Review: Fruits Basket Collector’s Edition, Vol.4 | Natsuki Takaya

This review is spoiler free.

“I hope I can say that to someone.
‘I was born for your sake.’
I hope I can say those words one day.
I hope someone that I haven’t met yet is waiting to hear those words.” 

Series: Fruits Basket
Published: 2016, by Yen Press.
Pages: 392
Format: Paperback
Genre: Sequential Art, Manga, Fantasy, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Romance
Contains: Strong Language, Death, Suicide, Grief, Violence, Mental Health, Anxiety, Mental Illness

‘Fruits Basket Collector’s Edition, Vol.4’ is the fourth instalment in Tohru’s life with the Sohma family. The stakes are rising and Tohru’s usual cheery demeanour is beginning to have little affect on the Sohma’s nowadays, as she meets sharp-tongued Hiro Sohma, someone who isn’t fond of the intrepid interloper. And when Hatsuharu goes black during school, everyone begins to worry about the lack of control on their abilities.

This series is addictive, to the point where I cannot bring myself to focus on another book outside of its story. So, naturally, I decided to continue the series by reading volume 4, and there is nothing I can say that will accurately describe my love for where the story is heading.

Every volume of this manga introduces yet another Sohma member and their corresponding curse, yet that doesn’t hinder your enjoyment of the story in the slightest. In this instalment, the story is driven by the introduction to Hiro and Ritsu Sohma and their insecurities, each being assisted to gather the motivation to overcome them by Tohru. She’s a miracle worker in this volume, learning to face new challenges and reveal her own insecure side with beautiful interactions with other members of the Sohma clan. The story itself is extremely character driven, with chapters progressing the story and those that break in between with a backstory to someone else. They’re all linked with flowing morals and messages that make your heart ache for the characters within its pages.

Although, I’m fairly familiar with the story, owning all volumes of the original manga, the collector’s edition comes with gorgeous coloured pages at the beginning of the volume, and interesting translation notes at the end. This volume consists of chapters 36-48, volumes 7 and 8 of the original manga, and explores the story deeper with humorous anecdotes and dialogue along the way. It’s difficult not to fall in love with Natsuki Takaya’s work, and the story makes you just keep wanting more.

Overall, I love this series. Natsuki Takaya has a talent for creating beloved characters and placing them in a story to keep you intrigued from beginning to end. I’m sure it won’t be long before I continue the tale in volume 5.

5/5