By: Natsuki Takaya Publisher: TokyoPop Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 216 Publication Date: February 10, 2004 Reading Level: Young Adult Release Date: February 10, 2004 Studio: TokyoPop
Product 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!
Friuts Basket bursts with bubbling thoughts ^ Tohru Honda was an orphan; she lived with her grandfather when her mother passed away. One day Fate kicked her out of the house and she was forced to take up residence in a tent in the forest. Little did she know that the land she was staying on belonged to the Sohma family, a clan of beautiful and mysterious people. After stumbling upon a teenager squatter, the Sohma invited Tohru to stay in their house in exchange for cooking and cleaning. Everything was going well until she discovered the Sohma family's greatest secret: when hugged by members of the opposite sex, they each turn into their Chinese Zodiac animal! Tohru Honda also cooked Onigiri for the Sohma family. (Fruits Basket volume 1, By Natsuki Takaya) Onigiri come in many different flavors and shapes. They are so delicious that most people might actually eat a lot of them. They come in animal, vehicle, original round, and just basic shapes. They can be used for holidays, birthdays, or any other special occasion. Some look like big balls of white, clean cotton with fruits, vegetables, meats, seasonings and grains flavors. You can also color it with food die. The fillings are mostly traditional. An Onigiri is just a simple rice bowl, but the rice isn't in glass, plastic, or ceramic. It's just a ball of rice. And you pronounce it (own-E-gear-E) or (oh-nigh-guy-ry). Natsuki Takaya novel is written with great satisfaction and a realistic detail that makes it feel like I was in the story as a Chinese Zodiac. That is why I like this story. It feels like I'm one of the zodiacs. In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. People born in the Year of the Rat are clever and bright, sociable and family-minded. They have broad interests and strong abilities to adapt to the environment and they are able to react tolerably to any changes. Shay from Red Creek
adorable ^ fruits baset is a very adorable manga series. I've only read to the fouth vol., but I love it! I think I'll buy the rest of the sreies and then the anime too :3
Surpisingly good, but not for everyone. ^ I had to buy this book for a class I took and surprisingly I actually enjoyed reading this. It has a nice blend of drama and humor in it, combined with that anime/manga style flare. The story is about this young teenage girl (Thoru) who ends up living with the Shoma family for a while and accidentally discovers their family secret, they turn into the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac (plus the cat) when hugged by a member of the opposite sex. The plot sounds kind of wacky and ridiculous, but it's through this ridiculousness and the way it is well drawn and the drama staged that this story works. I'm tempted to collect the whole 20+ volumes.
That all said, this book is not for everyone. People who only enjoy serious manga/anime with serious themes probably wouldn't enjoy this. Also this book is printed in the traditional Japanese way, so it goes right-to-left not the other way that we in America are used to reading our books. If either of these conditions doesn't appeal to you then I suggest you don't read this, but if you just want to read something fun and enjoyable I would suggest Fruits Basket. It will surprise you.
They're all animals ^ 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.
"Fruits Basket" started off strong with the first volume, with a solid concept and likable characters. Excellent beginning.
Furuba rocks! ^ There's a reason entire book racks are filled with the Furuba collection. Out of all the animes I've watched and mangas I've read, this is still the one who remains 1# on my list. Takya puts great background into her characters, and adds depth, reason to what they say. It's brilliantly planned out, not only is it laugh-out-loud hilarious, but has drama, too. I've shed so many tears over the series T.T Of laughter and sadness. Anyways, it's a 100% one heck of a good book!
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