Summary

• The Zodiac Curse in Fruits Basket causes possessed family to transform and act like their Zodiac Animals.
• Yuki embodies the traits of the Rat in the Zodiac, appearing popular but battling with low self-esteem.
• Kisa, the Tiger, grows from a scared young tiger into a confident and brave individual over time.

The Sohma family in Fruits Basket are afflicted by the Zodiac Curse, a bizarre curse that causes certain of the family to be possessed by one of the thirteen Spirits of the Chinese Zodiac. When a possessed member of the family dies, the Spirit is reborn inside the body of a different member of the family.

The Zodiac Curse causes the possessed family member to transform into their animal form under certain conditions, but the possession causes changes that are more than skin deep. The possessed of the Sohma family also act like their animal Spirit and share personality traits with their corresponding Zodiac Animals. Each Spirit in the Zodiac is unique and influences their possessed character accordingly.

Yuki: The Rat

The reserved "Prince Charming" of the Sohma family lives up to his Zodiac identity

Yuki is possessed by the Rat, the first Spirit in the Zodiac, and therefore the closest to God in the hierarchy of the Zodiac. Like the Rat, Yuki is smart, quick-witted, and charming, evidenced by his effortless popularity at school. Unfortunately, despite outward appearances to the contrary, Yuki suffers from terribly low self-esteem, stemming largely from his difficult childhood.

As the first Zodiac, Yuki is good at almost everything he does, without the noted exception of cooking, and he is able to beat Kyo with ease whenever they duel. However, Yuki is also quite skittish and can scare easily, such as when he has an anxiety attack after getting locked in a dark closet at school. All of this makes him a great representation of the rat, as does his undying rivalry with Kyo.

Hatsuharu: The Ox/Cow

Cool and collected, Hatsuharu perfectly embodies the go-with-the-flow nature of the cow

Hatsuharu is possessed by the Cow, the second Spirit in the Zodiac, and he fully embodies both the physical and personality traits of his animal Spirit. He is as strong as an Ox and appears cowlike with his large sad eyes and white hair. Hatsuharu has two forms; white and black.

In his White form, he is patient and kind, while in his Black form he is aggressive and stubborn. Though this two-faced nature doesn't reflect cultural perceptions of cows or oxen, it appears to be a reference to the common coloration associated with the noble farm animal, which is definitely an interesting way of representing the animal. Hatsuharu acts like a big brother to many of the other Zodiacs, and although he was mocked for his intelligence as a child, he is actually rather mature.

Kisa: The Tiger

While timid, Kisa is more than capable of being fiery when she needs to be

Kisa is possessed by the Tiger, the third Spirit in the Zodiac, and is as fierce as her animal Spirit. At the start of the series, Kisa does not speak and bites people who try to get too close to her. Thanks to the care she receives from Tohru, Hatsuharu, and Yuki she opens up and becomes more confident.

Kisa is the only Fruits Basket character whose Zodiac sign matches her animal form.

Kisa is emotional, courageous, and intense, and as time goes on she becomes more vocal and self-assured. Kisa grows from a scared tiger cub into a brave young tiger, and she learns to approach new situations with curiosity and vigor. Though Risa might seem to be another Sohma with a mismatched Zodiac, her character arc from shy and innocent to someone willing to stand up for what they believe in shows that she more than earns the right to be associated with the fearsome tiger.

Momiji: The Rabbit

Bubbly and social, Momiji shares many similarities to a hyper rabbit

Momiji is possessed by the Rabbit, the fourth Spirit in the Zodiac, and is easily the most cheerful of the Zodiac animals. Momiji is cute and full of energy, always leaping from one moment to the next. He is full of life and vitality, and his appearance is youthful and innocent.

Momiji is popular, comionate, and sincere, and is one of the most emotionally intelligent Zodiac . His feelings are easily hurt, and he can be quite immature at times, but he is also very perceptive and is able to see into the heart of an issue with ease. All of these traits add up to making Momiji a great host for the Zodiac of the rabbit. Momiji's character arc is all about him growing up (symbolized by his big growth spurt) and growing more confident in himself.

Hatori: The Dragon

Despite not being represented by a literal dragon, Hatori presents all the characteristics of one

Hatori is possessed by the Dragon, the fifth Spirit in the Zodiac, and he is as proud and regal as his traditional Zodiac Spirit. Hatori acts calm and collected at all times, and has a rather serious disposition. He is fearless, charismatic, kind, as evidenced by his position as the Sohma family doctor. Hatori has a commanding presence and exudes an air of confidence and authority, but he is also rather sensitive and introspective. His form may be a seahorse, but deep down he has the heart of a true dragon.

Hatori's true form is a seahorse, because the Japanese word for seahorse can be translated to Dragon's Child, owing to a legend that seahorses who live for a full hundred years will become dragons.

While many of Fruits Basket's characters have personalities that conflict with their Zodiac spirit, Hatori's nature as a dragon fits him quite well. His seriousness and wisdom combined with his keen intellect make him a strong candidate for being represented by the most famous mythical beast.

Ayame: The Snake

The suave and handsome Ayame embodies the mischief of a snake

Ayame is possessed by the Snake, the sixth Spirit in the Zodiac, and while he can be devious, he doesn't fit the more negative stereotypes of this animal. Ayame is charming and gregarious and constantly includes himself in situations and conversations. He is also rather generous, as seen when he offers to attend Yuki's parent-teacher conference as his surrogate parent. Ayame is smarter than he appears, which is apparent from his success as a business owner, and is able to slither his way into others' good graces with ease.

Far more fitting for the boisterous rooster than the scheming snake, Ayame is all about style and flash. This easily makes Ayame one of the series' most fun characters, as he constantly seems to be enjoying himself and living his life to its fullest, regardless of his curse.

Isuzu (Rin): The Horse

Despite seeming cold and distant, Rin is loyal and headstrong – just like a horse

Isuzu is possessed by the Horse, the seventh Spirit in the Zodiac, and her nature is just as wild and free as her animal Spirit. Isuzu, better known by her nickname, Rin, is energetic, independent, and impatient, and is the swiftest of all the Zodiacs. While Rin is very independent, she is also very sensitive and is slow to trust others, as seen by her initial mistrust and hesitancy towards Tohru. Due to her horrible past, her loyalty and respect must be earned, but once gained, she is a loyal friend.

Much like Hiro, Rin's independence also contrasts with her Zodiac animal, the horse. While horses prefer to stay in packs to stay safe from predators, the many traumatic events of Rin's backstory have left her to be a longer who is inherently skeptical of others, even when they're approaching her in good faith.

Hiro: The Sheep/Goat

Hiro's tsundere schoolboy persona conflicts with his fluffy sheep attributes

Hiro is possessed by the Sheep, the eighth Spirit in the Zodiac, and he is as headstrong and surly as he is resourceful. While he is rather shy around strangers and is very kind to those he cares for such as his mother and Kisa, he is not mild-mannered. At the start of the series, Hiro is distinguished by his sharp tongue and wit, mercilessly taunting Tohru for her open and earnest nature. He is also rather stubborn and willful, but over time he grows into a more trusting and comionate person.

Unlike his Zodiac animal the sheep, Hiro is far from a follower and has an independent streak. His character arc is largely about his own seriousness and desire to grow up. Hiro truly hates the part of himself that lashes out at others, finding it to be an immature habit, but can't help himself when the opportunity is provided.

Ritsu: The Monkey

Despite monkeys often being categorized for their energy, Ritsu is soft-spoken and timid

Ritsu is possessed by the Monkey, the ninth Spirit in the Zodiac, but is probably the least like his animal Spirit among all the Zodiacs. The Monkey is traditionally regarded as being fun, energetic, and active. In contrast to the monkey, Ritsu is soft-spoken, timid, and lives with low self-esteem. While he is quite agile and dextrous, he is otherwise quite far removed from his animal Spirit. He is constantly apologizing, even for things he is not responsible for, and has a knack for always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

An interesting trait of Ritsu's is his penchant for dres as a girl. In the series, he states that this helps calm him, which is a massive help for someone as incredibly anxious as Ritsu. Though it's impossible to say what series creator Natsuki Takaya's intention behind this detail was, it's easy to see Ritsu's experience as similar to many Queer people.

Kureno: The Rooster

Plucky yet kind, Kureno has always been devoted to tending to Akito

Kureno is possessed by the Rooster, the tenth Spirit in the Zodiac, and he bears a strong resemblance to his animal Spirit. Kureno comes off as rather proud, and he always appears composed and well-put together. He is practical, hard-working, and observant, as evidenced by his dedication to Akito. He realizes that he is not able to have a life outside his relationship with Akito, so he spurns his connection with Uotani, but he is also aware that he has feelings for her and that she feels the same way about him.

Kureno is, by and large, defined by his similarity to Tohru. Both are incredibly kind-hearted people who can be ditzes but who genuinely want what's best for their friends and family. Unfortunately, this unflinching kindness leaves him open to being manipulated by others due to his refusal to say no. This is especially evident in Kureno's relationship with Akito.