Fruits Basket is one of the most beloved shojo series in the history of manga. Harboring various characters who have melancholic backstories and interesting personalities, the story stands out not only because it's well-written but also because of its characters.

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Without Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, or Shigure as the central characters the story wouldn't have as much of an impact as it had on its fans. Along with the rest of the Sohma familyーand, even the supporting characters who have an important role in the seriesーFruits Basket has many lovable characters. Here are the top 10 fan-favorite characters, according to MyAnimeList.

10 Akito Sohma (246)

akito looking in room

Akito is considered the God of the Sohma family and mentally as well as physically abuses the children who inherited the zodiac. Thinking of them all as her possession, Akito is a twisted person who has left countless scars on the familyーespecially on Yuki, Kyo, and Hatori.

The new season has given an inside look at Akito's psyche, so it's understandable as to why Akito has racked up much more favorites compared to the 2001 Fruits Basket anime adaption.

9 Saki Hanajima (392)

fruits basket saki hanajima

Saki, otherwise called Hanajima or Hana-chan by either Arisa or Tohru in the Japanese version, didn't get much exposure in the original Fruits Basket anime adaption. She was used for comedic relief when talking about how she could feel other peoples' waves.

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However, the 2019 anime adaption gave her much more of a spotlight on her actually being a psychic and different from others, which explains why she predominantly wears blackーand why her younger brother, Megumi, does so with her to make her feel better. Her backstory being revealed has garnered her new fans, and thus more favorites in recent years.

8 Hatori Sohma (699)

Hatori in Fruits Basket

Hatori's backstory was explained in the original Fruits Basket, but it wasn't as beautifully told as it was in the 2019 version. Although Hatori was always well-liked for his story, his character had more time to shine in the newest adaption.

His pain, as well as the faint glow of hope he has in a close acquaintance, makes Hatoril all the more lovableーas well as gives fans hope for him to have a new, profound happier ending.

7 Ayame Sohma (740)

ayame in fruits basket

Ayame is Yuki's older brother who never paid much attention to him, despite him reaching out for help once. Now guilt-ridden for neglecting him once, he strives to be the best brother he can be.

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His eccentric ways, as well as great fashion sense, always gave him fans. However, the more his backstory was exposed in the animeーand the reason behind his big personalityーis what really bolstered him up in the ranks. His playfulness with Shigure and annoying antics toward Hatori are two big pluses, too.

6 Momiji Sohma (1,180)

Momiji Sohma in Fruits Basket.

No one besides manga-only readers truly knew the sad backstory Momiji hadーor the way he forces himself to be happy most of the time. Momiji was not only made the cause of his mother trying to take her own life but is also hidden from her by having her memories erased and his younger sister who doesn't know he even exists.

Out of all of the zodiac members, Momiji's story has to be in the top five of the most depressing ones. Even so, he does his best to live life to the fullest and be happy, despite everything.

5 Hatsuharu Sohma (1,401)

Hatsuharu Happily Smiling Fruits Basket

Hatsuharu is another character who was belovedーnot only for his comedic reliefーbut how he was an early anime character who was openly bisexual. In the original anime, fans only got to know Yuki was his first love, but not the reason behind this.

Hatsuharu's backstory is still not known in full as the rest, but his interactions with the newest addition to the 2019 anime, Isuzu Sohma, also bolstered him higher in popularity. The support and silent knowledge he shows throughout the new anime show that he isn't only for comedic relief, but how great of a character he truly is in Fruits Basket.

4 Shigure Sohma (1,419)

Shigure Smiling Fruits Basket

Shigure was an odd toss-up. In the 2001 anime, he acted as a comedic relief character who was more or an aloof older brother figure towards Tohru. However, in the 2019 adaption, it is shown he isn't all goodーin fact, he has a lot more villainous intentions.

Sure, Shigure is still his goofy self at times, but he's even more interesting because of his actions that are more black-and-white than anything. What exactly is he hiding? That's the hook that has garnered him more attention in the new anime adaption.

3 Yuki Sohma (1,977)

Yuki Smiling Sparkling Fruits Basket

As one of the main characters surrounding Tohru, Yuki was one of the first people to meet her along with Shigure and Kyo. Yuki's backstory remained the same between the two adoptions, but this time is was done slowly, as the manga intended to unravel his trauma to the readers and viewers in a deliberate way.

Not only is he more likable in the new adaption, but the reason behind many of his actions are more thoroughly explainedーas well as why he has such low self-esteem. This gives him more favorites overall on the website for learning more about him.

2 Tohru Honda (4,845)

Tohru With The Hat Fruits Basket

For a shojo, Tohru is exceptionally well-liked by fans of Fruits Basket when it's usually the men who have more favorites than the heroine. Not only did she beat out Yuki, but also by a considerable gap.

Always cheerful and doing her best to be happy without her mother who died from an accident, Tohru is one of the purest characters in a series. However, it can be seen at times that she only pushes herself to be cheerful so she does not feel sad. Fans strive for her happiness as they continue to watch the series as it touches upon her more than the 2001 anime adaption.

1 Kyo Sohma (7,431)

Kyo Smiling Fruits Basket

Kyo has always been more well-liked than Yuki even before the anime explained his backstory, but the new adaption did wonders to reignite the orange-haired tsundere. Not only does he have more character growth, akin to the other characters, but it can really be shown that he is in love with Tohru and how much he pays attention to her as the episodes continue.

Even without the shippers, Kyo is overall more likable as his tsundere tendencies fade as the anime continues. It's no wonder he's racked up so many favorites, even as a character from almost 20 years prior.

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