Thank you for joining on my long journey of nostalgia lane. Fruits Basket was the first manga series I picked out. I still remember being an awkward 4th grader, randomly passing through the different aisles in the library, wondering if I should read a mystery novel like Nancy Drew or reread the Percy Jackson series. My friend at the time tried to introduce me to anime, but I was intimidated by Japanese animation since my dad was a huge fan of Inuyasha and made me look at the Centipede Lady when I was 6. I was bored and found myself at the end of the library where the mangas were. Fruits Basket stood out like a sore thumb to me, especially since it was in my eye view at my height. At that point, I was like, “Why not? Not like I have anything else better to do. It’s not like I could get any more childhood trauma after seeing the bug lady”. I pulled out the first manga with Tohru in the front, sat myself down on a table with a single chair, and turned the first page.

Who would know that this would be the start to a new chapter in my life?

I was so wrapped up the character development of this cursed family and how a single girl could change their lives. Kyo became my spirit animal for years. He was misunderstood, awkward with people, angry, and scared. I saw myself in him and how we were both afraid of showing our true, ugly selves to others. I had so much rage and pain inside of me that I didn’t know what to do with it except to cope with it and pretend everything was fine. I always blamed others when I really was just blaming myself. Seeing how he changed to be someone better made me want to change as well. He was one of the reasons I started to call myself Kyo. The loneliness and suffering Yuki had to endure made me realize how closed off I was to others and kept to myself. He wanted to just run away from it all like I did. After hearing Momiji’s story with his mother, I found out how much my pain was miniscule compared to his. I wondered how he could keep on smiling when he had gone through so much. The sacrifice Hatori made to make Kanna happy tore my heart out and I still feel like shedding a tear hearing about it. I would wish so bad for these fictional characters’ happiness. The manga taught me about pain, happiness, friendship, and family. It took me on a roller coaster of emotions and I can’t thank the mangaka enough for it. Without this manga, I’m not sure where I’d be. Life is full of ups and downs, but everyday is a new page to your story. A single reaching hand can pull you out of the darkness.

Since then, I still use the mangaka’s quote til now. I began looking for more manga. Turns out that instead of my father, I became the avid Inuyasha fan and started drawing his face any chance I could. My second anime was Naruto who taught my 5th grader self that there was no point in crying over my problems. I needed to take action myself and be my own hero even if everyone is against you. Believe in your own path and find your way. I became more open and optimistic, pushing my limitations even with my weak body and turning a new leaf in middle school. I was loud and energetic and made friendships that lasted for years. Now I had music in my life where I would be singing anime openings or Japanese songs. I found my voice. I joined Smule to gain more confidence and later made a Youtube account. My friends in middle and high school continuously told me it was like I was living my own anime where each year was a new season. I had drama, comedy, slice of life, and so much more. I may have gone through so much pain that left me broken, but I will remember the few sparks of happiness that keeps going.

Without manga and anime, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. I wouldn’t be singing here now. I wouldn’t have the friends I made, left behind, and kept with me til now. I wouldn’t feel so alone anymore. It has helped shape me into the person I am today. It gave me hope and a new light in my life. I had dreams and inspirations that I still keep with me. It taught me so many lessons that real life couldn’t teach me. Thank you to all mangakas and animators.


❀Original Song: For Fruits Basket | フルーツバスケット
❀Original Anime: Fruits Basket (2006)
❀Original Singer: Okazaki Ritsuko
❀Original Manga: Natsuki Takaya
❀Instrumental: [ Ссылка ]
❀Second English Verse: Animerox [ Ссылка ]


❀Vocals: Kyo
❀Tuning: Kyo & Hess [ Ссылка ]
❀Mixing/Mastering: Hess
❀Thumbnail Art: [ Ссылка ]

#フルーツバスケット #ForFruitsBasket

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