I started reading Fruits Basket in 2005, originally, and waited for it to be finished on my country (2007). Then, from time to time, I re-read it, because that's just the effect of a manga that really sticks to your memory.
However, Fruits BasketI isn't a manga that needs much recommendation or reviews, since it's already so popular, but I can't help on wanting to add mine.
First of all, since I take a long time before I read it again, I’m older every time. Even so, my love for Furuba never changes a bit. I never think it's sillier or more childish, no matter how much I mature. On the contrary, it's actually a complex manga, but still readable for everyone. What I mean is, if you're a kid and wants to read it, you will have fun. If you're a teenager, you'll identify with at least some of the characters. If you're an adult, you'll see the brilliant lessons throughout the manga! It's amazing.
What makes this so special are the side-stories and characters' pasts/problems. Fruits Basket feels real. No matter how many years pass, you will never forget about Hatori's emotional love story, Akito's loneliness or Kisa's shyness. You just can't.
Takaya Natsuki-sensei is a genius. She managed to connected the zodiac tale itself to the characters' real lives (as exemplified in Yuki/Kyo or Yuki/Hatsuharu's relationship, for instance). But what really makes this remarkable is that you can relate to it, no matter how unrealistic you think manga is. It's got all sorts of personalities for you to like, hate or just not care for, and also all kinds of ages and good-looks (yeah, because everyone - and I mean, EVERYONE - is hot/cute).
Nothing’s perfect, of course, and, as a lot of people previously mentioned, I’m also not very fond of Tohru. It doesn't bother me to the point I can't stand it (especially since I love Tohru/Kyo ♥), but she is indeed too kind to the point it's annoying and rather unrealistic. I think the magic around Tohru is that everybody looks up to her. Not only the characters, but the readers as well. We want to have her pure heart, her qualities and be so happy about life as she is. I think her character is a lesson to be learned, and that's what makes her special. BUT I don't think the Sohma family's problems are solved because of Tohru. She is more like a tool, what gets it started and, though she did help the family a lot on her own, there are parts where she only contributed indirectly.
Also, I don't know about you guys, but I'm a sucker for angst. And I cry every time I read it. No matter how many times. And it’s not like, some tears, but the WHOLE manga crying!
It's a beautiful, heart wrenching and deep title...and I will have to comment on some things especially (so I'm sorry if I end up writing too much).
My favorite characters, firstly:
Kyo - Yeah, I'm totally Team Kyo here, which makes me get bored by Yuki. Yuki is just too depressive, and there are characters with problems far worse than his, but he still can't seem to get interesting or even positive. Oh, also because of that, the triangle REALLY annoyed me at parts. I was "jealous" of the couple I supported (Kyo/Tohru), you know? As for Kyo himself, he is...one of the keys to this story. He is what makes Tohru go on, at times, even if she doesn't realize it herself. But his own troubled mind and bad boyish aura get me hooked on him every time I read it. I can't help but cry whenever he's slightly sad. Kyon-kitty is just so complex and amazing!
Ayame - Aya, Aya...ahh...! If I could start a "Prince Club", like Yuki's, it'd be Aya-chan's! I can't even begin. Not only he's to die for, and as charming and sexy as they come, he makes me crack up. But it's not like he's superficial and adds only to the most shoujo parts - he's also kind and gentle, even though he always seems like a pervert. His feelings towards Yuki are really a sight for the eyes. It puts your whole mind to work on the "regret" part of your life.
Hatsuharu - it's pretty obvious that he is one of the most complex characters because of the black/white thing. But to me he comes off more as a very cool and composed guy, very caring even when he's "Black Haru". He intrigues me.
Also, I especially like some relationships, such as:
Shigure/ Hatori/ Aya - their nicknames with each other are too cute, for starters! And they are so...I don't know...so yaoish! o>w>o For a BL lover like me, it's unavoidable that I'd fall for them! But that's not only it. Coming to the deepest part of it, their friendship is really nice to see.
Haru/Yuki - Ok, THAT is totally for the BL part. I declare myself guilty on that =X
I’d actually like it a lot more if Haru ended up with Yuki (though I like Rin and Machi a lot), hohoho
Overall, Fruits Basket changed my life, from values, to what I think about people and how to act. It makes you realize a lot of things about yourself or your life. Makes you want to be a better person. How can fiction do that to you? That’s Furuba’s power.
When Fruits Basket ends, it gives you a feeling of having belonged to the Sohma family or having watched it from a close distance, like Tohru herself. You will cry, feel sad, no matter how much you try to fight it. After all, you have grown with them. You have gone through their lives, overcame their fears, shared their happiness - and your own of all that. Not only you see them getting stronger and turning into adults, but the artwork follows it closely. You will cry when it ends just because it is over. But really, give it some time and read it again. The characters are so multidimensional that you will think they are parts of your life, every time you remember Fruits Basket.
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