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Kagura and Kazuma hotly discuss Tohru liking Kyo. With Kagura's forceful encouragement, will Tohru be able to muster up the courage to tell Kyo how she feels? Meanwhile, Ren is determined to get her hands on Akito's mystery box--even if it means killing for it!

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2006

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About the author

Natsuki Takaya

153 books2,700 followers
Name (in native language) : 高屋奈月

Natsuki Takaya (高屋 奈月 Takaya Natsuki, real name Naka Hatake) is the penname of a Japanese manga artist best-known for creating the series Fruits Basket. She was born on July 7, 1973; (Tanabata). Takaya is left-handed and once revealed that she wanted to be a mangaka since first grade, when her sister started drawing.

She was born in Shizuoka, Japan, but was raised in Tokyo, where she made her debut in 1992. She enjoys video games such as the Final Fantasy series or Sakura Wars, or working on her different manga series, such as Fruits Basket, which is the second best-selling shōjo manga ever in Japan, and the top selling shōjo manga in North America. Fruits Basket has also been adapted into a twenty-six-episode anime series.

In 2001, Takaya received a Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga for Fruits Basket.

According to Takaya (in a sidebar of a Fruits Basket manga volume), she enjoys drawing girls (girly ones) more than she does boys. Takaya also enjoys electronics and music, but dislikes talking about herself. Also revealed in a sidebar of Fruits Basket, Takaya broke her drawing arm (left) after Fruits Basket volume six was published. She had to go into surgery, and as a result, had put Fruits Basket on a brief hiatus. Takaya made a full recovery, but complains that her handwriting had gotten uglier, due to the surgery. During her hospital stay, she gained an interest in baseball.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
Profile Image for Virginia Ronan ♥ Herondale ♥.
651 reviews35.3k followers
May 22, 2019
Holy freaking moly! O_o
Woah! This volume was dark! Even for Fruits Basket standards. *lol* I swear this series is killing me! It’s getting more and more intense and I can’t help but wonder what’s going to happen next. Or rather what’s going to happen in the end! Boy am I curious!!! What a shocker at the end! >_<

Thoughts to the highlights of this volume:

- Tohru finally admitted to her feelings!!! OMG!!! Not to Kyo though which was such a bummer! XD She told Rin of all people!! GAHHH!!! Not that I don’t love Rin, but she needs to tell Kyo!! ASAP!

- Shigure!! I don’t even know this man anymore!!! Where does all this intriguing darkness come from? He was always the easy-going funny old perv and now this!!?? I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS NEW SHIGURE! So cunning, so cruel and so very broken on the inside. *sighs deeply*

- I freaking love and adore Momiji! <333 BUT what HAPPENED IN THIS VOLUME??!!! I have so many questions, I can’t even!!! Still, Hiro, his baby sibling and his mom! It was so moving!! <3

- KURENO!!!!!! ARADKFASLFDKJSFKDASKDFJASKFDJAKAJ!

- Akito! Yes, I get that he’s lonely and that he doesn’t want to be left alone, but that’s no excuse to act the way he does! He’s lashing out at everyone and he’s always blaming everybody else. I understand his pain and I know where he’s coming from but it’s no excuse for being so cruel and hateful. I don’t think his character can be redeemed. Not after everything he did.

- THAT CONFESSION AT THE END OF THE VOLUME?!! WTF!? I never saw this coming! I was kind of speechless and stared at the page before it finally sank in. I mean I knew Kyoko and Kyo knew each other but not to which extent. Boy, this ending blew my mind! O_o

If the remaining three volumes are as brutal as this one was, I’ll be a whimpering and emotional mess once I finally reach the ending. *lol*
Profile Image for Saraí Elvir.
339 reviews14 followers
May 19, 2023
Mi corazón va a explotar, todo es muy triste y doloroso.
Profile Image for literarylesbian.
229 reviews2,737 followers
April 12, 2022
the depressing panel just followed up by a random drawing of tohru dressed up is killing me 😭
Profile Image for Rain Misoa.
510 reviews70 followers
July 4, 2011
*Wipes away tears* Okay... I've had some time to compose myself... so... on with the review. *Inhales/Exhales* Talk about your emotional roller coaster. At the beginning of the book, I was so happy. Happy because Tohru finally was able to accept her feelings. (Even though Kagura pissed me off with how she was involved with that. -_-") Then I was annoyed because we got to see a little of why Akito acts the way he does. Then I was shocked and sad with what happened with Momiji. Then I was annoyed AGAIN with how Akito was trying to get pity from the reader. *Totally didn't fall for it* Then I was shocked AGAIN because of what happened with Hiro! THEN I WAS PISSED OFF COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF WHAT AKITO DID AND IT JUST MADE ME WANT TO KILL HIM AND BLARGH THAT BASTARD REALLY NEEDS TO DIE!!!!!!!!!!!! *Ahem* Lastly... I had my heart ripped out of my chest, stomped on a few times, and thrown down the bloody toilet because of Kyo, Tohru... and Kyoko... Oh, man... I didn't think this volume was going to be like this. I actually expected this volume to be a little more on the cute side. I wasn't expecting something this heavy until the second to last volume. Yeah... I was wrong... again... I told you. This series is so unpredictable. It's nice... and depressing at the same time.

Takaya-sensei didn't include a lot of side panels in this one. She said that she felt it would ruin the mood she was trying to set. Personally, I think she's right. The fact that there weren't any side panels really made the manga stand out a lot more. The reader was more focused on what was going on then being distracted by her random musings. Don't get me wrong. I do love reading what she has to say about her characters and her life and what not but... it defintely wouldn't have made as huge an impact as it did. There was one panel that warned the reader that it was going to end on a heavy note but... I didn't know it was going to be that heavy. I believe this is one of the best volumes Takaya-sensei has ever created. I was blown away with the way things turned out. Honestly, where does this woman get her ideas from? It's just so amazing! Oh... my heart... it hurts... it hurts so bad... I... I just want to cry my eyes out because I was just not expecting that ending. I-I think I need another moment... *Leaves the review alone for a little while*

What can I say about the characters in this volume? Tohru was being really adorable at the beginning of the book. She came to a realization and that made me really smile. Although, I didn't like how Kagura interfered with that. She had no right to do what she did and she's become a bit of an annoyance to me. Ugh... Anyway, towards the end of the book, however, I was just broken with how it must have felt like... listening to Kyo talk that way. That boy does have a tendency of grabbing you and choking you to near-death. He loves Tohru. You see that. But he doesn't feel worthy... and you wonder for a long time why he doesn't feel worthy. Well, that's all cleared up in this volume. And you won't even guess what it is. I know I didn't think that was why he felt like that. Oh... seeing him... like that... feeling distraught... that was something I was not expecting. Kyoko has a big role in how he is feeling. She was so wonderful to him... it's so cute and I just want to hug her because she's awesome... however, considering how things turned out... I can't believe that this story is taking a turn for the worse. Well, there is some good. For example, things happen with Momiji and Hiro! Those things are very similar and it's going to make you fall off your chair! It's THAT amazing! However, Momiji does have a bit of a sad story to his "action." It's a shame... not being able to be with the one you love. But I am sure he'll find his happiness. He's too precious... I know he'll find it.

Something about this book that makes me very very VERY angry is AKITO!!! HOLY FUCKING HELL! HOW IS IT THAT NO MATTER WHAT IS REVEALED ABOUT THIS ASSWIPE I HATE HIM EVEN MORE!? I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS POSSIBLE BUT DAMN IT ALL! I JUST HATE HIM! Okay, so you get more back story of him. You see his disgusting mother treating him like crap and his father... well, he wasn't much better. So yeah... the explanation is that he's acting this way because of his parents. You know what I think? I think he's shit! A lot of people have to deal with parents that don't love them! I say he's being fucking stupid with it all. The path he chose to take in order to deal with his feelings and never wanting to be alone is just sad and pathetic. Akito doesn't deserve to be loved because he didn't chose to take a path worthy of love. So everyone's abandoning him? He deserves it. He even deserves to die a slow, horrible, painful death. Dude, I hate Ren just as much as the next person, especially since she's so full of herself and selfish, but that doesn't mean I sympathize with Akito either. Especially not after what he did to Kureno! ARGH!!!!! WHAT THE HELL, MAN!? WHAT THE HELL!? THAT WASN'T RIGHT! THAT WAS STUPID AND IMMATURE! GOD! I FREAKING HATE AKITO! H.A.T.E HATE!!! *HISSES/FOAMS AT THE MOUTH* Bah! Why? Just... why!? And in front of Uotani as well... ugh... I feel sick... I'm going to throw up...

This is just one of those volumes you just have to... cling to your chest. It's so frustrating... so sad... so sickening... I don't know how else to describe it. I'm at a lost... I want to burn it and yet put it on a pedestal. My word... what a read this was! Seriously, the drama, the twists and turns, the chemistry with the characters: it's all so wonderful you have no idea how to deal with it. I am quite pleased that this manga still continues to be fresh and invigorating! Three more to go before we see the conclusion... oh, my... I'm excited. I really want to see how this all turns out. Right now it's at a pretty dark place. Who knows where Takaya-sensei is going to take it. I literally have no clue what's going to happen. We'll just have to see for ourselves. Let's get to the next volume already! I must find out what's going to happen with Kyo!
Profile Image for Becky.
866 reviews75 followers
November 15, 2015
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Profile Image for Bonnie.
230 reviews17 followers
April 17, 2011
Fruits Basket is coming to a close and there are a lot of storylines to tie together and clear up. Volume 20 was a little jarring as it tried to incorporate these storylines, flashbacks, and characters' personal thoughts and feelings. It reveals important back-stories for Kyo and Akito, while leaving us with some cliff-hangers. As I read it, I found myself needing to go back every few pages and review as sentences were broken up by panels of memories or inner thoughts. It was a little annoying, but part of that is that the pacing is so fast, you can't help but quickly flip to the next page and keep reading, even if you aren't absorbing it all. It's an emotional volume and serious (even Takaya comments in the two side columns that the mood shouldn't be interrupted), and requires some reflection afterwards.

Okay, so down to business! This part has spoilers, so watch out! The opening was a little weak - Tohru's still struggling with her feelings for Kyo replacing her feelings for her mother, and the fear that she'll disappear if Tohru lets herself really love Kyo. Kagura avoids Tohru at first, but when Rin and Tohru talk about these feelings, Kagura can't help but burst in and fight with Tohru, ordering her to tell Kyo. This felt out of place, but it did show that Tohru isn't willing to apologize to Kagura after the fight, so we've seen that she's grown a little stronger.

The meat and potatoes of this story deals with Ren and Akito's past, particularly involving Akira's love for his wife and his daughter. We get an idea of just how warped Ren is - she was jealous of Akito before she was born, when the zodiac first called attention to the pregnancy. Ren didn't have an easy marriage or pregnancy, but she also never gave Akito a chance. We also get to see the involvement of the old woman (does she even have a name?) who's watched over Akito and the Sohma household since Akira was around. She was the one to Akito the mysterious box she treasures and we learn its history. In an act that could have been kind and meant to comfort, she did a great deal of damage to Akito after her father's death. Fruits Basket seems to live off of those moments of potential kindness that only hurt people more when that hope is taken away.

In the midst of learning Akito's history, Momiji is freed from the curse - it's not the happy moment we all expected, but rather one of sadness, because now Momiji doesn't belong anywhere. His immediate family doesn't recognize him and he's no longer a part of the zodiac. He still loves Tohru, but he doesn't get in the way of the love Kyo and Tohru feel for each other. And yet, you still feel that if anyone of the Sohmas has a chance at happiness, it's Momiji. Unfortunately, this means confronting Akito. Momiji no longer feels the bond, and that sets Akito off, resulting in one of the cliffhangers - dum dum dummmm. Even as we leave Akito, we see another member of the zodiac's curse breaking, with mixed feelings.

Towards the end, we pick up with Kyo and Tohru. Both have been urged, by Momiji and Kagura, to confess their feelings to each other. But before that, Kyo must tell Tohru a secret he's been harboring since the beginning of the series (and it makes things make SO much more sense). Not only did he know her mother, but he was also connected to her death. Kyo could have prevented her from dying, but at the risk of exposing the family secret. And thus, another cliffhanger.

So now we wait another couple of months before the next Fruits Basket. Time to reread the old volumes! Man, this was a long review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alison (AlisonCanRead).
513 reviews2 followers
February 20, 2011
The curse is falling apart. Two more members of the Zodiac lose their curse in this volume: Momiji and Hiro. The idea of loss is represented by feathers falling throughout the pages. I don't entirely get what feathers represent as far as loss goes. Perhaps the equivalent of things falling apart, loss of life? It's an interesting artistic choice that sets the atmosphere.

We learn more about Akito and her mother Ren. Talk about Mommy Dearest. Ren loved Akito's father desperately. She couldn't bear the idea of anyone else holding a place in her husband's heart, including Akito. She is horrible jealous and bitter, because she believes that Akito's father loved her more than Ren. She never ceases to ridicule Akito for the "so-called bond" and all her various faults. Akito is in many ways very much like her mother in her volatile temperament.

As the volume ends, we learn more about how Kyo knew Kyoko-san, Tohru's mother. She ran across him one day when he was just a little boy and took a liking to him. They would speak every so often. He happened to be there when Kyoko died and didn't save her. He blames himself for her death.

On the cheery, angsty side, there's a gorgeous page spread with Kyo in front of Tohru asking, "Do you like me?" Wonderful to see the love story moving on.
356 reviews
August 28, 2015
5/5 stars.
Oh good lord!
So much happened in this volume, holy moly man I need to recover.
Only three more to go, I'm frightened of the end.
Profile Image for Andro.
99 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2021
C'est le volume où le caca frappe le ventilateur, comme dirait l'autre. Entre la malédiction des douze qui commence à se désagréger, la révélation du passé d'Akito, et Tohru et Kyo qui se parlent enfin mais OUCH... On arrive vraiment au coeur du dénouement dramatique, et bordel c'est atroce mais qu'est-ce que c'est bon !!
Profile Image for Kailey (Luminous Libro).
3,579 reviews548 followers
September 27, 2025
Nope. I can't live anymore. I can't handle this drama and my heart is killing me! I'm crying and laughing and a complete emotional wreck. I love all these characters so much, and the plot is marvelous! The Sohma family is so insane with all those secrets!

This book made me cry in several different ways; I cried in anger and frustration, I cried because of all the sad things, I cried in relief,and I cried in delighted wonderment. I laughed at the funny stuff, and I laughed in relief, and I laughed in delighted wonderment. I'm a mess!! My heart is just a mashed-up blob by now. Also I'm running out of tissues.

Momiji is so adorable! I can't even begin to control my feelings here.
I love the story, I love the artwork, and I love Kyo and Tohru and everyone, and I love everything forever until eternity!
There is nothing left to say. My heart is too full!
Profile Image for Silvia Turcios.
69 reviews19 followers
April 9, 2019
So many feelings!!! And I thought I couldn't be shocked anymore ... so wrong! I was crying at the end! Poor Kyo, poor Tohru ... I have mixed feelings, I want to continue reading, but I don't want to end the series yet and I have so few volumes left :(
171 reviews
July 29, 2025
Geez Kagura, just apologise. I'm glad Rin stood up for Tohru, though, that was nice to see. Akito pulls the ultimate asshole move, and Kyo comes clean about some deep seats guilt. What will happen? Who even knows.
Profile Image for Sylwia.
1,320 reviews26 followers
April 27, 2017
Totally not liking that last scene. I wonder where it'll go from here!
354 reviews133 followers
October 9, 2020
This volume was fantastic as always. This volume was so dark. It really is setting up the end of the series. The ending has left me hanging and want to know what will happen next. I can’t wait to continue on with this series.
Profile Image for Lee.
318 reviews
May 30, 2021
It's all coming together, and everything is happening...and Nooooooo! Kureno!!!!?
I think I'm losing it over here!
Profile Image for aleo.
267 reviews5 followers
May 27, 2022
machi queen 👑👑

this is the akito/ren volume though. just a bit of yuchi at the end and kyoru at the beginning
Profile Image for Tori.
170 reviews16 followers
March 15, 2021
Ahhh, this one was so painful. I feel the story starting to come to an end and I don't want it to either. So heartbreaking.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,018 reviews76 followers
March 17, 2017
Let me go ahead and say that there will be spoilers. I mean, honestly it's pretty difficult to review manga without spoilers. Anyway, this is just a warning. Since I'm so far into the series these last review will probably be packed with spoilers.

We learn the story of Akito's father and mother, and how they met. We've met Ren before, and it's obvious that they hate each other. I think they're both jealous of the how much attention the other got from Akito's father. Anyway, whatever it is that Ren is trying to steal, it has something to do with her late husband. Later in the volume, she shows up in Akito's room with a knife demanding the box Akito holds so dear, but there's nothing in it. We learn about her father's death and why she holds onto the box. Some violence ensues and people get stabbed. It's pretty intense. I'm impressed by the amount of crazy shit Takaya writes into this volume.

Meanwhile, the end is obviously near. Another curse has been broken. Akito realizes that things are beginning to unravel. Momiji is free, and he realizes that it's not all good. After and entire life of being who he is, suddenly part of him is ripped away and it leaves him feeling kind of lonely. Still, he's free to do what he likes with his life. Just a side note, I can't believe how much he's grown. All I can think of is that crazy bouncy little boy from the anime. He's grown into such a man. It's kind of weird. Getting back to the plot... Akito begs him not abandon her (Now that I know Akito is a woman, I refuse to refer to her otherwise). It's time for a Akito to face what's happening and even she realizes that.

Kyo confronts Tohru about her feelings for him, which was a huge surprise to me. Then, he tells her of his involvement in her mother's death. He says he could have saved her, but he didn't. It's a pretty emotional and depressing story, so of course we're left hanging until the next volume. Damn you, Takaya!

Read more reviews at Owl Tell You About It.
121 reviews24 followers
March 7, 2014
After volume 11 (when Yuki admits that he loves Tohru) the series sort of goes downhill. Yeah, there are a few wonderful moments (I really enjoyed some backstories) but now it's all so repetitive. Everyone is hated by their parents or their parents are dead. It has some negative psychological effect on the children, and that's why they're all so messed up. The series is focusing way too much on side characters, honestly, Kyo and Tohru act like side characters now! The series shifts the attention constantly and it's always about some character feeling so devastated that his/her parent(s) hates him/her. It was really heartfelt at first (Kyo and Yuki's backstories were very compelling) but after a while, it's just so repetitive. The art is getting worse too, a lot of the characters look the same and sometimes I can't tell who is who. *sighs* the series started off so strong and now it's just dwindling. Honestly, I'm only going to keep reading to see how the love square between Tohru, Yuki, Kyo, and Momiji plays out. And to see how Tohru breaks Kyo's curse. I thought it was so unnecessary for Kyo to be able to rescue Tohru's mom! And for Tohru to hate her dad and copy him? I don't even understand that. Everything is getting so confusing. Can't Tohru and Kyo just love each other already? Honestly. Okay enough ranting.
Profile Image for Ayelen Zucchelli.
131 reviews4 followers
December 17, 2021
4.5⭐️ Se acerca el final y cada tomo es mejor que el anterior.

Repasando un poco…

Akito sigue sin darme pena. Ren se ganó compartir el primer lugar como personaje más detestable (una mención honorifica para la mucama sin nombre que trabaja en la casa principal).

Estoy MUY pero MUY feliz por Momiji y Hiro. Necesito que todos se vayan liberando de la maldición y Akito quede sola solita (sin que haya nadie a su lado).

Y Kyo bebe de mi corazón. Deja de sufrir. Ni sos el más malo ni sos el más bueno. Tohru se llena de valor para hablar con vos y me salís con que tenes la culpa de todo. REALLY? Encima ese final. WHAT?

Necesito urgentemente empezar el siguiente tomo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Julie.
3,518 reviews51 followers
March 22, 2016
This series is still one of my favorites, even at book 20. I continue to be amazed at how much the artwork has evolved - the characters really do look older and the subject matter is so much more serious than at the beginning. Just three more volumes til the end!!
Profile Image for ⓘsⓐbεℓℓⓐ .
99 reviews7 followers
August 23, 2008
Fruit Basket is a great series 4 people that feel alone now and again. The 20th volume is a great book 2 have an up date on where the characters stand. Anime lovers will love it, but if u want more drama, I think u should check out the other books.
Profile Image for Miss Ryoko.
2,699 reviews173 followers
September 6, 2009
Wow, I don't think I've ever cried so hard in my life reading a book. And most of them were tears of absolute joy! Haha!

Is the Sohma curse breaking? Will Tohru finally have the guts to tell the person she likes how she feels? And is Akito finally getting his just rewards? Volume 20 will tell!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews

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