Over the years, Japanese animation has created a wide range of romantic stories, from funny and light-hearted to deep and emotional. Some romance anime are heart-wrenching dramas filled with tears and angst, while others are lighthearted rom-coms that remind fans that love can be fun. Fruits Basket is indeed romantic and heartwarming, containing one of the cutest anime couples ever, Kyo and Tohru.

The Sohma family in a still from the series | Credit: Tms Entertainment

Fruits Basket‘s tragic yet uplifting narrative has resonated with generations of fans and embodies much of what audiences expect from the shojo genre. Owing to its immense success in both anime and manga industry, Natsuki Takaya has made a name for herself globally. While the series has certainly established a prominent reputation in the shojo genre, fans might be surprised to learn that Takaya nearly abandoned it altogether.

What Almost Led Natsuki Takaya to...