The New 'Fruits Basket' Review

Funimation has put out a new animated version of Fruits Basket. The story is following the manga, and is lasting longer, but it has many changes including more accurate voice portrayals, the animation obviously, and Kyo doesn't like Chives. Not Leeks anymore, but Chives. Here is my review so far with 16 episodes in, and why you should watch this one AFTER watching the original.

May contain some spoilers if you haven’t been following this story.

So the story is literally the first one made with just better animation, and some voice changes so far except for the newest episode. Watching the first rendition of the manga was good and so cute. The animation, for me, made the anime, and it was such a cute story and the anime followed that.

For those of us who watched the 2001 version, we are now older and want to see the story continue, and that is what they are trying to do. The animation is more mature, and the brings a different feel to the story. It's still a very cute story, but now you are really starting to understand the hardships that these Zodiac spirits are going through. It makes the feel of the anime more dramatic and heart-wrenching.

If you are waiting to watch, because you want to binge, I somewhat envy you because it's agonizing to wait every week or so for a new one!

The voices are a bit different. We get the same voices for the main characters, which I love because their voices just fit them, and it wouldn't be the same if they had different voices. But more minor-ish characters like Momiji and Kagura have slightly and not so slightly different voices.

Momiji has his traditional German accent, which he didn't in the first series made. Which for me, threw me off a bit. I knew his history, but the accent is just a little hard to understand. I wish they kind of made it like 'Baka and Test,' where one character is from Germany, but only has her accent in flashbacks. Not saying that accents are bad in any way, but his accent is just a little too strong for me.

Kagura has a slightly different voice change as well, but hers is just very subtle, and people might not even notice. It was just an observation that doesn't really change my opinion about her. She's crazy and so glad her and Kyo don't end up together.

I am very excited for the continuation of this, and the fact that the studio decided to start over, and do it the way they want to have the story told better. They will be able to really get more viewers as well with the change in animation, and the story being told in its entirety (hopefully)! So far it is really good, and I feel closer to the characters and their personalities coming through.

Funimation just premiered episode 16 of the 2019 version, and it is very different from the first one. I think this is when it starts to delve into the other characters, and really following the manga. I haven’t read the manga, but reading about the process of this new animation, the new series is supposed to be longer and follow the manga more so than the first. Apparently, the studio and author weren’t happy with the first adaptation, so this new one is supposed to be a lot better and it is.

Myself on the other hand thought the first one was cute, but I like this new one a lot more.

I am very excited to see where this will go, and what will become of the characters through the anime experience. I already know what happens with everyone and practically read the manga, but seeing it come to life through my favorite way of entertainment is very fun to see.

What I look forward too: The relationship between Tohru and Kyo, how Yuki will find love, and what he will do to overcome the pull that Akito has on him, Hana and Uo-Chan, and where they will end up, and what will happen to all the Zodiacs through the course of the show, and after the curse is broken, and how the curse is officially broken.

What do you look forward to in watching this series, whether you have watched the first series, read the manga, or are just starting the series for the first time?