After the accident in which she lost her mother, 16-year-old Tooru moves in with her grandfather, but due to his home being renovated, is unable to continue living with him. Claiming she will find someone to stay with but also fearing the criticism of her family and not wanting to burden any of her friends, Tooru resorts to secretly living on her own in a tent in the woods.
One night on her way back from work, she finds her tent buried underneath a landslide. Yuki Souma, the "prince" of her school, and his cousin Shigure Souma, a famous author, stumble across Tooru's situation and invite her to stay with them until her grandfather’s home renovations are complete.
Upon arriving at the Souma house, Tooru discovers their secret: if a Souma is hugged by someone of the opposite gender, they temporarily transform into one of the animals of the zodiac! However, this strange phenomenon is no laughing matter; rather, it is a terrible curse that holds a dark history. As she continues her journey, meeting more members of the zodiac family, will Tooru's kindhearted yet resilient nature be enough to prepare her for what lies behind the Souma household's doors?
Anime Information
Quote:
Type: TV
Episodes: 26
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jul 5, 2001 to Dec 27, 2001
Premiered: Summer 2001
Broadcast: Thursdays at 18:00 (JST)
Producers: TV Tokyo, Nihon Ad Systems, King Records
Licensors: Funimation
Studios: Studio Deen
Source: Manga
Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Drama, Romance, Fantasy, Shoujo
Duration: 24 min. per ep.
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Aya Hisakawa as Yuki Soma
Tomokazu Seki as Kyo Soma
Yui Horie as Toru Honda
Akio Suyama as Hatsuharu Soma
Ayaka Saito as Momiji Soma
Kaori Nazuka as Kisa Soma
Kazuhiko Inoue as Hatori Soma
Kotono Mitsuishi as Kagura Soma
Miina Tominaga as Ritsu Soma
Mitsuru Miyamoto as Ayame Soma
Reiko Yasuhara as Saki Hanajima
Ryotaro Okiayu as Shigure Soma
Wakaba Murasaki as Akito Sohma
Yuka Imai as Arisa Uotani
Spoiler for theme song:
Opening Theme:
"For フルーツバスケット (For Fruits Basket)" by Ritsuko Okazaki
Ending Theme:
#1: "小さな祈り (Chiisana Inori; Small Prayer)" by Ritsuko Okazaki (eps 1-24,26)
#2: "セレナーデ [Pf Solo Ver.] (Serenade)" by Ritsuko Okazaki (ep 25)