Sound: 8/10. I wish the ost's and openings got more views on Youtube but unfortunately not. I still listen to them when studying all the time especially momiji's violin looped for 1 hour xd.
And now I will rebute some common arguments against fruits basket.
1.
This is just wrong because you're assuming the plot points are separated and discontinued after their conclusion. Every time the story focuses on a new character something deep is revealed about the strength of their connection to Akito and their so called bond or curse or in laymen's terms, the plot. For example the story shapes the strength of the bond of Shigure, Hatori, Kureno, Ayame, Momiji, Yuki, Kyo, Haru and Isuzu, Kisa and Hori towards Akito, depicting how Akito's personality, actions and role in the Zodiacs effects various people. Each character reveals insight with their degree of love or hatred for Akito (which we learn through plot points), to how this curse could be resolved, or whether it should be resolved at all.
Because that is the beauty of Fruits Basket. The curse is not perhaps some great magical construct that transcends our reality, but in fact a consequence of individuals, that refuse to empathize with others! And hence, we have reached the most important character, Tohru Honda. A somewhat obscure, average and clumsy high school girl but a representation of one in society who conducts extraordinary kindness, patience and comfort. She is a reflection of the author's desire to imbue society with more kindness, more empathy, more truth, more everything, because maybe... just maybe, in the past the world had been cruel to the author herself. Maybe she did not want her pains to happen to anyone else so she hopes to make the world a kinder place hoping that more people will be inspired by Tohru's unconditional selflessness and kindness so that more people can live happier lives and less are hurt. And that is why I get annoyed when people nitpick, or say hateful comments to Fruits Basket because it shows that they never tried to understand the message the show is trying to convey. To live looking out for all those around you, and to live with kindness.
But hey, maybe not everyone is in the boat with me with the live selflessly crap. I was deeply touched by the story of the little girl who because of her kindness, was swindled out of all her possessions, even her body parts later by the demons in the woods who deceived her, claiming that without it they will die; with the last demon who got her eyes decided to leave her a gift. It was a note that said stupid on the back. And the girl for the first time started crying, and said thank you, again and again, because it was the first time anyone had given her back anything in return.
I sometimes think about what I might think while I'm dying on my deathbed. And maybe its just me being weird. But I think the true value of life how many acts of kindness you have given others, or how many people are willing to be waiting by you on your deathbed. Because in the end, we all will inevitably turn to dust, so I hope I can contribute as much as I can before I become dust.
I think Steve Job's last words put it nicely. A man the embodiment of the pinnacle of wealth and success, on his deathbed, with his last words being "Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow" as he tried to look one last time at those who were with him to the very end. Maybe he found out what was truly meaningful in those last moments.
Anyways I have gone way off topic. Thanks for reading and Fruits basket is a 10/10 for this reason although it must be noted that it is not the first anime or any media to make me feel like this. Naruto was probably the true first one which is why Naruto is truly special to me but, Fruits Basket was the only anime since then to really allow me to dive deep into this mindset again.
Also there are some misunderstandings about potential pedophilia in the show, and I had to edit my review to add this. First of all Shiruge did not have sexual feelings towards Akito at a young age. He only gave the rose because Akito was god and Akito and the Zodiacs have some sort of ethereal connection. This is not a contradiction to my earlier comment on how curses were not magical because I said perhaps*** meaning that the magical aspect is not the most important although it still carries some weight. It resembles the innocent connection everyone born or as a young kid has with each other, because when you're young, you only know how to love. Anyways it was Akito who later fell in love with Shigure. Furthermore, Fruits basket is a medium. So are holocaust movies for example. Just because it happens, does not mean the action is condoned. I'm pretty sure Shigure and Akito only got into a proper relationship after Akito was over the necessary age of course, and even so, the author certainly does not celebrate the relationship as she portrays both characters as dark and ominous. Anyways had to add this.
