Note: This post contains spoilers from the Fruits Basket series by Natsuki Takaya.

I don’t read much romantic fiction, so when February comes around I find it very difficult to theme the content of this blog around Valentines and all things cuteness and light. However, with the release of the Fruits Basket anime remake creeping closer I thought this character would be the perfect choice for the month. I mean, It’s impossible not to instantly fall in love with this character.

Tohru Honda | Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket was the series that introduced me to the world of manga, falling in love pretty easily with the form from that point onward. Tohru Honda’s character was one of the main reasons for that, being one of the easiest characters to route for.

Her character is known for being the epitome of sweetness and light, being continuously overly-optimistic and kind to those she cares about. This selflessness is one of the main reasons why I love her, hardly ever putting her own needs before others as she devotes her life to those she loves and wants the best for them. However, although, this is one of the main factors of Tohru’s personality, it is also seen as a fault in some ways as the story progresses. With the help of the Sohma family, Tohru learns that it’s necessary put her own needs first sometimes, her character developing into a mature and empowering role model. There is the odd occasion where Tohru can be described as a bit of a pushover, being so forgiving and naive in some situations. Regardless of this fact, Tohru remains faithful to her friends, standing up for them and be occasionally stubborn about doing the right thing. Honestly, it’s just impossible not to love a character so selfless and sweet and I personally find her overall outlook on life so inspiring.

Who is Tohru Honda?

Main protagonist of the Fruits Basket series.
Only daughter of Kyoko and Katsuya Honda. She is deeply devoted to her mother, often seen talking to a picture she carries around of her. Most of the advice she gives throughout the series comes from conversations she’s had with her. Her father died shortly after she was born, leaving Kyoko to raise her alone.
Best friends with Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima, along with the Sohma family.
Illustrated as a slim young girl with long straight brown hair and an eyebrow-length fringe that frames brown eyes. She is usually seen with coloured bows in her hair, either a larger one at the back or two smaller ones that pull her hair to the sides. At weekends, she often wears her hair in pigtails.
When not in her school uniform, Tohru wears simple and practical clothes. The only times she is known to dress up is when other characters, notably Ayame Sohma or Mine Kurame, dress her.
Tohru is extremely empathetic and over-optimistic throughout the series. She loves her friends and family and treats every person she meets with respect and kindness.
In her early life, Tohru loved when her Mother would tell her stories of the Chinese Zodiac and would always become upset at the mention of how the Cat was ignored. Although, she’s born in the Year of the Dog, she wishes it could’ve been the Year of the Cat – even though it doesn’t exist.
Although, Tohru is unable to transform, she is represented by a rice ball with a “plum on its back”.
From the beginning of the series, Tohru lives with her classmates Yuki and Kyo Sohma. After the death of her mother, she moved in with her distant relatives, yet they didn’t have room for her. So, being an independent person, she decided to live alone in a tent. However, the land she chose to live on belonged to the Sohma family, who kindly invited her to live in their home.
Breaks the Sohma family curse when Kyo Sohma finds true love with her. However, there is also a theory that Tohru had managed to calm Akito enough for them to free the members of the zodiac.

Favourite Quotes

“Maybe the reason people get jealous of eachother is because they can clearly see the umeboshi on other people’s backs. I can see them too. I can see them perfectly. There is an amazing umeboshi on your back, Kyo-kun.”
Fruits Basket: Banquet

“I know that happy things and fun things eventually come to an end. But things that are scary and sad come to an end, too. They always do. Even if you can’t always believe that… please, don’t give up. Live.”
Fruits Basket, Vol. 21

“Mom told me… it’s better to trust people than to doubt them. She said that people aren’t born with kind hearts. When we’re born, all we have are desires for food and material things. Selfish instincts, I guess. But she said that kindness is something that grows inside of each person’s body… but it’s up to us to nurture that kindness in our hearts. That’s why kindness is different for each person. Mom taught me that people’s differences are something to celebrate… When I thought of all the different shapes of human kindness–imagining them as round or square… I got really excited. Your kindness is like a candle, Sohma-kun. I can feel it light up… and I just want to smile.”
Fruits Basket, Vol. 1

“Please… If my memories are erased… will you still be my friend?”
Fruits Basket, Vol. 1

“If they can see the admirable qualities in someone else, why can’t they see the admirable qualities in themselves?”
Fruits Basket Anime