7 Years Ago, An Acclaimed 1990s Series Finally Got The Anime It Deserved

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Natsuki Takaya’s popular manga, Fruits Basket, first published in 1998, received an anime adaptation in 2001 that proved to be controversial and was ultimately canceled after just one season. The anime significantly deviated from the original manga, reportedly frustrating Takaya. Studio DEEN, responsible for the 2001 adaptation, altered the plot and shifted the story’s tone to be more lighthearted, despite knowing the intended direction of the narrative. Takaya had always envisioned a more dramatic and emotionally resonant story, balancing darker themes with moments of hope and warmth – a balance the original anime failed to capture. The manga skillfully blends these emotional and comedic elements, something the initial anime adaptation didn’t fully represent.

After nearly twenty years, the series received a well-deserved adaptation thanks to a reboot by TMS Entertainment, which premiered on April 5th, 2019 (April 6th in Japan). This new version stayed much closer to the original story, capturing its intricate details and mature themes.

What Is Fruits Basket About?

The story centers on Tohru Honda, a sweet and caring high school student who, after her mother’s death and with her grandfather’s house being renovated, finds herself without a place to live. She briefly lives in a tent before unexpectedly meeting the Sohma family. Yuki Sohma, a classmate, and his cousin, Shigure, offer her a place to stay. While living with them, Tohru learns a surprising secret: some members of the Sohma family are under a mysterious curse, revealed when Kyo Sohma arrives.

The Sohma family has a unique curse: thirteen members transform into animals from the Chinese Zodiac when they’re physically weakened or hugged by someone they’re attracted to. Instead of being scared, a young woman finds these transformations fascinating and develops close relationships with the Sohmas as she meets them. The anime sensitively explores difficult themes like love, grief, past trauma, abuse, and the journey toward healing, often with deeply emotional scenes that connect with viewers.

Despite some scenes being cut for practical reasons, the adaptation turned out much better than expected. After the anime concluded, a prequel movie was released, telling the story of Tohru’s parents and providing a satisfying conclusion to the entire saga. The film beautifully portrays Kyoka Honda’s journey as she leaves home, follows her heart, and navigates motherhood while dealing with a difficult past.

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2026-04-08 04:41