Ren Sohma (草摩 恋, Sōma Ren) is a fictional character from the anime and manga series Fruits Basket created by Natsuki Takaya. She is the mother of Akito Sohma and the wife of Akira Sohma, the former head of the Sohma family. Ren is a complex and enigmatic character whose motivations and actions are often shrouded in mystery. Her appearance in the series is often ominous, and her presence has a significant impact on the story.
Ren’s past is shrouded in mystery, but it is hinted that she had a tumultuous relationship with Akira, which may have contributed to his death. Her relationship with Akito is similarly fraught, and she is often portrayed as manipulative and controlling. Despite this, Ren is a beloved character among fans of the series, who are drawn to her complex personality and the impact she has on the story.
Contents
1. History
Ren Sohma is the mother of Akito Sohma and one of the members of the Sohma family. She was born as the daughter of the former head of the Sohma family, but was not chosen to be the next head due to her gender. This caused her to resent her family and she became determined to take over the family and become the head. She married Akira Sohma, the previous head, in order to gain power and influence. However, their marriage was not a happy one, as Akira was in love with Ren’s sister, and Ren was unable to bear a child for him.
Ren’s resentment towards her family and her desire for power led her to become emotionally abusive towards her son, Akito. She constantly belittled him and made him feel as though he was not good enough. She also manipulated him and used him as a tool to maintain her own power within the family. When Akira died, Ren became even more determined to take control of the family and began to use Akito as a pawn in her schemes.
Despite her cruel behavior, it is revealed that Ren’s actions were motivated by her own pain and insecurity. She had always felt like an outsider in her own family and believed that gaining power and control would finally give her the acceptance she craved. However, her actions only served to isolate her further from her loved ones and ultimately led to her downfall.
2. Personality
Ren Sohma is a complex character with a multifaceted personality. She is initially portrayed as a cold and manipulative woman who is obsessed with maintaining her status as the head of the Sohma family. She is also shown to be emotionally abusive towards her son, Akito, and is often seen belittling and berating him. Ren is fiercely protective of her position and will go to great lengths to ensure that her power remains intact.
However, as the story progresses, it is revealed that Ren’s behavior is a result of her own trauma and past experiences. She had a tumultuous relationship with Akito’s father, who was also her own cousin, and suffered from emotional abuse and neglect from him. This trauma has led her to become emotionally guarded and manipulative as a means of self-preservation.
Despite her flaws, Ren is a strong and intelligent woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. She is fiercely independent and refuses to be controlled by anyone, even those within her own family. Her complex personality and backstory make her a compelling character in the Fruits Basket series, and her interactions with other characters often reveal new layers to her character.
3. Appearance
Ren Sohma, also known as the “Dragon,” is a strikingly beautiful woman with long, flowing black hair and piercing blue eyes. She is often seen wearing elegant and fashionable clothing, which reflects her high status as the head of the Sohma family. Ren’s physical appearance exudes confidence and power, which matches her strong and domineering personality.
Despite her beauty, Ren has a scar on her forehead that she received during a confrontation with Akito Sohma, the head of the family. This scar serves as a reminder of their tumultuous relationship and the pain that Ren has endured over the years. Additionally, Ren’s body language and facial expressions often convey a sense of coldness and detachment, which further reinforces her intimidating presence.
Overall, Ren’s appearance is a reflection of her complex personality and the struggles she has faced as a member of the Sohma family. Her beauty and elegance are juxtaposed with her emotional scars and the weight of her responsibilities as the Dragon.
4. Relationships
Ren Sohma has a complicated relationship with her son, Akito Sohma. She is fiercely protective of him and will go to great lengths to ensure his happiness, even if it means hurting others. However, she also has a tendency to be emotionally abusive towards him, often blaming him for her own shortcomings and using him as a pawn in her schemes. Despite this, Akito still loves his mother and craves her affection.
Ren also has a strained relationship with her ex-husband, Akira Sohma. She blames him for her own unhappiness and resents him for his role in the Sohma family’s curse. However, it is revealed that Ren was actually the one who convinced Akira to start the curse in the first place, indicating that she may have more agency in the situation than she lets on.
Additionally, Ren has a complex relationship with her daughter-in-law, Tohru Honda. At first, she sees Tohru as a threat to her hold on Akito and tries to drive her away. However, as she learns more about Tohru’s kind and selfless nature, Ren begins to see her in a more positive light and even helps her reconcile with Akito.
5. Role in the Story
Ren Sohma plays a significant role in the story of Fruits Basket. She is the mother of Akito Sohma, the head of the Sohma family, and is known for her manipulative and controlling nature. Ren’s presence in the story is felt through her influence on Akito, who is shown to be deeply affected by her mother’s words and actions.
Ren’s relationship with Akito is explored in-depth throughout the series, with flashbacks revealing the extent of her emotional abuse towards her child. Her desire for control over the Sohma family and her obsession with keeping Akito under her thumb drive much of the conflict in the story.
Ren’s actions also have a direct impact on the other characters in the series. Her manipulation of Akito leads to the mistreatment of other members of the Sohma family, including Yuki and Kyo. Her presence serves as a constant reminder of the toxic environment that the Sohma family operates in, and her actions are a driving force behind the characters’ desire for change and freedom.
Overall, Ren Sohma’s role in the story of Fruits Basket is a complex and important one. Her influence on Akito and the Sohma family as a whole drives much of the conflict in the series, and her presence serves as a reminder of the toxic nature of their relationships.
6. Trivia
- Ren’s name means “lotus” in Japanese, which is a flower often associated with purity and enlightenment in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. However, Ren’s character is far from pure and enlightened, as she is often manipulative, selfish, and abusive towards her son Akito and others.
- Ren’s zodiac animal is the dragon, which is considered a powerful and auspicious symbol in Chinese culture. Dragons are associated with strength, wisdom, and good luck, but also with arrogance and aggression. Ren embodies many of these traits, as she is a formidable and cunning woman who will stop at nothing to protect her own interests and those of the Sohma family.
- Ren’s voice actress in the 2019 anime adaptation is Maaya Sakamoto, who is also known for her roles as Ciel Phantomhive in Black Butler, Shinobu Oshino in Monogatari, and Echidna in Re:Zero. Sakamoto’s performance as Ren is praised for capturing the character’s complex and volatile personality, as well as her distinctive husky voice.
- Ren’s favorite food is said to be caviar, which is a luxury delicacy made from fish eggs. This reflects her taste for expensive and extravagant things, as well as her disdain for anything common or ordinary. Ren’s lavish lifestyle and high standards are often a source of conflict with her husband Akira and her son Akito, who resent her for neglecting them in favor of her own desires.
- Ren’s character is often compared to that of Medea, the tragic heroine of Greek mythology who kills her own children to avenge her husband’s betrayal. Like Medea, Ren is a woman who has suffered from the actions of men in her life, and who seeks revenge and justice through extreme means. However, Ren’s fate is left more ambiguous than Medea’s, as she disappears from the story after Akito’s breakdown and is never heard from again.