Fruits Basket, Vol. 6 (Fruits Basket #6)

Fruits Basket is quite a complex story with well-developed characters, whose relationshi

Fruits Basket is quite a complex story with well-developed characters, whose relationships run the gamut from outright hatred to deep friendship and love (often under the same roof). Tohru Honda is a high school girl (of course) whose spunky and very loving mother has recently passed away, leaving her an orphan. Still, she bravely continues to go to school, trying to live a normal, happy life, all while hiding the fact that she is living in a tent in the woods. Through a series of circumstances that I can't quite clearly recall at the moment (I think they involve a windstorm), she meets two cousins whose family owns the property she's been using. The younger one, Yuki Sohma, happens to be a very good looking boy in her high-school class whom she has always admired. The older one, Shigure Sohma, writes novels and has a penchant for cute high-school girls (though Yuki quickly puts him in his place as far as Tohru is concerned). After the cousins realize that she has no place to stay, they invite her to live with them in exchange for her keeping house.

The real story begins, however, when Tohru accidentally discovers that Yuki, Shigure, and the rest of their family members are all possessed by the animal spirits of the Chinese Zodiac. When hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they change into animal form--Yuki to the Rat and Shigure to the Dog. Their cousin Kyo, not a true member of the Zodiac, turns into the Cat, who was tricked by the Rat into sleeping through the feast that the animals were invited to. Needless to say, Kyo and Yuki aren't on very good terms. When they all end up living in the house together, tension and hilarity ensue.

What I most appreciate about this series so far are the relationships between Tohru and the Sohmu clan members. Though naive and a bit unassertive, Tohru possesses a cheerful and honest kindness that gradually draws out the best in those around her. Many members of the Sohmu family have difficult and painful pasts that have led them to become self-loathing and sometimes anti-social. Being cursed as they are, their lives and their relationships are not truly their own. But Tohru's presence and advice gives them a different perspective about their pain and inspires them to change for the better. This leads to some quite lovely romantic and touching moments between the characters, especially as they make an effort to understand and love each other better.

I especially liked this volume in the Fruits Basket series because it deals with inner healing, and discovering love and acceptance that you didn't believe existed. (I have to say I loved pages 33-36 the most). I look forward to coming volumes and seeing how the story unfolds....