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Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fruits Basket is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. It follows Tohru Honda and the Sohma family, whose members are cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac under certain conditions. The series was adapted into two anime television versions, first in 2001 and later in a full reboot from 2019 to 2021.

Premise

Fruits Basket follows Tohru Honda, a high school student who becomes involved with the Sohma family. The family’s curse causes certain members to transform into zodiac animals under specific conditions.

Manga

The original manga was written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya and serialized from 1998 to 2006 in Hakusensha publications. It became one of the best-known shōjo manga series of its era.

Anime adaptations

The manga was first adapted into a 26-episode anime series by Studio Deen in 2001. A new adaptation by TMS Entertainment aired from 2019 to 2021 and covered the full story.

Reception and legacy

Fruits Basket is widely recognized as an influential shōjo series and has remained popular through its manga and anime adaptations. It is commonly abbreviated as Furuba or Fruba.

Key facts

  • The manga was written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya.
  • The story centers on Tohru Honda and the Sohma family.
  • The Sohmas are affected by a curse linked to the Chinese zodiac.
  • The first anime adaptation aired in 2001 and ran for 26 episodes.
  • A second anime adaptation premiered in 2019 and concluded in 2021.
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Canadian context

The 2019 anime reboot was distributed internationally through major English-language streaming and licensing channels, making it widely available to Canadian viewers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Fruits Basket?
Fruits Basket is a Japanese shōjo manga series by Natsuki Takaya that follows Tohru Honda and the cursed Sohma family.
Who created Fruits Basket?
It was written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya.
What is the curse in Fruits Basket?
Certain members of the Sohma family transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are embraced by someone of the opposite sex or under similar triggering conditions.
How many anime adaptations does Fruits Basket have?
It has two anime television adaptations: a 2001 series and a 2019–2021 reboot.
How many episodes did the 2001 anime have?
The 2001 anime ran for 26 episodes.
Is Fruits Basket a manga or anime?
It is originally a manga series, but it is also known for its anime adaptations.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruits_Basket
    Supports: Author, premise, manga dates, and anime adaptation details.
  2. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=21588
    Supports: 2019 anime synopsis and genre details.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9304350/
    Supports: 2019–2021 TV series identification.
  4. MyAnimeList — https://myanimelist.net/anime/120/Fruits_Basket
    Supports: 2001 anime episode count and broadcast information.
  5. Fruits Basket Wiki - Fandom — https://fruitsbasket.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page
    Supports: Series scope and related franchise context.