Kyoko Honda (本田 恭子 Honda Kyōko) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Fruits Basket. She is the mother of Tohru Honda and the late wife of Katsuya Honda. Kyoko is known for her tough exterior and kind heart, as well as her past as a former gang member. She is often referred to as “Kyo-chan” by her daughter and her friends.
Kyoko’s past as a gang member is revealed throughout the series, including her nickname “Crimson Butterfly” and her involvement with the Red Butterfly gang. Despite her rough past, Kyoko eventually turned her life around and became a loving mother to Tohru. She tragically dies in a car accident when Tohru is in high school, leaving a lasting impact on the series and its characters.
Throughout the series, Kyoko is remembered as a strong and caring mother who always put her daughter’s well-being first. Her legacy continues to influence Tohru and the other characters, as they strive to live up to her example of strength and kindness.
Contents
1. History
Kyoko Honda is the mother of Tohru Honda, the main protagonist of Fruits Basket. Kyoko’s past is revealed throughout the series, showing her as a rebellious and troubled teen who ran away from home at a young age. She met Tohru’s father, Katsuya Honda, who became her mentor and eventually her husband. However, Katsuya passed away due to illness when Tohru was only a child, leaving Kyoko to raise their daughter alone.
After Katsuya’s death, Kyoko struggled with depression and turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. She eventually found a support system in her daughter’s friends, Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure, who became like family to her. Kyoko also became a successful businesswoman, running her own motorcycle gang and earning the nickname “The Red Butterfly.”
Despite her tough exterior, Kyoko deeply loved her daughter and was fiercely protective of her. She often expressed regret for not being able to give Tohru a more stable childhood and worked hard to make up for it in any way she could. Kyoko’s tragic death in a car accident is a pivotal moment in the series, as it sets the stage for Tohru’s journey of healing and self-discovery.
2. Personality
Kyoko Honda is a strong-willed and independent woman who has a tough exterior but a heart of gold. She is fiercely protective of those she cares about, especially her daughter Tohru, and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Despite her rough upbringing and troubled past, Kyoko has a kind and empathetic nature, often putting others before herself.
Kyoko has a sharp tongue and a quick wit, making her a formidable opponent in any argument. However, she also has a playful and silly side, often teasing and joking around with Tohru and her friends. Despite her tough exterior, Kyoko is deeply emotional and can be brought to tears by the smallest of gestures.
Kyoko’s tragic past has left her with a deep sense of guilt and regret, which she tries to make up for by being the best mother she can be to Tohru. She is fiercely protective of her daughter and will do anything to keep her safe, even if it means putting herself in harm’s way. Her love for Tohru is unconditional and unwavering, and she is willing to sacrifice everything for her.
3. Appearance
Kyoko Honda is a beautiful woman with a tall and slender build. She has long, wavy black hair that falls down her back and sharp, piercing blue eyes. She is often seen wearing a black leather jacket, a white shirt, and blue jeans. Kyoko’s style is edgy and rebellious, reflecting her wild and carefree personality.
Despite her tough exterior, Kyoko has a soft and nurturing side, which is reflected in her warm and welcoming smile. She has a heart-shaped face and delicate features that give her a youthful appearance. Kyoko’s beauty is not just skin-deep, as her inner strength and resilience shine through in her every action.
Kyoko’s appearance is a reflection of her personality, which is a mix of toughness and vulnerability. Her leather jacket and jeans show her rebellious side, while her warm smile and delicate features show her nurturing side. Kyoko’s beauty is not just physical, but also comes from her inner strength and resilience, which make her an inspiring character in the Fruits Basket anime.
4. Relationships
Kyoko Honda is a beloved character in Fruits Basket, and her relationships with other characters play a significant role in the story. She is the mother of Tohru Honda, and their relationship is one of the most important in the series. Kyoko is shown to be a loving and supportive mother who encourages Tohru to be strong and independent. She also has a close relationship with her husband, Katsuya Honda, who tragically passed away when Tohru was young. Kyoko’s love for Katsuya is a recurring theme throughout the series, and she often speaks to him as if he were still with her.
Kyoko also has a strong bond with her best friend, Uo-chan (also known as Arisa Uotani). The two met in high school and quickly became inseparable. Uo-chan is fiercely protective of Kyoko and sees her as a role model. She is devastated by Kyoko’s death and becomes a surrogate big sister to Tohru. Finally, Kyoko has a complicated relationship with her former gang leader, Kyo’s father, Kazuma Sohma. While they were once close, their relationship became strained after Katsuya’s death. Despite this, Kazuma continues to care for Kyoko and is deeply affected by her passing.
Kyoko’s relationships with other characters are also important to the story. She is shown to be a mentor and mother figure to Kyo, who sees her as a kind of surrogate mother. She also has a brief but meaningful friendship with Tohru’s classmate, Saki Hanajima. Overall, Kyoko’s relationships with other characters are a testament to her kind and loving nature, and her influence is felt long after her passing.
5. Role in the Story
Kyoko Honda plays a significant role in the story of Fruits Basket as she is the mother of Tohru Honda, the protagonist of the series. Her tragic past and untimely death have a profound impact on Tohru’s character development and the overall plot of the story. Kyoko’s past as a gang member and her relationship with Katsuya Honda, Tohru’s father, are explored in flashbacks throughout the series. Her love for her daughter is evident, and she is shown to be a caring and protective mother.
Kyoko’s death, which occurs prior to the start of the series, is a pivotal moment for Tohru and sets the events of the story in motion. It is revealed that Tohru’s living situation is unstable after her mother’s death, and she ends up living in a tent in the woods. This is where she meets the Sohma family, who take her in and provide her with a safe place to live. Kyoko’s presence is felt throughout the series, even after her death, as Tohru often thinks about her and the lessons she taught her.
Overall, Kyoko Honda’s role in the story is crucial as she serves as a catalyst for Tohru’s journey and character development. Her past and death provide a deeper understanding of Tohru’s motivations and struggles, and her love for her daughter is a driving force behind many of the characters’ actions.
6. Trivia
- Kyoko’s name means “mirror lake” in Japanese.
- Kyoko’s favorite food is steak.
- Kyoko was a member of a biker gang called “Crimson Butterfly” before meeting Katsuya, who helped her turn her life around.
- Kyoko’s personality and style were heavily influenced by her deceased friend, Uo-chan’s older sister, who was also a biker gang member.
- Kyoko had a habit of calling Tohru “me” instead of her actual name, which was a result of her forgetfulness and affection towards Tohru.
- Kyoko’s death was foreshadowed multiple times throughout the series, including in the opening theme song, where she is shown standing in front of a gravestone.