Hakusensha recently revealed exciting news for manga enthusiasts. Natsuki Takaya, the creative mind behind Fruits Basket, is set to launch a new manga titled “Kakumo Chiisaki Sekai ni te” (In such a small world) on their Manga Park website and app.
This new romantic manga follows the life of Sui Onodera, a 23-year-old residing in an apartment. Unexpectedly, his neighbor Kaoru Seto enters the scene, searching for his misplaced dog, Tino, who somehow finds his way onto Sui’s balcony. This encounter sparks a connection, as Kaoru becomes more than just a neighbor in Sui’s life.
Natsuki Takaya has an impressive resume with works such as Twinkle Stars, Tsubasa: Those with Wings, and her most famous piece, Fruits Basket. So expecting “In Such a Small World” to be a satisfying and endearing read is almost a need, not a want, and we’re sure she won’t disappoint.
Fruits Basket ties together elements of drama, romance, and the supernatural in a way that keeps you hooked from the very beginning, so we’re more than excited to see what new elements her new manga will bring us.
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Fruits Basket: Everything to Know
Natsuki Takaya’s original Fruits Basket manga was serialized in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine from 1998 to 2006. Tokyopop handled the English release from 2004 to 2009, and Yen Press later re-released it in 12 updated omnibus volumes starting in June 2016.
In September 2015, Takaya released a sequel manga titled Fruits Basket Another on the “HanaLaLa online” website, ending the series with its fourth volume in February 2022. Yen Press also published this sequel manga in English.
The manga’s popularity led to two anime adaptations. The first aired in 2001, while a new adaptation premiered in 2019. This was followed by Fruits Basket’s 2nd Season in 2020 and Fruits Basket the Final in 2021. There is also a Fruits Basket -prelude- film, which debuted in February 2022.
The Plot
At its core, Fruits Basket follows the life of Tohru Honda, a kind and empathetic high school girl who finds herself in a rather unique living arrangement. After her mother’s tragic passing, Tohru ends up living in a tent in the woods, determined not to burden her remaining family members. However, fate has something unexpected in store for her.
One day, she stumbles upon the secluded home of the Sohma family. Little does she know that the Sohmas possess a peculiar and life-altering secret; certain members of their family are cursed to transform into animals from the Chinese zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex. What follows next makes a hit rom-com anime series.
Is Fruits Basket Worth a Watch?
Fruits Basket explores heart-touching themes and features a range of emotions, from the bishonen charm to moments of deep angst, drama, comedy, romance, and even hints of shounen-ai. This rollercoaster of emotions is what made the series so famous and beloved.
The character designs are visually pleasing, turning every character into a bishonen or bishojo. The clever use of colors in the hair and eyes of the Sohma family members, corresponding to their Zodiac animals, adds a unique touch to each of them and more depth to the characters.
Each episode dives into a character’s story and situation, keeping you engaged and emotionally invested. Despite the series ending with some loose threads (the manga continues), watching it leaves you with a sense of satisfaction, with a slight craving for more.
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