MovieChat Forums > Fruits Basket (2001) Discussion > Why is this show so popular? NOTHING HAP...

Why is this show so popular? NOTHING HAPPENS!!!


I'm on episode 18 of this show and while there has been solid amount of character development, the story doesn't move. There are no important events or challenges these characters must overcome. It's just talk talk talk. And while we get to know the central characters, five more characters(from the Sohma family no doubt) get introduced which gets really annoying.

Honda and Yuki really piss me off too. The chick is an airhead and the guy is a total fagg0t. Why is it that Japanese girls are always attracted to the gays. Do they really think they have a shot? I just don't understand why this show gets so much praise. Is it because I'm a guy?


My momma loved me but she died
Hud Bannon

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I get where your coming from. I like this show because some of the characters are relate able and certain things were done well. If you want the plot development you should read the manga it's so much better then the anime. The show only gave us the beginning and didn't include the goal of breaking the curse, introduction of some great new characters, Akito's story and you see everyone grow up. I understand if you wouldn't want to read it but when people talk about Fruits Basket they mostly talk about the manga. Hope that helps.

"Human kind can not gain anything without first giving something in return- Alphonse Elric

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One of the reasons I love it is because I find it uplifting. There are so many good lessons in this and so many inspiring quotes. I love how Tohru always makes everyone around her feel so loved and important and she made me feel important too. Another reason I love it because it makes me laugh so much sometimes :).

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It's very beautiful. The stories are touching and Honda is a great character.

Human kind can not gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of equivalent exchange. -Alphonse Elric

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There are numerous challenges the characters overcome. Being cursed,death of parents,loss of fiance,etc.








- Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

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Yeah, I don’t especially like the anime either, but the manga is pretty good. What I think draws people to it is its huge cast, which gives everyone at least one character to latch onto. For example, I don’t like Kyo or even Tohru very much, but since I love Yuki, Shigure, Ayame, etc., I still enjoy the heck out of the series. It’s got a little something for everyone, I think, even though I doubt there are too many people who love everything about it. (The voice acting and totally changing the story is why I don’t love the anime, personally. I’d give the manga a shot before blowing the series off completely.)

What I’m surprised no one’s come down on you for is that you called Yuki a *beep* like it’s some kind of insult. For one thing, he isn’t gay (read the manga; his character arc is the most interesting and moving imo), and I’d be inclined to blame the voice acting (he always came across a little rapey to my friends and I) and general love of bishies for that. But even if he was, so what? That shouldn’t piss you off. Hopefully you just worded that wrong, but you come across like a total dick. Tohru, on the other hand, I can’t help you with. I think a lot of people aspire to be as compassionate as she is, but I personally found her perfection annoying.

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I enjoyed all the character development of each Zodiac character instead of trying to throw them all in at once then try to make a plot. What makes the characters interesting is their tragic backstory and quirks that make them unique. I do wish the Anime had more seasons to get into the actual story.

Come visit my

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To summarize why:
- you're a guy
- this is a shoujo manga/ anime

BUT

GUY/ MALE reasoning:
To say you don't like this because you're a guy is not really correct. You're just that guy who didn't like it. I know some guys who do enjoy shoujo mangas and anime. And it's not because they are gay. Again, that's generalizing. My guy friends aren't gay (unfortunately for me). They just enjoy these kind of storytelling because it's not action base. As one of them put it, it's about people. And extreme as some of the portrayal, it's got some truths in it.

This ties in with the next point,

SHOUJO ANIME/ MANGA:
Not sure how verse you are with anime and manga but shoujo/ shojo anime/ manga are aimed towards the female demographic. And that has sub-female demographics too, the same way shounen/ shonen manga/ anime have sub-male demographics too. This is better explained in the manga/ anime of Bakuman, which is about mangaka(s) and becoming one.

Shoujo anime and manga (I will refer to it from now on as SAM) are basically paced by their characters. It's the character/ characters that bring the story. They embody the story. Get it?
If you want action pacing, there's also that SAM Inuyasha, which blends shoujo and shonen elements. But as relationships are the primary focus on the series, it's shoujo. Another one would be Fushigi Yuugi/ Curious Play. It's basically a quest and there's some fight sequences, but again, the primary focus is the core relationships. There are many types of SAM like these examples, as there are the Fruits Basket kind. And all in all, the primary focus is the developing relationships; mostly geared at building, witnessing (spectating) and understanding the core relationship(s). It's just another vehicle on which to focus, study, play, etc. human interaction.

So, if this kind of storytelling won't float your boat. That's fine. It just means you prefer it action base where: something happens - not when someone happens. Get it?

As for:

Why is it that Japanese girls are always attracted to the gays.
You aren't Asian by any chance then? Been outside where you are or know any International people who didn't grow up where you are? If the answer to both is No, that would explain it. Btw, not trying to be condescending here O.K. Let me just explain because I grew up in the West and I went through the same kind of questions and more (hello - I'm also attracted to certain Korean boys).
One day, I asked one of my Chinese friends why Asian girls (btw, I'm Asian also) tend to go for the effeminate looking guys. (I was very curious about this too.) The answer is that in that culture, these types of men are viewed as masculine and romantic (plus very clean and refine. The kind of 'Prince' in fairytales).
And what we consider as manly and rugged here in the West, some of them consider as butch and dirty (and unrefined). So you see, it just comes down to different cultures.
So please stop using words like gays or fa-ggotry, if you meant to be degragatory and insulting, when you don't understand anything. It shows an unpleasant ignorance.

For example, I like rugged masculine man. I find that manly. But I can understand why there is such a huge attraction to someone like G-Dragon. Actually, I fancy him too. Just goes to show that you never know what you will find attractive. And I think G-Dragon very masculine. I can see myself squealing/ swooning over this guy. I think he's just, no other way of saying it, perfect. Btw, I don't know him personally. He could be gross. (Clarifying: no to Bieber forever to me. Not my type. Eeeww...)

Yuki is perhaps like Harvey Specter from Suits. Both clean cut. Very nice to look at.

Why I love Fruits Basket:
Not that this will matter to you, but personally this is one of my top shoujo manga. The reason for that is I find the story and the characters compelling. I happen to love Kyo's character but I am also partial to Yuki.
And amongst certain girl friends, we find Tohru fascinating. She's what we call untainted.

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I have to admit I do hate the Mary Sue female character. I didn't expect this show to be as dramatic as it was. I thought it would just be a slice of lie.








Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

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