Some of you might have heard of anime. It is Japanese Animation that is often funny. Popular animes consist of Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, CardCaptors, Beyblade (to a certain extent), and a few others, but this genre has many hidden gems that never make it to the big screen (Naruto and Bleach, for example). And it's very sad when many of these popular animes aren't that great at all. Some of you might've enjoyed these previously mentioned shows. But I think they shine a pretty dark light on anime in general. They aren't bad (I watched Pokemon and Digimon for awhile), but they're overly commercial (Come on, having people turn into Digimon isn't a method to sell more Digimon cards? And they added 150 or so more Pokemon just to have more toys to sell. Oh, and do I need to mention how Beyblades and Yu-Gi-Oh cards are advertised?). The true anime/manga is simple, yet elegant. Some of it is romantic. Some of it is action-packed. All of it isn't commercial. In fact, many of these animes aren't licensed and you can pick them up using software like Kazaa and Limewire for free. (Of course, Fruits Basket is now licensed)

Unfortunately, Fruits Basket never became known to the world. Partly, like most smaller animes, because it only has 26 episodes, barely any time to get into the mood of the anime and to enjoy it. Partly because it never made the big screen, and to many who won't be able to see this anime ever, 75 US dollars or so is a big price for a set of DVDs which they have never heard of, which they have no clue about how good it is. The manga (Japanese comic strip, many animes are made from them) for Fruits Basket is cheaper, although harder to go through, but it also fills many of the holes that this short anime excludes because it is much longer. I personally don't like reading manga, though, so I'll stick to the anime.

Before I continue, let me tell you I'm the guy that likes action. I don't like extreme gore, but movies/shows that keep me on my toes are usually my favorites. There are exceptions, most especially sitcoms. Even in anime, I look for shows that have plenty of fighting in them. This one did not look to impress me, even with the dazzling cover and the amazing review I got from my cousin about how special this one was.

But I was wrong. The first time I saw Fruits Basket, I saw a romantic drama that pushed me to the edge of tears. The story, even without much action, is spectacular. I proceeded to view the whole anime, and I cried through much of it, from great acts of kindness to sad cries of hardship. This emotional tv show contains lots of humor but also has many touching parts. The mood swings throughout the show still impress me.

This anime also helped me understand movies beyond action. I was able to see a girl with a beautiful heart and endless courage and love. I watched changes from emotionless, loveless, hidden sadness, and saw it change to happiness and love.

Honda Tohru, a young high school girl, has lived by herself in a tent ever since her mother had died. Content in secrecy in a forest, she does not inform anyone of what she has done. However, one day, she discovers a house in the middle of the forest. As she gapes in awe of it, one of the members of the household opens the door. She is awed and apoligizes. Nevertheless, one of her school classmates, the most popular and very handsome Yuki Sohma, happens to live there, although Tohru and Yuki had never really known each other. Soon after, Yuki and Shigure Sohma, the funny and very immature novelist, discover that Honda has been living in a tent, and they let her stay with them. Pleased, Honda comes, but through interesting means, she soon discovers that both of them are members of the Juunishi, or the Chinese Zodiac animals. When hugged by the opposite sex or become very weak, these people automatically turn back into their Zodiac form. Nevertheless, Honda is allowed to stay with them as long as she keeps the secret private. Soon after, Kyo Sohma, a hot-headed rival of Yuki's, joins the household, and a lot of fighting arises between the two of them, with Tohru often ending up as a mediator.

Still, Honda Tohru carries a picture of her mother to look back on. She often recalls quotes from her mother, words of wisdom that often carry an important message to the listener. She is a very positive person that rarely looks at the dark side, something that many more people should try. She never gives up on people even when they're unloved and uncared for. She tries her hardest in school, yet is willing to sacrifice class to help a friend. One of my favorite moments of the whole anime was when one of the Chinese Zodiac members (in human form) asks her, "When the snow melts, what does it become?" While we're at it, what do you think the answer is? Many would say, "What kind of dumb question is this? Of course it becomes water." But Tohru's answer? "Why, it becomes spring!" Hah! That got you there. That's just one example of the positive attitude Honda has, though.

As Honda Tohru, a very naive but caring and upbeat person who is always carrying a smile, continues along, she meets new people from the large Souma family, and develops a friendship relationship with Yuki. She manages to change their house and fix it up, both physically and emotionally. She bonds everyone together.

But, as she continues living in this house, she learns more and more, and maybe... she learns too much about the Soumas...

The graphics are strong, very similar to the ones you see in Pokemon. The moochee faces of embarassment are also quite funny, and the arrow pointing to mock Shigure at times can give a good laugh. The dubbing actually isn't bad. Especially when you consider that most of the unpopular anime series are dubbed very poorly. I guess this is a good one, even though it had to be done to be sold in North America.

The story, which takes place in Japan, can seem very awkward to anyone from North America. But, seeing as I am Asian, although I never had the sharp mind to always try my best in studies (well, look. I'm watching this instead of exams) and in my work, my parents and my sister did. And, seeing how this was made for the Japanese people first, it would make total sense for them that kids would be studying their heads off to get top marks, and would be depressed with a C.

The meshing of the characters is interesting as well. Mix the hard worker into a family of somewhat lazy people, and you know who has to do the laundry and cooking. Tohru's personality definitely stands out in this one, while Yuki's elegance captures the hearts of the characters in the story. Add in a fan club that can't get enough of Yuki, and Yuki's archrival, Kyo, with a few other family members that love Yuki and you have a wild, although not action-filled, storyline.

Fruits Basket has caused me to not study for my exams. Daring you to watch the next one, most of the middle episodes can be watched by themselves and be understandable (as long as you have seen the first few episodes), such as the Yuki Fan Club episode and the Hot Springs episode. But each one is so uncanny, funny, and exciting that it makes the next episode a must-see. Not to mention, these middle episodes enforce something that happens nearer to the end, so it would be wise not to miss them if you chose to buy separate episodes instead.

One thing is that there is a bit of stuff that might not be appropriate for young kids, including the Zodiac Animals returning to humans naked (though the privates aren't seen in the smoke that occurs in the transformation). There are also a couple of slightly perverted people. Nevertheless, I'm sure most people should be able to handle this. Nothing major compared to what you see in many other animes.

I don't know if I'm the only guy that watches this. As far as I know, it's mostly girls that would like a non-action anime such as this one. But I don't care. Fruits Basket is freaking good. I don't care who watches it. The fact that it is good is enough to make me watch this one over and over again.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older