For those who are keeping up with the new Fruits Basket anime and haven't read the manga in its entirety, one of the biggest debates is over who Tohru should end up with—if she ends up with anyone at all. Although she encounters many potential love interests throughout the story, there are two members of the cursed Soma family who stand out.
On one side, we have the beloved prince of the school and rat of the Zodiac, Yuki. On the other side, we have the hot-headed cat boy named Kyo. These two boys clearly do not get along with each other, but who is a better match for our innocent and optimistic heroine? Here are five reasons for Yuki and five reasons for Kyo.
10 Yuki: He's Kind Like Tohru
Yuki is well-liked amongst all his peers—except Kyo—and there's a reason for that. In addition to his good looks, he's a genuinely kind and responsible boy who puts others before himself.
When he first learns that Tohru is homeless, Yuki welcomes her into his home with open arms despite putting the Some family's secret at risk. He even goes out in the middle of the night to dig up Tohru's personal belongings that had been buried under a collapsed cliff. With how thoughtful he is towards Tohru, he'd have no problem in reciprocating her compassion.
9 Kyo: He's the Opposite of Tohru
In contrast to Yuki's kind and gentle nature, Kyo's personality is much more explosive and fiery. This also makes him the complete opposite of Tohru, who is always cheerful and never angry at others. Oddly enough, Tohru has a habit of befriending those who couldn't be more different from herself.
As the daughter of a former gang leader, Tohru knows not to judge people for who they are or were in the past. After all, both of her closest friends are either associated with past gang activity or ominous psychic abilities. If Tohru can appreciate her outcast friends for their differences, she also has enough room in her heart for the feisty Kyo.
8 Yuki: He's Tohru's Gardening Buddy
Gardening is a relaxing activity that rewards patience and love. Unknown to others, Yuki has a "secret base" on the Soma property where he grows and harvests various plants. The only person he shares this secret garden with is Tohru.
One stormy night, Yuki brings Tohru out to his garden to shield the plants from the rain. They hold a tarp together over the garden until the storm stops, and, in doing so, they deepen their trust and understanding of one another. Afterward, Tohru even buys several gardening books with Yuki and his secret base in mind. Perhaps gardening is a metaphor for their slowly blossoming relationship.
7 Kyo: He Won't Let Anyone Take Advantage Of Tohru
In most cases, it's good to be innocent and kind. But, for someone like Tohru, whose heart is too pure for this world, it can sometimes be problematic if people try to take advantage of that.
In one instance when Tohru is spacing out in the school hallway, two boys whisper about her cute and easygoing appearance. They decide to approach her because they believe they can take advantage of a girl who isn't very assertive. Thankfully, Kyo steps in, scares the boys off, and warns Tohru to pay more attention to her surroundings so she isn't taken advantage of when she's alone. When she's with him, on the other hand, it's okay to space out sometimes—because he'll be there to protect her.
6 Yuki: Tohru is More Than Just His Fangirl
As one of the most desired boys at school, Yuki has his own fan club that is referred to as "Prince Yuki.". With over half of the school's female population in the club, Yuki is constantly watched and bombarded by these hopeful admirers.
Because Tohru lives with Yuki and the Soma's, she is able to appreciate him for more than what his fan club praises him for. While his fan club only knows him for his beauty and kindness, Tohru embraces everything else about him: his strengths, weakness, secrets, and his adorable rodent form.
5 Kyo: He Becomes Soft & Gentle with Tohru
With how stubborn Kyo can be at times, it must take a lot to get him to change his ways. The only person who seems to be able to make Kyo go from rowdy to soft is Tohru.
On multiple occasions, Kyo has been invited to go somewhere but doesn't actually want to waste his time going. When Momiji plans a hot spring trip for Tohru's White Day gift, Kyo is initially against it but ends up going along because he wants Tohru to know he appreciates everything she does for him. Another time, Kyo tags along with Tohru's friends to pick out a swimsuit for her as a gift despite feeling embarrassed it in the swimsuit store. It's clear to see that Kyo has become more open to trying new things with Tohru around.
4 Yuki: Kyo Already Has Kagura's Love
Yuki may have a dedicated fan club, but Kyo knows a girl who is pretty convinced she will marry him. Kagura, the boar of the Zodiac, might be Tohru's biggest love rival who can push her away from Kyo and towards Yuki.
Kagura has known Kyo from a young age and loved him ever since she found him playing all alone. Since that day, she has assured him that she'd always be there for him no matter what. Despite her sometimes violent tendencies, she has so much love to shower Kyo with. Tohru better watch out!
3 Kyo: Tohru Loves the Cat
One of Tohru's favorite stories to reminisce about is when her mother told her the tale of the cat and the Zodiac. When Tohru hears that the cat was tragically left out of the Zodiac, she claims that she will become a cat despite being born in the year of the dog.
Coincidentally, Kyo happens to be the Zodiac cat that Tohru loves and aspires to be. Rather than feeling bad for Kyo and the unlucky cat, Tohru confesses that she loves the cat and wants to be friends with him. From there, Tohru slowly learns to love Kyo for more than just his Zodiac animal.
2 Yuki: Tohru Makes Him Smile and Laugh
For as kind as Yuki is, he rarely shows a genuinely happy side of himself to others. Only a select few have seen him smile, and even fewer have heard him laugh. Tohru is one of the lucky ones who go to witness both.
After Tohru plays a really bad game of table tennis with Kyo, Yuki excuses himself from the room. When Tohru follows him outside to make sure he's okay, she is pleasantly surprised to find Yuki laughing at her poor table tennis skills. Yuki says he didn't want to laugh in front of Kyo, and that he doesn't even show that side of himself to his parents. Despite suppressing his emotions towards everyone else, Yuki is able to be happy and himself with Tohru.
1 Kyo: He Loses to Yuki in Everything Else
In an anime rivalry as intense as Naruto & Sasuke or Goku & Vegeta, Kyo and Yuki are enemies by nature. As a cat and rat, the two Soma boys are always fighting either physically or verbally. The funny thing is that the rat somehow always wins over the cat.
Despite enduring martial arts training in the mountains to surpass his rival, Kyo can't quite keep up with Yuki. Kyo is always the one who gets kicked into the pond, and Yuki is always the one with the last laugh. Maybe this time with Tohru's heart on the line, Kyo can finally wain against Yuki. He deserves it.
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