Fruits Basket Another, Vol. 3

フルーツバスケットanother [Fruits Basket Another] #3

by Natsuki Takaya

Sawa Mitoma has officially lived every high school girl's dream by breathing in limited-edition Sohma cottage air and landing a date with a Sohma heartthrob. That is, until she's thrust face-to-face with a disturbing truth...

...that threatens to revert her back to her past self. The last thing she wants is for the Sohmas to get involved, but it turns out there's more to the truth than she remembers... Don't miss the grand finale of Fruits Basket Another!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Fiction, Shojo

178 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2019

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It kind of hurts to write this, until I remember that by the end of Furuba the series as a whole is more of a three star for me after it being so very good in the first half. I didn't have the same expectations of Furubana. My reviews for vols 1 and 2 show how...conflicted I feel over this sequel series set two decades (or so) after Furuba featuring the children of our original Sohmas.

Mitoma as is an uncharismatic main character to follow; she spends half the series as anxious as Ritsu. Constantly apologizing, constantly holding her tongue. Not the same way Tohru would, Mitoma was much more of a "I don't deserve to exist" sort of way. We learn this is largely her mother's fault and for a time Mitoma seems to come out of her shell, especially in regards to Shiki (Shigure and Akito's child who bears a lot of abuse from his grandmother and the older resentful Sohmas in general).

I think maybe because Takaya didn't mean for this to go on as long as it did, she didn't pace revelations vs. nostalgia story bites very well. The issues Mitoma faces in volume 3 would have been better served starting in volume 2 as this.volume's plot is bookended by a carefree opening at the Sohma beach house and a largrly carefree ending at a school festival. The issues Mitoma had to live with weren't truly resolved - merely having people in your life telling you that you can overcome something while dealing with that abuse isn't a resolution. Mitoma didn't come to a plan beyond "wait it out". It cheapened the fact she was urging Shiki out of his shell in a gentle way.

Plus I'll be honest I cared way more for the fact Shigure apparently still was THE WORST and somehow Hatori's daughter Kinu wound up being Ayame's daughter Hibiki's keeper (much like Hari was to Ayame).

Sadly the old crew doesn't make any real appearances so :shrug: in the end a mildly interesting if unfocused sequel.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️ I’m interested in these characters but it’s as if there’s no real story line? We get introduced to them and get hints as to who their parents are and then it stops there. I wish we got more because I feel like the next generation has so much potential! I will say we got a little more here, but again it was a carbon copy of the original and SUPER random? It felt like it didn’t make sense/have real meaning. It’s just kinda bland and I’m disappointed

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third and final volume of Fruits Basket Another, and it is by far the best. I finally get to give it a full four stars! The story truly comes into it’s own here. We finally get an explanation for everything that’s confusing about the first two volumes. And yes, it’s just as heartbreaking as you would expect from Takaya. And yes, I did cry. Shiki, Shigure and Akito’s son, gets a lot of character development, and I loved his relationship with Sawa. Oh, and I reiterate that Sawa’s mother is awful. She makes Yuki and Ayame’s mom look warm and fuzzy. Honestly, I think she’s about on par with Ren Sohma, so you know it’s bad.

I think the most interesting thing about this series for me is how it looks at generational trauma. Even though this is the next generation, the consequences of the Zodiac curse still affect them. It doesn’t stop just because the curse is broken; there are years worth of trauma, hurt, and hate that keep existing. And even though our original cast has clearly grown into loving parents, it’s inevitable that some of this will reach the kids. Shiki takes a lot of abuse from his grandmother and some of the older Sohmas because of his mother’s actions. The knowledge of the past weighs heavy on Hajime and Mutsuki. But we also get to see the trauma slowly healing. I just think it’s really beautiful. (And yes, I’m crying as I write this review. Leave me alone. I have a lot of feelings.)

The biggest problem is that the series ends here. As I said, this is the volume where it finally becomes it’s own story. It stops feeling like a watered down rehash of the original series and develops it’s own storyline. And then it’s over. I wish the first two volumes had spent less time on the fanservice stuff so we could see more of these characters’ story.

Overall, Fruits Basket Another doesn’t match the original series in brilliance. It was never going to. And that’s okay. It’s still a fun and emotional ride, and I’m looking forward to the one-shots about these characters Takaya is planning.

[Lindsey]

DNF

I think another reviewer said it best: This sequel series lacks all of the charm that I loved about the original series and really doubles down on the flaws.

Volume 1 was rough. So many characters were introduced in rapid succession and two volumes later I still haven’t figured out who any of the Sohmas are. They just blur together. But I wanted to give the series a chance to get better. And it hasn’t. Mitoma is a really painful main character and I’m sad this is turning out to be a straight slice-of-life manga instead of the quirky fantasy slice-of-life I enjoyed before.

Bye, kids! I’m going back to Fruits Basket where my heart is.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer the original collection of this series rather than a spin off series like this one is

But the characters make me happy lmao so this was a good quick read

[~tea~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh, before staring this series I knew it would be nothing like the original but I didn’t think it would be this bland. One of the things that I think made Furuba special is the comedy that somehow fits in with the rly deep sad parts. Furubana had none of that, it didn’t even have a plot. I honestly don’t know what the author was going for, she made it so someone who hasn’t read Furuba will still be able to enjoy it but I think they would just very confused. Anyways I still loved seeing the characters from furuba’s kids even though their personalities are kinda repeat I love them! Especially Momoji’s child!

[Magical_Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe that I have reached the end of Fruits Basket Another. As always I loved this volume. I want/need more Fruits Basket related content. I still need to watch the anime and hope to do so soon.

[♡ Meli ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️3.5
"Fruits Basket Another Volume 3" takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, offering a bittersweet yet heartwarming continuation of Natsuki Takaya's beloved "Fruits Basket" universe. While I enjoyed the characters and the sense of found family, the ending left me with mixed feelings.

One of the strongest aspects of this manga series is the depth and complexity of its characters. Takaya skillfully breathes life into each one, and in this volume, we see them continue to grow and evolve. The protagonists, Sawa and the Sohma family members, face their own internal struggles and past traumas, making them feel authentic and relatable. Their journey towards healing and self-acceptance is both touching and beautifully depicted.

The theme of found family is a cornerstone of "Fruits Basket Another," and it shines brightly in this volume. The bonds between the Sohma clan and their friends, new and old, deepen as they support and care for each other. It's heartening to witness these connections forming and strengthening throughout the story. Takaya's exploration of these relationships is a testament to the enduring power of love and friendship.

However, my main qualm with this volume is the ending. While I appreciate the emotional complexity and the ambiguity that Takaya often incorporates into her narratives, the conclusion of "Fruits Basket Another Volume 3" left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I was left with unanswered questions and a desire for more closure regarding certain character arcs. It seemed like there were loose ends that could have been tied up more neatly.

Despite my reservations about the ending, "Fruits Basket Another Volume 3" is a worthwhile addition to the series for fans who have followed the Sohma family's journey over the years. It continues to explore the themes of love, acceptance, and the resilience of the human spirit. The artwork remains stunning, capturing the characters' emotions with great detail.

In conclusion, this volume of "Fruits Basket Another" may not have provided the resolution I hoped for, but it still offers an emotionally charged and thought-provoking experience. If you've grown attached to the characters and the world of "Fruits Basket," you'll find plenty to love in this installment, even if it leaves you with a few lingering questions.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle school me has been healed and is really choosing to read this over getting any decent sleep before work

[Jena · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 2 stars is generous for the art, lol.

Overall, I'm just not sure what the point of this series was. I got a very strong vibe from this volume that the author didn't really have her heart in it but was forced to end it. There's a few story beats repeated from the original Fruits Basket (going to the lakehouse and going to a haunted house) and then a reveal at the end that I was just like...ok?? And for what's a blatant fanservice series, we never get to see any of the original cast except for very minor flashbacks that only show them from the neck down. I'm really happy for everyone that they had kids and they're all happy but ultimately this story was about who ended up breeding.

The new MC was just not interesting to me at all! I'm sorry! I tried to like her and my heart aches for her, but I know nothing about her personality still. And the second primary character ended up being Akito/Shigure's son which also...I do not give a shit about, to be plain. I guess I'm glad that he beat the odds and managed to not be self-centered jag considering his parents.

Overall, just...eh. This didn't need to be 3 volumes if it wasn't going to actually do anything with the story. However, it is nice to see how much Natsuki Takaya's art has improved - it was always good, but she's really honed her art skills and they're so impressive.

Trigger warnings/squicks: extreme emotional abuse, parent gaslighting their child
Representation: Author/artist and main characters are Japanese, one of the main characters has an unspecified chronic illness

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably the best of the three for me, but I'm still tragically disappointed.

There are just too many Sohmas for a 3-volume series. Too many to keep track of, and you never really get to know any of them. I think it was a gratuitous offering and Fruits Basket honestly deserved better.

I did really feel something a bit more with this one, because Sawa's mum is actually the WORST. But still, there's no explanation of why? Or anything more about her really except that she's awful? I wanted more layers than I got.

I wanted so much to love this mini series but it broke my heart more than anything.

I'll just stick to re-reading the original, I think.

[olive ⭒˚.⋆ ⚔ .ᐟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow climb to a rating slightly higher than it's predecessor, Fruits Basket Another, Volume 3 gets a modest 4.1 stars.

Highlights of this volume, as it compares to the last two of it's kind, are that we glean a bit more backstory for Mitoma, and, in the revelation about who her mother truly is — in verifiable fact from others, and not just Mitoma's fractured, uncertain memories and impression. The more we explore Mitoma's history, the more the story diverges from the tropes and trappings of the original Furuba, and the more the characters feel distinct, real, and deep.

We also learn more about Shiki's past in this volume, and how he's become the person he is, and how the other characters care both about and for him. Because this care is so active and actionable, it helps better define not only Shiki, but those characters around him, which I greatly enjoy.

A final highlight, and I think the deeper through line and connecting story beat that I have been searching for this whole Fruits Basket Another journey, is the narrative exploring, however briefly, the different consequences and affects of the generational trauma springloaded in the Sohma family curse. Yes, we did break the curse in the original Fruits Basket, but it's entire being didn't just go away, slipping quietly into the night. Even though we might hope foolishly that the trauma ended with the curse and the heaviness has left, there is still much of it that lingers — both in the characters of the original series (now parents), and the children that they have since had, who see shadow and occasionally grapple with individuals not yet healed, and who are affected by it, still. It's nice to see that this heaviness wasn't simply erased, but that it is gently being healed, and that everyone helps with that, in their own way. This second generation doesn't escape what the curse meant: Shiki suffers abuse from his grandmother and some of the older Sohma's because of the choices of his mother, Hajime and Mutsuki are heavy with the knowledge given to them by their fathers; even in little ways, like Hibika and Chizuru dealing with the flightiness and eccentric personality of their father, Ayame, something small but still influenced by the curse.
They are working through it, however, and there is hope in that. And acceptance.

Moving forward, I would still like more by way of story, and I still would like to see more deviation from the formula that worked so well for the original Fruits Basket — worked, because it had more space to do more than these sequel volumes, and worked because it had a greater meta narrative to tell. I have always enjoyed Furuba's slice of life story telling style because it was taking us through a fantastical tragic story in a safe, near mundane way. The charm and strength of the series was in that juxtaposition. Because this sequel series lacks the latter half of that formula, it leaves me wanting. The story meanders and lacks something ephemeral to keep it cohesive and strong.

But I'll be finishing, anyway. I would like to see these characters happy, and mixture of nostalgia bait and comforting relationship dynamics is just enough to keep me hanging on.

[Jane]

I think it's a really interesting concept that all of the Sohma kids are coming from well-adjusted parents who love each other and their children, and now seek to help out a girl with an abusive parent. I just wish it was done in a bit of a more organic way I guess? Like, we don't get a ton of like the build-up or even resolution.

Which, on the one hand, makes sense if this is a limited series. But then why write this? It was also predictably disappointing to not see any of the old main cast. But the bonus manga about how every first snow, Yuki and Machi take their son out to stomp around is too precious and I loved it so much T____T

[Kayla Brunson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 rounded up to 4)

I have to say that I enjoyed this one the most out of all three volumes so far. Now, it's still a bit all over the place and I've given up on trying to pair the kids with the parents. But we learned some secrets and I can get a better understanding for why they befriended Sawa. I'm getting a vibe from Sawa and Shiki and I'm all for it if it turns into a relationship. I know he's younger than her, but their interactions are pretty cute.

This volume ends saying that it's the final one but since then, the author announced they are releasing a volume four in December. As we know, I'm going to pick it up.

[Laure Hittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just do love these books. i love seeing the Sohma kids grow into wholeness. i love seeing them reach out and embrace Sawa. i love seeing Sawa grow into a whole person who can stand and look up, and i love that she’s bringing her other sad self along as she grows.

i see that this was planned as three volumes, yet i have four. Looking forward to seeing what Takaya does with these sweet kids next.

[Juliette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une fin un peu plate et précipitée. En tournant la dernière page, je me suis dit « hein ? ça se termine comme ça ? 😕 » À croire que la mangaka avait prévu plus de tomes que ça, mais qu’elle a dû raccourcir son histoire ?
Bref, c’était une jolie série, bien qu’il n’y ait pas vraiment d’histoire… Un peu déçue de ne pas voir les anciens personnages mais bon !

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wouldn’t be Fruits Basket without some ✨trauma✨
I really appreciated seeing Sawa and Shiki’s connection and diving deeper into their pasts. But ummm it gave me romantic vibes and it was cute until I realized their age gap. Soooo I hope that doesn’t become a thing.

[K Whatsherface]

English release (according to Amazon): nov 12

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes to a bittersweet ending as our main character learns the secret of her past and learns she can face any future with the help of friends.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending kinda rushed, but beans

[Chesney Infalt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the issues this book is tackling, but I feel like I’m still struggling to connect with the characters.

Contains:
-Abuse

[Hannah Kentridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

cuteeee but i still have so many questions and i don’t think they will be answered lol

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

okayyyy i really see the vision now

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thank you for staying with us 'til the very end. ..... or so I would say, but I also think it would be nice if I could draw more of this story." ‼️⚠️🤞👀 pleaseee I love all these characters... and I need to see the original fruba adults happily living their lives!!!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, this is probably closer to a 3-3.5, but I rounded up because there were some very sweet and heartwarming moments. It’s a shame that this series is wrapping up with only three volumes, but to be totally honest, it never quite had the same allure for me as the original series. Given the shortness, there’s so much less time to delve into the tragic backstories and the deeply rooted personal issues that so many of these characters are burdened with.

This volumes introduces the reason for the tension between Sawa and the Sohmas, but because it’s close to the end of the story, we don’t get to delve too deeply into it. The original series had 23 whole volumes to introduce characters, establish a story, then pepper in the darker aspects, slowly evolving the story. Here, we don’t get that luxury, and I do feel like a lot of time is spent introducing the huge cast of characters (many of whom don’t factor in majorly to the story) that could instead be spent with more interior moments. A lot of my brain power was spent keeping track of everyone’s names, remembering who was related to who, instead of really getting inside Sawa’s head, which we don’t quite get until the very end. Her painful history with the Sohmas finally comes out, but I didn’t quite feel like enough seeds had been planted for the reveal to feel fully shocking. Also, I do wish we could have seen Sawa confront her mother one last time, but her resolve to move forward and not let her toxicity drag her down is a great lesson for kids who may not know that can draw back from these kinds of situations. Her budding relationship with Shiki is very sweet, which ended the story on a nice note.

Fans of Fruits Basket will likely be able to find something to like about this series, but it does still feel more like an extended one-shot to me as opposed to its own real series. Those looking for a recreation of all that made the original great will likely be disappointed (especially as there’s much less, if no, romance in these three volumes.) The upside is that Takaya’s art looks really gorgeous, and all the finely wrought expressions that make her characters lovable are on full display here.

And I can’t be too sad because I still have the whole new anime adaptation to hold me over. :)

As with the previous volumes, it was nice to see some old friends again. Hinata, Hiro’s sister who was born at the end of the original series, returns as a young adult who chaperones Shiki to the summer house, and maybe enjoys drinking a little too much. I liked her brief mention of her overprotective brother(s)! Explicit mention is made of Ren, Akito’s mother, and how she’s still poisoning the family, and tried to turn Shiki against his mother. Shiki mentions his goofy father being a failure if an adult, while the other Sohma kids are surprised that he has a driver’s license. Sadly, no real cameos from the old guard, despite Hajime mentioning his mom and dad (*sobs*). I understand the reasoning behind not bringing everyone back as real characters, but I still would have loved to see it.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want so, so much more of these characters! I didn’t feel that way as much with the first two volumes, but I’m sad now to leave this new cast behind...

[Amber Barnhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entire trilogy had too much packed into 3 books. Most of the series were character introductions with no story lines.

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like a lot of the reviews rating this short series poorly focus on it not being what was wanted or expected - mostly a yearning to see what the original cast is up to - rather than based on what it actually is. I would've liked to see the original cast make cameos, too, but that's not what this story is about and it was never meant to be a lengthy, in-depth continuation. I've enjoyed this stroll through the lives of the Sohma's next generation, although I would love to see a family tree because it's been a long time since I read Fruits Basket. At long last, vol 3 throws Sawa's trauma wide open and it's heartbreaking. But, in true form, the Sohmas rally around her and lift her spirits as much as they can. I wish they could have done more for her, but they are forced to accept their limited roles. And I think that shows what we really learn from this series. The original group took in Tohru and changed her life as much as she changed theirs, and that changed the family dynamics. She broke the curse. But here, we learn that it's not always that easy and that problems can't be fixed overnight - in fact, some problems persist for the originals. Sometimes life really sucks and, while some people are kind, others are horrid, and often we must endure and choose to live. The story delves just deep enough to prod the reader into thinking further and it's not a bad path to follow because one person's really crappy life affects more than them. It may chase away friends and lead to isolation or bring others closer and offer a respite to see more than pain in life. It's easy to runaway. The hard part is sticking it out and being stronger for it

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved working out who was whose child in this sequel to Fruits Basket, and getting a few updates on old favorites! Watching the way Tohru's influence has carried down a generation gave me all the warm fuzzies.

The only think this series suffers is being too short. There are a lot of characters introduced, so we don't get much time with any one person. But for a quick return to Kaibara High School and the Sohma family, Furubana is a delight.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was by far the best one in this series! Gets a 5 for page-turning plot and good development for storyline and characters. We meet Ritsu’s kid and Sawa Mitoma joins the Sohmas for a sweet, fun time at their cottage during the summer! Sawa ends up on a date with Shiki at the aquarium and it’s so wholesome. Later, Sawa runs into an old friend who insulted her and refused to be her friend in grade school. The old friend reveals she only acted that way because Sawa’s mother harassed and threatened Sawa’s old friends in grade school behind Sawa’s back. When Sawa returns home, she faces her mother’s abuse again and is puzzled over her mother’s comment alluding to Sawa having interactions with the Sohma family a long time ago. Sawa runs to the Sohma house and asks about it, and Mutsuki shares the truth: that Sawa hurt her arm in an accident falling down the stairs and Shiki found her and got her help, but Sawa’s mother sued the Sohmas over it a long time ago, accusing Shiki of pushing Sawa. Kinu encourages Sawa that it’s okay to leave a situation with family to protect herself and that her life is her own. Sawa talks it out with Shiki and asks to remain friends and Shiki gladly affirms her. Hajime apologizes for having been wary of Sawa before because of her family, saying he of all people should know that it’s not right to treat people based on what their family did. They all prepare for the autumn school festival, and during some down time Mutsuki shares that Mutsuki learned how badly Shiki is treated within the family due to bad blood and old affairs, saying it is wrong for Shiki to be treated that way because of family and nothing he did wrong. The volume ends with Sawa excitedly greeting the middle schoolers (Shiki, Chizuru aka Ayame’s kid, and Rio aka Saki Hanajima’s kid) at the school festival, Sawa vowing not to bury her old self but to take one step forward and not forget things, and Shiki admitting to himself that he always wants to see Sawa.

This volume does well in showing readers how familial abuse exists, is hurtful, and is not right. It demonstrates that it is okay to protect yourself and to live your life. We also learn from Sawa that though changing and growing as a person brings up painful things and is hard, it is worth it and can bring much happiness. We learn not to forget or erase what has happened to us, but to keep taking steps forward from it. This volume also shows the power of kindness and caring for others, even if they are strangers.