Fruits Basket Manga

Fruits Basket manga, known as Faruba in Japan, comes from the name of a popular game played in Japanese elementary schools similar to a combination of the games Musical Chairs and Duck Duck Goose. In the manga it's used as a metaphor for the integration within a social group. As a child, the main character Tohru Honda played the game in school, and to exclude her, the name "onigirii" (rice ball) was given instead of a fruit. Not realizing the significance because she liked rice balls, Tohru found herself sitting while the other classmates' “fruits” actively played the Fruits Basket manga game. This instance is later mentioned to show how well Tohru fits in with the Sohmas wherein she gets to play the game which is a welcoming experience for her this time.

At it's core, Fruits Basket manga can be considered a modern day Pollyanna story. It is the story of Tohru Honda, a perpetually cheerful high schooler, who tends to put the needs of others before her own. Her positive outlook on life enchants those around her. After Tohru's mother dies, she's left an orphan but goes to live with her paternal grandfather and his daughter's family. While the house is being remodeled to accommodate everyone, Tohru and her grandfather must stay elsewhere.

Not wanting to inconvenience anyone, Tohru takes a tent to live on her own in the forest. Much to her surprise and theirs, her classmate Yuki Sohma and his cousin Shigure happen upon her on the way to school. The forest, as it turns out, is Sohma land. Upon learning of her predicament and concern for her safety they insist she stay with them. Tohru agrees but only if she can earn her keep by cleaning and cooking for them.
 

Tohru quickly endears herself to Yuki and Shigure, and eventually most of the Sohma family. However, Tohru is actually a danger to Yuki and Shigure. The Sohma family is cursed based on the Chinese Zodiac. The Fruits Basket manga is inspired by a Chinese folktale which results in there being thirteen members cursed. Whenever a non-cursed member of the opposite gender embraces a cursed member, they transform into their zodiac animal which can be very problematic, especially in a coed-high school.
  

Due to a series of comical accidents when Yuki and Shigure's cousin Kyo unexpectedly shows up, Tohru discovers the Sohma family secret as the Fruits Basket manga continues. This is a big issue ... no one outside the Sohma family members knows of the curse. The Fruits Basket manga series follows Tohru as her life and those of the Sohmas are drastically altered as she tries to find a way to break the curse.
 

Tohru is a good role model. She is loyal, has a strong work ethic and despite all her hardships tries to see the good in everything inspiring those around her. The Fruits Basket manga and anime humor is witty with some innuendos, as well as some serious issues such as abuse; however, the series, manga or anime version, is mostly light hearted and enjoyable for most ages and both genders. We like it that way in Buzzing Kids World.