urbosa's review against another edition
3.0
i was expecting to LOVE this when i read the summary, but i was kinda let down :/ i don't really feel like getting into everything i didn't like about this (there was a lot, but most of them were small things), but to be fair, the main reason is that i read the dutch translation. dutch mangas always suck. not to mention this was full of mistakes, and it was translated from the french translation, so it went through FOUR translations and a lot of the conversations just didn't make any sense. not only was it full of mistakes, some paragraphs were entirely in french (i don't know what went wrong there, i think the translator literally just forgotto translate some parts). which is why i'm giving it 3 stars, even though i didn't really like it. the plot itself was okay, and i know it's not the authors fault some people don't know how to translate. i know for a fact that if i'd read it in english i would've enjoyed this more, the only reason i read it in dutch is because my local library only has dutch mangas and this was one of them. [WARNING: SPOILERS FROM HERE ON] other than that i mostly just had some issues with tohru, kagura's weird incestuous feelings for kyo (like, none of them even mentioned them being together would be unhealthy?) and the painful heteronormativity of the boys ('when we hug someone of the opposite gender we turn into animals so literally none of us can ever be in a relationship or have sex!!!!' come on, there are 13 of them, at least one of them has to be non-straight)
sirenalemany's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
malloytasticbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pickett22's review against another edition
5.0
I was introduced to the TV show in England by a friend of mine. Unfortunately, I had a bit of a breakdown and then moved across town (unrelated to the breakdown) so we never got to finish it (sorry, Jenny). But I told another friend of mine back home in Canada, and she knew the series and was really excited that I liked it. She also wanted my now-roommate to get into them. So when the first five books appeared at our house, I wasn't shocked (thank you, Kendra).
I love this story a lot.
I love that Somehow Tohru is not annoying, even though she has so much potential to be. I love her friends so much. I love the curse (that could be so cheesy, but is actually so wonderful). I love those boys, man. My favourite is when they come to get her at her grandpa's. They're such good boys. I love all the characters, they are all so cool, so funny, and so interesting.
I have such a soft spot for Kyo.
Re-read:
I can't even say how much I love this series. I needed one more quick read to finish my reading challenge for the year, so I grabbed this one. I'm so glad I did. I needed it today.
Re-read, 2021: This is still my all-time favourite manga. I'm re-reading them slowly to make the joy last. Oh god, they're going to get painful so soon.
I love this story a lot.
I love that Somehow Tohru is not annoying, even though she has so much potential to be. I love her friends so much. I love the curse (that could be so cheesy, but is actually so wonderful). I love those boys, man. My favourite is when they come to get her at her grandpa's. They're such good boys. I love all the characters, they are all so cool, so funny, and so interesting.
I have such a soft spot for Kyo.
Re-read:
I can't even say how much I love this series. I needed one more quick read to finish my reading challenge for the year, so I grabbed this one. I'm so glad I did. I needed it today.
Re-read, 2021: This is still my all-time favourite manga. I'm re-reading them slowly to make the joy last. Oh god, they're going to get painful so soon.
lusorrentino's review against another edition
5.0
I love torhu soo much <333.
I'm reading this after finishing the anime adaptation and I feel like in the manga Yuki has something (romantically speaking) with Kyo, that would explain a lot of things.
Also, I love reading the author's comments in the beginning of every chapter they seem so fun!
I'm reading this after finishing the anime adaptation and I feel like in the manga Yuki has something (romantically speaking) with Kyo, that would explain a lot of things.
Also, I love reading the author's comments in the beginning of every chapter they seem so fun!
broomsticksandmagick's review against another edition
5.0
OMG! This book was the first of all my manga I have now... This books have its humor and romance and sadness I would be honest I love this book even without going far a finishing the hole series it was to hard for me I have a weak heart I would tell you that. But where everything started which is this volume its a must see more like read. I had read this book for a long time I really dont know the date I started reading it. This is a must read!
book_whispers's review against another edition
5.0
Fruits Basket was one of my "firsts" for TV series anime and to this day is still one of my top 10 animes. In fact, it was so great that by the time I was done with it, I had to seek out the manga. Which for me is a big deal. I'm a picky reader, and with manga I'm extra picky. Sure I can watch anime that's basically recycled garbage ti'l the cows come home, but if I'm gonna read it the thing better be GOOD! So with that said this review is not a comparison of the anime vs. manga, nor will any other review following.
This is the one series that I can recommend to anyone, no matter if they like anime/manga and never hear a complaint from the recommended. Which says a lot about it. It also says a lot about Fruits Basket that it's the top selling Shojo in the US and second top selling in Japan. It's no wonder why! Within the first volume characters are introduced and immediate growth occurs. By that final page not only do you feel like you know the characters, but you care. You want them to succeed and find happiness.
Tohru Honda is the star of Fruits Basket, and we're following her adventures. After her mothers death she finds herself living in a tent in the woods. Clearly this could take a turn for the depressing, but Tohru isn't that kind of person. She always believes that her life is full and wonderful, and things could be worst. It's amazing really. Sure she has many qualities that make her like many heroines in manga. Ditzy, check. Kind of stupid, check. Endlessly smiling, check. Unlike most, her joy seems real. Happiness, is definitely a huge part of the story. Fruits Basket focuses on how people don't, or do, see themselves. In understanding others.
There are a lot of hijinks in this one. One of Tohru's friends has the ability to sense "waves" and even give someone black "waves." (Personally I think it's an aura thing.) The whole manga centers on Tohru living in a house with two boys and there "guardian." Soon she stumbles upon their terrible secret, when touched by a member of the opposite sex they transform into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This also incorporates a myth I had never heard of before involving the cat and the zodiac animals. Truly, it's tons of fun. FB feels like a beautiful comedy, but it's obvious that there's a darker side to the curse.
The art is fairly simple, but beautiful. Natsuki Takaya loves to draw girly girls, and her men tend to look skinny and elegant. A joke through out the whole series is how beautiful the men look. Sometimes it's hard to realize what actions or movements the characters are doing in manga, but Takaya really makes it seem effortless. Over all I'm pleased by the art, the style suits the feel of the manga perfectly.
Fruits Basket is a great coming of age story, or for readers looking to be inspired. The idea behind the name of the manga is a beautiful story in itself, and I always get a little nostalgic thinking about it. Tohru is a healer as she helps others and impacts their lives. It's wonderful to read any kind of book that by the end it's affected you somehow.
Sexual Content: Some homosexual jokes, and a few sexual teasing under tones. Pretty clean for the kiddies and adults.
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!
Originally reviwed at Book Whispers.
This is the one series that I can recommend to anyone, no matter if they like anime/manga and never hear a complaint from the recommended. Which says a lot about it. It also says a lot about Fruits Basket that it's the top selling Shojo in the US and second top selling in Japan. It's no wonder why! Within the first volume characters are introduced and immediate growth occurs. By that final page not only do you feel like you know the characters, but you care. You want them to succeed and find happiness.
Tohru Honda is the star of Fruits Basket, and we're following her adventures. After her mothers death she finds herself living in a tent in the woods. Clearly this could take a turn for the depressing, but Tohru isn't that kind of person. She always believes that her life is full and wonderful, and things could be worst. It's amazing really. Sure she has many qualities that make her like many heroines in manga. Ditzy, check. Kind of stupid, check. Endlessly smiling, check. Unlike most, her joy seems real. Happiness, is definitely a huge part of the story. Fruits Basket focuses on how people don't, or do, see themselves. In understanding others.
"But she said that kindness is something that grows inside of each person's body . . . but it's up to us to nurture that kindness in our hearts. That's why kindness is different for every person."
There are a lot of hijinks in this one. One of Tohru's friends has the ability to sense "waves" and even give someone black "waves." (Personally I think it's an aura thing.) The whole manga centers on Tohru living in a house with two boys and there "guardian." Soon she stumbles upon their terrible secret, when touched by a member of the opposite sex they transform into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This also incorporates a myth I had never heard of before involving the cat and the zodiac animals. Truly, it's tons of fun. FB feels like a beautiful comedy, but it's obvious that there's a darker side to the curse.
The art is fairly simple, but beautiful. Natsuki Takaya loves to draw girly girls, and her men tend to look skinny and elegant. A joke through out the whole series is how beautiful the men look. Sometimes it's hard to realize what actions or movements the characters are doing in manga, but Takaya really makes it seem effortless. Over all I'm pleased by the art, the style suits the feel of the manga perfectly.
Fruits Basket is a great coming of age story, or for readers looking to be inspired. The idea behind the name of the manga is a beautiful story in itself, and I always get a little nostalgic thinking about it. Tohru is a healer as she helps others and impacts their lives. It's wonderful to read any kind of book that by the end it's affected you somehow.
“Just be yourself . . . and do things at your own pace.”
Sexual Content: Some homosexual jokes, and a few sexual teasing under tones. Pretty clean for the kiddies and adults.
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!
Originally reviwed at Book Whispers.
bookworm_1c's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75