Characters were unrealistic. Where in the world would you find such 15/16 yo who understand and express themselves clearly? Tohru can be summarized in one word: Perfect. She's so blessedly perfect her flaws are also made into pitiable things that make her 'endearing'. You can just skip over every interaction she has with the 12 zodiacs. They can be summarized in one sentence: Tohru charms them over to her side. Also, the villain is impossible to sympathize with. Childhood trauma does not justify the things they did, and the author certainly did well chucking everything up to that last minute, after making us hate them intensely. Major plot twist? DUN DUN DUN. I don't care about it at that point. Just end it already.
In the end, the only salvageable beings are Yuki, whose diligence justifies his self-awareness, and Tohru's electromagnetic waves friend. However, even them are trampled over in the author's chase for 'Everyone finds their significant other. Let's give them all a happy ending!' which resulted in frankly creepy relationships.
The rooster pressed chest to chest with Tohru to apologize for not meeting up with his crush (ie. her best friend)? How romantic! An interning teacher 20+ yo touching the hair of a 14 yo student and kissing her on the forehead upon first meeting? It must be love at first sight! A woman having sex freely with one of her companions and then getting together with her crush thereafter without having a proper adult conversation about this?
Urgh.
The question to ask is: What did Fruits Basket do correct in its treatment of its characters? Why bulldoze everyone's character in order to tailor to the taste of the audience (who are evidently middle school girls swooning at every kiss and hug even though it'd only be sexual harassment in reality)? Where did Fruits Basket go wrong with such potential at the beginning?
In the end, all I can say is this:
This was unmistakably the biggest waste of my time, and the most uncomfortable manga I have ever picked up. Go read a novel on human nature instead. It might be more fruitful for you.
