To those who enjoy Shoujo, romance and otherwise bright and cheery anime, Fruits Basket stands as one of the best and most necessary to watch. Told from the perspective of Haru, a young girl who does her best to help anyone she can, the story sees her embroiled in the dealings of a family cursed to turn into animals of the Zodiac when they make contact with the opposite sex. Full of gut-busting comedy, heartbreaking character moments and a story head and shoulders above many other works in the genre, it remains an example of how to make an anime that lifts you up, gives you a hug and then leaves you eager to take on the day’s challenges. Many works have sought to follow its act and help carry the torch of what it accomplished, and among them, these seven anime stand as the best options if you’re looking for something similar.
Kimi ni Todoke
Anime Like Fruits Basket if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Flipping the personality dynamic present in Fruits Basket, Kimi ni Todoke sees Sawako Kuronuma, a young woman teased for her resemblance to Sadako from The Ring, given the opportunity to escape her seclusion when the bright and cheery Shota Kazehaya reaches out to her in search of friendship.
From there, the world opens up to her and allows new friendships to bloom, possibilities to be explored and a love to develop between the two, albeit with a few obstacles to overcome along the way. Uplifting and hopeful in a way few other series could hope to be, this show is a great exploration of the difference a small act of kindness can make for a person and how taking a chance with opening up to others can change one’s life for the better. Even for those not inclined to viewing Shoujo, there’s a lot to love about this series and you might even find yourself relating to members of its lovable cast.
