Ayame Sohma (草摩 亜夜芽, Sōma Ayame) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Fruits Basket created by Natsuki Takaya. Ayame is a member of the Sohma family, one of the twelve members of the Zodiac who are cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex or when they are under a great deal of stress. Ayame is the older brother of Yuki Sohma, the Rat of the Zodiac, and he transforms into a snake.
Ayame is introduced as a flamboyant and eccentric character who owns a boutique called “MeiMei” and designs his own clothing line. He is known for his outgoing personality and his tendency to speak in a theatrical and dramatic manner. Despite his carefree demeanor, Ayame has a complicated relationship with his younger brother Yuki, and he often struggles to express his true feelings. Throughout the series, Ayame serves as a mentor and friend to the protagonist, Tohru Honda, and he helps her to understand the complexities of the Sohma family curse.
Contents
1. History
Ayame Sohma is one of the members of the Sohma family in the anime Fruits Basket. He is the older brother of Yuki Sohma, the rat of the Chinese zodiac. Ayame has a complicated history with his family, especially with his younger brother. Growing up, Ayame was always jealous of Yuki’s popularity and attention from their parents. This led Ayame to distance himself from his family and pursue a career in fashion design.
Despite their rocky relationship, Ayame cares deeply for his brother and often tries to mend their relationship. He even opens a clothing store in the same building as Yuki’s school in hopes of being closer to him. Throughout the series, Ayame struggles with his own insecurities and the pressure to live up to his family’s expectations. However, he ultimately learns to accept himself and his quirks, becoming a supportive friend to the other characters in the show.
2. Personality
Ayame Sohma is a complex character in the Fruits Basket anime series. He is the older brother of Yuki Sohma and is known for his flamboyant personality and eccentric behavior. Ayame is often seen wearing extravagant clothing and accessories, which reflects his love for fashion and his desire to stand out from the crowd. Despite his bold exterior, Ayame is also known to be sensitive and caring towards those he loves.
Ayame’s personality is characterized by his desire to be loved and accepted by others. He often puts on a facade of confidence and arrogance, but deep down, he struggles with feelings of insecurity and loneliness. Ayame’s flamboyant behavior can be seen as a coping mechanism to deal with these feelings, as he tries to distract himself from his inner turmoil by seeking attention and admiration from others. However, despite his flaws, Ayame is a loyal and caring brother to Yuki and is willing to do anything to protect him from harm.
Overall, Ayame Sohma is a complex and multi-layered character in the Fruits Basket anime series. His flamboyant personality and eccentric behavior may seem over-the-top at times, but they are a reflection of his inner struggles and desire for acceptance. Despite his flaws, Ayame is a lovable and relatable character that viewers can’t help but root for.
3. Appearance
Ayame Sohma is a character from the anime series Fruits Basket. He is a tall, handsome young man with long silver hair that he often styles in a flamboyant manner. Ayame has a striking appearance, with his sharp facial features and piercing blue eyes. He is often seen dressed in elaborate and colorful outfits, which reflect his outgoing personality.
Ayame’s wardrobe consists of a variety of clothing styles, ranging from traditional Japanese garments to modern fashion pieces. He often wears flamboyant and eye-catching clothing, such as bright-colored suits or patterned shirts. Ayame’s style is a reflection of his personality, which is confident, outgoing, and attention-seeking. He enjoys being the center of attention and often uses his appearance and clothing to make a statement.
Despite his flamboyant appearance, Ayame is also capable of looking serious and composed when the situation calls for it. He is a skilled businessman and takes his responsibilities as the owner of a clothing store seriously. However, he is not afraid to let loose and have fun, and his appearance reflects this aspect of his personality. Ayame’s unique style and appearance make him a memorable and beloved character in Fruits Basket.
4. Relationships
Ayame Sohma has a complex relationship with his younger brother, Yuki Sohma. As children, Ayame was often jealous of Yuki’s close relationship with their mother and would bully him. However, as they grew older, Ayame became more distant from their mother and Yuki became more distant from their father, leading to Ayame becoming more protective of Yuki. Despite their past conflicts, Ayame cares deeply for Yuki and often tries to help him, even if it means being a bit overbearing.
Another important relationship for Ayame is with his childhood friend, Mine Kuramae. Ayame has been in love with Mine for years, but has never been able to confess his feelings to her. Despite this, he remains a close friend to her and often goes out of his way to help her. Mine, in turn, cares for Ayame and is one of the few people who can calm him down when he gets too excited or emotional.
Ayame also has a close relationship with his cousin, Hatori Sohma. Hatori serves as Ayame’s doctor and often has to deal with Ayame’s over-the-top antics and dramatics. Despite this, Hatori cares for Ayame and often tries to help him when he is struggling. Ayame, in turn, is fiercely loyal to Hatori and will do anything to help him in return.
5. Role in the Story
Ayame Sohma is an important character in the Fruits Basket anime. He is the older brother of Yuki Sohma and is known for his eccentric personality and flamboyant fashion sense. Ayame’s role in the story is to serve as a catalyst for Yuki’s growth and development. Ayame is the first member of the Sohma family that Yuki is able to open up to and confide in. Ayame’s presence in Yuki’s life helps him to confront his past trauma and begin to heal.
Ayame’s relationship with Yuki is not the only important one in the story. He also has a complicated relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Mine Kuramae. Ayame’s attempts to reconnect with Mine and win her back serve as a subplot throughout the anime. Their relationship is ultimately resolved in a touching and emotional way, with Ayame coming to terms with the fact that Mine has moved on.
Overall, Ayame’s role in the story is to provide support and guidance to the other characters. He is a flamboyant and larger-than-life personality, but he is also kind and caring. Ayame’s presence in the anime adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a richer and more rewarding experience for viewers.
6. Trivia
- Ayame’s name means “iris” in Japanese, which is fitting for his flamboyant and colorful personality.
- In the manga, it is revealed that Ayame used to have a crush on Tohru’s mother, Kyoko, when they were in high school together. He even wrote a love letter to her, but never had the courage to give it to her before she passed away.
- Ayame is known for his dramatic fashion sense, which includes wearing extravagant clothing, jewelry, and makeup. He also has a penchant for cosplaying and often dresses up in elaborate costumes, such as a mermaid or a samurai.
- Despite his playful and carefree demeanor, Ayame has a troubled past and struggles with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. He often uses his humor and charisma as a defense mechanism to hide his true emotions.
- In the anime adaptation, Ayame is voiced by actor J. Michael Tatum in the English dub. Tatum is known for his roles in other popular anime series such as Black Butler and Ouran High School Host Club.
- Ayame’s Zodiac animal is the snake, which is often associated with cunning, wisdom, and transformation. This is fitting for Ayame’s character, as he is a complex and multifaceted individual who undergoes a lot of personal growth throughout the series.