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A rice ball in a fruits basket
Natsuki Takaya hit manga gold with "Fruits Basket," a romantic/comic/fantasy story about one cursed family, and a girl who might be able to set them all free.And this boxed set combines the first four volumes of the series, which also introduces many of the important characters -- not to mention the romantic comedy/dark angsty note of it all. The first volume is a bit wobbly, but this quirky, warmhearted little series gets its footing soon.Orphaned Tohru Honda is living in a tent in the woods. But one day she bumps into the large house of school idol Yuki Sohma, and his older cousin Shigure -- and after a landslide buries her tent and most of her belongings, they take Tohru in as a housekeeper/cook. But when the volatile Kyo Sohma breaks in to fight with Yuki, Tohru slips and accidently hugs him -- and he transforms into a cat.Turns out that the Sohma family is cursed -- certain members turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac, including Yuki and Shigure (rat and dog, respectively). The mysterious family head Akito allows Tohru to stay at Shigure's house, and the volatile "cat" Kyo is also ordered to stay there.Over the next few months, Tohru gets to know other members of the zodiac -- the tragic doctor Hatori, the bubbly Momiji, the intense and punky Haru, and Yuki's flamboyant, flirtatious, socially clueless brother Ayame. And there's plenty of goofy antics as they try to deal with marathons, Valentine's day, hot springs visits and school fairs.But there is a darker side to the Sohma family -- Yuki's abuse, Kyo's outsider status, Momiji's lost family, and Hatori's lost lover. Akito and the curse keep them isolated from the outside world -- but slowly Tohru's sunny personality starts to change them."Fruits Basket" isn't a hard series to like -- it has a little something for everyone, especially manga fans who love beautiful young men (of which there are plenty -- silver-haired Ayame is a particular highlight). Evil curses, slapstick comedy, swift martial-arts battles, a bit of romantic tension, and a horde of fangirls who are obsessive about Yuki.After introducing the characters (and getting them into the same house), Takaya really jumps into the unfolding story of the zodiac. Her artwork starts off a bit awkwardly, but settles into an elegant, polished style by mid-book. And she has a knack for very, very funny dialogue (Shigure and Ayame's faux-gay banter is particularly hysterical). At the same time, it's hard not to bawl at Momiji's tragic story of maternal abandonment.Tohru must have been a difficult character to make likable. She's almost Pollyannaish in her optimism and cheerfulness. But Takaya makes her likable -- she doesn't instantly spread sunshine, and she's rather goofy and clueless. To top it off, she has two of the weirdest girls in school as her best buddies (and personal bodyguards).The other characters are almost -- if not more -- adorable, from the sweet-natured "prince" Yuki to the loopy Kagura, from the volatile Kyo to the slyly pervy Shigure. But she eventually shows hidden depths to them -- some are more sinister than they appear, and some are more pleasant than they act.The first four volumes of "Fruits Basket" are a delightfully romantic, comedic little series with some shadowy edges. A bit much for new readers, but a great find for those who already know and love it.
