Naohito Sakuragi (桜木 直人 Sakuragi Naohito) is a fictional character from the popular anime and manga series, Fruits Basket. Created by Natsuki Takaya, the series follows the story of Tohru Honda, a high school girl who stumbles upon the secret of the Sohma family, who are cursed to turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite sex. Naohito Sakuragi is a supporting character in the series, and a teacher at Kaibara Municipal High School, where Tohru and her friends attend.
As a teacher, Naohito is known for his laid-back and easy-going personality, which makes him popular among his students. He is often seen wearing a casual outfit, consisting of a t-shirt and jeans, and is rarely seen without his sunglasses. Despite his carefree demeanor, Naohito is a responsible teacher who cares deeply about his students’ well-being. He is also a close friend of Shigure Sohma, one of the main characters in the series, and often provides him with advice and support.
Naohito’s role in the story is relatively minor, but he plays an important part in supporting the main characters throughout their journey. He is often seen providing guidance and advice to Tohru and her friends, and is a source of comfort to them during difficult times. Despite his limited screen time, Naohito is a beloved character among fans of the series, and his unique personality and laid-back attitude make him a memorable addition to the cast.
Contents
1. History
Naohito Sakuragi, also known as Hatori, is a character in the Fruits Basket anime. He is a member of the Sohma family and serves as their doctor. Hatori is the Dragon of the Zodiac and is cursed with the ability to erase people’s memories, which he uses to keep the Sohma family’s secret hidden from the world.
Hatori’s past is shrouded in tragedy. He was once in love with Kana, a woman who had come to him for treatment after a car accident. However, their relationship was cut short when Akito, the head of the Sohma family, found out about it and erased Kana’s memories of Hatori. Devastated by the loss of his love, Hatori became emotionally distant and closed off to others.
Despite his reserved demeanor, Hatori cares deeply for his friends and family. He is particularly close to Shigure and Ayame, his childhood friends and fellow members of the Zodiac. Hatori is also fiercely loyal to Akito, whom he sees as a protector of the Sohma family.
Throughout the series, Hatori struggles with his past traumas and attempts to move on from his lost love. He eventually finds solace in his relationship with Mayuko, a schoolteacher and friend. Despite the challenges he faces, Hatori remains a steadfast and dependable member of the Sohma family.
2. Personality
Naohito Sakuragi, also known as “Hiro,” is a cheerful and energetic high school student who loves to make people laugh. He is often seen cracking jokes and making sarcastic comments, which can sometimes come across as insensitive. However, despite his playful nature, Hiro is also quite perceptive and empathetic, and he cares deeply for his friends and family.
One of Hiro’s defining traits is his loyalty to his cousin, Kisa Sohma. He is fiercely protective of her and will do anything to make her happy, even if it means putting his own needs aside. This is especially evident in his interactions with Tohru Honda, whom he initially sees as a threat to Kisa’s happiness. However, as he gets to know Tohru better, he comes to appreciate her kindness and begins to see her as a valuable friend.
Despite his generally upbeat demeanor, Hiro also struggles with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy. He often compares himself to others and feels like he falls short in some way. This insecurity is particularly evident in his interactions with his older brother, Haru, whom he admires but also feels overshadowed by. Overall, Hiro is a complex and multi-faceted character who brings a lot of humor and heart to the story of Fruits Basket.
3. Appearance
Naohito Sakuragi is a tall and slender man with short, dark hair and sharp features. He has a serious expression most of the time, which complements his no-nonsense attitude. He is often seen wearing a suit and tie, befitting his position as the head of the Sakuragi Corporation. Despite his serious demeanor, Naohito has a kind and gentle aura around him, which is evident in the way he interacts with others.
Naohito’s eyes are a striking shade of blue, which is a rare trait in the Sohma family. His blue eyes are a reflection of his mother’s side of the family, which is not cursed by the zodiac spirits. His appearance is quite different from the other members of the Sohma family, who have distinct physical characteristics that are associated with their zodiac animal. Naohito’s appearance is a stark contrast to his younger brother, Hatsuharu, who has black and white hair and a more laid-back demeanor.
Overall, Naohito Sakuragi’s appearance is that of a successful businessman, with a serious and professional demeanor. However, his kind and gentle nature shines through, making him a beloved member of the Sohma family.
4. Relationships
Naohito Sakuragi has a close relationship with his wife, Mine Kuramae, whom he met while working at the same company. They have a son together named Kakeru Manabe, who is a close friend of Yuki Sohma. Naohito is shown to be a caring and supportive husband and father, often putting his family’s needs before his own. He is also shown to have a good relationship with Kakeru, often teasing him and giving him advice.
Naohito also has a friendly relationship with Tohru Honda, whom he met through his wife. He is shown to be impressed by Tohru’s kindness and selflessness, and often invites her over for dinner. He is also supportive of her relationship with Kyo Sohma, and even gives Kyo advice on how to be a better boyfriend. Naohito also has a good relationship with Yuki Sohma, whom he sees as a good influence on Kakeru.
Overall, Naohito Sakuragi is shown to be a kind and supportive person who values his relationships with his family and friends. He is a loyal husband and father, and a good friend to those around him.
5. Role in the Story
Naohito Sakuragi, also known as Hatori, plays a crucial role in the story of Fruits Basket. As one of the members of the Sohma family, he is cursed to transform into a dragon when hugged by a member of the opposite sex. Hatori serves as the family’s doctor and is responsible for keeping the curse a secret from the outside world.
Throughout the series, Hatori is shown to be a close friend and confidant to the protagonist, Tohru Honda. He often provides her with advice and guidance, and is one of the few people she feels comfortable opening up to. Hatori’s tragic past is also explored in the series, which adds depth to his character and makes him more relatable to the audience.
One of the most significant moments for Hatori in the story is when he decides to break the curse by erasing Tohru’s memories of the Sohma family. This decision is made after Tohru discovers the curse and Hatori realizes that he cannot bear to see her suffer the same fate as the other members of the family. This act of selflessness highlights Hatori’s kind and compassionate nature, and adds to the emotional depth of the story.
Overall, Hatori’s role in the story of Fruits Basket is essential to the plot and character development. He serves as a mentor and friend to the protagonist, and his struggles with the curse add a layer of complexity to the narrative.
6. Trivia
- Naohito Sakuragi’s voice actor in the Japanese version of Fruits Basket is Takahiro Sakurai. Sakurai is a well-known voice actor in the anime industry, having voiced characters in popular series such as Code Geass, My Hero Academia, and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. In the English version of the anime, Naohito is voiced by Micah Solusod, who has also lent his voice to characters in other popular anime such as Attack on Titan and Soul Eater.
- Naohito’s zodiac animal is the rabbit, which is fitting considering his gentle and caring personality. In the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit is associated with kindness, sensitivity, and a love for peace. This is certainly reflected in Naohito’s interactions with others, as he is always willing to lend a listening ear and offer support to those in need.
- Interestingly, Naohito’s character was not present in the original Fruits Basket manga. He was created specifically for the 2019 anime adaptation, likely to add more depth and complexity to the story. Despite being a new addition, Naohito quickly became a fan favorite due to his kind heart and unwavering loyalty to his friends.