Fruits Basket's Tohru Honda seems to fit the mold of a typical shojo protagonist. Kind-hearted, optimistic, and cheerful, she has a pair of caring friends and eventually finds love with a formerly misunderstood bad boy. But there are some things about Tohru that make her different from her fellow shojo heroines.
Most importantly, Fruits Basket has darker undertones than the more happy and light-hearted shojo anime. Tohru, as well as the entire Sohma family, are struggling to live everyday lives. Every zodiac member must learn to live in harmony with their animal persona while enduring Akito's emotional and physical abuse. On the other hand, Tohru is dealing with her own sense of guilt and grief, making her a more unique, well-rounded protagonist.
10 She's Self-Reliant
Even after meeting the Sohma family, Tohru has a strong sense of independence and refuses to let anyone care for her. She got her independence from her strong-willed mother, Kyoko, who used to be a delinquent in her teenage years.
Unfortunately, Kyoko's reputation didn't sit well with Tohru's paternal family members, even after death. There was still a sense of caution in adopting her because of the rumor that she was the child of another man. Tohru could sense their distrust in her and decided to live independently, even refusing assistance from her kindly paternal grandfather.
9 She's Practical
Shojo protagonists maintain their appeal for being relatable. Teenage girls can see themselves in a heroine who's a student who loves wearing cute clothes and worries about exams, making friends, and potential crushes. Tohru's practicality makes her stand out from most shojo protagonists.
She prefers to spend money on sturdy things that won't easily break down, which is why she dresses plainly. Most of the time, Tohru values functionality over aesthetics due to her deep-seated need to be independent. She doesn't know how to react when people spoil her since it's not something she's used to.
8 Her Language Mimics Her Father
Tohru barely remembers her father, Katsuya, but knew he had made a big impression on her mother, Kyoko. After his death, young Tohru sees her mother wasting away from the grief and wants to do whatever she can to comfort her.
Katsuya's polite speech was unique to his personality, and by adopting it, Tohru is confident it would help Kyoko cope. She wanted to preserve his likeness, to make her mother feel less alone after his death. Even after Kyoko's passing, Tohru maintains her polite language, possibly as a way to still feel connected to her father.
7 She's Like A Housewife
Tohru's new life at the Sohma's mirrors Snow White's life with the seven dwarves. After spending so much time surviving on her own, she now has a comfortable home to stay in, and she's more than willing to pull her weight. She even has animal friends!
She takes up the mantle as the housekeeper in exchange for room and board since Yuki and Shigure struggle with keeping the house clean. Tohru doesn't seem to mind cleaning and cooking if it makes those around her happy. However, her peaceful days sometimes invite chaos whenever Kyo is home to challenge Yuki.
6 She Has A Lot Of Anxiety
While Fruits Basket focuses mainly on the Sohma family, Tohru remains the protagonist. As the zodiac members struggle with their place in life and within the family, Tohru's story centers around her grieving, a darker topic that's not as common in shojo anime.
She struggles with a deep-seated fear of abandonment, which only worsened after both of her parents' deaths. While Tohru is blessed to have friends who care for her, she still attempts to hold onto every precious memory. Even when she realized her feelings for Kyo, Tohru fought with her fear of making the wrong decision — by choosing one person, she abandons the other, possibly forever.
5 She Shows Her Clumsiness In Unique Ways
Clumsiness is a standard troupe in a shojo protagonist, and Tohru is no exception. Her clumsiness lies in her naivete, unable to understand Shigure's antics, much to Yuki and Kyo's annoyance.
Tohru also has a habit of stumbling with her words. There are times where she finds herself apologizing for saying something uncalled for or insensitive. She's learning to find her voice and be more comfortable asserting herself, even if it may seem awkward at times.
4 She's Like A Mother Figure
Kyoko positively influences Tohru as a child who unconsciously adopts her loving nature. Even after Kyoko's death, she carries that maternal instinct into her teenage years.
Some of the Sohma family members distrust Tohru's goodwill upon first meeting her. Rin and Yuki keep their distance while Hiro acts out to annoy her. However, it doesn't stop Tohru from reaching out every chance she has. She mirrors her mother's love and readily accepts the Sohma family as her own. Each member gradually becomes more comfortable and more vulnerable around her. She eventually becomes their safe place.
3 She's Frugal And Mature
With some exceptions, most shojo protagonists come from loving homes and families. While Tohru's parents did care for her, her parents' deaths forced her to grow up must faster than her peers.
She's forced to save money whenever she can and doesn't indulge in herself. Tohru had to focus on surviving, which means she had to cast aside a lot of her happiness. Even when she meets the Sohma family, she still feels the need to remain level-headed to avoid being a burden.
2 She Has A Job
Unlike most shojo protagonists, Tohru has a night job as a cleaner. Before living with Shigure, she worked to support herself and to feel like less of a burden on her extended family. She pays her school tuition and living expenses, which speaks to her practicality and maturity.
Tohru's co-workers are mainly older women, and they appreciate her enthusiasm and work ethic. A nighttime cleaning job is unusual, even for a shojo protagonist, but it makes sense given Tohru's background and schedule. In addition, her skills in housekeeping make her a valuable asset on the job.
1 She Doesn't Usually Gravitate Towards Cuter Outfits
Despite being a regular high school student, Tohru doesn't go out of her way to dress up or surround herself with cute things, nor does she buy anything for herself. But that doesn't stop her from being spoiled by Shigure. He purchases most of Tohru's adorable clothes and accessories showcased throughout the anime.
She has a hard time accepting compliments whenever she does wear more feminine clothes. One of the best examples is when she tries on a maid costume at Ayame's boutique. Yuki showers her with affectionate compliments and calls her "cute," much to Tohru's embarrassment.