Fruits Basket is a story about Tohru Honda, a cheerful and kind-hearted orphan who ends up living in a tent after her grandfather's house is being renovated. She is discovered by the wealthy Sohma family and invited to stay with them. Tohru soon learns their secret: members of the Sohma family are cursed by the spirits of the Chinese Zodiac, and when they are hugged by someone of the opposite sex, they transform into their respective animals. As Tohru becomes entwined in their lives, she works to understand their pain and break the curse, all while navigating high school and her own grief. Readers enjoy the series for its deep emotional storytelling, mix of comedy and heartbreak, well-developed characters, and themes of acceptance, healing, and the power of kindness.