8.0/10107 votes#1 - The Strangest Day
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 7/5/2001
Losing Tohru Honda's mother was hard enough, but living in a tent, now that's just crazy! One day, leaving for school, Tohru happens to stumble to the prince of her high school 'Yuki Sohma' at his house. As Yuki and his cousin Shigure finds out that Tohru been living in a tent, Yuki and Shigure lets Tohru live with them as their housekeeper. Trouble starts as soon as Kyo, another member of the Sohma family, messes up Tohru's new room causing her to lose her balance. Grabbing onto the Sohma family for support, they all turn into animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
Director: Nagisa Miyazaki
Writer: Rika Nakase
7.9/1083 votes#2 - The Sohma Curse
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 7/12/2001
Tohru is quite surprised to see Yuki, Shigure, and Kyo turn into animals. While still in their animal forms, they tell her about the Sohma Family Curse. Whenever a member of the Sohma family is hugged by a member of the opposite sex, they turn into animals from the Chinese Zodiac. Later on at school, Yuki confronts Tohru and tells her that her memory may have to be erased because she found out the family secret. When they return home, Shigure informs them of Akito's decision: Tohru can stay at the house and won't have her memories erased as long as she doesn't tell anybody about the family secret.
Director: Yoshinari Suzuki
Writer: N/A
7.6/1075 votes#3 - All Shapes and Sizes
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 7/19/2001
At school, Tohru walks in on Kyo and Yuki fighting. When she tries to stop them she runs into Kyo and he transforms. Kyo gets angry and calls her a stupid girl which makes Tohru think he hates her. Feeling guilty, he decides to pick Tohru up from her job and apologizes in his own way. The next day, on her way home from work, Tohru meets up with Yuki, and they walk home together. After accidentally transforming, Yuki tells Tohru about how he wants to live a normal life.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/1070 votes#4 - Here Comes Kagura!
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 7/26/2001
Someone visits Shigure's house. It's Kagura who has brought a lot of commotion into the Sohma residence. Can Tohru and Kagura become friends or will they be bitter rivals?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/1078 votes#5 - A Rice Ball in a Fruits Basket
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 8/2/2001
Things are going great at Shigure's house. Just when Tohru feels the days will always be like this, she gets a call from her grandpa. His house is finished, so Tohru can move back with him.
Director: Keiji Gotoh
Writer: N/A
7.7/1066 votes#6 - Invincible Friendship?
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 8/9/2001
Tohru is back living with the Sohmas. Tohru's friends just get wind of it and decide to see if the Sohmas are taking good care of Tohru. Will they be able to keep the Sohma family curse under wraps while Uo and Hana stay over?
Director: Yoshinari Suzuki
Writer: N/A
7.5/1068 votes#7 - A Plum on the Back
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 8/16/2001
It's the cultural festival, and Tohru's class is doing a hit or miss rice ball stand. Yuki is given a special outfit to wear during the festival, which brings in lots of customers. We get to meet Momiji and Hatori, two more Sohma family members! Could they be members of the zodiac as well?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.2/1070 votes#8 - Don`t Cry, For the Snow will Surely Melt
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 8/23/2001
Tohru visits the main Sohma residence for the first time. After the warning Yuki gave her at the festival, she's a bit nervous to talk to Hatori, one of the senior family members. Why is Hatori so insistent that Tohru leave the Sohma family alone?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.9/1064 votes#9 - A Solitary New Year
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 8/30/2001
Tohru and the Sohmas are cleaning house with the help with Uo and Hana. Shigure's assistant Mi is pressing Shigure to finish his 500-page novel. Later on, the Sohmas are supposed to visit the Sohma House for their annual celebrations. But that means Tohru will be alone for New Year's?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.1/1065 votes#10 - Make It Clear If It's Black or White
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 9/6/2001
Tohru's class goes on an endurance run. In the middle of the run, a white-haired boy, not much younger than Yuki, interrupts and challenges Kyo to a fight. The boy is also a member of the Sohma clan. As they fight, Yuki feels faint. What will Tohru do now? And which zodiac member is this boy?
Director: Yoshinari Suzuki
Writer: N/A
7.8/1061 votes#11 - Everybody Loves Chocolate
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 9/13/2001
It's Valentine's Day, and Tohru has given all the Sohma's chocolates. But it seems that after finals, she's also working harder than ever earning money. Could something be the matter?
Director: Masahiko Otsuka
Writer: N/A
7.7/1058 votes#12 - White Day
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 9/13/2001
Momiji invites Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki to a relaxing weekend at the Sohma Hot Springs. Tohru even brings her mom along. Yuki has a chance to give Tohru a gift for White Day. But Momiji has an even bigger surprise!
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.7/1059 votes#13 - A New School Term Starts!
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 9/27/2001
Tohru's second year at high school begins, and Yuki is helping out with orientation. It turns out some of the younger Sohmas are entering the same high school. Hatsuharu gets in a conflict with the class president, but a deeper situation occurs when one of the Sohmas unexpectedly shows up and confronts Tohru!
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/1055 votes#14 - The Adult's Episode - Yuki's a Messed Up Snake!
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 10/4/2001
Tohru and Yuki are tending the vegetable garden, when Tohru finds a set of clothes lying on the ground. Could this be a new Sohma? According to the title, it is! Not only is the new Sohma awfully friendly, it has a few surprising secrets to reveal about its relationship to Yuki and the others.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/1057 votes#15 - There Are No Memories It's OK to Forget
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 10/11/2001
It's been a year since Tohru's mom passed away, and the gang visits her grave. Uo and Hana speculate on whom Tohru will fall in love with. Then Tohru discovers Momiji in the building she works in. What is he doing there? And where are Momiji's parents?
Director: Yoshinari Suzuki
Writer: N/A
7.7/1069 votes#16 - If We've Three Then We Don't Need To Fear Jason
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 10/18/2001
Shigure invites Tohru and the Sohmas out to a lake in the woods, where not only will they have to contend with Jason, but some other surprises. Also, Tohru worries that Kyo and Yuki don't seem to be their usual selves.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/1054 votes#17 - It's Because I've Been Loved That I've Become Stronger
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 10/25/2001
Hatsuharu introduces a new Sohma to Tohru. It's a tiger cub named Kisa! But when Tohru reaches out to her, Kisa bites her! Can Tohru befriend this wild yet timid girl?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.0/1053 votes#18 - The Strongest Tag - The Cursed Electric Wave Brother and Sister
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 11/1/2001
The Prince Yuki Fan Club takes center stage in this episode, where they plot to break up the friendship between Tohru and Yuki. They use a school newspaper interview visit to Saki Hanajima's house to search for Hana's weaknesses. But even with their trusty camcorder, the fan club is in for some freaky and some normal surprises as they tour Hana's home.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
8.1/1055 votes#19 - The Source Of Cheer Can Be Affected By Colds, Too!
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 11/8/2001
Tohru fails one of her midterms and now has just one chance to retake it, and with just a few days before the make-up exam, she is coming down with a cold. What will the gang do now?
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.8/1056 votes#20 - Ayame's Secret Life
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 11/15/2001
Yuki and Tohru visit Ayame's dress shop. Ayame's assistant Mine Kurame, has grander ideas. Could there be some cosplaying involved? And what is "The Thing"?
Director: Haruo Sotozaki
Writer: N/A
7.6/1052 votes#21 - Sophist Boy Has Captured The Prince
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 11/22/2001
Someone steals Tohru's purse, and it looks like another zodiac member. He's Hiro Sohma and he's very jealous of Tohru and Kisa.
Director: Yoshinari Suzuki
Writer: N/A
7.2/1054 votes#22 - Prince Yuki Fan Club
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 11/29/2001
Yuki starts the semester as the Student Council President, and the Prince Yuki Fan Club is right there with him, except that there's this other girl. Could this be competition? What will Yuki's fan club president do?
Director: Keiji Gotoh
Writer: N/A
7.3/1053 votes#23 - Is the Rumored Ri That Mother's Daughter?
Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 12/6/2001
Shigure's house receives yet another visitor - Ritsu Sohma, the daughter of the Hostess at the hot springs. Whenever Ri's around, it seems to be one mishap after another. But Ritsu's biggest bombshell is yet to come. Tohru is in for the surprise of her life!
Director: Haruo Sotozaki
Writer: N/A
8.1/1056 votes#24 - The Curse of the Cat
Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 12/13/2001
It's a rainy day. Tohru and Yuki don't mind much, but Kyo is in down spirits. Things just keep getting worse for Kyo. Kagura makes a surprise visit. We learn why Kagura loves Kyo so much. Kyo's teacher, Kazuma Sohma, also makes a visit. Kazuma seems to have a reason for his visit, but could it break the wonderful world that Tohru lives in?
Director: Haruo Sotozaki
Writer: N/A
8.2/1059 votes#25 - True Form
Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 12/20/2001
Kyo's shocking transformation into his true form is finally complete! Unfortunately for Tohru, she witnesses the entire spectacle leaving her disoriented and confused. Kagura comes up with the family's last hope to save him…whether Tohru likes it or not!
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Fruits Basket Season 1
Every episode of Fruits Basket Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Fruits Basket Season 1!
Tohru Honda is 16 year old orphaned girl who gets invited to live in the house of her classmate, the handsome boy Sohma Yuki, and...
Genres:AnimationComedyDrama
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"The Strangest Day" is the best rated episode of "Fruits Basket" season 1. It scored 8/10 based on 107 votes. Directed by Nagisa Miyazaki and written by Rika Nakase, it aired on 7/5/2001. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Sohma Curse".