (2001/11/15)
• Episode 21: Episode 21 (2001/11/22)
• Episode 22: Episode 22 (2001/11/29)
• Episode 23: Episode 23 (2001/12/06)
• Episode 24: Episode 24 (2001/12/13)
• Episode 25: Episode 25 (2001/12/20)
• Episode 26: The Final Episode (2001/12/27)

Evaluation and Impressions

"Fruits Basket" has won many fans with its moving storyline and charming characters. In particular, episodes depicting Tohru's purity and strength, his struggle with the secrets and curse of the Sohma family, and the bonds of family and friendship struck a chord with viewers. In addition, each character's personality stands out, and their growth and changes enrich the story.

The animation quality is also high, with beautiful character designs and background art. The music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story, and Ritsuko Okazaki's singing voice resonated with viewers. In particular, the opening theme "For Fruits Basket" is a beautiful song that symbolizes the theme of the story, and was loved by many fans.

Recommendation

"Fruits Basket" is a work filled with a touching story and charming characters. It is recommended for those who believe in the power of family, friendship, and love, and for those who want to experience a slightly mysterious world. The original manga is also very popular, and you can get even more deeply moved by enjoying it together with the anime. Be sure to keep an eye on the secrets and curses of the Sohma family, and Tohru's growth.

Furthermore, a new anime series, "Fruits Basket," was produced in 2019 and aired covering the entirety of the original work. The new series has also received very high praise, and is widely supported not only by fans of the original work but also by new viewers. One way to enjoy the series is to compare the old and new series.

"Fruits Basket" is a touching drama with a heartwarming story and unique characters. Please give it a watch.