Fruits Basket, Volume 1

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 216 pages
• Published by: TokyoPop February 10, 2004
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1591826039
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1591826033
• Book Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 5.6 ounces

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""Do not walk, do not run - fly out and get it.""

Book Description
Tohru Honda was an orphan when one day fate kicked her out of the house and on to land belonging to the mysterious Sohma family. After stumbling upon the teenage squatter, the Sohmas invite Tohru to stay in their house in exchange for cooking and cleaning. Everything goes well until she discovers the Sohma family's secret, when hugged by members of the opposite sex, they turn into their Chinese Zodiac animal!

Reader Reviews
Natsuki Takaya hit manga gold with "Fruits Basket," a romantic/comic/fantasy story about one cursed family, and a girl who might be able to set them all free. The first volume of any series is usually the weakest, and that's true of "Fruits Basket Volume 1," but it's still a warm-hearted, entertaining little collection, which mainly serves to introduce the lead characters. And it doesn't take Takaya long to hit her storytelling stride. Orphaned Tohru Honda is living in a tent in the woods. But one day she bumps into the large house of school idol Yuki Sohma, and his older cousin Shigure -- and after a landslide buries her tent and most of her belongings, they take Tohru in as a housekeeper/cook. But when the volatile Kyo Sohma breaks in to fight with Yuki, Tohru slips and accidently hugs him -- and he transforms into a cat. Turns out that the Sohma family is cursed -- certain members turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac, including Yuki and Shigure (rat and dog, respectively). Warm-hearted Tohru doesn't let this stop her from befriending the Sohmas... and then the call comes that her grandfather wants her to come back home. But Shigure, Yuki and Kyo weren't expecting to miss her this much... "Fruits Basket" isn't a hard series to like -- it has a little something for everyone, especially manga fans who love beautiful young men (of which there are plenty). Evil curses, slapstick comedy, swift martial-arts battles, a bit of romantic tension, and a horde of fangirls who are obsessive about Yuki. Takaya spends most of the first volume introducing the characters, and arranging for them to live in the same house. Her artwork also takes a little while to get adjusted to (the first few chapters are a bit awkward) but settles into an elegant, polished style by mid-book. And she has a knack for very, very funny dialogue ("Didn't she say she'd forgive him for cheating on her?" "I DIDN'T SAY I WOULDN'T PUNISH HIM FIRST!"). Tohru must have been a difficult character to make likable. She's almost Pollyannaish in her optimism and cheerfulness. But Takaya makes her likable -- she doesn't instantly spread sunshine, and she's rather goofy and clueless. To top it off, she has two of the weirdest girls in school as her best buddies (and personal bodyguards). The other characters aren't quite fleshed out yet -- Yuki and Kyo are basically the Handsome Charming Guy and the Antisocial Outsider, but Takaya drops a few hints of their deeper personalities here and there. Shigure is basically a goofball, while boar-girl Kagura transforms into a violent psychotic whenever Kyo tells her to get lost. About to conclude in Japan, "Fruits Basket" started off strong with the first volume, with a solid concept and likable characters. Excellent beginning. Comment | | (Report this)