Fruits Basket (2001)
A heartfelt anime about an orphaned girl who uncovers a magical family secret rooted in the Chinese Zodiac.
Fruits Basket - Series Information
- Original Title: フルーツバスケット
- First Air Year: 2001
- Last Air Year: 2001
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: July 5, 2001 (United States - TV-PG), July 5, 2001 (United Kingdom - PG), July 5, 2001 (Australia - PG), July 5, 2001 (Brazil - L), July 5, 2001 (Mexico - A), July 5, 2001 (South Korea - 12)
- Networks: TV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TVQ, TV Osaka, TVh, TSC
- Production Companies: Studio Deen
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Giỏ Trái Cây (VN), 水果篮子 (CN), フルバ (JP), 후르츠 바스켓 (KR), Корзинка фруктов (RU), 魔法水果籃 第1作 (TW)
Fruits Basket - Plot
Tohru Honda is 16 year old orphaned girl who gets invited to live in the house of her classmate, the handsome boy Sohma Yuki, and his cousins, 16 year old Kyo and 27 year old Shigure. However, these young men and parts of the rest of their family (both close and distant) hold a curse; if they are hugged by the opposite gender, they transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Everyday is an adventure for sweet Tohru, as she gets to know everyone in the large family better (especially Yuki and Kyo), in both common and bizarre situations. But, the Sohma Family curse is certainly no laughing matter... it also holds horrible cruelty and heartbreak.
Fruits Basket - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a glimpse into the world of the Sohma family:
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Fruits Basket - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Yui Horie
- Kotono Mitsuishi
- Aya Hisakawa
- Tomokazu Seki
- Kaori Nazuka
- Akemi Okamura
- Reiko Yasuhara
- Ayaka Saito
- Kazuhiko Inoue
- Akio Suyama
Writers
- Rika Nakase
- Mamiko Ikeda
- Aki Itami
Fruits Basket - FAQs
Where can you stream Fruits Basket online?
Fruits Basket is available to stream on Crunchyroll, including through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, the series can also be purchased digitally on Fandango At Home. Crunchyroll remains the most accessible option for anime fans looking to watch it right away.
Is Fruits Basket based on a manga?
Fruits Basket is adapted from Natsuki Takaya's manga series of the same name, which was serialized in Hana to Yume magazine from 1998 to 2006. The 2001 anime covers a portion of the manga's story, while the 2019 reboot adaptation covers the full narrative through to its conclusion.
How does the 2001 Fruits Basket differ from the 2019 remake?
The 2001 series, produced by Studio Deen, covers only part of the original manga and features an anime-original ending. The 2019 remake is a faithful, complete adaptation of Natsuki Takaya's full story. Many fans consider the remake the definitive version, though the 2001 series holds nostalgic charm for longtime fans.
Who voices the main characters in Fruits Basket?
Yui Horie voices Tohru Honda, Aya Hisakawa voices Yuki Sohma, and Tomokazu Seki voices Kyo Sohma. Other notable cast members include Kotono Mitsuishi as Kagura Sohma, Kazuhiko Inoue as Hatori Sohma, and Ryotaro Okiayu as Shigure Sohma, all delivering memorable performances in this beloved anime.
What is Fruits Basket about?
Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted 16-year-old orphan, moves in with the Sohma family and uncovers their extraordinary secret: certain family members transform into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when embraced by someone of the opposite gender. What begins as charming and comedic gradually reveals deep emotional wounds, family trauma, and heartbreak.
How many episodes does Fruits Basket 2001 have?
The 2001 Fruits Basket series consists of 26 episodes across a single season. Each episode runs approximately 24 minutes, making it a compact but emotionally rich watch. The series aired on TV Tokyo and affiliated networks in Japan beginning in July 2001.
What is the content rating for Fruits Basket?
Fruits Basket carries a TV-PG rating in the United States, making it suitable for a wide audience including older children and teenagers. While the series is largely lighthearted and comedic, it does explore themes of grief, family dysfunction, and emotional trauma that add meaningful depth to the story.
What anime series are similar to Fruits Basket?
If you enjoyed Fruits Basket, you might love My Happy Marriage, The Dangers in My Heart, Horimiya: The Missing Pieces, or Blue Box — all of which blend romance, emotional depth, and slice-of-life storytelling. Witch Watch and Honey Lemon Soda are also great picks for fans of warm, character-driven anime.
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