Tohru Honda was living in a tent, alone, after her mother died. Because Tohru is terribly kindhearted, she did not want to worry her relatives and friends by living with them. Then one fateful day brought Tohru into the world of the Sohma's. As Tohru would quickly find out, the Sohma family has a secret. When certain members are embraced by a member of the opposite sex, they transform into the animal of the zodiac they are possessed by. Tohru ends up living with three of the Sohmas, Yuki (the Rat), Kyo (the Cat), and Shigure (the Dog).
Fruits Basket: Ultimate Edition, Volume 4, contains volume 7 and 8 of the regular manga. In volume 7, Kisa (the Tiger) has been hanging out with Tohru for a while now, but not everyone is okay with this. Hiro (the Ram) is secretly in love with Kisa. However, when Hiro tells the head of the Sohma house, Akito, he is physically hurt. Hiro decides that Kisa would be better off if she didn't hang around him. Hiro eventually becomes jealous of Tohru, and is finally able to get back together with Kisa.
In volume 8, Tohru notices that a beautiful young woman is panicking about her backpack that has broken. Tohru offers to help pick up the books that fell out of the bag, but the woman refuses apologetically, saying that it isn't right of them to burden others with their own clumsiness. Tohru recognizes this apologetic characteristic. It turns out that the woman is Ritchan (the Monkey), and that Ritchan is actually a man. Ritchan has a mental breakdown because he withheld information from Tohru, who he was on his way to meet. Tohru does her thing and helps Ritchan get himself back together.
Highlights
The two individual volumes included are some of the best volumes yet. I really like the series, Fruits Basket, and I love the fact that TokyoPop is coming out with the "Ultimate" volumes. In general, everything is bigger. The panels have been magnified, so now it's easier to read in-panel commentary. It's also easier to read what Ritchan has to say when he's panicking, because there's so much and it's in a different font. Then there's one more thing I really like about the Ultimate Edition…the hardback cover! I'm a bit of a sucker for hardbacks. They're just so much nicer to read, and you don't have to worry about ripping the cover, or getting as many paper cuts (I'm a bit of a paper klutz)!
As for the story itself, both were funny and moving at the same time. Volume 8 is my favorite of the two. Most of the comedy in Fruits Basket comes from awkward moments involving Tohru, but in Volume 8, most of it comes from the interaction of Yuki and Hatsuharu (the Ox). Hatsuharu happens to be bisexual, and when he has a sudden explosion of rage, Yuki is the one who gets to talk to him. Hatsuharu explains that he was dumped, and Yuki mentions the name of a guy as the one who broke up with Hatsuharu. Of course, Hatsuharu goes on to say it was a girl who he was dating, and Yuki is embarrassed on the inside. I couldn't help but laugh every time Hatsuharu's situation was brought up. Also, in volume 8, Yuki's older brother, Ayame (the Snake) randomly shows up for a day with Yuki. Those two are always hilarious together.
Overall
There is little to actually complain about Ultimate Edition 4. The story was a little too lighthearted at times, and towards the end of the individual volume 8, Ritchan's freaking out started to get a little annoying. But I am in love with the series, and the way it's going, I'm excited to get more of the series. There are still two more members of the Zodiac remaining, the Rooster, and the Horse. I can't wait!
Overall, I find this series too absolutely amusing, and even a bit of an emotional booster to my own life. 12 to 16 year old girls will like this series best, but I know several guys, over the age of 16, who also like this series. It's a fun, lighthearted read that most will enjoy.
ComicsOnline gives Fruits Basket: The Ultimate Edition, Volume 4, 4.5 out of 5 Attempts at Finding Tohru a New Swimsuit, with the Guys.
