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Fruits Basket, Vol. 1

by Natsuki Takaya · 2006

Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 introduces Tohru Honda, a relentlessly cheerful orphaned high-school girl who has been quietly living in a tent after the death of her mother. When her makeshift home is wrecked, she ends up staying… more

First published 1999 · 216 pages · Fruits Basket #1 · English

47 quotes ★ 4.29 (213,260) Fantasy

Quotes from the Book

Sometimes it feels like the whole world is conspiring to destroy my house... " - Shigure Sohma
When did you become a woman?"-Hatori How dare you ask that after you have seen me naked so many times..."-Yuki GASP! No it cant be! Yuki-kun, does that mean..." fan club girls NO! He's my doctor..."Yuki
So let me get this straight. You were living in a tent in the woods, but now you're living with Prince Charming and anger management boy? SERIOUSLY?!
Hatori: "SHIGURE... I WILL TELL EVERYONE IN THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT YOU, STARTING FROM WHEN YOU WERE FOUR YEARS OLD..." Shigure: "Sorry, Tohru-kun. My lips are sealed!
Hatori: "You won't get very far if you try to threaten me in THAT outfit." Yuki: "Thank you. So much.
Yuki: "Honda-san... you'd better stop, or he'll get a swelled head." Kyo: "Doesn't Shigure already HAVE a swelled head?
If you think of someone's good qualities as the umeboshi in an onigiri it's as if their qualities are stuck to their back! Maybe the reason people get jealous of each other is because they can see so clearly the umeboshi on other people's backs.
Arisa: "You bastard! Why don't I teach you a lesson!" Kyo: "I'd like to see you try, bitch!" Yuki: "I have a winning hand." Tohru: "I knew you'd be good at this.
Shigure: "What's in the camera? Huh? Huh? What is it?" Hatori: "Quiet, you hack.
Hatori: "That being said, Yuki... when did you become a woman?" Yuki: "How dare you say that after you've seen me naked so many times...
I kept making you cry... didn't I? - Hatori Sohma
To me...she was spring. It was as if while imprisoned inside the dark cage of the inner family...I had completely frozen into snow...and then there she was--fresh, clear spring. It was almost inevitable that..I would fall in love with her. -Hatori
Why does that kid think so highly of himself?" "Kids that think they're so smart.They're everywhere! Destroy is self-esteem!" "Yes...I really do think highly of myself.People like me should get a taste of the ups and downs of life! Sorry I'm so envious.I will reflect upon this. Please don't be angry. "Ah..um.." "There, I said it now. Are you satisfied?" ........ "Bye bye!" Beat him.....Beat him until he reaches heaven...!!! -random people and Hiro-chan
For there to be pain, there has to be kindness. For darkness to standout there has to be the sun. You can't have one without the other, and both have their uses. So even if you stumble and make mistakes, that's not useless. Think of it as fertilizer, sure it feels like crap, but it will help you grow!" ~Kyoko Honda
Everytime you fall down or take the wrong path, it isn't wasted. You will surely develop and grow over time.
Even if you've never experienced the wonderful things in life, only after something has been contaminated and marred will it become a beautiful thing. Pain can be healed with gentle care, darkness can be removed with sunlight. Don't underestimate the small things. Everything is significant.
Shigure: G'morning. Tohru: Good morning! Yuki: Um, Shigure, it's night. Why don't you get a normal sleep pattern? Shigure: I became an author so I wouldn't have to.
Just be yourself and you'll be fine
218
Shigure: "Lemme guess; you lost your temper and yelled at her again, right? You know, you shouldn't do that if you're just going to regret it. Not too bright, now is it?" Kyo: "Save your breath. I'm just not meant to get along with other people. Period. End of story." Shigure: "Oh sure, some people just aren't. But you're not one of them. You lack experience, that's all. For example, I'm sure you could smash this table to bits with your bare hands. But I'm equally sure you could punch the table without breaking it. And why is that? Because I know your training has taught you to control your fists... at least I should hope so, after four months of fighting bears and-" Kyo: "I didn't fight bears!" Shigure: "My point is, it takes just as much training to get along with people. Only, training by yourself in the mountains won't do you any good. You need to surround yourself with others. As you get to know them, of course you take the chance that you'll end up hurting them, or they'll end up hurting you. One of those things might very well happen. That's the only way we learn... about others, and about ourselves. You're a black-belt in martial arts, but I'd guess you still a white-belt in social skills. Someday, you're going to meet someone that truly wants to be your friend, and you, theirs. But it if you don't keep training, you won't be ready when that happens." Kyo: "It'll never happen, anyways!" Shigure: "Uh-uh! Never say never." Kyo: "Ok, fine. Maybe if I meet someone with brain-damage... or something." Shigure: "That's the spirit!
203
Shigure: JUST LISTEN TO ME FOR A SECOND, KYO! Kyo: SHUT UP! I HATE THIS! DO YOU REALLY GET THAT MUCH ENJOYMENT FROM PLAYING WITH PEOPLES' LIVES?! Shigure: Well, yes, now that you mention it, I do--BUT THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD! Kyo: Man, your persuasion skills SUCK! Tohru: Um, welcome home. Dinner's- Kyo: NOT HUNGRY! Shigure: KYO! DON'T TAKE THIS OUT ON TOHRU! And come back to the entrance hall this instant and take those shoes off! Yuki: He's right, Shigure. You really do suck at persuasion.
149
Kyo: Of course, I'll beat YOU, too! Yuki: Don't you ever get tired of saying that? Kyo: Beating you is my vocation! It's my goal in life! Yuki: It's so unfair that I keep having to take abuse just because you can't meet your goals. Kyo: THAT CONDESCENDING ATTITUDE OF YOURS REALLY PISSES ME OFF! Yuki: And that revolting thought process of yours pisses me off.
126
Normally I hate people who whine all the time, but in your case, it would be okay to complain. Be selfish, say what you want once in a while. It's okay to let yourself be sad." -Kyo talking to Tohru
119
Tohru: "Call a doctor, or a vet, or something! Mr. Postman! It's terrible! You see?! They're animals!" Mailman: "Well, uh, yes, they certainly are. Here's your mail." Tohru: "No, no, we've got to do something!" (Shigure in dog form grabs the letter.) Mailman: "I wish my dog was as smart. Good day!
108
A novelist can’t be without a kimono and pen!(Shigure)
95
Shigure: "That's lovely. She’s so... how shall I say it? By putting it into words I'm afraid the nobility of it all would only be obscured." Yuki: "Of what?" Shigure: "You know, she's so spunky!" Kyo: "You sick bastard!
58
It's true. I......I wanted to be born in the year of the cat......!
49
♪Kyo-kun and Tohru sitting in a tree... K-I-S...♪ - Shigure Sohma
43
I'm home! Yuki-Kun, Tohru-Kun, I'm home! Oh, and let's not forget Stupid-clumsy-Kyo-Kun-who-lost-yet-another-fight!" -Shigure
40
People aren't born social. Sure it comes easier to some people but most people, like you, need to work at it. Some more than others. You're just inexperienced.
20
Mom told me...it's better to trust people than to doubt them. She said that people aren't born with kind hearts. When we're born, all we have are desires for food and material things. Selfish instincts, I guess. But she said that kindness is something that grows inside of each person's body...but it's up to us to nurture that kindness in our hearts. That's why kindness is different for each person. Mom taught me that people's differences are something to celebrate...When I thought of all the different shapes of human kindness--imaging them as round or square...I got really excited. Your kindness is like a candle, Sohma-kun. I can feel it light up...and I just want to smile. -Tohru
19
it takes just as much training to get along with people. Only, training by yourself in the mountains won't do you any good. You need to surround yourself with others. As you get to know them, of course you take the chance that you'll end up hurting them, or they'll end up hurting you. One of those things might very well happen. That's the only way we learn... about others, and about ourselves. You're a black-belt in martial arts, but I'd guess you still a white-belt in social skills. Someday, you're going to meet someone that truly wants to be your friend, and you, theirs. But it if you don't keep training, you won't be ready when that happens." ~Shigure Sohma
10
Live the kind of life you can be proud of in the end, even if you get lost or make mistakes along the way. The kind of life that'll earn you a "you fought well"... have lots of happy and sad times, and grow old like that.
6
There would never be room for an onigiri in a fruits basket.
5
I wish I could've lived my life without making any wrong turns. But that's impossible. A path like that doesn't exist. We fail. We trip. We get lost. We make mistakes. And little by little, one step at a time, we push forward. It's all we can do. On our own two feet.
431
Hanajima, my spear! Bring me my spear!
53
I know that happy things and fun things eventually come to an end. But things that are scary and sad come to an end too...they always do. Even if you can't always believe that , please don't give up. Live.
32
If only we’d been born into a kind world...without anxiety...without fear. If we could live without hurting other people...and without being hurt. A world in which we always did what was right. If only we could have found a shortcut to the kind world we all hope for.
5
Just as all good things, happy things, fun things must come to an end...scary and sad things will also come to an end. Always. Even if you can't believe it when it happens, please...please don't give up. Live. I want you to live. You might make mistakes or lose your way...but please...please live. Don't ever stop moving forward. Please...that's all I ask. Don't give up. Even if...I'm no longer at your side.
4
It would have been nice if we could have lived our lives without taking any wrong turns. But such a thing isn’t possible. We fall, we stumble...we lose our way, we make mistakes. And yet, little by little...one step at a time...we keep on walking forward with our own two feet. Even if we get beaten and bruised along the way, we’ll eventually reach something. We’ll eventually reach someone. Until then, we’ll keep wishing. So...let’s start walking.
2
I never meant to get so close to you. I never meant to fall in love.
2
I wanted to be you! I idolized you. And yet you said it first so easily. Shut the hell up! ...but you are Kyo, and I am Yuki, and that's the way it is. I can only be myself, and I accept that. It's the only way I can face myself. You've been protecting her! She was happy, content... True, there might have been small things, but you were a hero. You didn't have any superpowers, but you were beside her... smiling and laughing, right? Do you really think it would be the same if I were beside her? You should realize there are some things that only you can do! So don't make her cry!
1
I've decided...I can't remain at a standstill anymore.
1
Having someone other than yourself thinking of you. Looking for you. You can't take that for granted. It's a miraculous and blessed thing.
But I'm still thankful that I have someone worrying about me. And supporting me. For that reason...I want to be someone who can stand up to his own weakness.
I wasn't holding in as much as I thought. And I wasn't depressed. So to be honest...I'm a little proud of myself. I still have the same weaknesses I always do. But still. I wonder if something was finally able to change. If it did...it wasn't through my power alone. I had the support of other people.
I wish I could have lived in a kind world. Without anxiety. Without fear. Without hurting other people. Without being hurt myself. Only doing the right things. I wish I could have followed the shortest path to the kind world I wish for.
Feelings...they can't be tied up [...} It's such an awful thought. It's sad. And painful. And lonely. Isn't it?

Did you know?

  • The series was serialized in Hakusensha's semi-monthly shojo magazine Hana to Yume from 1998 to 2006.
  • Members of the Sohma family transform into Chinese zodiac animals when hugged by someone of the opposite sex or when physically weakened.
  • The English edition was first published by Tokyopop in 2004 before the series was later re-licensed by Yen Press in 2016.
  • Fruits Basket received the 2001 Kodansha Manga Award in the shojo category.
  • The manga has had more than 30 million copies in circulation.
  • Fruits Basket was adapted into anime in 2001 by Studio Deen and rebooted from 2019 to 2021 by TMS Entertainment.

About Natsuki Takaya

Natsuki Takaya is a Japanese manga artist best known for the shojo series Fruits Basket, one of the best-selling shojo manga of all time. She has also created works including Tsubasa: Those with Wings and Fruits Basket Another.

More about the author →

About the book

Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 introduces Tohru Honda, a relentlessly cheerful orphaned high-school girl who has been quietly living in a tent after the death of her mother. When her makeshift home is wrecked, she ends up staying with the mysterious Sohma family, and stumbles onto their secret: thirteen members of the clan are possessed by the spirits of the Chinese zodiac and transform into their animal forms when hugged by someone of the opposite sex or when their bodies grow weak. Allowed to stay in exchange for keeping the secret, Tohru begins to find a sense of belonging among the prickly Kyo, the gentle Yuki, and the laid-back Shigure.

Beneath its light romantic-comedy surface, this opening volume sets up the series' enduring themes of found family, kindness as a form of strength, grief, and the loneliness that hides behind the Sohmas' curse. Takaya balances slice-of-life warmth and gentle humor with early hints of something darker and sadder lurking in the family's history, a tonal mix that became the series' signature.

Serialized in Hakusensha's shojo magazine Hana to Yume, Fruits Basket grew into one of the best-selling shojo manga of all time, with tens of millions of copies in circulation. The series won the 2001 Kodansha Manga Award in the shojo category and later took Best Manga at the 2007 American Anime Awards. Its popularity spawned anime adaptations in 2001 and a celebrated full reboot from 2019 to 2021.

Key characters

  • Tohru HondaOrphaned, kindhearted high-school heroine who discovers the Sohma secret
  • Yuki SohmaGentle, popular schoolmate cursed by the spirit of the rat
  • Kyo SohmaHot-tempered Sohma cursed by the cat, the zodiac's outcast
  • Shigure SohmaEasygoing older Sohma cursed by the dog who takes Tohru in

Book details

First published
1999
Length
216 pages
Series
Fruits Basket #1
Reading time
2 hours
Genre
Fantasy
Goodreads rating
4.29 (213k ratings)

Critical reception

  • Won the 2001 Kodansha Manga Award in the shojo category.
  • Named Best Manga at the 2007 American Anime Awards.
  • Became one of the best-selling shojo manga, with over 30 million copies in circulation by 2018.
  • Critics praised the first volume for hinting at darker depths beneath its lighthearted comedy.

Series & reading order

  1. 1 Fruits Basket, Vol. 1

Movie & TV adaptations

  • IMDb
    Fruits Basket (anime) 2001

    26-episode television series by Studio Deen

  • IMDb
    Fruits Basket (anime reboot) 2019

    Full series remake by TMS Entertainment airing 2019-2021

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