The beloved anime Fruits Basket made its highly anticipated return with the premiere of Season 1, Episode 1, titled “See You After School.” This episode reintroduces us to the world of Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted high school girl whose life takes a dramatic turn when she crosses paths with the mysterious Sohma family.
A Chance Encounter
The episode begins with a brief introduction to Tohru Honda, who, despite her hardships, remains optimistic and cheerful. After losing her mother in a tragic accident, Tohru decides to live on her own in a tent rather than burden her grandfather. However, she soon discovers that the land she’s camping on belongs to the Sohma family—a family shrouded in secrecy.
While walking to school one day, Tohru stumbles upon a house belonging to the Sohma family and meets Yuki Sohma, a handsome and enigmatic classmate known as “Prince Yuki” at school. She also encounters Shigure Sohma, Yuki’s older cousin, who is laid-back and playful. Unbeknownst to Tohru, these chance encounters will set the stage for a life-changing journey.
The Sohma Family Secret
After school, Tohru returns to her tent only to find that a landslide has destroyed it. Feeling lost and with nowhere else to go, Shigure and Yuki offer her a place to stay in their home. This act of kindness reveals the deep compassion of the Sohma family, despite their aloof demeanor.
As she settles in, Tohru learns that the Sohma family has a secret that they guard fiercely. The mystery deepens when Kyo Sohma, a fiery and impulsive redhead, crashes into the house and challenges Yuki to a fight. In the ensuing chaos, Tohru accidentally embraces Kyo, Yuki, and Shigure—and to her astonishment, they transform into animals: a cat, a rat, and a dog, respectively!
Unraveling the Zodiac Curse
The Sohma family reveals to Tohru that they are cursed. Members of the family turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac whenever they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex or experience great stress. This shocking revelation is handled with a mix of humor, tenderness, and melancholy, setting the tone for the series.
Despite learning their secret, Tohru’s reaction is one of acceptance rather than fear. Her compassion and open-mindedness resonate with the Sohmas, who have long struggled with their curse. She promises to keep their secret and continues to live with them, marking the beginning of her journey to unravel the mysteries of the Sohma family and their curse.
Final Thoughts
The first episode of Fruits Basket Season 1 beautifully captures the essence of the original manga while introducing a new generation to the touching story of Tohru Honda and the Sohma family. The animation is crisp, the characters are endearing, and the narrative is both heartwarming and intriguing.
“See You After School” effectively sets up the premise of the series, balancing moments of light-hearted comedy with hints of the deeper emotional struggles that the characters will face. It’s a promising start that leaves viewers eager to see how Tohru’s presence will impact the lives of the cursed Sohmas.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, this episode is sure to capture your heart. Stay tuned for more recaps and insights as we journey through the world of Fruits Basket together.
My thoughts:
So I think I’ve officially found my first ooohhh goooo goo ha ha rom com anime; but I’m not mad about it at all. The background tunes and storyline make it exciting although I’m not quite sure how it will build off of girl loves boy; boy doesn’t see girl.
From what I can tell the female protagonist doesn’t have any means and comes from what we would describe as the ghetto or the hood. She has no money or financial means, but the heart of a lion and the spirit and confidence of a prestigious leader. This may not be as boring as I thought.
In a nutshell she gets taken in by some guys at the school I believe and they all turn in to zodiac animals but can turn back into humans. Buckle up I’m confused. It even more intrigued.
Watch Fruits Basket Season 1 Episode 1 Here
Leave a comment