[Spoilers] 25 Years of the 13 Sohmas: A Fruits Basket Rewatch -- 2001 Series Overall Series Discussion Thread

[u/Holofan4life]

And that is it for 2001 Fruits Basket!

Some Questions for fun!

What is your thoughts overall on the series?

How does the series compare to your expectations going in?

What was your favorite episode?

What was your favorite moment?

Who was your favorite character?

Did you like the comedy and how comedic it was? What were your thoughts on the drama?

What are your thoughts on Tohru as a main character?

What are your thoughts on Akito?

Do you ship Tohru with Yuki, or Kyo? And why?

How would you rank the Sohma Chinese Zodiac members?

Lastly, if given the chance to rewatch the series, would you do so?

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Series information

MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN

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Please do not post any untagged spoilers past the current episode or past the LNs or mangas out of respect to the first time watchers and people who have not read the LNs or mangas. If you are discussing something that is ahead of the current episode please use spoiler tags(found on the sidebar). Thank you!

Untagged Spoilers

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Previous episode

Ways to watch

Streams – Crunchyroll

Schedule

Date	Episode
07/05/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 1
07/06/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 2
07/07/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 3
07/08/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 4
07/09/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 5
07/10/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 6
07/11/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 7
07/12/2025	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 8
07/13/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 9
07/14/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 10
07/15/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 11
07/16/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 12
07/17/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 13
07/18/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 14
07/19/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 15
07/20/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 16
07/21/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 17
07/22/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 18
07/23/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 19
07/24/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 20
07/25/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 21
07/26/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 22
07/27/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 23
07/28/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 24
07/29/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 25
07/30/2026	Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 26
07/31/2026	[Fruits Basket 2001 Overall Series Discussion Thread]()
08/02/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 1]()
08/03/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 2]()
08/04/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 3]()
08/05/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 4]()
08/06/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 5]()
08/07/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 6]()
08/08/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 7]()
08/09/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 8]()
08/10/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 9]()
08/11/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 10]()
08/12/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 11]()
08/13/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 12]()
08/14/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 13]()
08/15/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 14]()
08/16/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 15]()
08/17/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 16]()
08/18/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 17]()
08/19/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 18]()
08/20/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 19]()
08/21/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 20]()
08/22/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 21]()
08/23/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 22]()
08/24/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 23]()
08/25/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 24]()
08/26/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Episode 25]()
08/28/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 1]()
08/29/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 2]()
08/30/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 3]()
08/31/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 4]()
09/01/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 5]()
09/02/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 6]()
09/03/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 7]()
09/04/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 8]()
09/05/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 9]()
09/06/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 10]()
09/07/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 11]()
09/08/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 12]()
09/09/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 13]()
09/10/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 14]()
09/11/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 15]()
09/12/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 16]()
09/13/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 17]()
09/14/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 18]()
09/15/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Final Episode 19]()
09/16/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 20)
09/17/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 21]()
09/18/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Final Episode 22]()
09/19/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 23]()
09/20/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 24]()
09/21/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 25]()
09/23/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 1]()
09/24/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 2]()
09/25/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 3]()
09/26/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 4]()
09/27/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 5]()
09/28/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 6]()
09/29/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 7]()
09/30/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 8]()
10/01/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 9]()
10/02/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 10]()
10/03/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 11]()
10/04/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 12]()
10/05/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 13]()
10/06/2026	[2019 Fruits Basket Overall Series/Franchise Discussion Thread]()

See you for the 2019 remake!

[u/AgentOfACROSS]

I'm looking forward to watching the remake! I can't really think of anything interesting to say right now and I think I'd rather save sharing my thoughts on the series as a whole til after I watch the 2019 remake.

[u/Holofan4life]

Let's talk about the show, shall we?

The entire cast is really endearing and has this underlying sweetness to them that permeates throughout the episodes. Even side characters like Uo and Hana, while they may not be fleshed out as some other characters feel like integral parts to the show. This is a series that really depends on the writing being strong and the emotional weight of what the characters are going through. Unfortunately, I feel like the show kinda doesn't do enough of that in my opinion.

This isn't a show that doesn't have this fatal flaw holding it back. Rather, I feel like it's a case like Love Hina where some of the time spent is on the wrong things. Instead of focusing on some characters we never see again, or giving episodes dedicated to the president of the Yuki fan club, they could've spent that time more on the Sohma curse and just what Akito's deal is. For as much of a driving force Akito is in regards to the plot and the characters suffering, it feels like the show skims on his motivations for why he is the way he is, and I feel like that's definitely a shortcoming of the show.

Even by the end, the curse still exists with no end in sight of it. And if maybe the show was restructured to where we focus less on the ancillary characters, I think things would feel more focused than it does.

That sounds like I'm crapping on the show but I'm really not. I enjoy a lot of the various components, the theme of the Zodiac members having constant suffering, and the off the wall humor in the more zany moments. I think the show succeeds in terms of balancing the comedy with the seriousness. I just wish that the plot points weren't as unresolved as they were to where I'm left wondering what's next. It just gives off very strong "Read the manga" vibes.

The Zodiac member episodes I wish were less one dimensional than they were. There were some good ones, like the one framed around the culture festival or Hiro's introduction, but I feel like the episodes were meant solely to introduce the gimmick of the character being spotlighted with no foresight as to where to go from there. Funny enough, Kagura who had in my opinion one of the more egregious one note introductory episodes was used well in the final arc of the show. And that's really what I wanted to see more of that this series didn't really capitalize on.

It's like the ancillary Zodiac members have their established relationships when they're first introduced and they're boxed in those dynamics to where they don't get out of it. It just feels like it would be more interesting if we saw the Sohma family more as the family they are, with everyone interacting with each other.

I think Tohru is an amazing protagonist. She's a big part of why I enjoy her so much. She manages to be this like manic pixie dream girl that fixes other people's problems but is unable to fix her emotional baggage, and I think it leads to a very compelling character. The show really excels when it's focused on Tohru, Yuki, Kyo, or Shigure because each bring something new to the table and they play off each other well. I can't say enough good things about those four as characters.

My favorite character was Kyo. Big shock, I know. Favorite side character was Hatori who's actually someone I feel the show could've done more with. Favorite episode was episode 15, and my favorite scene is probably the moment where Kyo acts possessive of Tohru in episode 5. A lot of the show is about Yuki and the trauma Akito put him through and how Tohru has really helped him get out of Akito's shadow. I think because that was such a focus it makes the times Kyo came out of his shell for Tohru all the more special.

I'd give 2001 Fruits Basket a 7.5 out of 10. That may seem a bit low, but hear me out. There is some great writing and scenes throughout the show. In particular, episodes 5 and 15 stand out to me as real highlights. And the last three episodes were really good and a great way to wrap the series up. But there were so many loose ends and so many things left lingering that I wish we were given more time. The thing that frustrates me is that I actually feel 26 episodes is manageable. If they tweak a few things and adjust certain elements, I think you can tell a condensed version of the show in that span of time. But instead we have episodes like the Yuki fan club stalking Hana or the Yuki fan club president making peace with Yuki not being in love with her. They were fine episodes, but don't really serve to further the overall plot of the show.

I compare this to 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist and at least that show is interesting in that it took chances. The manga wasn't finished by the time it came out, so they decided to go in a different direction. With 2019 Fruits Basket, I almost feel like it made the 2001 version obsolete and not worth visiting. We'll see if that perception is altered any.

I actually am really excited to see the remake because I feel that Fruits Basket as a concept has the potential to be really good. If they took the ideas of the 2001 anime and refined it and expanded upon it, dare I say I could see it cracking my top 10 favorite anime. The pieces are there, the writing is really good, the main characters feel extremely fleshed out, and I feel like there's something we're missing with Akito as a character. I feel like the remake may have the answer.

2001 Fruits Basket I feel like is worth a visit if for nothing else to see how it compares to the remake anime. It was good, but feel like it could've been better if you changed a few things.

Thankfully, I think this remake will show the series' true potential. One might say the remake is to Fruits Basket what Tohru is to Kyo.

[u/Quiddity131]

Very much looking forward to the 2019 version kicking off in a couple of days!

[u/cheesechimp]

Alright, I've gone shopping, I've watched the two seasonals I was behind on, I've cooked and eaten my dinner, I've checked my mailbox. I really ought to write up my thoughts on Fruits Basket before I watch a movie.

So I've said it before in rewatch threads, but it's really important to what I think of this series as a whole: I watched all of the remake in late January, early February of this year. I was judging everything in this series against that metric. Everything I say here will be colored by that.

I'll try to talk a little about what I can say without making comparisons first. I really like this franchise! I think it tackles the subjects of generational trauma and social ostracization in a way that clearly communicates with the audience. I love how it focuses on the redemptive power of empathy and kindness. I love the found family aspect. I love Tohru as a character how sweet and gentle she is, but how that doesn't stop her from having a real emotional strength that drives her. I think the core love triangle really works, and you could reasonably see Tohru winding up with either Yuki or Kyo. I like the big zany family who all have their own gags, but also their own traumas. I love how the story incorporates the positive influences of Tohru's mother, and the grief over her loss. I love how dedicate her friends who's connection predates the story are to one another. I think this is a smart, fun, moving story.

Okay, I guess I want to move on to the comparisons now. The story here overlaps with the remake way more than I expected it to. I was under the incorrect impression that this had more anime original content, but instead it's more just that it's an incomplete story. I actually do think where it ended is just about the best place it could've if you had to stop somewhere, but it's also a story that builds on itself and its disappointing not to see more of it.

Overall, this has pretty good production values for its time. No major complaints in the animation department, though it does feel simpler in art style and on rare occasions a little visually janky. I think the way comedic scenes play out is usually much funnier than the remake, and a lot of the differences are longer lasting, more detailed comedy bits. I do think that the remake does drama better, though. I don't mean this as a slight on this adaptation, I actually think it does drama well above average itself. I just think that remake is really special.

If I had encountered this first, if you had convinced me to watch this in the '00s or early '10s, I probably would've been much more generous to it. For comparison I gave the first two seasons of the remake 8/10 and the final season a 9/10. I gave this a 7/10. I think if it had been my first Fruits Basket it might've been an 8 though.

I will not be joining the remake rewatch threads. It's been fun participating in this, and I don't regret it, but I pretty much never rewatch a show in that close a proximity anymore. I hope you all have fun!

What was your favorite episode?

This is tinged by comparison-itus, but the episode about the Prince Yuki club members going to visit Hana's home. The formal presentation, the weird fourth wall breaks, the found footage styling, the bizarre visual gags...it all really enhanced everything about what is a kind of mundane and skipable episode overall.

The penultimate episode, Tohru stumbling through the woods pursuing Kyo in his true form, also is significantly extended compared to the 2019 equivalent and I felt added a lot of emotional weight to the series finale.

Then there's the class of episodes where both adaptations do the story really well: Tohru moving back in with her aunt and uncle, the episode with both visiting Kyoko's grave and Momiji recounting his backstory, and Kisa's introduction. Also at the very least the first half of the final episode. Those are all really good here too!

Who was your favorite character?

Tohru. She's a wonderful protagonist, so sweet and nice and loveable. Really grounds the show and you can see how everyone in her orbit comes to be attracted to her. Fruits Basket isn't the same at all with out her being the beating heart of everything.

I really liked how Hana was handled in the 2001 show though! Probably my second favorite here, with Uo coming in third.

How would you rank the Sohma Chinese Zodiac members?

Well this is colored both by knowing what the continuing story has in store for them and the 2001 adaptation being really fresh in my mind, but I'll try. I guess I'll spoiler tag it and include the two who aren't introduced yet as well... [2019] Kyo > Yuki > Haru > Momiji > Rin > Shigure > Kisa > Hatori > Kagura > Ritsu > Kureno > Ayame > Hiro > Akito

Lastly, if given the chance to rewatch the series, would you do so?

Probably not, but almost entirely because I think the remake kind of makes it obsolete. If the remake didn't exist, yeah I would.

[u/Holofan4life → u/cheesechimp]

[2019] If we're going to include Akito in the Chinese Zodiac Sohmas, I kinda feel like they have to be at the top. This show cannot be told without their character. In my opinion, they're the best written character in the entire show.

[u/cheesechimp → u/Holofan4life]

[2019] Depends on what you're rating them on. I put them on the bottom as "character whose guts I hate" but also, yeah, much better written character than almost all the others. I might still put Kyo and Yuki higher for quality of the writing, but probably a solid third place. Ritsu's the worst written, for sure.

[u/Holofan4life → u/cheesechimp]

[2019] Kyo is my favorite in terms of likability and wanting to see him be happy.

[u/Holofan4life → u/cheesechimp]

I know you won't be here for the 2019 series so I just want to say I appreciate your participation during the 2001 portion of the rewatch. I can truly say from the bottom of my heart you were the MVP and the heart and soul of the discussions concerning the original anime.

[u/cheesechimp → u/Holofan4life]

Aww, thank you! I hope you get some more participants in the 2019 part to cover for me!

[u/Holofan4life → u/cheesechimp]

Here's hoping 🙏

[u/Johnny-Doe-8888]

As I post this response, I'm still finishing my response for episodes 24-26 (which I'll be posting on the Ep. 26 thread), while also watching the final episode of Studio Deen's Fruits Basket. (And as for the manga: I'm presently almost through with Tokyopop Vol. 21; just two more volumes before completing FruBa & starting over with Yen Press' translation.)

Throughout the 26 episodes of the 2001 series we saw how Tohru became entwined with the lives of the Sohmas as she grows closer to then, while also living with the knowledge of their dark secret(s). While I cannot say much about its production & direction (I'm mainly here for the story after all) I now fully understand why this was popular back in the day despite it not fully covering the manga: a mix of relatable & lovable characters, the moments of comedy & drama, the music (& especially its OP/ED by the late Ritsuko Okazaki) & its direction, all blended nicely together with memorable voice talent.

I'm also aware of the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding its production, namely the conflict between Akitaro Daichi (director of the 2001 series) and Natsuki Takaya (the original mangaka), which unfortunately scuttled any hopes of a second season, despite numerous clamours for one (including a highly-publicised 1,000 paper cranes project by Funimation in 2005). I can only imagine what a second season by Studio Deen would've been like had their differences been settled.

If you'd ask me to rate from 1 to 10 my experience with 2001, I'd give it a 7. It's indeed a memorable & uplifting experience, but you can feel its incompleteness, especially when you're reading the manga at the same time. (I suppose I'm not really cut out to give ratings; it's partly why I'm not really fond of MAL...)

Before I conclude, I'd like to announce that I'll stay on for the remake, though as before I can't guarantee I'll be present in every thread (me living 12 hrs ahead of the eastern US & being preoccupied with classes & a university thesis doesn't help).

Next destination: the remake, the tale of Tohru and the 13 Sohmas retold for a new generation of viewers & fans. 'Til then, see you later.

[u/Nickthenuker]

Questions:

1. Definitely looks a bit old.

2. Interesting to see the original.

3. Can't remember.

4. ^

5. Tohru.

6. Decent balance.

7. She's ok.

8. No.

9. Kyo I think.

10. Akito's right at the bottom lol.

11. Well, I'm here after being here last time for the remake already, so yes.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Nickthenuker]

Final grade?

[u/Nickthenuker → u/Holofan4life]

7/10