Shigure Sohma (草摩 志摩, Sōma Shigure) is a fictional character in the popular manga and anime series Fruits Basket created by Natsuki Takaya. Shigure is a member of the Sohma family, one of the twelve Chinese zodiacs who possess the ability to transform into their respective animals when hugged by someone of the opposite sex. He is the Dog of the zodiac and is known for his laid-back and carefree personality. Despite his seemingly carefree nature, Shigure is a complex character with a history that is slowly revealed throughout the series.
Throughout the series, Shigure is portrayed as a mysterious and enigmatic character who often speaks in riddles and has a tendency to manipulate those around him. Despite this, he is also shown to be a caring and protective figure towards his loved ones, particularly his cousin Yuki Sohma and the protagonist Tohru Honda. Shigure’s past is slowly revealed throughout the series, and it becomes clear that he has a complicated relationship with his family and his own identity as a member of the zodiac. As the story progresses, Shigure’s true intentions and motivations become increasingly unclear, leading to a sense of unease and tension surrounding his character.
Contents
1. History
Shigure Sohma is a member of the Sohma family and one of the main characters in the Fruits Basket anime. He is the dog of the Chinese zodiac and has the ability to transform into a dog whenever he is hugged by a member of the opposite sex. Shigure grew up with his cousin, Akito Sohma, who was the head of the family and often abusive towards him. As a result, Shigure developed a laid-back attitude and a tendency to hide his true feelings.
After graduating from college, Shigure became a successful author and moved into a house with his editor, Mitsuru. He also took in his young cousin, Tohru Honda, after she was orphaned and allowed her to stay with him and his friends, Yuki and Kyo Sohma. Throughout the series, Shigure is shown to have a complicated relationship with Akito and often manipulates those around him to achieve his own goals.
It is later revealed that Shigure has been in love with Akito for many years and has been working behind the scenes to bring about the end of the Sohma curse. Despite his manipulative nature, Shigure is shown to care deeply for his friends and is willing to put himself in danger to protect them.
2. Personality
Shigure Sohma is a complex character with a multifaceted personality. He is often portrayed as laid-back and carefree, but this is just a facade to mask his true intentions. Shigure is a master manipulator and enjoys playing mind games with those around him. He is highly intelligent and cunning, using his wit and charm to get what he wants. Despite his mischievous nature, Shigure is also deeply caring and protective of those he loves, especially his younger cousin, Tohru Honda.
Shigure’s personality is heavily influenced by his zodiac animal, the dog. He is fiercely loyal to those he considers family and will go to great lengths to protect them. However, like a dog, he can also be unpredictable and prone to sudden outbursts of aggression. Shigure is also known for his flirtatious behavior, often making suggestive comments towards the women in his life. Despite this, he is not a womanizer and has only ever had serious romantic feelings for one person.
Overall, Shigure’s personality is a complex mix of intelligence, manipulation, loyalty, and occasional unpredictability. He is a character who is always one step ahead of those around him, but also deeply cares for his loved ones and will do anything to keep them safe.
3. Appearance
Shigure Sohma has a tall and lean build with a charming and laid-back demeanor. He has a sharp jawline and a defined nose, with his hair styled in a messy, yet stylish manner. He is often seen wearing a black suit with a white dress shirt and a red tie, which gives him a sophisticated look. In addition, he also wears a pair of silver-framed glasses, which adds to his intellectual appearance.
One of the most prominent features of Shigure’s appearance is his piercing gaze. His eyes are a deep shade of brown, which can be both alluring and intimidating at the same time. Despite his calm and collected demeanor, his eyes often betray his true emotions, which makes him an interesting character to watch.
Overall, Shigure’s appearance is a perfect reflection of his personality – sophisticated, charming, and mysterious. His fashion sense and piercing gaze make him stand out from the rest of the characters in Fruits Basket, which adds to his allure.
4. Relationships
Shigure Sohma has a complex relationship with many of the characters in Fruits Basket. He is the older cousin of Yuki and Kyo Sohma and acts as a mentor to both of them. However, he often teases and manipulates them for his own amusement. Shigure also has a close relationship with Akito Sohma, the head of the Sohma family. It is later revealed that Shigure has been in love with Akito for many years, and their relationship is both complicated and fraught with tension.
Shigure also has a close friendship with Ayame Sohma, his other cousin. The two have a playful and teasing dynamic, but Ayame is one of the few people who can see through Shigure’s facade and understand his true motives. Shigure also has a complicated relationship with Tohru Honda, the main character of the series. While he initially seems to view her as just another member of the Sohma family, he eventually develops romantic feelings for her. However, he is conflicted about acting on these feelings due to his loyalty to Akito and his fear of losing his position within the family.
Overall, Shigure’s relationships with the other characters in Fruits Basket are complex and often fraught with tension. He is both a mentor and a manipulator, and his true motives are often difficult to discern. Despite this, he is a beloved and important character in the series, and his relationships with the other characters help to drive the plot forward.
5. Role in the Story
Shigure Sohma is a pivotal character in the Fruits Basket anime series. As one of the members of the Sohma family, he plays a significant role in the lives of the other characters. Shigure is shown to be a manipulative and cunning person who often has his own agenda. He is also a writer and is often seen working on his novels. Shigure’s personality and actions often cause conflict and tension among the other characters.
Throughout the series, Shigure is revealed to be one of the members of the Zodiac who is cursed to turn into a dog. Despite this, he is often seen as the most laid-back and carefree member of the family. Shigure’s relationship with Akito, the head of the Sohma family, is complex and often strained. He is shown to have a deep respect for Akito, but also harbors a desire to overthrow him and free the other members of the family from the curse.
As the story progresses, Shigure’s true motives and intentions are slowly revealed. He is shown to have a deep love for Tohru Honda, the main protagonist of the series, and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her. Shigure’s actions and decisions often have a significant impact on the other characters, and he is instrumental in helping them overcome their own personal struggles.
In conclusion, Shigure Sohma is a complex and multifaceted character who plays a crucial role in the Fruits Basket anime series. His manipulative nature and hidden motives often cause conflict among the other characters, but he is also shown to have a deep love and loyalty towards them. Shigure’s actions and decisions have a significant impact on the story and the other characters, making him an essential part of the Fruits Basket universe.
6. Trivia
- Shigure’s zodiac animal is the dog, which is known for its loyalty and faithfulness. However, in the Chinese zodiac, the dog is also associated with negative traits such as stubbornness and aggression. Shigure’s personality reflects both sides of the dog’s nature, as he can be charming and playful one moment, and manipulative and scheming the next.
- Shigure’s name means “autumn rain” in Japanese, which is a poetic way of describing a melancholic and nostalgic mood. This is fitting for a character who is often portrayed as wistful and introspective, as well as someone who has a complicated past and regrets.
- Shigure is a writer and a publisher, and he often uses his profession as a cover for his real motives. He is known for writing romantic novels under a pseudonym, but he also deals with sensitive information and secrets that could harm the Sohma family if they were exposed. As a result, Shigure is both admired and feared by his peers, who never know when he is being sincere or manipulative.
- Shigure has a complex relationship with his cousin Akito, who is the head of the Sohma family and the god of the zodiac. Shigure is one of the few people who knows Akito’s true gender and identity, and he often acts as a mediator between Akito and the other zodiac members. However, Shigure also has his own agenda and desires, and he sometimes uses Akito’s vulnerability and dependence on him to his advantage.
- Shigure’s favorite food is soba noodles, which he often eats with his close friend Hatori Sohma. Soba noodles are a traditional Japanese dish made of buckwheat flour, and they are known for their nutty flavor and chewy texture. Shigure’s love for soba noodles is a recurring joke in the series, and he often uses it as an excuse to invite Hatori over to his house for a meal or a drink.