What do you think?
Rate this book


400 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2016

I thought this volume was one of my absolute favorites. I mean, the cover features Momiji and Hatori, so it was bound to happen. The combination of the two of them are my fictional dreams coming true. Momiji is like my son and Hatori would be my love interest if he were real. I love both of them so much.
I tend to compare the 2019 anime to the manga, so please bear with me. About half of this volume contained scenes from the subbed 2019 anime, so I knew to expect them, but there was a good bit of new content as well. Sometimes it can be confusing reading a story that hasn't been adapted because I often confuse who's talking, who's thinking, or anything in between.
We start off being introduced to Hiro, who, by the way, can be a real brat. After having heard his story, I do have more sympathy for him, but he still acts so entitled and I have a feeling that it will take some time for him to grow on me. Even with his bad attitude, he is gorgeously drawn and from a purely aesthetic point of view, Hiro is wonderful. Unfortunately, he's got quite the mouth on him. I've inferred that he lives with Kisa, but I am still pretty baffled. When I first watched the 2019 anime, I assumed that he was like her brother or something. Technically, it's never brought up as to why Hiro is living with Kisa and her mother, but he also isn't ever mentioned to be her brother.
I was taken for quite a ride when I discovered that the reason Hiro hates Tohru so much is because he views her as a romantic rival for Kisa's affection. I sympathize with him, knowing that he hates himself for telling Akito how he felt about Kisa. Yet again, I am reminded of how much I hate Akito.
My blood boils at the mention of his friggin' name, but this story took the cake. After hearing that Hiro had feelings for Kisa, he injured Kisa. Why the hell is no one doing anything about this? Why the hell are they indulging a man-child with a weaker immune system than even Yuki?! How the hell is he the family head?! My anger toward Akito only grows with every volume that I read.
I know that some day Hiro can be the prince that Kisa deserves. I just hate that they've already been through such trauma just for feeling love. Where does Akito get off punishing Kisa for something she had no control over? And then she starts getting bullied at school? I don't blame Kisa for what she did after that anymore. I just pray that Tohru's love is enough for everyone in the Sohma family to heal the scars that Akito has mainly inflicted upon them.
I guess it makes sense that Hiro is the sheep. I know someone born in the Year of the Sheep that reminds me of his misguided way of expressing anger. On a more lively note, I've noticed that Kyo has become closer with Tohru after she found out about his "true form." And I'm living for it.
I should disclose that I have no set in stone ships, but I like watching relationships develop in this fandom. Kyo's knocking of Tohru's head is one of the most adorable ways of expressing his feelings. There are a lot of ways in which Kyo is still an immature little boy, and he can't figure out any other way to touch Tohru other than to gently knock on her head. Oh, Kyo. He also seems to be more protective of her. I have seen him put himself between her and someone else on more than one occasion and I love him for it. Kyo was ready to go after Hiro called Tohru a "stupid woman." And at that point, I was rooting for Kyo to punch an elementary-schooler in the face.
I know I mentioned my love for Hatori earlier, and it is most definitely never-ending, but I'm conflicted. He knows that Akito hurt Kisa. He was the one to treat her injuries. He is basically the one thing keeping Akito alive. Why not just pull the plug? He may not mean to or even want to, but he's indirectly enabling Akito. Haa-san's probably older than Akito, so what gives? If there were a true authoritative figure in the Sohma family, I'd have to say it's Hatori. He is the only one with the power to stop this.
Of course, Shigure always seems to be up to something. He probably sees Akito the most, but he's got this unknown plan to give Akito his "just desserts." But it's all in the shadows and I don't even know what's happening. Shigure also seems to be the only one taking care of Rin as well. And, excuse me, but who even is Rin? One of the zodiac obviously, but I'm more concerned with how she was first brought up.
Apparently, she's Hatsuharu-san's ex? That feels like a smack in the face. I don't even know what's going on with Haru anymore! He trashes an entire classroom and turns into Dark Haru simply by reminiscing over the break-up? I didn't even know he was dating anyone! I thought the only one for him was Yuki. Why can't you just let this one gay thing be free? I know fans often feel gypped due to writers ignoring a blatantly gay relationship for the sake of forcing a heterosexual one instead, but I have never felt that anger myself. Now that I have, I feel wronged.
Who knows, maybe they'll develop the story enough to where I can learn to accept Haru and Rin together, but I'm just not feeling it. And this shouldn't matter to me so much since they're broken up and all, but Haru admitted to Yuki that he wouldn't give up on her. I would rather he would because this seems like such a thrown-together-at-the-last-minute story line. Anyway, Haru brought up a good point that I meant to discuss in my last review, but didn't.
I have only ever heard Yuki refer to Tohru as Honda-san. Why won't he simply call her Tohru? Even though it's rare, Kyo calls her Tohru. What's preventing Yuki from calling Tohru by her informal name? Why is he putting distance between the two of them by refusing to call her by her first name?
I had a lot of fun reading the chapter where Tohru went swimsuit shopping. Kyo and Yuki's constant embarrassment is the source of my happiness. I couldn't stop laughing. I like that Uo-chan explained that pink was Tohru's color because Kyoko-san was the "Red Butterfly" and her dad was simply white, and when mixed together, they make pink. I certainly have to agree that pink is Tohru's color.
There is something plaguing me, though. I don't believe that Yuki and Kyo have realized that they're both falling for the same girl. I mean, I think that Yuki knows his feelings for Tohru are pretty deep, and the same goes for Kyo. But in their hatred of each other, I don't think they've noticed that they're basically romantic rivals. If they were to realize that, what would happen? Would they hate each other more? Would they begin to understand one another? Would they finally put aside their differences and protect Tohru? These are the things I think about.
By the way, I love Uo-chan's story of becoming friends with Tohru. I know that Tohru has positively impacted the lives of the Sohmas, but it seems she can heal anyone who is hurting, even those that would be strangers. Uo-chan was saved from the gang life because of Tohru and Kyoko. She learned what maternal love was like and they welcomed her into their home. She picked up the slack, took her beating like a real woman, got her act together at school, and started taking care of her dad. I am so proud of Arisa Uotani. This only makes me more hyped for Hana-chan's story.
I think it's interesting that Natsuki Takaya chose to give an entire chapter to Motoko Minagawa. She has an ill opinion of Tohru and she runs the Prince Yuki fan club. I didn't think that we needed any backstory or point-of-view from her. I'm still not sure exactly what it added to the story. Maybe it was just to express how teenage girls feel when they're hopelessly in love with someone who has no idea. I certainly know that story all too well, but I don't care for Motoko. She claims Yuki, though she has no clue what he's really like or what he's going through. Her arrogance is appalling and she can't even appreciate the fact that the so-called witch, Tohru, is the one who changed his attitude. The reason Yuki smiles so purely now is because of Tohru. And she can't even be grateful for that. If you truly loved him, you would be happy that he is happy.
Ricchan is an extremely fascinating member of the zodiac. I know his constant apologizing can be annoying, but I relate to him. I may not be as aggressive at expressing my regret, but I do feel burdensome on this world at times. I think it's beautiful that Tohru thinks that maybe you have to find your reason for living. No one is born with a reason, but in time we can find that reason, be it a purpose, a dream, or a person. It's a wonderful sentiment that I want to hold myself to.
I noticed that Micchan, Shigure's poor editor, is very similar to Ricchan. I think it's interesting that they met when he was dressed as a man because in the 2019 anime, Micchan does not know Ricchan is a man. It was a little surprising to me to find that Ricchan was a male. I noticed that both the 2019 anime and the manga were vague as to his gender in the first place. The hostess of the spa mentioned she had a child of the zodiac, the monkey, but gender-specific pronouns were not mentioned.
I think he should wear whatever he feels like, though. And he doesn't need to apologize for being confusing. I think gender as a concept is pretty confusing. Wear what you want, be who you are, don't apologize for who you are. He still looks good. He still possesses the capacity to be just as confident as Ayame. Tohru's obviously accepted him for who he is as well. Even if he may not be a he. It's cool.
I was surprised that Kazuma cut off his ponytail, but it looks good either way. I forget that even though Shigure can be a pain with some of his joking around, he has a way with words. Cheering up Tohru with that analogy of facing the future and viewing it as a mountain of laundry was really inspiring. Just take it a little bit at a time. I think that the joking part of Gure-san is telling of the Year of the Dog because I know a Dog like that.
I am grateful for the peek into Yuki's feelings in one of the last chapters. It's quite obvious that Yuki has a lot of trauma from Akito and most of his childhood, but I didn't realize his own parents used him as a tool. And his mother was physically abusive. That's shocking, but I always knew Yuki had mommy issues. It honestly feels like all of them have that which is why Tohru is such a positive influence for so many of them. Aaya may have gone about it in an odd way, but I'm glad he let Yuki know that he's not a tool. More importantly, he's not alone. Never again.
The haunted house chapter was weird, but I think Haru's way of stopping the fear was nice. I couldn't believe that Natsuki Takaya had surgery on her hand between the chapters. I have to admire her resilience and also thank her for continuing to write this story. She forebodes of some things to come that might not be as happy, but Fruits Basket has my whole heart no matter what. I recommend this book to those willing to give away their heart.