Hiro Sohma (草摩 紘, Sōma Hiro) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Fruits Basket written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. 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 under stress. Hiro is the youngest member of the Zodiac, born in the year of the sheep. He is initially portrayed as a bratty and ill-tempered child who takes pleasure in tormenting his cousin, Kisa Sohma. However, as the series progresses, Hiro’s character undergoes significant development, and he becomes more empathetic and caring towards those around him.
Throughout the series, Hiro struggles to come to terms with his cursed identity and the impact it has had on his life. He is often resentful towards Akito Sohma, the head of the Sohma family, for inflicting the curse on him and the other members of the Zodiac. However, with the help of his friends and family, Hiro learns to accept his curse and embrace his true self.
Contents
1. History
Hiro Sohma is a member of the Sohma family in the anime series Fruits Basket. He is the younger cousin of Akito Sohma and the son of the late Kureno Sohma’s older sister. Hiro is introduced in the series as a bratty and rude child who has a tendency to bully Tohru Honda, the main protagonist. However, as the series progresses, Hiro’s character undergoes a significant transformation, and he becomes more mature and empathetic towards others.
Hiro’s troubled childhood is revealed in the series, which explains his initial behavior towards Tohru. He was neglected by his parents, who were too busy with their own lives to pay attention to him. Hiro’s only source of love and attention was his older sister, who died when he was young. He blames himself for her death and carries a heavy burden of guilt. This guilt causes him to lash out at others, including Tohru, who reminds him of his sister.
Despite his difficult past, Hiro gradually learns to open up and trust others, thanks to the kindness and support of Tohru and the other members of the Sohma family. He becomes a loyal friend and ally to Tohru and her friends, and even develops a crush on Kisa Sohma, his cousin and fellow Zodiac member. Hiro’s journey from a troubled child to a compassionate young adult is one of the most heartwarming aspects of Fruits Basket, and his character arc is a testament to the power of love and friendship to heal even the deepest wounds.
2. Personality
Hiro Sohma is known for his cold and aloof personality, often coming across as rude and dismissive towards others. He is also very stubborn and has a tendency to hold grudges, especially towards those who have wronged him or his family. Despite his abrasive demeanor, Hiro is fiercely loyal to his family and will do whatever it takes to protect them. He also has a softer side that is shown when he interacts with his younger cousin Kisa, whom he cares for deeply and is protective of.
Hiro’s personality can be attributed to his troubled past, as he was neglected by his parents and forced to grow up quickly in order to take care of his younger sister. This has caused him to become jaded and distrustful of others, as he has learned to rely only on himself. However, as he spends more time with the other members of the Sohma family and begins to open up to them, he starts to show a more vulnerable side and begins to let go of some of his bitterness. Overall, Hiro’s complex personality adds depth to the story and makes him a compelling character to watch.
3. Appearance
Hiro Sohma is a young boy with short black hair and a pale complexion. He has a small and slender frame, which often makes him look younger than he actually is. Hiro’s most striking feature is his piercing blue eyes, which are often filled with sadness or anger. He is often seen wearing his school uniform, which consists of a white shirt, black pants, and a red tie.
Despite his small stature, Hiro is often seen scowling or looking displeased, which adds to his overall intimidating appearance. However, when he is happy or content, his face lights up and he becomes almost unrecognizable. Hiro is also known for his love of hats, and is often seen wearing a variety of different styles, from baseball caps to fedoras.
As a member of the Sohma family, Hiro also possesses the ability to transform into an animal when he is hugged by someone of the opposite sex. In his case, he turns into a small black sheep. This transformation is often accompanied by a change in his clothing, as his school uniform is replaced by a white woolen sweater and black pants. Despite this unusual ability, Hiro’s appearance remains largely unchanged, except for his small, fluffy ears and tail.
4. Relationships
Hiro has a complicated relationship with his cousin, Kisa Sohma. At first, he resents her for being the object of Tohru’s attention and for being able to transform into her animal form without any difficulty. However, as the story progresses, Hiro begins to soften towards Kisa and becomes quite protective of her. He even goes as far as to confront Akito Sohma, the head of the Sohma family, when he learns that Akito had physically abused Kisa in the past.
Hiro also has a strained relationship with his mother, Satsuki Sohma. Satsuki is overbearing and controlling, and she often makes Hiro feel suffocated. This leads Hiro to rebel against her and act out in ways that he knows will upset her. However, despite their differences, Satsuki loves her son deeply and is devastated when she learns that he has been hurt by Akito.
Finally, Hiro has a somewhat antagonistic relationship with Yuki Sohma, another one of his cousins. Hiro is jealous of Yuki’s popularity and intelligence, and he often tries to one-up him. Yuki, for his part, is patient with Hiro and tries to understand where his cousin is coming from. Despite their differences, the two eventually come to a mutual understanding and even develop a grudging respect for each other.
5. Role in the Story
Hiro Sohma is one of the members of the Sohma family, a cursed clan whose members turn into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex. Hiro is the youngest member of the Zodiac, representing the Boar. Despite his young age, Hiro plays an important role in the story of Fruits Basket. He is initially introduced as a bully who torments Tohru Honda, the protagonist, and her friends. However, as the story progresses, Hiro’s character undergoes a transformation, and he becomes more sympathetic and likable.
Hiro’s character development is closely tied to his relationship with Kisa Sohma, the Tiger of the Zodiac. When Kisa stops speaking after being bullied at school, Hiro becomes protective of her and starts to see her as more than just a younger cousin. He also begins to understand the pain and loneliness that come with being a member of the cursed family. Hiro’s growth as a character is highlighted in the “True Form” arc, where he helps Tohru and her friends break the curse that has plagued the Sohma family for generations. In the end, Hiro learns to accept himself and his place in the world, and he becomes a loyal friend and ally to Tohru and her friends.
6. Trivia
- Hiro’s name means “abundant” or “generous” in Japanese.
- Hiro is the youngest member of the Sohma family to be possessed by an animal spirit, as he transforms into a sheep.
- Despite his young age, Hiro is shown to be quite intelligent and perceptive, often noticing things that others overlook. He is also skilled at manipulating situations to his advantage.
- Hiro has a complex relationship with his cousin Kisa Sohma, as he initially bullied her but later developed romantic feelings for her. This is a taboo in the Sohma family, as they are not allowed to date or marry each other due to the risk of passing on the curse.
- In the 2019 anime adaptation of Fruits Basket, Hiro is voiced by voice actor Micah Solusod in the English dub and voice actress Megumi Han in the original Japanese version.
- In the manga, it is revealed that Hiro has a strained relationship with his mother, who is overbearing and controlling. This is hinted at in the anime, but not explored in depth.