Kagura Sohma (草摩 かぐら) is a fictional character in the popular manga and anime series Fruits Basket. Created by Natsuki Takaya, Kagura is one of the members of the Sohma family who possess the ability to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac. Her animal form is the boar.
Kagura is introduced as a high-spirited and energetic character who is deeply in love with the protagonist, Tohru Honda’s classmate, Kyo Sohma. She is known for her explosive temper and her tendency to physically assault Kyo whenever she sees him. Despite her violent tendencies, Kagura is a kind-hearted person who cares deeply about her loved ones. She is also fiercely loyal to the Sohma family and will do anything to protect them.
Contents
1. History
Kagura Sohma is a member of the Sohma family, who are cursed to turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex. Kagura is the boar of the zodiac and is known for her explosive temper and her love for Kyo Sohma, the cat of the zodiac. Kagura’s parents divorced when she was young, and she was raised by her mother, who often neglected her. As a result, Kagura developed a strong desire for attention and affection, which she sought from Kyo.
Kagura’s first appearance in the anime is when she bursts into Shigure’s house to see Kyo. She immediately hugs Kyo, causing him to transform into a cat. Kagura’s love for Kyo is intense, and she often becomes jealous when he pays attention to other girls. Despite her explosive temper, Kagura cares deeply for Kyo and tries to protect him from harm.
Throughout the anime, Kagura struggles with her feelings for Kyo and her desire for attention. She often feels neglected by Kyo, who is more interested in Tohru Honda, the protagonist of the series. Kagura’s relationship with Kyo is complicated, and she often finds herself torn between her love for him and her desire for attention. Despite her flaws, Kagura is a loyal friend and a fierce protector of those she cares about.
2. Personality
Kagura Sohma is a complex character with a fiery personality. She is known for her intense emotions and impulsive behavior, which often lead her to act without thinking. Kagura is deeply passionate and can become easily overwhelmed by her feelings, whether it be love, anger, or sadness. She is fiercely protective of those she cares about and will go to great lengths to defend them, even if it means getting into a physical altercation.
Despite her explosive nature, Kagura also has a softer side that she tends to keep hidden from others. She is deeply insecure and struggles with feelings of inadequacy, which can sometimes manifest as jealousy or possessiveness. Kagura’s complex personality is a reflection of her past trauma and the pressure she feels as a member of the Sohma family. Despite her flaws, Kagura is a loyal and caring friend who is willing to put herself on the line for those she loves.
3. Appearance
Kagura Sohma is a slender and petite girl with long, curly, light brown hair that falls just below her shoulders. She has big, expressive eyes that are usually a deep shade of blue. Kagura is often seen wearing her school uniform, which consists of a white shirt, a red tie, and a blue skirt. She also wears a red and white jacket over her uniform, which is a traditional Japanese garment called a haori. Kagura’s zodiac animal is the boar, and she often wears a boar-shaped hair clip on the side of her head.
Kagura’s appearance is often described as cute and charming, which is reflected in her personality as well. Despite her small stature, Kagura is a fierce and passionate individual who is not afraid to speak her mind. She is also very emotional and wears her heart on her sleeve, which can sometimes lead to her being overly dramatic or impulsive. However, her boisterous nature is balanced out by her caring and compassionate side, which is evident in her relationships with the other members of the Sohma family.
4. Relationships
Kagura Sohma is known for her intense and often violent love for Kyo Sohma, her cousin and fellow zodiac member. Despite Kyo’s reluctance to reciprocate her feelings, Kagura continues to pursue him relentlessly. Her love for Kyo is so strong that she has been known to physically attack him when he rejects her advances. However, despite their tumultuous relationship, Kyo and Kagura do care for each other and have moments of genuine affection.
Kagura also has a close relationship with Tohru Honda, the protagonist of Fruits Basket. While they initially clash due to Kagura’s jealousy of Tohru’s relationship with Kyo, they eventually become close friends. Kagura admires Tohru’s kindness and strength, and often seeks her advice and support.
Additionally, Kagura has a strained relationship with her mother, who disapproves of her daughter’s behavior and desires for Kyo. Kagura’s mother is often critical and dismissive of her, causing Kagura to feel insecure and unloved. This strained relationship with her mother is a source of pain for Kagura throughout the series.
5. Role in the Story
Kagura Sohma is a member of the Sohma family, cursed to transform into an animal of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite gender. Her zodiac animal is the boar. Kagura is introduced as a hot-headed and impulsive character who is deeply in love with Kyo Sohma, her cousin and fellow zodiac member. Her love for Kyo is intense and often leads her to act out in violent ways, causing destruction and chaos around her.
Throughout the story, Kagura’s role is primarily that of a supporting character. She provides comedic relief with her over-the-top antics and unrequited love for Kyo. However, Kagura’s character also serves as a reminder of the darker aspects of the Sohma curse. Her love for Kyo is a source of pain and suffering for both of them, as they are unable to be together due to their cursed identities. Kagura’s struggles with her own curse and her unrequited love for Kyo highlight the tragic nature of the Sohma curse and its impact on the characters’ lives.
Overall, Kagura’s role in the story is to provide a contrast to the more subdued and introspective characters, while also highlighting the emotional toll of the Sohma curse. Despite her often comedic presence, Kagura’s character serves as a reminder of the weight that the curse carries and the impact it has on the characters’ relationships and lives.
6. Trivia
- Kagura’s zodiac animal is the boar, which in Japanese culture is associated with bravery, honesty, and determination. However, Kagura’s personality often contradicts these traits, as she can be impulsive, violent, and emotionally unstable. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations and stereotypes of zodiac signs, which cannot fully define a person’s character.
- Kagura’s voice actress in the 2019 anime adaptation is Rie Kugimiya, who is known for portraying many tsundere characters in anime such as Taiga Aisaka from Toradora!, Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière from The Familiar of Zero, and Happy from Fairy Tail. Kagura shares some of the tsundere traits, such as being hot-headed and having a crush on Kyo, but her personality is more complex and nuanced than a typical tsundere.
- Kagura’s name is written in kanji as 神楽, which means “divine music” or “Shinto dance”. This is a fitting name for a character who is often associated with passion, energy, and performance, as well as with the traditional Japanese culture that the Sohma family embodies. Kagura’s dance moves are also a recurring motif in the anime, as she often spins around and strikes poses when she’s excited or angry.
- Kagura’s favorite food is soba noodles, which are thin and long noodles made from buckwheat flour. Soba is a popular dish in Japan, especially in the colder seasons, and it can be served hot or cold with various toppings and sauces. Kagura’s love for soba is mentioned several times in the anime, and she even cooks soba for Kyo in one episode. This shows that Kagura has a domestic side and can be caring towards others, despite her rough exterior.
- Kagura’s birthday is on December 3rd, which makes her a Sagittarius according to Western astrology. Sagittarians are known for their adventurous and optimistic spirit, as well as their tendency to speak their mind and seek the truth. Kagura embodies some of these traits, as she is always eager to have fun and explore new things, but also has a blunt and honest way of expressing herself. However, her boar zodiac sign might influence her personality more than her Sagittarius sign, as the two systems have different symbolism and interpretations.