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 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 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 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.