Fruits Basket: The Final

I'm going to be writing a review for Fruits basket with my own personal opinion and will avoid spoilers of the anime and manga! Story - 10 I really loved and enjoyed the story of Fruits basket and how its told from the beginning till the end! And the pacing of the story is really good since it doesn't go too fast and neither too slow. I really loved the stories for each individual character and how it is told. I really think all three seasons of Fruits basket covered up the story perfectly from the beginning till the end. Art - 10 The art of Fruits basket is really beautiful and it makes some moments of the anime just stand out better from the way they've done it. It makes me re-watch some of the beautiful moments just because of the art of Fruits basket! Sound - 9 The music selection is beautiful from the openings, ending and the themes of the OST! Some of the music of Fruits basket like for example the ending theme for the final season of Fruits basket is something I would listen to on repeat for hours without getting bored of it! Character- 10 I really love how all the characters are getting development throughout each season and they go in depth of it which makes me personally feel like I'm connected to the characters. Enjoyment- 10 I really enjoyed watching Fruits basket from the beginning till the end. Every week whenever Fruits basket whether it was the first or the last season I would sit by my screen waiting for the episode to come out and honestly each episode never failed to disappoint me (<- In my opinion) And I would even enjoy re-watching an episode and just don't get bored of it. Overall - 10 I overall really love Fruits basket and I enjoyed the journey of watching the anime and would recommend watching Fruits basket and giving it a shot! I really did enjoy watching this masterpiece of an anime and hopefully you would do as well! And I really think Fruits basket has an amazing anime adaptation and I enjoyed every bit of it! Fruits basket is definitely one of my favorite anime! 10 out of 10 for me! :)

I have never felt more empty inside after finishing a show. I want to cry into my pillow for like an hour and then go and watch season one from the beginning. Fruits Basket is a perfect example of how to write a perfect story from start to finish. Every single character in this show has a personality, a past, a future and most importantly - a story to tell. Fruits Basket isn't your typical romance story - it's a masterpiece filled with character development, life lessons, joy, anger, humor and many more emotions. Yes, I am proud to say, that I have finally found my favorite anime. Now excuse me while I go to cry happy tears. p.s. Tohru is the best mom ever <3

People who believe in Fruits Basket will always think it is an amazing anime. However, if you put in a little thought, I mean even just a little, you would literally understand my point of view. Obviously, there are similar perspectives and I might repeat some points that have been raised. But still, I hold that it is important to call out some of the things they include in the anime. First off, the problem of the lose of focus of the storyline. I understand that Fruits Basket wants to take into account many background stories, many perspectives, and build up many characters. Nonetheless, the way they accomplished that was very poor. Namely, because the sidestories/ flashbacks did not intertwine with the main quest and focus, especially in the last season, which should have been about Akito's Arc/ character development. The author repeatedly broke audience's focus. Just to let you know, there are many animes that had done well in this regard. For example, Haikyuu and how it completed Tsukishima's arc, how it developed Yamaguchi, Kinoshita, and Nishinoya in S4. For example, Gintama and how it made us connect with more than 20, 30 characters. The problem is reflected on how the curse broke was not very systematic. As the main mystery/ plot of the anime, its just pure dissapointing. Is the dynamax so simple as Akito losing it, just like always... (the only change is she taking a weapon in her hands...) Then, there is the problem of how the author portrayed the characters, which is very two dimensional. The fear, the hurt, the "bad guys", the parents... Its like they just popped up from nowhere, and suddenly be the center of the audience's attention. Notably Kyo's father hysterical moments... As an audience, he is not just being a bad parent, but also extremely ridiculous. And people might hate me for this, but I would say that Honda Tohru is straight annoying at the end. Everything she does or says just involves tears, and somehow tears are magic, and helps characters to forgive themselves and others. The other character problem is the hidden promotion of ideas like pedophilia, rape, sexual abuse. This is portrayed by Shigure and Kureno's characters. How they "fall in love" with the young Akito. It is less obvious in Kureno's case, but in my perspective, Shigure definitely manipulated Akito all the way, almost like child grooming. You can argue that these actions are just part of the Zodiac. However, what if a young viewer watched and thought "how romantic", "he watched her grow up and love her since a child" and attempt to do something like this in the future?? It is a bit inappropriate to promote these ideas. However, I can also see that this is just a part of Japanese culture (a part that they themselves also dislike). Recovery, progress, growth, forgiveness, all don't happen overnight. The amount of abuse the Zodiac members took, the hurt they felt was definitely real. Nonetheless, the anime did not walk through HOW exactly they did so. Magic Tohru might be a solution, but there is no guarantee that just by her words the pain will leave and the people hurt from the abuse will be able to live at peace with their soul from then. I also cannot wrap my head over how the people who did wrong can be released and guaranteed a happy ending. Albeit, I just feel Akito Shigure pair is extremely twisted, dark, and toxic. To conclude, I believe that this anime is a pure waste of my time. And also a lesson to be learnt by future animators/ writers, on how not just to develop the plot, but correctly lead the plot to climax, and end smoothly, not in a forceful manner like Fruits Basket. To me, the ending felt really weak, just to give the anime a "slice-of-life" kinda conclusion (yep, like the Cinderella kinda show thing). I will kindly put this anime in my memory with the other worst anime I have watched, being School Days, Yuri on Ice, Dog and Scissors, SAO, 7 deadly sins (last few seasons just pure horror...in animation). If you don't agree with me on how I rate this anime, just give what a wrote a thought. What you like doesn't need to always be a 10/10 anime.

Wow. Having just finished the final episode of Fruits Basket I can confidently say that this is the greatest shoujo I've ever seen, and honestly, I don't believe anything else will come close. This is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. The romance is perfect, the characters are seamless and the storylines are so engaging and entertaining. I rated this a 10 from the beginning and I am ecstatic to find that my judgement wasn't proven wrong. STORY: 10 Fruits Basket is the story of a cursed family that each have to live with the weight of sharing their identity with a zodiac animal, and a girl, Tohru, who's altruism brightens their lives. There are many storylines and arcs throughout the series and they all tie into the kindness and care that Tohru shows every character. Each new addition to the story enriches the viewers experience, as more character depth and lore is discovered with every new episode. At first, I found season 1 to drag a little since they were introducing so many characters in such such a small amount of time, so it felt a little episodic, but once the plot truly started at the end of season 1, it got really good really fast. There are aspects of the plot that are slowly uncovered with time, and some last-minute reveals, but in the end, Fruits Basket becomes a fully-cohesive and well-rounded combination of a sort of renaissance of these characters lives. They have lost so much of themselves to the expectations of who they were supposed to be, cursed or not, that by the end of the story, all of our beloved cast are ready to genuinely be free as themselves. It's truly moving. ART: 10 It's gorgeous, especially compared to the art of the original anime and the manga. It perfectly reflects that sweet, shoujo vibe of the show with all the sparkles and teary moments. The character designs are all very aesthetic as well, with everyone bringing something new to the cast. The animation is generally good but then there are these ~moments~ and suddenly it's god-tier. Overall, just lovely on the eyes. SOUND: 9 Honestly, although fitting for the show, I generally skipped the opening and ending theme songs, I didn't like them all that much. I absolutely loves the 3rd season's opening though, that was fantastic and I never skipped it once. Otherwise, the music is a little sappy at times but it fits the sappy tone of the scene so there's really no complaints on the background music. In a similar sense to the animation, there are certain scenes that the bgm enhance to a fantastic degree, so I would say the sound is quite well-done. CHARACTERS: 10 This is where Fruits Basket truly shines. We have our main protagonist, Tohru, who starts living with the other primary characters, Kyo and Yuki, in the beginning of the show. All of the main cast are characterised and developed fantastically. Tohru is established from the start as the most naive and altruistic person on earth, but as the story continues, we see that Tohru is observant and dutiful, as well as selfish in her own way. Although selfishness is a trait that is generally seen as a flaw, for Tohru, it's liberating to be able to care for herself and what she desires. Seeing her declare what she wants and actively try to achieve it made me so proud of how far she's come. When it comes to Kyo's character, it's a lot more tragic. Emotionally abused and abandoned by his family for being the outsider of the zodiac curse (the cat), Kyo is desolate and shuns the world and the people around him, with the exception of his adopted father. When Tohru comes into his life, he makes friends and genuinely begins to enjoy his life. But what's oddly remarkable is how the creator doesn't act like years upon years of trauma can be fixed by making friends. Kyo got help from his relationships, especially with Tohru of course, but he is still damaged, and having him reject his own happiness because he feels he doesn't deserve it was extremely unexpected and emotional. But even more emotional is Kyo beginning to accept that he deserves the support that he's surrounded with. Now onto Yuki. Oh my god did I hate Yuki in season 1 lmao. He was clearly in a love triangle with Tohru and Kyo but he seemed so shallow and nice. Too nice. And he was pursuing Tohru as well, which I just despised them together, they had no chemistry. So when he started working on himself and making his own friends, realising that Tohru is more of a maternal figure than a romantic partner and making amends with the family that genuinely cares for him.... yeah honestly Yuki's my favourite character. To witness a bland, lifeless person like Yuki become so emotive and fight for what he wants: it hits different. I've already gone on too long about the main characters so I won't ramble on regarding the side-cast. They're fantastic. There are many that stand out (personally, Momiji + Yuki's friends) but each and every one, even Yuki's weird stalker, have their own personalities and stories. They're all people, no matter how small their role in the story, and it's fantastic. Getting attached to such a large cast is no small feat. The mangaka most certainly outdid herself. ENJOYMENT: 10 Although a little sappy at times, this show stole my heart. I laughed, I cried, I screamed. Fruits Basket invokes it all. I've been on the edge of my seat every week to watch this and have had a rollercoaster of emotions every single time. This show is an absolute wonder to watch. OVERALL: 10 Every character is phenomenal, every plot point has a purpose and the whole show ties together to create a masterpiece of classic shoujo in a modern anime form. Right now, this is the highest rated anime on MAL, and although it probably won't stay that way, it absolutely deserves that spot. If you're still on the fence at this point, just do yourself a favour and watch it. You won't regret it my friend.

"It’s not always easy to see the good in people. In some people, you might even doubt that it’s there at all. But if you can somehow, find a way to believe…sometimes that’s all it takes to help someone, to give them the strength to find the good in themselves." - Tohru Honda 6/28/21: Fruits Basket's Final Season, with a score of 9.18, reaches No.1 on MAL. Triumph. This is my first review on MAL so apologies in advance if the quality or tone is not up to par with more seasoned reviewers/critics. I decided to take the time to do a review because this is a series I fell in love with two years ago. It has become my favorite anime of all time and has cemented a place in my heart that will likely remain as the days (and eventual years) go by. Fruits Basket (2019) ends its two-year journey at the top of MAL and in the hearts of those who came along for the ride. In this final season, we received answers to burning questions and payoffs that can send an anime-only to the moon. From Akito, Tohru, Kyoko, and everything in between, there was never a shortage of developments and revelations that rewarded fans with the best of payoffs and a fulfilling watch. In short, there were many powerful moments in this season (a Fruits Basket norm at this point) that made every Fruba Monday an absolute pleasure and privilege. The pacing (which seemed to be a concern early) was not a problem in my opinion as it mostly covered 2-3 chapters per episode. The art and animation looks as beautiful as always and TMS delivers on concluding a beloved Shojou filled with amazing writing, messages, and characters. Interpersonal relationships are at the core of what Fruits Basket is as a piece of art. Over the course of three seasons, we have met many characters. Each has their own distinct identity as well as their own relationships with other characters that are a large part of who they are. Through these relationships, we see different types of love (or lack thereof) at work. With a range of platonic, parental, and romantic love, we get an array of relationships where none seem unnatural. And even though these are "supernatural" beings afflicted by a curse that turns them into animals, the dynamics are very real. This can be thanked in large part to the writing of Takaya and visual aids/cues that are often paired with scenes as the characters convey how they feel or tell their story. This is what can make art transformative. This is what makes Fruits Basket "real." The thread that connects all these characters is one Tohru Honda. Her presence in the series takes center stage as her kindness and acceptance (another theme of Fruits Basket) of those she meets allows them to accept their own weaknesses and begin their own growth as well. We have seen this play out in two seasons, as Tohru's encounters with the Sohma Family have helped those she meets become better people and build the strength to face their own problems. That said, the final season is where we see Tohru come to terms with her own weaknesses and the realization that she too must grow. This was welcomed by me as one of the few criticisms I have heard about the series is that Tohru is "an unrealistic Mary Sue who is just too nice." This final season changes that line of thinking, I promise. Tohru's arc this season was beautiful and powerful. It enhanced an already great character and is a microcosm of everything the series represents and tries to get across. To close, everyone who worked on this project deserves their flowers. Natsuki Takaya, thank you for creating a true masterpiece. The anime/manga medium is better off with works such as Fruits Basket enriching the lives of readers/watchers. TMS Entertainment, many thanks for giving this community a reboot for the ages. The passion in this project is tangible and is reflected in the quality of every single episode of its 63 episode run. Truly a show that just got better and better week by week, episode by episode. The voice actors/actresses, thank you for making these characters authentic and consistently delivering compelling performances. I can say with confidence that there are no bad characters in Fruits Basket and the VA's performances (and Takaya's writing) are major factors for that belief. I have told some and I will share with those reading, I find Tohru Honda to be the most inspiring anime character I have had the pleasure of watching. Seeing her flaws this season just made me appreciate her even more than I already did. She truly represents what the series can be at its best and is someone we can all strive to take a thing or two from. Thank you for your time and attention. Thank you Fruits Basket. Masterpiece.

I can literally write a two-page rant on how Akito’s action can’t be justified just because your mother genuinely loved your father and not you. Sure, she has a horrible mom and shitty environment, but who isn’t in the fruits basket world? At least you're getting treated like a princess and loved by 13 cute animals. But people you are tormenting and stabbing got it worse. The worst part is no one ever held her accountable properly for her shitty act. They all went with that toxic flow in the name of bond. Even after the curse was over, did anyone even expressed a bit of anger on her for almost killing their lovable Tohru? Fruits Basket - there’s just so much to like about this series. The amazing and big cast of characters with their deeply moving backstories (traumas and how they are heeled by our loving therapist, Tohru). There is Asian mythology, the grim sadness, an adorable friend circle with a pinch of romance…..Outro’s and momiji’s glow up are my personal fav.This series is like a deep dive into the lives of a bunch of cutesy characters with their own set of insecurities we all can connect with at some point. Yuki and Kyo’s quest for connection and acceptance, their self-discovery journey, creates a symphony of emotions that strikes a personal chord.The one that bothers me the m̶o̶s̶t̶(a bit) is Tohru I know her character is intentionally designed to be a source of hope and empathy in the series. However, there are moments when she becomes so flawless that I can no longer relate to her. Her overwhelmingly positiveness and selfless nature is a bit unrealistic *for me* (i want a tohru in my life). If I had seen this series two decades back, I might have given it a 10, but in 2024, I can’t help but question why it's still one of the highest rated anime.{of course, my views aren’t influenced solely by Akito’s redemption arc. I can’t be biased,i m not } ‘Learn to love yourself’? What does that mean? How are we supposed to find something good about ourselves? The whole reason we hate ourselves…is because we can only see the parts we hate. So forcing ourselves to find ‘good points’ feels hollow, like we’re making things up. It’s not like that. That’s not how it works.” ~ gracefully said by yunyun

This is my overall response to the entire show, not only this season. ALSO SPOILERS I enjoyed that this was more than romance and held a genuine, complex plot. I was extremely pleased with the first two seasons as a viewer and had no complaints. This last season, however, left me utterly bitter. Love Interests: Yuki by far outweighed Kyou for me, and I'm ready to fight anyone who argues. Reasons why? He cared about her more than anyone else, he was kind and always grateful for her. Tooru also helped him become the person he always thought he never could be, and anytime he flirted with her, she always went weak-kneed or struggled to speak. Last, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, he is the one that led her back to her Mom when she was younger, and she even said that he was her first love, which her friends joked about how amazing it would be if she ended up together with that boy (unknowing that it was Yuki all along). At that moment, they saved each other, and again, stands to prove exactly why it should have been them together in the end. Kyou was far from great to Tooru and has no excuse for treating her the way he did. Yuki had an equally traumatizing upbringing, and he never took it out on her. I understand Kyou being reserved initially, and I understand it taking a while to break down his walls, but the obstacles he put her through for his love were beyond necessary. Not to mention when he was in his spirit form, he HIT Tooru! Not just once, but twice! I could never forgive him for physically harming her like that. And as far as Tooru portrayed, anytime Kyou did something "romantic," she always blushed, but she never had a strong reaction like with Yuki. Also, last BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, Kyou had Kagura. He already had someone who had devoted their life and their heart to loving him while Yuki had no one. Kyou and Kagura being together made a lot more sense to me anyway. Not that I need to go into details with this one, but the idea of Momiji and Tooru appealed to me more than she and Kyou. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE stories that have the Dark/Bad Boy/Tough Guy love interest. However, the whole appeal is that they are mean/scary/physical to literally everyone else EXCEPT for the person they love. The love interest is the expectation to the rule, and those characters will go above and beyond normal means to ensure their safety. Kyou as a character failed to follow the formula. Not to mention, at least for me, it felt like all of season one and half of season two depicted Yuki as the frontrunner for her heart. Then, as if to be "unpredictable," they suddenly shove Kyou out there and say that Yuki's feelings for Tooru were more like "a child to a mother." WHAT?!!?!?!!?!? Even if you didn't like the idea of them as endgame, that still was weird to have him say nonetheless. Now for the other upsetting plot points that apply to season three. *The bonds just breaking with no clear understanding of how or why *No background story of Tooru's parents meeting *Akito trying to kill people and then being given no punishments *No scene of Momo with Momiji being "siblings" after bringing up that she wanted to meet him *Tooru never seeking Hanajima, who is a "witch," or her brother, who can break/make curses when she was desperate to find a way to break the curse (I thought that was the whole point of making them magical beings, honestly) My last and final complaint was having Kyou ask Tooru to leave with him immediately after they get together. I don't mind that he wanted to find himself, and I was actually happy to hear him say something as mature as that. However, I would have entirely preferred that he asked her to wait for him rather than come with him. He mentioned planning on coming back anyway, so why not have her stay where she could be with her family and friends? I also wanted Tooru to go to college or something career-related because outside of the Somas, we never see her having a passion of her own. It would have been nice to see her figure that out and pursue it in the time that Kyou was pursuing his own. In the end, I think this is still a good story worth watching.

The reason for me watching this anime was due to the high score and overall good reviews. That ended up being one of the worst decisions I've ever made in watching anime. I am NOT trying to say that no one will enjoy this anime as I completely understand why many people would enjoy this title due to the characters and other "factors". Personally, I found that it was very hard and almost impossible to like any of the characters. The main character seemed to me as unreachably annoying as if they had broken all records of annoyance, the amount of redemption episodes are impossible to count with all your fingers and toes combined, and lastly the actions of not only the antagonist(s), but also side characters made so little sense that it actually made me angry. The appeal in the story most definitely lies in the characters which is most likely the reason to my lack of enjoyment. I continued to watch despite of my initial displeasure as many people said "It gets better after x episodes" or "x becomes less annoying as the series goes on" to which foolishly I believed. As the count in episodes were nearing the end, I eventually realized that I had wasted over 63 episodes worth of time that I could have spent on watching something I actually enjoyed. My decision making in watching this anime can be related to that of investing in something which ends up failing. I dug my feet in and continued to watch, waiting for that one episode that would finally tie all the annoying characters together into an amazing story. One way I would describe this show is that of a failed version of Steins; Gate which initially started off boring and became something amazing. Overall, this anime was a disappointment to my expectations as I found the story boring and the characters quite annoying.

To begin with , this is my very first review so if you find it very amateurish , then you know why and thank you for your time ! Fruit Basket is an anime that I decided to start this year just because the reviews are really good , and I decided to give it a try . Trust me it won't disappoint you in any way , especially if you love drama and romance . In the end I .... to tell you the truth , was left speechless . How great was the storyline , the characters were always on point , I never felt like getting bored . The backstories really ascended the level of the series making the watchers sympathize more and more with the characters . Seriously tho , the music was so outstanding that when a dramatic scene [ or not dramatic at all xD ] was about to commence , my eyes were already crying , many many respects to the composer who is well-known for his appearance in the anime " Your Lie In April ". The art was also really good [ not something of a anime movie ] but quite good overall . The MC ' Tohru Honda ' , is definitely one of a kind that you want to protect and respect from the beginning . She is the KEY to the series and recreates the lifes of the Somas in a better way . You cannot hate such a protagonist , Furuba will "force you" to love her and everyone else [ Yuki , Kyo , Shigure and EVEN Akito who is meant to be the main antagonist ] . Overall one of my best anime journeys yet , I would recommend it to anyone who loves drama , the emotions I acquired from the series are so many and astonishing that it's hard to describe ... Trust me once more and make yourself a favor and watch this masterpiece-jewel . i hope you find this review helpful !!!

This review covers all three seasons of Fruits Basket 2019. There are no spoilers. The anime follows the manga almost to the letter (with one exception, which I'll go into later). So the rest of this review will pretty much apply to both FB 2019 and the manga. If you only ever watch one shojo anime for the rest of your life, make it Fruits Basket 2019. It is SO. DAMN. GOOD. There's a reason it's been the only shojo to go into the MAL top 10 (and it even hit #1), and is at the top of many "best of" lists. Most fans read the manga and/or watched the 2001 anime as a teen. But I discovered it in my 40s with Fruits Basket 2019, and it captivated me to the point that my family decreed I was obsessed. My teen and I discovered it together, and we both read the manga once and saw the show three times (once in Japanese and twice in English—the dub is fantastic). STORY 10/10 - At first it seems like a fun teen story about a clan whose members can turn into zodiac animals, and the girl who stumbles upon their secret and befriends them. But as it goes on, it barely can stay categorized as shojo and really goes into josei (adult) territory because of its extremely deep and sometimes very intense themes and events. The story hit me more deeply than most adult-targeted stories have ever done. Although somehow, the whole way through, it perfectly balances the hard parts with humor and lightness (just like real life often does). And those themes do apply to many teens' lives who experience trauma or difficult family dynamics, so in a way, they are still a (or the) main target audience. But who of us hasn't experienced these things? Some of the adult characters also have trauma in their lives, and/or important or key roles in the story, so it's not just about teens. It gave me the impression that the mangaka must have gotten a degree in psychology, to be able to portray so many different aspects of life and the human psyche so very, very well. But she didn't – she's just extremely insightful. She herself said that the zodiac element was a "hook" to be able to delve into these things in a more engaging, unique way. And she succeeded spectacularly. Yes, you will cry, a lot. I should have bought stock in Kleenex while the show was airing. But there is also a lot of laughter. There's one episode my teen and I watched 5 times because it is so funny. CHARACTERS 10/10 - The characters are all interesting and unique. Even though there are a lot more of them than are usually focused on in a manga or anime series, they and their stories are each distinct enough to be remembered easily. Their personalities and actions are all very realistically shaped by their life experiences. The more central characters do, of course, have the most complex stories which get revealed bit by bit over the course of the series. (I would consider these to be Tohru, Yuki, Kyo and Akito.) PRODUCTION 10/10 - The art and the music is gorgeous and emotive. As soon as we put the OVA in the player tonight, the menu music evoked the same feelings in us as it had while watching the show. The OP/ED songs and visuals are all great too. The translation from manga to anime is excellent. CRITICISMS- 1) The pacing of the anime could have been better. Season 1 (24 ep) was very slow, to the point that some people weren't interested enough to continue to where it really picks up the pace and depth. Season 2 (24 ep) was paced about the same as S1 but the story itself had gotten more complex by then. Season 3 (13 ep) was paced at the speed of a bullet train, and some parts of the story that most fans consider to be important, especially as the story neared its end, were cut out. (There is actually a video on YouTube of a viewer-only reading in shock the parts of the manga that S3 left out.) If in the first two seasons the pacing had been a bit faster and some less relevant parts had been cut out, the speed and deletions in S3 wouldn't have been necessary. The OVA covers one backstory that was left out. 2) Some characters' behavior in a few specific scenes was worse than it was in the manga, seemingly to make it more visually dramatic. So people who only watched the show could get the wrong impression of those characters due to this. For one example, a character hits another so hard that they get flung several feet into the air into a shallow pool and could quite easily have been seriously hurt, and doesn't apologize later. In the manga, the hit only pushes the other a few feet backwards, and there is an apology later. 3) The age gap relationships. This is a huge trope in shojo, and it was worse when the manga was written. The producers could have lessened the gaps to improve on that issue without fundamental change to their stories. At least since they are all "side stories" they don't take up much bandwidth in the series. There are four of them, and while the relationships are very interesting if you set the ages aside, this aspect is a detraction/distraction. Some people consider all four to be pedophilia. I actually researched the legal definitions of this to find out more about it, and my conclusion was that with two of them, it depends on what age the female was, which we don't know—it could have been when she was a legal adult. With the third one, the girl is 17 and the man is 26 when they meet, and they start dating when the girl is 18. With the fourth and most problematic one, the girl is 14 or 15 and the man is 22 when they meet, and they get married a year later. Nothing actually happens before their marriage, he isn't a pedophile in general (with other minors), and once married they have a respectful relationship, but this is very unlikely in real life and could mislead teen readers. (Although some fans have said that in their countries where marriages like this are more common, this outcome is not that unrealistic.) The OVA focuses on this last one, and although for some reason I was able to overlook it more when reading the manga, it was definitely uncomfortable to watch the pre-both-adults part of it. Overall, Fruits Basket 2019 is an absolute must-watch for any anime fan, and I can't recommend it enough.

This anime has been a rollercoaster of emotions, from season one all the way to to season three. This is probably one of the only anime that goes out of the way, to explaining every character and works on building them in my opinion. I don't think there will ever be a serious romance that can top this, maybe kaguya s3 (romcom tho). Every single character in this series I love. I like how they all had some sort of romance going on, and worked on building it. I loved this show, and will miss it so much, 10/10 deserves number one spot on MAL for me. Now we wait for 2022 for the parents stories.

I really recommend this for people getting into anime. Amazing story and one of a kind characters you're not gonna see anywhere else. It really gets you into another perspective and the plot is extremely detailed with no plot holes. The soundtrack is phenomenal; really ties into the overall theme of the show. Although it can get very emotional, it has extremely funny and memorable moments. It sends a great message to younger viewers as well as old. Watching the original when I was in middle school to watching the remake now in adulthood makes the experience so much more enjoyable now that the entire story has been adapted. Overall I really enjoyed it and I'm glad it was remade into this masterpiece.

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING I CANNOT STOP CRYING This show is THE best anime I have ever watched. I know it sounds stupid, but this show really helped me as a person and made me learn and grow. Usually I do more in-depth reviews, but this is all I can say. I love this show with every fiber of my being. Please watch this and you will fall in love too. The characters are all unique and go through amazing character development throughout the story. My favorite part of this show is the way it explores different kinds of love and relationships; from familial to friendships to love, this show shows it in a beautifully profound way. If I had to make a complaint, it would be the lack of LGBTQ+ relationships. There are about 6-ish major romantic relationships, and all of them are straight relationships. But, the manga was first written in 1999, so I can't rip it too hard :) Anyways, what are you waiting for?! Go watch and fall in love with this masterpiece!!!!!

'I want to get married!😔 I love this anime so much! Watching it makes me nostalgic for the days when I used to watch classic romantic series like Ao Haru Ride. This season, we've been treated to a wonderful mix of sweet and bittersweet drama and comedy, and I'm really looking forward to the film. The characters have developed really well; I really like who they've become. I don't know why I put off watching this masterpiece for four years. This anime has really made me think about getting married. It’s beautiful and touching when a work of art evokes such strong emotions and a desire for something positive like marriage. It reminds us that art, both past and present, can stir our hearts in a powerful way. A series like Ao Haru Ride can truly evoke nostalgia and capture the beauty of simple moments. The blend of drama and comedy makes the anime so heartwarming. It's only natural to be moved by the love stories and wonder if you'll experience something similar in your own life.

This rating and review cover the entire seasons (1, 2, and this final one). (Note: I base my review on my overall enjoyment). I enjoyed watching the original Fruits Basket and was very hyped when the new version came out. Of course, I have never read the manga because I didn't want to spoil the ending. Needless to say, the excitement and anticipation all but dwindled after I've finished watching the first season. I remembered I couldn't stop laughing in the older version of Fruits Basket and was expecting the same with this new one. But of course, episode after episode, there was only me sitting watching silently, and sometimes, getting rather frustrated and annoyed. Why? Because every so often, I'm being told by one character or another that the female lead is so nice and wonderful, and now and again, the two male leads would bicker and fight for no apparent reasons. It was entertaining at first, but that got old fast. In my humble opinion, season 1 was okay, season 2 was boring and slow, and the final season was just horrible. To sum up, all three seasons of some 60+ episodes could have been made into a one-season of 25 episodes and that would have told the complete story. Of course, I don't like the ending and after finishing, the story leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Now I have to go find something else to watch to wash it off. Maybe I'll watch Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi (Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits) again because it has a far more interesting plot and characters, especially the female lead Aoi, who shows strength through actions instead of every other character in the story keep reminding the viewer of this.

Is Furuba really that good? What really makes this anime so worth watching? and is this Anime worthy of the title as one of the Masterpieces? . In my personal opinion, yes, it is really that good, eitss is not just a mere gibberish, here I will also explain and explain some important points that make me think that this anime is really that good. Ok, please take a look :) 1• Story Presentation . The first reason is regarding StoryLine, of course it is mandatory for a work to be assessed and emphasized based on the story that is brought. The Furuba story itself is actually not a new thing which brings the concept of Romance combined with a Supernatural story but the thing that takes the story to the next level is the way of delivering and presenting the story to the audience, through FirstView from this Anime which shows HondaTohru meeting the members Souma family story slowly enters the show where in fact the Souma Family that Tohru meets are not families of ordinary humans but are legendary creatures called Zodiac Creatures, entering the point of the initial problem which is detailed in each point, then complementary stories from the subject matter are also displayed until finally revealed will be the climax of the core of the story, namely the existence of an ancient bond based on a covenant that shackles the zodiac animals that must be eliminated immediately. The first incarnation if we are really new to the Anime, it certainly shows a very good feel for Yuuki and Tohru but everything is a little deviated from perception, the story continues, every corner of the story is shown in relevant points and not exaggerated, the Supernatural Concept that wrapped in Drama makes the audience wait for what and how to happen next. This is where Furuba's MasterPiece lies, every feeling of the audience is paid in full in subsequent episodes, each Season brings a very good beginning and climax, especially with the Final Season which is so Wow, how can the story start in a simple way then end with a very satisfying ending . It's not wrong to say that the story presentation in this anime starts from 0 to 100 2• Writing and characterization as well as character development that is soulful and emotionally focused. The second reason, of course, is the character in the story, the selection of HondaTohru as the MainCharacter is a very emotional choice for the audience. How can a high school girl who no longer has a father and mother but accompanied by a relative situation that does not really interpret the girl's feelings, there is only the grandfather who at least pays more attention to the high school boy. However, even so, a smile and a generous and warm nature to all are always evident in the figure of Honda Tohru. Then there is the character SoumaKyou who is also written emotionally and emotionally addressed to the audience, is a child who is ostracized and not promised a proper life, he is considered inferior and even considered lower than his fellow zodiac creatures. The circumstances that made Kyou tormented and chose to stay away from the world that should be there for him, coupled with the circumstances of his extended family and even his parents who looked down on and hated him and several tragedies that made Kyou's situation feel very stifling, painful, and able to lead him to a figure of despair Even so, Kyou persisted in his own way and coupled with the presence of HondaTohru in his life, one by one the suffering turned into life as their personalities and perspective on life improved.Then the writing of Character YuukiSouma is no less emotional than Tohru and Kyou. Spending his childhood with fear and a not-so-good body condition gave birth to a Trauma for his current state, internal conflicts and his close family's disclaimer of affection made Yuuki feel so forced as a tool. Even though it was his older brother who finally understood his situation, this did not necessarily give birth to a life for him, just like Kyou, Honda's presence, Tohru was also very important in his life, he got what he wanted from Tohru's warm and loving nature so that he finally found his identity and life. and the wonderful feeling of being loved and found. Not only the three main characters, but almost all of the characters are written with feelings that are aimed emotionally at the audience, but this is where it's great because each of them gets their respective portions in the story so that we viewers can absorb and feel the feel intended by the author through the characters. so that in interpreting the story we can feel emotionally about the feelings of Tohru, Kyou and Yuuki and other characters in the story which indirectly makes us drift away and get carried away when watching the Anime. 3• The concept is very good and the genre is displayed according to the wishes of the audience. The last reason that makes this anime so good and deserves the title of MasterPiece is that the concept is so good and accompanied by a genre that fits our desires. If many other ShoujoRomance Anime are more centered on romance intrigue than the concept of the story, it is different from Furuba, on the contrary, this Anime is much more focused on the quality of the story than the concept of romance between the characters, this of course makes this Anime not just an Anime aimed at school girls. However, thanks to the presentation of the story which is complex and not fixated on the situation of romance, every other genre connoisseur such as lovers of the Action, Adventure, even Sport and Superpower genres can participate in enjoying it even though previously they did not like genres like Shoujo or Romance at all. With the Supernatural genre that carries the HistoricalMyth concept, this Anime has a wider reach as an Anime centered on a female Main Character. In addition to a very good concept, the genres that are displayed are also in accordance with the wishes of the audience, Romance that fits its place, Supernatural which is full of emotions and feelings and the most important and very important is the story which is presented with the Drama genre which is so satisfying, no exaggeration. overdo it and don't make it too simple, everything is in accordance with the measure (to be honest in this Anime the drama is really good). Juxtaposed with Slice of Life, other genres that are more serious can be enjoyed in a relaxed manner, of course, this is accompanied by visual quality that is also pleasing to the eye. Overall, I think it's the same as Oregairu, after the screening of Final Season, Anime Fruits Basket is also clearly one of the MasterPiece in its genre. But, Hmm, I don't think it's only in the genre, but in general it's very clear that this anime deserves a rating above 9, especially for the third season/Final Season. Ok, that's it from me, thank you for reading until the end. 39 :)

To my younger self, I hope this was enough to satisfy your desire to see this story over again. I know I’m a little late on committing time to this, but it’s better late than never, right? So, I hope you’re fulfilled now. And rest assured, now, you’re in a better place. Story: A story of hellos and goodbyes, a tale of bonds and the suffocation that they can create, and a whimsy of the vulnerability of human beings and the fragility that can come from being alone. As the stories of the zodiac members and their God comes to an end, so too does the story of a lonely high school girl who’s lost so much, but keeps smiling in spite of that. For one last final banquet, what lies next for these weary and journeyed souls? The Final, acting as the third and closing arc to the story of Fruits Basket is the one where the stories come to an end. Every episode from beginning to end is a rollercoaster climax that had been building up from the moment Tohru stepped foot in the house where the dog, cat, and rat lived. All of the major character threads built up to that point reach their apex, essentially creating wave after wave of emotional turmoil that’s barely held together by the psyche of these individuals as their trauma and pain rushes back to them as a final hurdle to overcome before they can be free. And a lot of this can be attributed to Akito, who gets the lion’s share of the time this time around as her story becomes a focal point in order to explain the vitriolic cycle of mental and physical abuse that she had enacted on all of the zodiac members ‘under’ her as she is their ‘God’. And here is where I think the beauty of a story like Fruits Basket shines its true colors. The struggle of human nature is a fickle and complicated thing. Hurting people and being hurt whether intentionally or unintentionally are just parts of our existence, and it’s not just the big events that bring us down. But rather, the smaller, more inconspicuous things that slowly chip away at us, eating away our very being until we’re just a hollow shell of our former selves struggling to return to a sense of normalcy as we reach out desperately crying for someone to hear our pleas. And while the things we’ve done can’t be forgiven or forgotten, we can try and atone from our mistakes and improve from them. Every character, every facet of this story screams out loud this paramount list of human qualities in such a way that feels beautiful and impactful. And The Final makes full use of its predecessors’ build up in order to deliver on a heartfelt yet bittersweet set of endings that create a sense of hope rather than a sense of happiness or idealistic happily ever afters. Now, I will share one gripe with this show, and that’s the pacing. Truth be told, I feel like the showrunners kind of just wanted to finish this in a cour and not like…a cour and a half that it probably needed. Because the show really does just shove in ending after ending to make sure that everyone both got their time in the limelight and so that all of the major (and minor) character arcs got their due processes. Which is something I respect if only because nobody gets left behind, but I think kind of ruins part of the slow, emotional burn that the series has had up until this point because the first two seasons were wonderfully paced, and I’m a bit sad that the most crucial part of the story didn’t fully live up to what I had expected from it. That and the show just kind of ‘ends’. True, it didn’t need to be a grand ending, and I didn’t expect it to be that way. But I feel like there could’ve been something a little more done in order to give a bit more of a spectacle to it. Especially since this was a solid fifty or so episodes of a nonstop sequence of comedic slice of life and emotional turmoil that kind of just quietly fades. I don’t mind the idea of the ending, but I wish the execution was a little more fulfilling. All of that being said, I would be lying if I said that this story anything less than a gripping tale of what it means to be ‘human’. There’s a beauty to shows that radiate a sense of hope and light at the end of the tunnel. Most shows I find with this kind of trauma to enlightenment formula typically do it with very little delicacy on the topic and call the issue as a resolved problem instead of something that continues to weigh on an individual long after any resolution to it has come. Truthfully, seeing Fruits Basket refuse to create concrete ‘endings’ and instead provide the opportunity for a new journey or new beginnings is something I wish more shows did. Because life is never set in stone, and sometimes we do need to start over in order to see where we’re headed next. Characters: My previous gripes with Honda Tohru have lied in the fact that despite being such a major focal point in the series, she has never had time devoted to herself to explain more about her story and the situations that brought her to this point. The airheaded, doe-eyed protagonist finally gets her arc, and…honestly I think I’m still a little bit underwhelmed. I haven’t read the manga, so I can’t really attest to whether or not there’re any missing details or not, but despite having a significant amount of additional details being revealed about her past, it still feels like Tohru being basically the answer to everyone’s problems is a bit ham-fisted. That being said, I really do like her changes. The story has always portrayed her as this sort of rock that you can just kick down a road, and just seeing more of her personal vulnerabilities and desires is something that honestly felt more rewarding than some of the other major zodiacs that’ve been featured in this show. It’s honestly kind of a unique change that I don’t see a lot of characters in fiction have; turning someone selfless into someone selfish, and I actually really like that aspect of her character. Cause I think it really grounds her as more of a person who typically doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve yet fully understands and truly sympathizes with the kinds of pain and suffering those in zodiac have endured in their lives, and desires change for herself as a result. Akito by contrast is an individual who does wear their heart on their sleeve, and does so with some rather perplexing character traits that both make sense, but does make it hard to sympathize with her plight sometimes. I think Natsuki Takaya’s intention with her character was less to be forgiven, but more to show that even abusers can be victims themselves, and that while she isn’t blameless, she deserves some form of happiness as well. I can definitely see how Akito is a troublesome character to feel empathy for, but personally, I think that’s part of why Akito serves as a great antithesis to the always loved Tohru. She shows a drastically different version of loneliness, one where even a drastically different life circumstance surrounded by people can still lead to someone feeling isolated. That being said, her story still feels a bit wonky at times. I suspect this is because they kind of rushed through her story and maybe shaved some parts of it in order to save time. If this is the case, that’s honestly a shame because Akito’s existence in the story is intrinsically interesting due to her role as being the God that holds all of the zodiac members’ chains. And a part of me kind of expected a little more because of that. Just like maybe an episode or two more to stew over some important details, especially in regards to her relationship with Shigure. Cause that was all kinds of messy there and I don’t think I quite understand everything that happened there. And as previously mentioned, all stories come to an end. From the rivalry between the Cat and Mouse, to a sense of belonging for the Horse, as well as the Rabbit’s freedom, the tales of the zodiac members all reach their conclusion as the next story in their lives comes their way. Personally, I feel like some of the members got ki…

Taking into account everything, the 3 seasons, the story, the characters, my personal enjoyment of it and my attachment to the characters, Fruits Basket deserves a 10. I knew it deserved a 10 somewhere, and although S1 and S2 didn't disappoint, the final had both the climax and the cool down of the story, earning its 10. Though not without flaws, Fruits Basket has managed to tell a story with an interesting concept that not only includes a lot of characters, but isn't afraid to develop them and momentarily make them an MC for an episode or so. You have real, genuine characters who have been through a lot, both together and alone. Connected from a bond that is both a blessing and a curse, I can't help but feel that the final season did justice in portraying just how much significance a promise and bond holds. In terms of pacing, there have been complaints about this season being rushed and I originally thought that. But after reading someone else's take on it, I realised that they were right. The final season doesn't miss any key events and it may feel fast in comparison to the first 2 seasons because the first 2 seasons were purely introductory and developmental for the plot and its characters. The final season is the "finale". Jumping from 25 episodes per season (well, for the first 2 seasons) to wrapping it up within 13 episodes does seem pretty bizarre, but it worked. After opening my mind up a little, I realised that every episode was vital to piecing everything together and that maybe it just feels quick because in reality, that's how it is. Everything before this season was building up for this. If anything, I'm glad it wasn't agonisingly slow. The art style honestly got better in this season. I don't know whether it's just me, but Kyo and Yuki look way more detailed than before, and everything just looks better and brighter. My enjoyment of it was at its peak in this season because I got to see what I wanted. I didn't sit through 50 episodes just to not see the romance I was waiting for. And the romance in this will always be top tier. It was top tier in S1 and S2 and it still is. I love the chemistry between the characters, I love the little details, the couples, the friendship between Tohru, Hanajima and Uotani. And despite the dark topics it explores, I think Fruits Basket has moved itself onto my 'comfort animes' list. It really felt like we were alongside the characters as they went about their journey, so the last episode hit hard. I was sad to see it end. Overall, I couldn't recommend a shoujo/romance anime more than Fruits Basket. Just like as I'm writing this review it's top of MAL, Fruits Basket has earned its place as my top romance/shoujo. The ending of an anime really does have an impact on your overall scoring and I'm so glad that FB pulled through and finished it all. With more than just romance, I'm surprised a story this complex and sensitive could be written this well. It is a masterpiece in this genre, without a doubt.

If any anime show deserves a 10/10, it's Fruits Basket Final. At the very least, it's the greatest shoujo anime show ever made. It caps high-stakes drama, and captures such a wide array of human emotion so perfectly. Fruits Basket starts out slow, with a massive ensemble cast that takes about a season to fully introduce, but after that, the show gets progressively more intricate and becomes a true masterpiece. Childish characters grow into truly profound individuals, in part thanks to a girl named Tohru Honda, who while subject to a running joke as a plain girl a "dummy," is the most pure and emotionally intelligent character of them all. This show balances comedy, seriousness, and heartmelting drama in a way like no other. Some shows, like Violet Evergarden, do one emotion well such as heartbreaking, but somehow, Fruits Basket does everything well. Anime fans and non-anime fans alike should give Fruits Basket a watch. You may not like romance in general, but I can promise you Fruits Basket isn't typical romance shoujo fare. It covers magical bonds/curses, the purity of the human heart, the selfishness of the human heart, child abuse, inner conflict, friendship, parental love, sibling love, domestic abuse/violence, and how the fear of the unknown can shackle you and prevent you from moving forward, and so much more. You leave the show reflecting on so many aspect of life, and yearning for more.

I'm surprised how people aren't disappointed like me of this anime and how many little haters this anime seems to have. I really did like the previous two seasons but I became so frustrated in the final episodes of this that I had to take a break from it. I did have high expectations, so maybe it's my bad. I'll boil down my disappointment to 3 reasons. (Some spoilers below and a Naruto spoiler.) 1.) Specifically, the episode, I'm disappointed in you, describes my feelings when watching it. Coincidences in anime annoy the hell out of me. They're a sign of bad writting, but I can admit it's usually me being nit picky. I can ignore a few but not this tremendous amount. Uotani just happens to fall in love with a zodiac member by first sight while working, Yuki happens to be the one that saved Tohru from getting lost, the hat she kept just happens to be Kyo's, Kyo just coincidentaly happens to make his only friend be Tohru's mom, Kyo just happens to be there (big spoiler) when she died and he just happens to hear the last part of her dying words that would break him the most. Those were the big ones, it felt like I was watching something on disney channel. Some of these I feel could have been avoided with some slight rewriting. 2.) The zodiac plot was kinda terrible..? Weren't Tohru and Rin really determined to find a way to break the curse? I thought they were really going to team up and find a clue on how to break it. Tohru seemed to be looking for a way, it was her deepest wish. I thought Kureno would hold the key with how curse broke for him. Instead, suddenly bam no more curse because coincidentally (again) they were born at a time where all the zodiac members were living and this would be the last curse cycle. What an anticlimatic resolution. I wanted Tohru to be the one that found a way to break it. Maybe her kindness helped the others see a new point a view or something. But instead it's lucky everyone was born at a time where it would break instead of them having to work hard to break it. If only life always worked out that way, huh. What was up with Shigure? I was speculating that his plan was to use Tohru to break the curse, which I thought would have been amazing since he would be an antagonist with good intentions. But instead he had a hunch that it would break and the only thing he really seemed preocupied all this time was being with Akito. (If anyone wants to clarify the plot, please feel free, since I must have missed some things, since it's hard to believe it was this bad...?) 3.) Akito is like the Obito in Naruto. Akito attempted to murder three people but Tohru talk no jutsus her. It's honestly hard to believe someone can change that much from a talk. She really doesn't have anymore angry bursts because Tohru wants to be her friend? It's frustrating to see her get her happily every after when she doesn't deserve it. Most of the characters just seem to forgive her and are on speaking terms with her. Props to Rin being the exception and for Akito realizing she can't show up to the gathering because what she's done has consequences. What was the message of this Akito plot? Everyone deserves forgiveness instead of earning it? How could Shigure want to be by her side immediately after Akito attempted to kill Tohru? I guess I should have listened when he said he was selfish. It's kind of sad we never see him develop from that. Also we got closure for a lot of characters but not Momiji, can we get a scene were he hugs his little sister. ;_; Would I recommend this anime, totally, actually, but I would warn that it feels like it was made by disney. I didn't go over the beautiful messages this anime brings. I cried in Yuki's confession to Tohru, their platonic relationship is one of the best I've ever seen. He describes Tohru so well in that scene, his look in his eyes shows the love he has for her hasn't gone away. Following Yuki's growth through the anime, the way he slowly attempts to change, seeing his efforts pay off, and in the process learning that the way he loves Tohru is maternaly, might have been the best part of the anime. The art and sound is beautiful. The couples were really cute such as Yuki and Machi, Tohru and Kyo, and Isuzu and Haru. Some moments are too sweet and it's inspiring seeing characters grow. It was a really wholesome show, too many awful flaws to be a masterpiece, but great none the less.