Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 20: Spam your favorite pictures ofFruits Basket!

If you insist . . . be warned, there will be lots of Kyouru.

I did warn you . . .

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 19: Are you wishing for a second season?

Of course! I signed the petition long ago, but I still haven't heard anything about a second season. Fruits Basket is such an amazing story, and the anime left much in the dust. We never saw every character in the zodiac, and we haven't watched them grow as much as they did in the manga. There is still so much left to tell in Fruits Basket's story, that I hope it does what Full Metal Alchemist accomplished, an anime that is exactly like the manga. Although the first season is amazing, there are so many parts in the manga that I want to see. The second vacation to the summer home has many important events, and I would love to see the Kyo and Tohru hug on the silver screen! The story is incomplete in the anime as it stands, but I'm sure that with enough support and funding, it would be possible to make a second season of Fruits Basket or even create another anime that is devoted to the manga like Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood.

I would love a second season of Fruits Basket, but until then, I enjoy reading the manga once I reach a certain point in the anime, and continuing the story as it was originally told. With animes like Clannad, Kodocha and Kobato, I'm sure a Fruits Basket season two would be possible, and as much loved, if not even more so, as the original anime.

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 16: Post a picture of your favorite Fruits Basket character

There is no way I could choose between Kyo and Tohru. Both of their stories are amazing, and their story together is even more so. Tohru is so strong, from her personality to her role in the Sohma family. She is the hero of the story, but because she doesn't acknowledge this, or take advantage of it, many people look down on her and call her a weak character. I believe the opposite because Tohru has a way with people. She understands them, and yet she has her own faults that she has to overcome, but she doesn't let anything distract her from breaking the Sohma curse, and she accepts darkness by creating her own light. She builds a family of her own by showing the Sohmas the kindness and love that she has always wanted since her childhood.  I would argue that Tohru is the strongest character of the series, with Kyo as a close second. 

Kyo is practically bullied by all his relatives, except Shishou, his father figure, and Tohru of course. He lived in darkness under the shadow of the curse, his mother's death and Yuki's superiority in the Sohma family. Of all the Sohmas, Kyo has the most difficult life due to the curse, and it shows. Everyone in the zodiac literally calls him the cat, with Yuki calling him stupid cat and Shigure constantly calling him a moron. Because Yuki, the rat doesn't like the cat, most of the zodiac follow him and avoid Kyo unless they are picking on him. Kyo's ultimate challenge is his true form, which has never been accepted by the Sohmas, and even Shishou admits that he took Kyo in from pity. Kyo has a lot of obstacles to face, and without Tohru, he would never be able to face them. Once Kyo is accepted as he is, he changes. He opens up to people more, allows himself to make friends at school and he doesn't look down on himself as much as he did in his childhood. 

Both Tohru and Kyo are lovable characters who rise above the most difficult circumstances in life and create a future of their own. Kyo gets past the stereotype of monster while Tohru gets past the stereotype of angel. They learn who they really are and overcome all the obstacles in their way. That is why both of them are my favorite characters. 

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 15: Favorite song from Fruits Basket

Serenade

This song is peaceful and it sums up the entire theme of Fruits Basket. 

The Japanese version is nice, but I love the English version. The Lyrics seem to be Tohru's message to the Sohmas, but especially Kyo Sohma :)

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 14: Post all the merchandise you own

This will be fun:

Kyo Sohma bean bag cat

Fruits Basket tote bag

Tohru Honda Hot Topic Tshirt

Kyo Sohma Hot Topic Tshirt

Halloween Kyo Sohma Plushie

Fruits Basket Card set

Year of the Cat Tshirt

Fruits Basket Art Book

Kyouru earrings

DVD set

Fanbook- Cat (English)

Fanbook- Cat (Japanese)

Banquet Book

Sticker Collection

Tanktop

All the mangas

Yeah. I have a lot of Fruits Basket stuff :)

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 13: Did you like the ending of the manga?

I loved how the manga ended! I will admit that I thought the ending wasn't going to be as joyful, and more of a bittersweet send off, but I was surprised that ever single Sohma found a way to live life, and say goodbye to the curse. I also loved how Fruits Basket began with Tohru telling the story, and it ended with Kyou telling the story. I loved the ending quotes "Pile on the years." And how Ko watches Tohru quietly pick up the bracelet, and save it along with the pictures that increase over time of their life together. Their grandchild was so cute, asking where they were by name, and her mother scolding her to call her grandparents by grandma and grandpa. I love that Kyo and Tohru are "always together," and as they move on, the entire Sohma family will miss Tohru. Kyo tells Tohru, "This is the time. We're all going to new environments so we can live our lives. And suddenly we're all thinking about you. Are you doing well? You're not crying are you? Are you still smiling? Are you truly happy on this day? We're all thinking it. All of us. And we'll keep thinking it. Everybody loves you. Thank you."

Tohru, accepting all the Sohmas and especially Kyo is now one of the most important people in the Sohmas' lives. They will never forget her, and they will miss her, but they will always be grateful that she helped them rise above the darkness, and discover all that life has to offer. 

This scene was the most powerful goodbye I have ever experienced, and the fact that Kyo is explaining the Sohmas' love for Tohru shows that everyone is connected by a better bond than the zodiac curse. They are all connected through their love of Tohru, and they have become like family to her. 

Kyou's thoughts throughout this last chapter show how much he has learned, and how powerful one person's love can be. Tohru herself has finally found a place where she belongs, by Kyou's side and with the Sohma family visiting every now and then.  Both Kyou and Tohru are ready to start a new chapter of their lives, and put the past behind them. 

Another powerful, heartwarming part of the last manga was Kyoko's actual thoughts as she was dying. Kyou thought that she was saying "I'll never forgive you," but she recognized him, and her real thoughts were, "Somehow, take my place and protect Tohru. If you don't pay your tab, I'll never forgive you." 

Once all the past was revealed, including the actual story of the zodiac, and why it was cursed in the first place, there is a satisfying conclusion to Fruits Basket. Instead of having the rug ripped from under your feet, you are waving, smiling and laughing with the Sohmas, wishing them a happy life free from the demands of the curse. It reminds me of your graduation where you know that these people will always be with you in your memories, and some will even stay in touch, but you are all going your separate ways towards your dreams. It's a powerful feeling, and the fact that Fruits Basket could convey that, is proof at how amazing the story is. You've spent so much time with these characters, and you've learned about life through their own struggles and mistakes, but now they are smiling, and you know it's time to move on, but you will never forget them, and how they impacted your life. 

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 12: Did you finish reading the manga?

Of course I did! I had to find out what happened! Like I said before, Fruits Basket is and will always be my favorite manga. The many stories of people who rise above their despair and go out in the world, ready for their real life to begin. This story is about acceptance of yourself and acceptance of others, it's a powerful tale with many lessons about life: What we doubt, what we believe and who we think we are. 

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 11: Favorite OTP

Kyouru (Picture colored by -Sangosworld on deviantart)

This one should be obvious, especially since I love Beauty and the Beast. Kyo and Tohru's relationship is one of the most heartwarming and beautiful love stories I have ever read. Of all the OTPs I love and support, this one is the top on my list, and I doubt any OTP could replace it. Kyo and Tohru accept eachother as they are, and they don't pretend to be something they aren't. Their story goes deeper than boy meets girl, because both grow at a slow and steady pace to learn who they want to be, and they support eachother through the many ups and downs throughout the series. For Kyo, Tohru is the first girl he allows himself to be close to, and he falls in love with her. Tohru has loved the cat from the zodiac story since she was a little girl, and when she finally meets Kyo, she is determined to be someone close to him, and she doesn't look down on him the way everyone in the zodiac does. She falls in love with him without even realizing it, and only when she discovers the cat's cruel fate in the zodiac, does she understand that out of all the zodiac, Kyo is the person she loves the most.   These two are perfect in their imperfection. 

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 10: Favorite scene in the anime

 

This scene is still my favorite from the anime. It says many different things. After Tohru sees Kyo's true form, she runs after him and explains that she is truly scared, but she still wants them to be together. She knows that if she doesn't reach out to him, he will never come back. Kyo, shocked and touched by Tohru's response does something he can't really do, but he tries to anyway. He tries to hug her, and when he does he turns back into a cat and asks, "How could you say the words I really wanted to hear?" For Kyo. Tohru is the first person in his life to accept all he is. His mother never wanted to look at him, and always made sure that the beads around his wrist bound him to human form. His father rejected him, and was convinced that Kyo's mother's misery is all Kyo's fault. This entire episode arc was extremely powerful because Kyo's guardian Shishou, the only person Kyo allows himself to trust, takes a risk and reveals Kyo's true form to Tohru, believing that she will be the one to heal him. Hurt, Kyo runs, believing that his life with Tohru is over, and he is haunted by his memories of rejection from his family. This picture shows how much Kyo has changed. He is allowing himself to believe that he can live a worthy life, and that someone actually loves him for who he is. Tohru's expression shows how much she cares for Kyo, and that she fully accepts all he is. Kyo is not a monster to Tohru, and she understands his loneliness and awkwardness. This is my favorite picture because the story it tells is, to me, love's purest form. 

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 8: Favorite quote?

"Just as no matter how hard you try to keep it away, despair will attack you again and again. In the same manner, hope will return to you. And again, and again it will surely bloom" -Shishou Fruits Basket

This quote is from Kyo's darkest days. Detested and isolated his whole life by his family, Kyo is taken in by Shishou and even as he grows to trust him, Kyo has a very negative view of the world and himself. Shishou's words are rebelled at the time, when Kyo steps on a flower and says he only exhists to destroy everything, but as Kyo grows to love and appreciate Tohru, he learns the meaning of Shishou's words. Tohru accepted Kyo, and she never gave up on him even when she learned of his dark past and dim future. As Kyo discovers, if he doesn't give up in life, and learns to become someone he wants to be, he can rise above his past and look toward his future.

When I first read this quote, I had a similar attitude that Kyo had. But once I understood the words Kyo reflected on, I was encouraged to find the hope I was looking for, and continue to fight despair with it.

Of all the amazing quotes in Fruits Basket, this is the one that I remember the most, and whenever I develop a negative attitude, I remember it and move on.

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 7: Have you ever had a fruits Basketwallpaper before?

Of course I have! This is my favorite wallpaper and I take a break from it every now and then, but I always manage to reuse it.
Another favorite fruits basket wallpaper I've used is the official wallpaper with the gang in the rain with umbrellas:

I've gone through several Fruits Basket wallpapers, mostly of the trio and Kyo, but I did find a cute Kisa and Hiro one:

And I used this one for awhile, because it's gorgeous, but it was too bright:

I believe the majority of my wallpapers on my computer and phone have been Fruits Basket, Final Fantasy X and Avatar the Last Airbender

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 5: Favorite scene

After Tohru watches Kyo get angry and refuse a girl's confession to having a crush on him, she discovers that she is afraid he will push her away like that one day. As she thinks this, Kyo is walking in front of her, and she reaches out, not knowing what his reaction will be. His response is a heart warming smile as he grabs her outreached hand. 

This scene really showed how Kyo has grown, and how much he cares for Tohru. It also shows Tohru's true fear, of being left behind, and she allows herself to just be, especially around Kyo. 

What Tohru doesn't realize in this scene, but everyone else notices, is that she is the exception, not the rule.

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 4: Is Fruits Basket one of your top 5 favorite anime/manga?

Fruits Basket is THE top in my favorite anime/ manga. It surpasses them all, from Tsubasa  Chronicles to Full Metal Alchemist because of its psychological depth and it's three dimensional characters. I'm not saying that Tsubasa Chronicles or Full Metal Alchemist are not deep. They are, extremely. But Fruits Basket was the first manga I experienced in a long time where I could understand and relate to all the characters.  It's a soft spot for me, but it's also more than that. Tsubasa and Full Metal Alchemist were serious and entertaining, but Fruits Basket taught me more about life and people than any other anime or manga that I have read or seen. Each character had a journey, and each journey was tough, but worth it. The characters are human, not super human, and their struggles are real struggles in everyday life. The charm of the story is watching all these characters accept their faults, mistakes and fears. Once they take that step, they work toward becoming who they want to be, a very universal and human goal. That's why this series has such a deep connection with people all over the world. At least one of these characters has gone through a similar problem to every reader, and becomes a role model or hero in the way that they overcome it. That's why Fruits Basket is the top on my list of favorite anime manga.

1. Fruits Basket

2. Avatar the Last Airbender

3. Tsubasa Chronicles

4. Full Metal Alchemist

5. Dengeki Daisy

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 3: Reaction

What would your reaction be if you accidentally hugged Yuki, Kyo and Shigure and they turned into animals?

Well, Tohru's reaction was to ask what happened, and freak out a bit. I would freak out, ask what had happened and probably just stare for a while, trying to make sense of what happened. After a while, I would probably just try to be polite, especially if the animals talked to me. I would most likely apologize, and I would try to act as normal as possible. But Tohru's reaction was funny when she asked if she pressed the wrong spot and turned Kyo into a cat.