Hatori Sohma (草摩 はとり, Sōma Hatori) is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Fruits Basket. He 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 under a great deal of stress. Hatori is the Dragon of the Zodiac and serves as the family’s doctor. He is known for his calm and collected demeanor, but also for his tragic past.
Hatori’s history is revealed throughout the series and is a major plot point. He was in love with Kana Sohma, a woman who was not a member of the Zodiac, but their relationship caused problems within the family. Akito Sohma, the head of the family, was jealous of their relationship and cursed Kana, causing her to lose her memories of Hatori. This event traumatized Hatori and led him to erase Kana’s memories of him as well, causing him to become emotionally distant and closed off. Despite this, Hatori remains loyal to the Sohma family and serves as a confidant to many of the other members.
Contents
1. History
Hatori Sohma is one of the main characters in the Fruits Basket anime series. He is a member of the Sohma family, which is cursed to turn 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. Hatori is the dragon of the zodiac and is considered one of the most powerful members of the family.
Hatori’s history is filled with tragedy and heartbreak. He was once in love with Kana, a woman who was not part of the Sohma family. However, when Akito, the head of the Sohma family, found out about their relationship, he became jealous and had Hatori erase Kana’s memories of him. This left Hatori devastated and he became withdrawn and emotionally closed off.
Despite this, Hatori remains fiercely loyal to the Sohma family and serves as their doctor. He is often called upon to help those who are struggling with the curse and is respected by all members of the family. Over the course of the series, Hatori begins to open up more and even starts to consider the possibility of finding love again.
2. Personality
Hatori Sohma is a character with a reserved and stoic personality. He is often seen as the voice of reason among the Sohma family and is highly respected by the other members. Hatori is a responsible and reliable person, which is why he is often tasked with handling difficult situations within the family. He is also a skilled doctor and is known for his professionalism and expertise in the medical field.
Despite his serious demeanor, Hatori has a caring and compassionate side, especially towards those who are close to him. He is deeply loyal to his friends and family, and will do whatever it takes to protect them. However, due to his traumatic past, Hatori struggles with expressing his emotions and often keeps them bottled up inside. This can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with others.
Overall, Hatori Sohma is a complex character with a multifaceted personality. He is both a responsible and reliable figure within the Sohma family, as well as a caring and compassionate friend to those closest to him. However, his struggles with expressing his emotions make him a character with a lot of depth and complexity, and his journey towards healing and self-discovery is a central theme in the story of Fruits Basket.
3. Appearance
Hatori Sohma is a tall, lean man with short black hair and dark eyes. He has a serious and reserved demeanor, often wearing a stern expression on his face. His clothing choices are often conservative and formal, reflecting his position as the Sohma family’s doctor. He is typically seen wearing a white lab coat over a dress shirt and tie, with black slacks and dress shoes. Despite his serious appearance, Hatori is considered quite handsome by many of the female characters in the series, including Tohru Honda and his former lover, Kana Sohma.
One of Hatori’s most distinctive features is his eye patch, which he wears over his left eye. The reason for this is revealed in his backstory, where it is shown that he was forced to erase Kana’s memories of their relationship after it was discovered by Akito Sohma, the head of the Sohma family. In a fit of rage, Akito attacked Hatori and blinded him in his left eye, leading to the need for the eye patch. Despite this injury, Hatori is still able to perform his duties as a doctor and is highly skilled in his profession.
4. Relationships
Hatori Sohma has a complex web of relationships with the other members of the Sohma family. As the family’s doctor, he is often called upon to tend to their physical and emotional needs. He has a particularly close relationship with his cousin Ayame, who is also his best friend. Ayame often confides in Hatori about his personal life and seeks his advice, and Hatori is always there to support him. Hatori also has a close relationship with his other cousin, Shigure, who is his childhood friend. The two share a deep bond and often engage in playful banter.
Hatori’s relationship with Akito, the head of the Sohma family, is more complicated. As Akito’s personal physician, he is privy to many of the family’s secrets and is often called upon to intervene in delicate situations. However, he also bears the brunt of Akito’s wrath when things go wrong, and their relationship is often strained. Despite this, Hatori remains fiercely loyal to Akito and will do whatever it takes to protect the family’s interests.
Hatori’s relationship with Tohru Honda, the series’ protagonist, is also significant. When Tohru discovers the Sohma family’s secret, Hatori is one of the first people she confides in. He is initially hesitant to trust her, but eventually comes to see her as a valuable ally. When Hatori’s own personal struggles come to light, Tohru is there to offer him comfort and support.
5. Role in the Story
Hatori Sohma is an important character in the Fruits Basket anime series. As the Dragon of the Zodiac, he serves as the Sohma family’s doctor and is responsible for erasing the memories of those who discover the family’s secret. Hatori is also a close friend and confidant to the family’s head, Akito Sohma.
Throughout the series, Hatori plays a significant role in helping the other members of the Sohma family. He is often called upon to treat their physical and emotional wounds, and his calm and collected demeanor makes him a trusted figure among the family members. Hatori is also instrumental in helping Tohru Honda, the series’ protagonist, understand the complexities of the Sohma family and their curse.
Despite his reserved nature, Hatori’s backstory is revealed to be one of the most tragic in the series. His past relationship with Kana, a woman he loved deeply, ended in heartbreak and caused him to erase her memories of him. This event led to Hatori’s emotional withdrawal and his reluctance to pursue romantic relationships. His journey towards healing and finding love again is a significant part of his character arc.
Overall, Hatori Sohma’s role in the Fruits Basket anime is one of support and guidance. He serves as a mentor to the other members of the Sohma family and is an essential part of their community. His personal struggles and emotional journey add depth to his character and make him a beloved figure among fans of the series.
6. Trivia
- Hatori’s Zodiac animal is the dragon, which is considered the most powerful and revered of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac. This may reflect his position as the head of the Sohma family and his stoic and dignified demeanor.
- Hatori is one of the few characters in the series who wears glasses, which is a rare trait in anime and manga. His glasses are a part of his signature look and add to his intellectual and serious image.
- Hatori’s name means “bird of prey” in Japanese, which is fitting for his role as the Sohma family’s doctor and protector. His name also reflects his sharp senses and ability to see through people’s emotions and intentions.
- In the anime adaptation of Fruits Basket, Hatori is voiced by John Burgmeier in the English dub and Kazuhiko Inoue in the Japanese dub. Burgmeier is known for his roles in other anime series such as Dragon Ball Z and Fullmetal Alchemist, while Inoue has voiced many iconic characters in anime such as Kakashi Hatake in Naruto and Nyanko-sensei in Natsume’s Book of Friends.
- Hatori’s birthday falls on December 21st, which makes him a Sagittarius in Western astrology. Sagittarians are known for their adventurous and optimistic nature, which contrasts with Hatori’s reserved and cautious personality. However, both share a love for knowledge and intellectual pursuits.