Rating: 
Summary: The most heartfelt series I've ever seen.
Review: (As of the time this review was written, no information on this series is posted, so I'll give a brief synopsis of this series.)Fruits Basket (called "Furuba" by fans) is the story of Tohru Honda, a high school student who has lost both of her parents. Her mother died only a year before the start of the series, and Touru misses her so much that she always carries her picture around with her. Tohru was living with her paternal grandfather until he began renovations on his home, so he asked her if she'd mind staying with some friends for awhile. Touru didn't want to impose on either of her friends, so she decided to set up a tent in the woods until the house was finished.. until one day she stumbles across the home of her classmate Yuki Sohma, and accidentally discovers his family's BIG secret - when "huggled" by someone of the opposite sex, they are cursed to turn into the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Tohru ends up moving in with the Sohma family as a housekeeper/cook in exchange for room and board, and she is introduced one-by-one to the rest of the clan (some of whom are.. VERY.. unusual). Now, you might be telling yourself "I've seen this before, and it's name was 'Ranma 1/2'.." - and you have NO IDEA how very wrong you are. Fruits Basket is a one of a kind series that manages to take a premise that could very well have followed the same path as Ranma (namely, relying on perverted jokes and accidental transformations to convey most of the plot and comedy), but instead becomes a chronicle of truly believable characters struggling to belong and dealing with what life has given them, both the good and bad. Over the course of its 26 episodes, Fruits Basket has made me laugh harder than any other anime I've ever seen, and then it goes right ahead and takes me on an emotional rollercoaster ride until I'm bawling along with the characters onscreen. But no matter what happened, it always leaves me with a smile and a feeling that if I could just have an ounce of the inner strength that these characters display, I would be all the better for it. Don't let me mislead you into thinking this is merely a cheesy tearjerker - Fruits Basket has PLENTY of high-energy martial arts battles, slapstick comedy, and wacky plot twists, but underneath all of this lies a deep emotional current that EVERYONE can connect with. If you've ever been jealous or angry with your family, undergone the loss of a close relative, felt completely alone, watch the people you love leave you behind, or have simply been misunderstood, you will regret missing this series. The true power of this series is found not in the comedy, but in the relationships between both family and friends. On a more shallow level, the characters are mostly rather good-looking, the animation is attractive - no amazing special effects, of course, but consistently high quality and well-suited to the story, and the music is very beautiful. Overall, this is a series for everyone to see, from the shoujo (girls') romance fans to comedy lovers to drama affectionados. You will NOT be disappointed - by episode 26, I guarantee you'll find yourself upset that ANOTHER season doesn't exist (yet). ^_^
Rating:
Summary: There is room for a rice ball in a fruits basket!!
Review: First of all, let me start off by saying that this dvd blew me away. I had never heard of the series and kept picking up the box every time I went to my local movie retailer. After Christmas, I decided to get it. I was expecting some lame rip off of Ranma 1/2, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.
The story is based around the cute and honorable Tohru Honda. A few years before our story starts, her mother dies an early death. Tohru already had no father, so she was left parentless. She ends up living with her inviting and loving grandfather. At the beginning of our story, she happens to walk past the house of the Sohma family (by the way, while her grandfather is doing repairs on the house, she is living alone in a tent in the woods!!). She meets Shigure, who is painting chinese zodiac characters. She then finds out "Prince Yuki", the cutest and most mysterious guy at school, lives there as well. They end up becoming friends, and they invite her to live there while her grandfather's renovations are going on.
That's where the story really begins. Tohru finds out, quite by accident, that the Sohma family is cursed! Every time one of them is embraced by a member of the opposite sex, they turn into their chinese zodiac animal! Shigure is the dog, Yuki is the rat, and their relative Kyo is the cat? I won't spoil everything, you'll have to watch it to find out what else happens. The story focuses a lot on character relationships with plenty of comedy to keep it from getting too serious.
On a technical side, the animation for this anime is absolutely superb. The colors are great, the drawings and character designs are fantastic, and they all flow together quite nicely. Plus, there are great extras, like character profiles, plus the dvd has 6 episodes. It's well worth the $... extra for this awesome story. I recommend this for fans of Ranma 1/2, His and Her Circumstances, and Love Hina.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific adaptation of the manga
Review: I bought the Fruits Basket DVDs after having read 8 volumes of the manga (sadly, the English publication has only just begun). For a detailed summary and commentary of the manga, read my review of Volume 1, written on February 13, 2004. Basic plot: Pure-hearted, brave, completely selfless highschooler Tohru Honda, having recently lost her beloved, inspiring mother, finds herself, through a series of circumstances, moving in with Yuki Sohma, the most popular boy in her school, and his older, slightly perverted (but oh so lovable) cousin Shigure. Soon after Tohru moves in, a third member of the Sohma family, Kyo, arrives. This all takes place in the first episode; in this episode and the next, Tohru also discovers the Sohma family's secret: when pressed against a member of the opposite sex, thirteen of its members each turn into an animal of the Zodiac (Yuki is the rat, Shigure the dog), plus the cat (Kyo), the animal who was, according to the legend, left out of the Zodiac. Of course, the Sohma secret must be well-guarded, and Tohru's discovery certainly complicates things. Should Akito,the mysterious head of the family, decide so, her memory would have to be erased. However, for the present, she is allowed to remain in Shigure's home. This 1st volume basically describes Tohru's integration into the Sohma household. Although her task is originally to be the housekeeper (all the Sohma boys being hopeless in this domain), she inevitably forms closer relationships with the inhabitants (especially Kyo and Yuki), as she gets to know them bit by bit. She is like no one they have ever met: a bit ditzy at times, but invariably kind, understanding, optimistic and almost always able to help them. However, just as things are starting to settle, it turns out Tohru may have to leave Shigure's house after all... How will the boys be able to survive without her? What I love most about this anime, as in the manga, are the characters and their interaction. Tohru's sweetness gradually has a calming effect on the popular, but extremely reserved and awkward Yuki and the short-tempered, sarcastic, but surprisingly friendly Kyo. Shigure pretty much stays the same (obsessed with highschool girls, always poking fun at people, but pretty wise when he gets serious), but that's just fine. He does have a darker side in the manga, which is completely absent from the anime, but I don't mind, the anime works this way, too. There are other great characters, like Kagura Sohma, another Zodiac member (try to guess which one before it's revealed), who also appears in this volume and causes quite a commotion. There are also Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima, Tohru's two best friends, who are rather eccentric (one is an ex-gang member, the other is a psychic) and who add lots of fun to the series. And finally, there are the "Prince Yuki Fanclub" girls (that's right, the kid has his own fanclub, but he doesn't really approve of it), who certainly don't appreciate Tohru's new closeness with their dreamboat. Fruits Basket has many heart-warming moments of tenderness: if you're depressed, this is the anime for you, it will definetely give you a positive outlook on life! But it also has a lot of humour. Torhu is so quick to panic... Also, Yuki and Kyo are forever fighting like cat and mouse (which makes sense) and their opposite characters (cool and calm vs hyper and angry) give rise to very funny moments. Shigure is absolutely hilarious, as is Kagura's very... special personnality. Arisa and Saki make an entertaining odd couple (in this volume, you'll discover how a juvenile delinquent like Arisa ever became friends with a goody-goody like Tohru) and the Yuki fanclub girls, although they get a little annoying in later volumes, are also funny in their psychotic/pathetic obsession with poor Yuki. The last episode is particularly funny, with elements that aren't present in the manga (multiple transformations, anyone?). I really like the animation in this series. It's pretty realistic at times, fluffy at others (flowers floating in the background to emphasize sweet, crucial moments, you know what I'm talking about) and zany the rest of the time (sweatdrops, people falling over, etc.). There are also pretty interesting animaton effects, like the various ways flashbacks are shown, you'll have to see for yourselves. Also, the opening and ending theme songs always make me smile and give me this fuzzy feeling. The sub version is very enjoyable, if you're used to them (Yuki's high-pitched voice may be disturbing at first); but the dub isn't bad either. I usually prefer subs, and was initially disturbed by the dub (Tohru sounded too mature, Kagura's voice was too deep, Kyo's American accent was too emphasized, etc), but it grew on me with time. Shigure's voice is extremely well done. Now... Is this anime strictly for girls? It's hard for me to say. I'm a 20-year-old girl and I adore it, but I think a boy who is really into anime wouldn't dislike this series. I'm not really into gender classifications (used to play with a boy who loved My Little Pony), so I guess this is merely a question of taste.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best I've Seen in a While.
Review: With so much anime coming out in Japan, it's hard to really be able to watch them all or even a large fraction of them. Then you also take into consideration the fact that another fraction is taken to come to America. From all this, a gem comes along and that's exactly what Fruits Basket is. Fruits Basket is definitely one anime that people should see. Fruits Basket, spanning 26 episodes, is the story of a high school girl, Tohru Honda, who lives by herself in a tent outside now that her mother had passed away in an accident and her grandfather was staying with other relatives. Tohru is an extremely sincere, naive, compassionate person. How anyone could portray such depth to these feelings in one person is beyond me. She gets these from her mother who she loved deeply. She stayed true to her words and morals and to help others and be herself. The last thing she ever wanted to be was a burden on others and that is why she doesn't tell her friends about her living situation. Her whole life changed after being able to stay with the "Prince" Yuki Souma and relative, Shigure. The twist is that the Souma family has the curse of the Juunishi, The Twelve Animals of the Chinese Zodiac. When hugged by the opposite sex, they will change into their respective animal counterpart. The Soumas all have problems in their lives that all come down to their curse. Yet, Tohru has this amazing ability to help all of them with their problems. It's very heartwearming and definitely a tear-jerker. I must say that it is a little weird that Funimation has picked up this title. For those who don't know, Funimation specializes in releasing more action-oriented titles like Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, and later on, One Piece. Picking up a more emotional title was a total surprise. The problem I have with this DVD is that the packaging does not look pleasing at all. The logo for Fruits Basket seems too ordinary and does nothing for the cover. The picture of Tohru just doesn't seem right for a cover art. I think it would have been better to showcase more cast of characters with at least a contrasting background of trees or something else. This anime is relatively new so the visual quality should be nice. The theme songs are very nice. Both the opening and ending fit the story very well. It relates to the characters and the story and is very mellow and soft which fits with the emotional aspects. Another problem I have with this release is the fact the price goes for a retail of 40 dollars. It's good that they released 6 episodes on this DVD but 40 dollars is just too much. Many other companies have released 5-7 episodes with just the normal retail price of 30 dollars. I guess I could understand if there were extras added with the DVD but I don't think there is. Final Note: Even through the higher price, this is a show that is really amazing. If you love emotional and light-hearted anime, then this is for you. If you just like action or any others, then give it a try. It really wouldn't hurt. You might find yourself falling in love with it too. Words just really can't express the way I feel about this anime and I don't want to spoil anything but in ways, it really is like "Chicken Soup for your Soul."
Rating:
Summary: Anime at its best.
Review: Fruits Basket is quite an interesting anime, at first the show seems to over the top, and can turn off potential viewers with the giant eyes and the crazy fan club girls, but on episode two the show really kicks off, and with the introduction of new characters, each of whom are unique and different in their own way and devolop quite a bit over the course of the series, the show becomes even funnier, as a note Fruits Basket has an amazing dub, for those who like dubs, in fact, most of the time I watch this series dubbed. As a note I consider the Fruits Basket DVDs to be really the first truely amazingly done DVDS, at the time (Or at least to my knowledge) most Anime discs had 2-5 episodes and th only features were textless endings (Can you say crappy and boring?) but Fruits basket has not only previews for other Funimation stuff, but interviews, a documentary of the "eye catches" (Which are explained in the documentry) and even behind the scenes footage. AND 6 episodes per disc, and the disc has 3 regions, any fan of special features would freak out, why the only way they could get any better would be is if it came with a poster or something rather. Overall I suguest Fruits Basket to anyone who is willing to give it a chance, the anime has elements from many genres and is a perfect balance of Comedy and Character devolopment. Buy it today.
Rating:
Summary: This is great
Review: the movies and the books are the best, i liked them. those who like anime should buy the books or the movies..... there the greatest, ever..
Rating:
Summary: Oh my Goodness!
Review: This was the best show I have ever seen! I had seen it when it first came out and am just writing this review now but I watch them all over and over and over and still cant get enough of them even though I know something is going to happen i still laugh at it over and over. If you have not seen or ordered Furuba yet, YOU MUST!
Rating:
Summary: Something different, touching but not oddball!
Review: I love this series, I would put in my top 5 all time anime shows, along with Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Azumanga Daioh, and Serial Experiments Lain. The thing that first attracted me was the comdeic elements of the show, the unwanted transformations, much like Ranma1/2. But as the show progressed I realized there was so much more to this show, it was sweet, tender, funny, touching and also had a dark side to boot. Without ruining the ending, I will say the show takes on very dark elements in its last few episodes, but finishes beautifully. I cried many times during the series, this was mainly due to brilliantly crafted character development. You really care about the main characters, and want the best for the cursed Sohma family. This show is different from most anime, it's strange but not oddball like Jungle Wa Itsumo Hale Nochi Guu, it has its own quirks. I like the animation style, although not the most intensely detailed or stylized; it really works well.
Rating:
Summary: The One and Absolute Best...
Review: I discovered Fruits Basket from a friend...and I cherish her beyond belief. She gave me something where I could laugh to death, cry, worry over, and sometimes feel like I could relate to. Of course, it's hard to think you could relate to anything that has to do with transforming into the cutest little animals ever... but in Fruits Basket you can.
The story starts with the aftermath of a traffic accident: the cute, understanding, COMPLETELY gold-hearted Tohru Honda's mother has passed away, and not wanting to be a burden to anyone, she stays in a tent a little away from society and works a part-time job to pay for her school tuition. Little does she know that the land on which she has pitched herself on belongs to the family of the 'prince' of her high school,Yuki Sohma.
Clever, gentle, kind, patient and polite, Yuki Sohma lives with his hilarious older cousin, Shigure (Shi-goo-ray) Sohma. Luckily for Tohru, she is invited to stay with them, on one condition: she has to do the housework and clean up 'The Sea of Corruption!' [this very-close-to-reality nickname for Shigure & Yuki's house is portrayed only in the manga; darn!]
Suddenly, after a dramatic as well as hilarious entrance, another Sohma, Kyo, has found himself smack dab in a hug...
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...you're probably going 'huh? what the heck's that supposed to mean?'
<<<
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*sigh* it would have been so much more fun to leave off right there, but I will show some mercy ^.~
The Sohma's are under a curse; whenever one of twelve Sohma's is hugged by a member of the opposite gender or their bodies come under a great deal of stress, they transform into one of the animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
Tohru finds herself looking straight into the eyes of an orange cat...where there should be an orange-haired boy named Kyo. She soon finds herself looking at a dog and a rat too... where Shigure and Yuki used to stand! And in that way, Tohru Honda has discovered the big 'Sohma Family Secret.' The only thing is...what will happen next? Akito, the head of the family (who looks exactly like a dark-haired Yuki and is way too skinny for his own good), has decided that instead of erasing Tohru's memories as he would have done, had he not decided to use her for his own maliscious reasons, Tohru is allowed to keep the family secret and live with Shigure and Yuki...and Kyo, who finds himself another resident of Shigure's house, under Akito's orders. Although this plot sounds ever loosely woven and very predictable, believe me...it's not. The story is extremely complicated, but not so that you can't understand it, and increases at a breath-taking speed, only because you keep wanting to find out what happens next! ^_^ Now, I've mentioned very little about the absolute hilariousness of it all: I laughed until I cried, was rolling on the ground, and my sister thought I was having a heart attack or something. The characters are so well developed it almost seems possible that the author was having all the characters based on real live people...well, maybe she/he did, but what difference does that make?
Now, although my opinion should be biased since I like every anime/manga that comes my way, Fruits Basket stands out as 'The One and Absolute Best.' Understanding and trusting are key in this series, and believe me, the price is well worth it. I am not a sentimental person, and yet I cried EVERY SINGLE TIME I watched the Hatori episode and the very ending [not in this disk, sorry!]...which is equivalent to five times.
Even my mom, who doesn't like anime/manga all that much, loves this series! So really. Buy Fruits Basket. It's the absolute best. I can't praise it enough. Words are just no good. It hits all the right spots, it takes you in and then lays you back out, filled with thoughts and one of those happy, fuzzy feelings you get once you laugh your voice out. In the famous words of me [and a couple other reviewers, i'll bet]...BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 forever a Fruits Basket fan,
- ***Zodiac Girl***[haha]- PS. Advance warning: turn the volume up for this disk, because otherwise you won't be able to hear the quiet and yet hysterical background noises that should be heard.
Rating:
Summary: A must for any anime fan
Review: This is a must for any anime fan with the right to call themselves such a thing. I simply adore the hints of Kyo and Tohru being a couple and the hints of Yuki and Tohru (Though not as much). Kagura and Shigure are all good sources of comic relief. I truly enjoyed this DVD and hope to soon see the others. I hope that there will soon be second season.
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