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Fruits Basket review by darktruth
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Based on the shoujo manga, Fruits Basket is a series full of emotional and character driven stories. Originally aired in 2001 in Japan, the anime adaptation has gained many positive responses from viewers across the globe. Although only one season has been made, fans of the show have continuously tried to encourage the production staff behind it for a second and it's not hard to see why once you watch it.
Tohru Honda is a vibrant, exuberant girl who has been living in a tent since her mother's death while her house is undergoing reconstruction. One day while walking to school, she discovers a house nearby where she meets Shigure Sohma and the popular school prince Yuki Sohma.
Coincidentally they meet her again that night outside her tent, which is later destroyed by a landslide. She is invited to live in their house, where their big family secret is unexpectedly revealed when she embraces one of their relatives, Kyo. By accidental discovery she realises that the Sohma family is cursed: whenever they are under great stress or hugged by the opposite sex, they turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac.
Anime series that have these sorts of unusual storylines can make the typical watcher cringe, but Fruits Basket cleverly works around this to appeal to many casual anime fans. Instead of the typical romantic comedy/drama anime that have one male protagonist surrounded by a bunch of girls, there is one girl surrounded by males. Unlike most typical male protagonists, Tohru is not a teenager raging with hormones when she interacts with the opposite sex, and fortunately there is barely any ecchiness shown or otherwise suggested.
The real beauty of this series lies within the anecdotes and flashbacks for many of the side characters that appear later. Most are presented in emotional and sympathetic situations where they have to deal with hardship, personal loss or troubled relationships caused by their curse. You receive an insight into their thoughts that invites reflection on personal self-doubts and sufferings as well as theirs, since the issues they face are similar to ones viewers possibly face throughout their lives (such as school bullying and family abuse).
Another factor that distinguishes Fruits Basket from the majority of other comedy/drama anime is its range of characters. Each has a distinct character trait that you simply can't help but like or hate. Many of these traits determine how they react to and relate to other characters. It's here in the characters' personalities that the series displays its comedic genius at its best. One example is a creepy minor, yet hilarious, character known as Mesho-san who is introduced in an episode where Tohru goes to the hot spring. You'll have to watch it to see how crazy the producers can get with the term "PMS".
Adding to the comedy value are the eye-catches and "ka-ching" wipes shown throughout the series. These would usually display certain types of images related to what was going on in the previous scenes in a more humorous way. The only problem is that they are sometimes shown in a quick flash that viewers may not be able to catch (luckily though they are added onto the DVDs as a bonus feature). It is also played upon during the 20th episode where Mesho-san makes an outrageously funny return.
Although the comedy may appear rather dominant, it does not overshadow the drama of the developing story. Throughout the series, many of the characters reflect back on their lives and childhood, while living with the curse, to see how it has affected them. By the time the story reaches its climax, all types of emotions will be running high as it focuses on Kyo's childhood and how painful it can be for him, and also for the ones he loves, to bear the family curse. The story at this point is very successful in evoking contemplation of what people hold dear. The compelling drama pulls you into their world, making you feel as if you are living their life and inviting you to understand the problems they endure.
In terms of the soundtrack to the series, most of the background music helps set the mood and move the story along rather than distract the viewers. The final two episodes are the best examples of the powerful use of audio to intensify the drama. It is stripped down to the voices of the characters and sounds of heavy rain falling down with silence set in between, mirroring their sadness, pain and confusion. Aside from that, the majority of the music is quite gentle and sweet to fit the tone of the rest of the series. Both the opening and ending themes have been dubbed in English but those who prefer the original Japanese version can change it on the DVDs.
The only disappointment in Fruits Basket is the way the story is wrapped up in the end. It is rather inconclusive and leaves many questions unanswered, one of which includes the lack of explanation as to why the Sohma families have this curse. Viewers will be left wanting more episodes to resolve the anti-climactic story. This is probably the only element where the series falls short from being perfect, as there were other possibilities for a more satisfying ending that wasn't delivered. With the completion of the manga, which continued the story where the anime left off, the hope of a second series one day is not that surprising.
Fruits Basket is one of those small gems that stands out brightly from the rest of the other drama anime. It can cheer you up when you're feeling down and show the bright side of life through its plot. While the ending may be dissatisfying, it is a series that is to be watched for what it is without many expectations, but it is definitely a must see for any typical anime fan.
~ darktruth
