Fruits Basket, Volume 1: A Great Transformation? (Episodes 1-6)

Fundamentally Fruits Basket is a story about finding your family, a place where you can "just be yourself". When Tohru Honda loses her mother, the only family she has ever had, she is fortunate enough to stumble across the home of "Prince" Yuki, the most adored boy in her high school. When he and his older cousin Shigure learn of Tohru's circumstances (she's living in a tent) they offer her a place in their home in exchange for housework and cooking. This girl is possibly the only other person they will meet whose life is filled with as much sadness as theirs. Such bravery in the face of adversity touches their hearts, although you can be sure that Shigure is also happy to have hot, home-cooked meals everyday and clean laundry! Before she can truly appreciate her luck, she soon learns that her new family has a secret curse. When hugged by members of the opposite sex, or when under a great deal of stress, they turn into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Although the transformations sometimes are used playfully, the Sohma's truly are burdened by their curse. Tohru promises maintain their secret and thereby is allowed to stay with them. The greatest transformation of them all might be when the one the Sohmas undergo by opening their hearts and home to Tohru

This first disc has 6 episodes, all of which are outstanding. They introduce the core characters, set up the tone and direction of the story, and each one builds on the other in a logical and satisfying progression. The main characters are of course, Tohru Honda, an ordinary girl who has known plenty of sadness in her life, but is also able to find happiness. You also meet the Sohmas, Yuki, the charming and emotionally reserved "prince" of high school, his goofy but generous older cousin Shigure, whose house they live in, as well Yuki's hated rival, the short-tempered and brash, Kyo. You also catch a glimpse the mysterious and sinister Akito Sohma, head of the family who conditionally allows Tohru to stay. He is a dark and menacing presence that is seldom seen, yet always felt and his promise to have Tohru's memory erased remains a constant threat to fragile happiness of Tohru and the Sohmas. We also meet Tohru's steadfast friends, the weird Hana who senses electrical signals and Uo, a former gang member as well as Tohru's beloved mother, seen only in flashback.

As Tohru adjusts to her new life in Shigure's house, she comes to know each of the boys a little better, often seeing their good qualities when they can't see any for themselves. It's such a simple thing, yet it's easy to see how that, coupled with Tohru's willingness to make the best of any situation and her unfailing kindness begin to make a difference in all of the Sohma's lives. Perhaps she can even bring Yuki and Kyo, who loathe each other's guts, if not into friendship, at least to an understanding of each other. The standout episode on this disc is number 5, where Tohru is torn between her new-found family with the Sohmas and returning to her old life with her paternal grandfather, where she just doesn't quite fit in. It nicely encapsulates all of the good qualities of the story so far, and further illustrates the profound effect that her short stay with the Sohmas has already had on them.

In addition to the wonderful story, the animation is done beautifully. The lines are crisp, elegant and spare. I really liked the muted colors and pastels that are used and the music is gentle as well. Taken all together it gives the whole series a certain restful quality in keeping with the story that is more about characters and emotions then action. I applaud FUNamation for putting together such a nice package and for putting 6 episodes on one disc, as well as some nice extras. If you are at all like me, you'll devour the first disc and be ready for the second in no time. I had to go out the next night and buy the rest of the DVDs since I couldn't wait to finish the story. Fruits Basket is a really unique anime that is off the beaten path and well worth your while. It's become my new favorite anime series and hope many people discover it's wonderful qualities and enjoy it as much as I did.


One Amazing Season; Many Fruits to Keep   October 23, 2002
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

Most romantic comedies written so far are one-sided, either they are shoujo or shounan. The anime that have made the transition into the American market are mostly shounan. Fruits Basket offers a balance between the two, which makes it more real than anything you have seen before. Imagine Keitaro living in a girl's dorm with 5 lovely girls in Love Hina, Tohru is the counterpart who lives in a "man's dorm" with 3 good-looking guys plus frequent visitors from their family.

Fruits Basket follows the story of a first year high school girl named Tohru Honda and her encounters with the Souma family who has a secret involving the Chinese Zodiac or Juunishi. Almost every Souma member carries a painful baggage behind his or her back. We feel the emotions, the pain, and the laughter as each episode unfolds new revelation into the lives of the Souma family and how Tohru helps bring about change in the family.

The emphasis the writers of the story focuses on is not the removal of the scar, but the recovery from the pain and the change in one's perspective in life. Using Tohru as the change catalyst, the writers unveil a new understanding behind the emotions such as anger, jealousy, frustration, hatred, hurt, low self-esteem, and hopelessness, and bring them to a final conclusion of forgiveness, acceptance, renewal, and love. Our heroine, Tohru, turns out to be the messenger of all comfort. She brought a whole new perspective in the affirmation of one's self-esteem. Although Tohru is a very sweet girl, she is not the "homecoming queen" type that most guys crave on. In fact, Yuri did not even notice her in class before she walked into his life (moved into Shigure's house.) Tohru lacks imagination and is very dumb sometimes. But you will find her an amazing character once you get to know her.

Growing up in America often sway us into abusing the right to free speech. We use honesty as our disguise to blast every word and thought we have in mind, and much too often to the ones we love most. We carry the sign, "forgive and forget," but how much pain your heart can withstand until it breaks? The writers of Fruits Basket show us how to treasure our relationships with our friends and love ones, how to be kind to one another, and how to mend broken relationships. In the end, it is faith, love, and hope that will heal the past and carry us forward.

Indeed, there are moments when you need lots of Kleenex, especially the episode on Hatori but the anime also balances itself with lots of laughter. It's like life. There are moments when you would cry and there are moments when you would laugh. Unlike most comedy that are filled with perverted jokes, Fruits Basket makes you laugh because the circumstances are real and you identify with them. The first half of the series is very engaging-no cliffhangers but a lot of discovery into the characters' past. The second half has some fillers that are really not necessary.

The series premiered in Japan starting July 5, 2001. As such, the animation and character artwork are very modern, crisp, and fluid. The characters are in the "kawaii" style with big eyes and clean-cut appearance. I love the original voice actors although I had a hard time following the subtitles. (They talk too fast!) I am looking forward to watching Fruit Baskets in English. Although the anime spans 26 episodes, it only covers up to volume 6 of the original Fruits Basket manga. By the time I got to episode 26, I found myself asking for one more season.