REVIEWED: SEASON 1 (PART 1: EPISODES 1-13) / DIRECTOR: YOSHIHIDE IBATA / SCREENPLAY: TAKU KISHIMOTO / STARRING: MANAKA IWAMI, NOBUNAGA SHIMAZAKI, YUMA UCHIDA, YUICHI NAKAMURA, M.A.O. / WHERE TO WATCH: CRUNCHYROLL / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW (VOD), NOVEMBER 25TH (BLU-RAY)
After 18 years since the original series aired, the incredibly popular reverse harem anime Fruits Basket has received the remake treatment courtesy of TMS Entertainment (and a lot of fan demand!).
Based on the hugely successful manga that ran from 1998 to 2006, the story follows the loveable schoolgirl Tohru Honda who, after tragically losing her mother in an accident, currently resides in a tent whilst her grandfather’s house goes through renovation. One day, she discovers a house nearby that belongs to the Soma family – fellow student Yuki and his older cousin Shigure – and quickly befriends them. However, after Kyo Soma, another member of the family who dislikes Yuki attacks, Tohru unintentionally discovers the Soma’s secret – they all turn into animals of the Zodiac when they are hugged by the opposite sex! Unlike other people that the Soma’s have encountered, Tohru accepts their strange predicament and the relationships between them begin to blossom further.
From the outside, the cutesy anime may alienate a large portion of a male audience, however, the story, characters and world truly appeal to everyone. Tohru’s tragic backstory and especially heartwarming personality are both utterly captivating and Yuki’s newfound appreciation for friendship whereas he has spent the majority of his life alienated because of his curse resonates with literally anyone who watches this. The beauty of their friendship is elevated by the fact that they counterbalance each other along with some truly larger than life characters – from the adorable half-Japanese, half-German Momiji Soma to the love-stricken Kagura Soma – that means that every single episode is brimming with comedy, stunning character development and breathtaking visuals.
One of the main reasons for this remake was to update the visuals with all of the fantastic new tools available to anime studios but to also tell the entire Fruits Basket story exactly how to manga intended to do so now that the narrative has been written in its entirety. Every character and locations have been beautifully reimagined with this new technology including the ability to subtly add details to some of the scenes – for example, the Soma’s animal spirit ears showing during various interactions with hilarious results.
In Anime, one of the key components to bringing the world to life is the score – and we aren’t just talking about the OP and EP. The entire series is smothered with delicate undertones that gorgeously heightens what is transpiring on-screen and easily makes this one of the best animes ever created. Not to forget the OP and EP – both songs are pitch-perfect accompaniments for the nature of the show and, the OP especially will have you tearing up before anything has happened.
With stunning visuals, gorgeous music and wonderful in-depth characters and world, Fruits Basket is right near the top of any list for the best animes of all time.
Special Features:
DISC 1
- Episode 4 Commentary from the English Cast & Crew
- Episode 7 Commentary from the English Cast & Crew
DISC 2
- Fruits Basket Tell-All [14:37] – An interview with English VA’s Eric Vale and Justin Cook conducted by the ADR Director Caitlin Glass talking about the series
- Fruits Basket Inside the Episode (1, 4, 7, 10, 13) [27:19] – A behind the scenes compilation of interviews with the English cast and crew for the series
- Textless Opening Song [1:32]
- Textless Closing Song [1:44]
