Manga Review: Fruits Basket vol.3

By Aliraluna

Story and art by Natsuki Takaya

Now that Tohru Honda had a pleasant and safe place to live, knew about the secret curse that some members of the Sohma family had to endure, and went to school with Yuki and Kyo Sohma, she encountered a new challenge: having a sleepover with her two best friends Hana and Uo. 

It all began when Tohru Honda asked Shigure Sohma if she could tell her friends where she was staying and he accepted. When she told her friends, they decided they had to visit the house to assess if it was a suitable environment. During the sleepover, Tohru found out that Shigure was a novelist and later they played cards. Just when the girls were getting ready to go to bed, Kyo Sohma was outside listening to them chat. One of the girls noticed Tohru holding a hat and particularly asked her why she still had it. Tohru then proceeded to tell them the story of the day she was chased by some boys when she was about six/seven years old. She was very scared and kept running, until she found herself lost. She cried all night until morning, then a boy appeared in front of her wearing the hat she has now. He stared at her and started to run, stopping once in a while. She followed him until he came to a stop and she realized he had lead her home. He gave her his hat and disappeared, she never even had the chance to give her thanks. Her friends told her it would be a better story if she met him again and fell in love… 

(I already have my thoughts in regards to the boy's identity.)

Later on, Yuki Sohma had to dress up as a girl because of his cute appearance; everyone wanted to see him crossed-dress and while helping the onigiri sale in the festival! Besides the chance of seeing a cross-dressing Yuki, two more members of the Sohma family arrived at the Festival: Hatori and the adorable Momiji. Hatori approached Tohru to talk with her and warned her that she shouldn't get involved any more with the Sohma family. Cute Momiji later on explained to Tohru part of Hatori's sad love story, which justified his mannerisms. Eventually we get to see the whole story at the end.

Later on, Yuki and Kyo had a fight with Shigure because they refused to go to the Estate (where the majority of the Sohma family resides).  Yuki would have had to attend because he’s part of the Chinese Zodiac and they are supposed to attend to the New Year's banquet. Will they attend? What will happen with poor, lonely, and hard-working Tohru Honda in the New Year’s celebration?

5/5

Thoughts: I really liked Hatori’s story.