Yuki Sohma (草摩 由希, Sōma Yuki) is one of the main characters in the popular anime and manga series Fruits Basket. He is a member of the Sohma family, a powerful clan with a secret: certain members are possessed by the spirits of the Chinese zodiac animals. Yuki is the rat of the zodiac and is known for his intelligence, good looks, and reserved demeanor. He is often seen as the perfect student and is admired by many, but he struggles with his own insecurities and the weight of his family’s curse.
Yuki’s story begins with a difficult childhood, marked by neglect and abuse from his parents. He was eventually taken in by his older brother Ayame and his wife Mine, who provided him with the love and support he had been missing. Despite his difficult past, Yuki excels academically and becomes the student council president at his high school. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted girl who helps him confront his past and come to terms with his true feelings.
Contents
1. History
Yuki Sohma is one of the main characters in the Fruits Basket anime series. He is the rat of the Chinese zodiac and a member of the Sohma family, who are cursed to transform into animals of the zodiac when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex. Yuki’s childhood was marked by neglect and emotional abuse from his mother, who saw him as a tool to climb the social ladder. He was also isolated from the other Sohma family members due to his status as the rat, who was believed to have betrayed the cat in the zodiac legend.
Yuki’s life changed when he met Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted girl who had recently lost her mother and was living in a tent. Tohru’s unconditional love and support helped Yuki to overcome his trauma and connect with other people. He also found a friend and rival in Kyo Sohma, the cat of the zodiac who had a long-standing feud with the rat. Yuki’s journey of self-discovery and healing is a central theme of the Fruits Basket series, as he learns to accept himself and others for who they are.
2. Personality
Yuki Sohma is initially portrayed as a distant and reserved character, often keeping to himself and avoiding social interactions. This is due to his traumatic childhood experiences, as he was constantly isolated and mistreated by his family due to his status as the Rat of the Chinese Zodiac. He struggles with feelings of worthlessness and insecurity, and often doubts his own abilities and value as a person. However, as the series progresses, Yuki begins to open up and form meaningful relationships with the people around him, particularly Tohru Honda, who helps him to confront his past and move forward with his life.
Despite his reserved nature, Yuki is also shown to be intelligent, kind, and empathetic towards others. He is often sought out by his classmates for advice and guidance, and is respected by both his friends and his enemies for his calm and rational demeanor. Yuki is also fiercely independent and determined, refusing to let his past define him or hold him back from achieving his goals. Overall, Yuki’s complex and multifaceted personality makes him one of the most compelling characters in Fruits Basket, and a fan favorite among viewers.
3. Appearance
Yuki Sohma is a tall and slender young man with pale skin, black hair, and strikingly beautiful violet eyes. He is often described as having a feminine appearance, which causes him to be mistaken for a girl on occasion. Yuki has a reserved and stoic demeanor, which is reflected in his fashion sense. He is usually seen wearing his school uniform or formal attire, such as suits and ties.
Yuki’s physical appearance is also tied to his curse as a member of the Sohma family. When hugged by a member of the opposite sex or under great stress, he transforms into a rat. As a result, he is often seen carrying a rat plushie with him, which he uses to transform back into his human form. Yuki’s curse also affects his physical health, causing him to have a weak constitution and frequent bouts of illness.
Despite his delicate appearance, Yuki is capable of holding his own in a fight. He is skilled in martial arts and has a sharp mind, which allows him to outmaneuver his opponents. His physical appearance and curse play a significant role in his character development, as he struggles to come to terms with his identity and find acceptance among his peers.
4. Relationships
Yuki Sohma has a complex relationship with his family, the Sohmas. He has a strained relationship with his older brother, Ayame, who often teases and embarrasses him. Yuki also has a difficult relationship with his mother, who was emotionally distant and abusive towards him during his childhood. However, he shares a close bond with his younger sister, Machi, who he often confides in and cares for.
In terms of friendships, Yuki initially struggles to form connections with others due to his traumatic past and the Sohma family’s curse. However, he eventually becomes close friends with Tohru Honda, who he initially sees as a kind and selfless person. Through their friendship, Yuki learns to open up and trust others, and he becomes more comfortable with himself.
Yuki also has a complex romantic relationship with two of the main female characters in the series, Machi Kuragi and Tohru Honda. He initially develops feelings for Machi, but their relationship is complicated by their respective emotional baggage and trauma. Yuki also develops romantic feelings for Tohru, but he ultimately decides to support her relationship with his cousin, Kyo Sohma. Despite this, Yuki and Tohru remain close friends and continue to support each other throughout the series.
5. Role in the Story
Yuki Sohma is one of the main characters in the Fruits Basket anime series. He is the rat of the Chinese zodiac and is cursed to turn into a rat when hugged by the opposite sex. Yuki is initially portrayed as cold and distant, but as the story progresses, it is revealed that he has a traumatic past that has caused him to build walls around himself. Yuki’s role in the story is to help the protagonist, Tohru Honda, understand the Sohma family’s curse and to help her heal from her own past traumas.
Throughout the story, Yuki’s relationship with Tohru deepens, and he begins to open up to her about his past. He also becomes more involved in the Sohma family’s affairs, particularly in his attempts to reconcile with his older brother, Ayame. Yuki’s growth and development as a character are central to the story, and his interactions with the other characters, particularly Tohru and his cousin Kyo, are key to the plot’s progression.
Yuki’s role in the story is not limited to his relationships with other characters, however. He also serves as a symbol of the Sohma family’s struggle to break free from their curse and find happiness. Yuki’s journey to self-acceptance and his eventual transformation into a more confident and caring person represent the possibility of change and growth for the other cursed members of the Sohma family. Ultimately, Yuki’s story is one of hope and redemption, and his role in the Fruits Basket anime is integral to its themes of healing and overcoming trauma.
6. Trivia
- Yuki’s zodiac animal is the rat, which is considered to be clever and resourceful in Japanese culture. However, in the story, Yuki initially dislikes being associated with rats due to the negative connotations in the zodiac legend.
- Yuki’s English voice actor, Eric Vale, has also voiced other popular anime characters such as Trunks from Dragon Ball Z and Sanji from One Piece.
- Yuki’s name can be written in different ways in Japanese, but the kanji used for his name means “snow” and “prince”, which reflects his cold and aloof demeanor as well as his status as the student council president.
- Yuki’s character design was inspired by the bishounen (beautiful boy) archetype in anime and manga, which often features slender and delicate-looking male characters with feminine features.
- Yuki’s favorite food is omelette rice, which is a popular Japanese dish consisting of fried rice wrapped in a thin omelette. In the story, his classmates often make fun of him for his love of omelette rice.