Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 18: How many times have you watchedthe anime?

To be honest, I've lost count. I watched the anime at least twice a year during High school and College. And yes, I watch the dubbed version, because I was introduced to the show that way. I have seen the anime in japanese with English subtitles, but the English dub is my favorite way to watch it. I love Kyo and Tohru's voice actors, and I thought the voice actors for the Sohma family were great as well. The only thing that bugged me was Yuki's voice, I always had to turn the volume up to even hear what he said, and hwne he's talking to Kyo, who is very loud, the combination is annoyingly entertaining. The anime is very different from the manga, it never introduces the entire zodiac, and it ends very strangely, but I love the balance of comedy and wisdom in each episode. 

One episode that stood out to me, was "It's because I've Been Loved That I've Become Stronger" where Kisa is introduced. "The Source of Cheer Can Be Affected By Colds Too" is still my favorite, but I love Hatori's story in "Don't Cry For The Snow Will Surely Melt" and I love the awkward/fun vacation in "If We've Three Then We Don't Need To Fear Jason". I love all the Kyo and Tohru moments naturally, but Momiji's story in "There Are No Memories, It's Okay To Forget." The only thing I didn't like about the anime was how long it took for Tohru to accept Kyo's true form. This never happened in the manga, because she literally ran right to him, and it distorts the story and Tohru's character. Despite that, it's obvious that I've watched the anime countless times, and I still enjoy it. 

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 17: Did you like that Tohru stayed with Kyo instead of Yuki?

I've never been a fan of love triangles. Most of them end messily and add a level of depression to a story. I didn't mind this one as much though, because I thought it was handled beautifully. Yuki and Tohru were never truly themselves around each other. Without even knowing it, Tohru played the role of Yuki's mother and caretaker the moment she stepped between Yuki and Akito. She has always viewed Yuki based on his reputation of a prince, and fell  into the friend/mother role very easily. Kyo and Tohru are always themselves around each other, and they can tell when the other is upset. This is never really true of Yuki and Tohru's relationship. They are there for each other, but Yuki doesn't realize when Tohru is acting, and Yuki doesn't always act like himself around Tohru. Kyo has been himself, and Tohru had already developed feelings for him before she even met him (as a number one year of the cat fan). But more importantly, Tohru understands Kyo, and she is able to treat him like a person, unlike any of the other members of the zodiac. In the same way, Kyo understands Tohru and doesn't put her on a pedestal like the other members of the zodiac do.  

Most of the love triangle issues that happen in stories have to do with the type of characters the main character is interested in. In Fruits Basket, I found that it wasn't about the type of person, but how well Tohru knew them. 

In the story, Yuki picks up on Tohru's feelings for Kyo and Kyo's feelings for Tohru long before either of them realize it. He has an interesting time being a third wheel and reflects on it with a new friend he makes at the time. This one observation that Yuki makes helps him understand that he doesn't view Tohru the same way Kyo views her, and although it is a painful experience, he is eventually able to find someone he truly cares for. 

Many readers argue that Machi is Yuki's replacement for Tohru, but I see no evidence of this in the story. Yuki doesn't act like he does around Tohru when he meets Machi, and Machi is the first person to recognize and appreciate Yuki's flaws. Even in Tohru's eyes Yuki seemed perfect and prince like, but she never recognized when he was acting, and she never seemed to question the reputation that people gave Yuki at school. Machi does. Machi calls out Yuki on his faults, and while everyone gets mad at her, Yuki appreciates it. This is how Machi treats Yuki like a person, and not like the school boy idol that his fangirls in High School make him out to be. Yuki sees Machi as a person too. He recognizes that Machi has certain habits, and he learns that Machi acts a certain way when she likes something or someone. He makes an effort to be a part of Machi's life, and he helps her recognize her own value. 

Normally love triangles leave the third wheel lost, confused, hurt and a little jaded. Fruits Basket showed the other side of that story, how Yuki overcame an unrequited crush and discovered that he could find someone who cared for him the way he thought he cared for Tohru. Once he discovers that Machi likes him, Yuki is finally able to tell Tohru that he viewed her as his mother, which she takes as the highest compliment. 

I won't say that this love triangle worked out smoothly, for it was a bumpy ride for all three characters, but it seemed reasonable and it didn't feel incomplete. 

Kyo and Tohru belong together just as much as Yuki and Machi belong together.  

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 6: Do you own any of the mangas?

I own all of them! This is the one manga series that I collected in order and saved up to have the entire set. Tsubasa Chronicle is also a set I have completed, and I currently collect all of Dengeki Daisy. I reread Fruits Basket every year, sometimes twice a year, and my collection is well read and loved. 

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 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. 

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 2: Which of the 12 Sohmas is your favorite?

Kyo Sohma. There's no contest. Of all the Sohmas, his curse is the most difficult to overcome, and as an outcast, even in his own family, he is basically alone for most of his life. Filled with unnessacary guilt, depression and anger, Kyo lives his life in a constant cloud of darkness. Once Kazuma takes him in, Kyo learns that he can trust some people, but he begins to blame everything horrible about his life and situation on Yuki, and becomes determined to best him at everything. Once Tohru enters his life, things change. He learns how to be nice to people, by learning to appreciate Tohru and take care of her in a way he doesn't even notice consiously. His care for Tohru motivates him to become more positive about his life and situation. He begins to appreciate each day that the curse doesn't loom over his head. But once Kazuma decides to reveal the truth to Tohru, Kyo becomes terrified of something he never thought he would, losing someone. With his true form revealed, he runs, remembering all the bad memories of rejection from his family, one by one. Tohru goes after him, which makes him realize that he can be accepted and makes him understand that his life is something he can change by changing  his attitude. From that point Kyo vows to appreciate what he has, every precious moment that he isn't locked away and ignored, he grows to love Tohru and does what he can to be there for her and treat her with the same kindness, understanding and support. From his awkward ways of apologizing to his honest statements of worry, Kyo sees behind Tohru's masks and accepts her faults in a way no other Sohma is able to do. Instead of seeing Tohru as a saint, mother or naive victim, Kyo sees her as a person, and in that, he eventually sees himself as a person who deserves happiness, kindness and love.

Although it's easy to feel sorry for Kyo, especially in the beginning of the series, it easy to love him for the amazing challenges he overcame, all the positive characeristics he learned, and the way he learned to accept and love himself. Watching Kyo grow, from an angry, depressed and lonely person into someone with goals, dreams and ambition really made the story of Fruits Basket for me. Because his story was the darkest and most difficult, his triumph was the most impressive. He develops a strength that none of the other Sohmas could even imagine, and he accepts himself long before any of the other Sohmas can. 

Kyo Sohma is my favorite because we see all sides of him, his faults, past mistakes, his habits and his perspective. He is never fake and his confidence, even when he blamed everything on Yuki was admirible and powerful. In a sentence, Kyo isn't perfect, but that is why I love him.

Fruits Basket 20 day challenge day 1: How did you find out about Fruits Basket?

I discovered Fruits Basket at a friend's birthday party. It was at a Borders near the shopping area we walked around, and I couldn't put it down. A few days later, I bought the first book and went from there. It was a series that grew on me as I grew up. Each book I read, I related to in some way. The Sohmas were almost real with all their personalities influenced by their past, and I saw them through Tohru's eyes, and I fell in love with Kyo almost instantly. It wasn't an obsession, beacuse I didn't go overboard. I bought the books, read them, and admired the strength that Tohru had to be the glue that held everyone together. I'll admit that I wanted to be Tohru, more than anything. I wanted to be cheerful, kind, happy and trusting, but as the series went on, I discovered that I was much more like Kyo, in the way he viewed the world and himself. I'm not sure who I'd be if I never discovered Fruits Basket. Reading it helped me discover the truth about myself and others. How the world works and how important your point of view is. The characters each had a specific issue that they worked out, and I could relate to and understand many of them. In a way, Fruits Basket was my best literary friend. It got me through tough times and was almost heaven sent at the time I discovered it. It was the solution I found to viewing life through a different lense. Each chapter I read, I felt wiser and more aware of people, their actions, motivations and their personalities. It answered questions for me that I never had the courage to ask anyone. Most of them had to do wih right or wrong, good or bad and selfish or unselfish. Instead of saying that Fruits Basket saved me, but in a way that might be true, I will say that Fruits Basket helped me learn how to save myself from myself. That's probably why I reread it every year. It is a story etched in my heart, helping me grow and change with a new discovery each read. If I were ever to meet the author, which would be pretty incredible, I would thank her immeadiatelty for creating so many wonderful characters and helping them grow and change into the people they always wanted to be. Everyone has a story that speaks to them, and stays with them through out the years. For me, Fruits Basket is one of those tales that I plan to give to my children one day, and recommend it to their children. Yes, it's a manga, but if this story was in the form of a novel, it would be a revelation of the human condition and the ways of the world. It would be an instant classic that stood the test of time. And I can honestly say that I'm not sure who or where I would be if I had never discovered it when I did. 

Perfectly Flawed: A Kyouru playlist

This has been a work in progress for awhile, but I think it's finally done. Due to my reread and massive posts of playlists on tumblr, I decided to share my own playlist. Each song represents a specific meaning or moment in Kyou and Tohru's story, and it reflects my own personality in the music I chose as well. I'll point out the important lyrics.
(I don't own any of these pictures. I added them as an accent to the playlist)

The Stars:

"Happy Go Lucky"- Steps

This smile's a frown turned upside down
 I do my happy go lucky so well
 I'm even fooling myself."

Tohru begins her story after a tough moment in her life. Smiling is her coping mechanism.

"Monster"- Skillet

The secret side of me, I never let you see
I keep it caged but I can't control it
So stay away from me, the beast is ugly

Kyou begins his story in a dark despair. He is always the outcast, and his past haunts him in more ways than one.

Moments:

"Cry" - Mandy Moore

 In places no one will find
All your feelings so deep inside (deep inside)
It was there that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry

This song defines the moment Tohru sees Kyou's true form.

"Love's Divine"- Seal
 Then the rainstorm came, over me
And I felt my spirit break
I had lost all of my, belief you see
And realized my mistake
But time threw a prayer, to me
And all around me became still

This song defines Kyou's point of view when he is forced to reveal his true form.

"Only Hope"- Mandy Moore

 There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But You sing to me over and over and over again


Tohru's point of view when she realizes she likes Kyou.

"Learning to Breathe"- Switchfoot 

 I'm learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and
You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies 

Kyou is slowly learning that it is alright to be close to other people, and not everyone will reject him. Especially Tohru.

"Serenade"- katethegreat19

Something delicate
Special like the love we know
My fragile heart beats at times secure and times alone
My first treasure took me years to find
It's what I cling to when confusion clouds my mind

Tohru sees Kyou as a person, not a monster. She can be herself around him.

"One Day"- Trading Yesterday

 If I could change the currents of our lives
To make the river flow where its run dry
To be a protocol of father time
Then I would see you tonight

Kyou's guilt from the past causes him to push Tohru away, even though he actually loves her.

"Two is Better than One"- Boys Like Girls and Taylor Swift

I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life and I thought
"Hey, you know, this could be something"
'Cause everything you do and words you say
You know that it all takes my breath away

This song seems perfect for the day Tohru gets out of the hospital and Kyou confesses.

References:

"The Year of the Cat"- Al Stewart 

 She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running 
Like a watercolor in the rain 
Don't bother asking for explanations 
She'll just tell you that she came
In the year of the cat

Tohru has always wanted to be in the year of the cat.

 "Beauty and the Beast"- Celine Dion


Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast


This one is obvious ^_^

"The Beauty and the Tragedy"- Trading Yesterday


For I am finding out that love will kill and save me
Taking the dreams that made me up
And tearing them away
But the same love will take this heart that's barely beating
And fill it with hope beyond the stars
Only love

 Kyou's point of view

"Fall to Pieces"- Avril Lavigne


And I don't wanna fall to pieces
I just want to sit and stare at you
I don't want to talk about it
And I don't want a conversation
I just want to cry in front of you
I don't want to talk about it
Cuz I'm in Love With you

                                                          Tohru's point of view

"At the Beginning"- Marx Donna Lewis 

We were strangers
On a crazy adventure
Never dreaming that dreams would come true
Now here we stand unafraid of the future
At the beginning with you

Their Happy Ending

My Kyo and Tohru Tumblr

                                                Because Love is Beautiful

http://yearofthecatkyouru.tumblr.com/

Picture by yamigirl21 and featured here: http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&q=Kyo+Tohru#/d2um8ql