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Since Fruits Basket is a romance anime, it is no surprise that many happy couples were formed by the story's conclusion. From perhaps the most popular pairing, Tohru and Kyo, to the adorable Hatori and Mayu, there are so many different romantic Fruits Basket duos that got together. However, for every canon couple that found joy, there is a non-canon pairing fans pined for but never received.
Some Fruits Basket fan ships seemed destined to fall in love, but never made it work out or were never officially confirmed. Many of the most adored potential couples could never become official, since one or more of the partners is canonically dating or married to someone else. But, fans can still dream, and some of these alternative ships would have been wonderful to witness.
10 Motoko and Yuki
Perhaps an Unlikely Pairing, Yuki and Motoko Could Be a Case of Opposites Attracting
Motoko was the leader of the Prince Yuki fan club, a group of girls who idolized Yuki Sohma to an almost uncomfortable extent. Because of her obsession with Yuki and tendency to follow him around, she is a controversial character. Eventually, she did move on from her fixation on Yuki and married someone else, as did Yuki.
Motoko's infatuation with Yuki was unhealthy, but some fans like to picture a more grounded, mutually beneficial relationship between the pair. This ship is highly disputed, since some fans feel Motoko and Yuki could never work due to Motoko's starry-eyed view of Yuki. Beneath her passion is genuine care for Yuki, so with growth on Motoko's part, it is understandable why viewers can picture the pair together in an opposites-attracting dynamic, due to Yuki's soft-spokenness and Motoko's energetic personality.
9 Kazuma and Kyoko
Both Kazuma and Kyoko Love Their Children Unconditionally, Giving Them Common Ground
Kazuma and Kyoko never met, but fans cannot stop imagining how both of their lives could have changed had they encountered one another. Kazuma is Kyo's adoptive father, raising him and teaching him martial arts after he was abandoned by his own father. Kyoko Honda is Tohru's mother who tragically died in an accident right before the events of the series.
Both Kazuma and Kyoko cared for their children more than anything, pouring their energy and wisdom into their offspring and showing them unconditional love. Ironically, Kyo even ran into Kyoko, and they became friends, with Kyoko offering wisdom and a listening ear to Kyo. Kyoko and Kazuma could have bonded over this mutual care for Kyo, and since they both proved to be loving, giving people, many fans perceive them as an ideal match.
8 Shigure and Mayuko
Once Lovers, Some Fans Hoped Shigure and Mayuko Would Work Through Their Differences and Find Harmony
Shigure and Mayuko dated briefly, but their fleeting relationship was very short-lived and unsuccessful. Mayuko, Tohru's homeroom teacher, was the one to end things, unable to put up with Shigure's emotional detachment and immaturity any longer. Mayuko eventually found true bliss with Hatori, another Sohma family member, and Shigure worked out his relationship with Akito, the head of the family.
Many fans were disappointed by this turn of events. Mayuko's seriousness and intelligence and Shigure's fun-loving, humorous demeanor could balance one another out, and it is adorable that Mayuko loves books and helps at her parents' bookstore, while Shigure is a writer himself, giving them a common interest. A handful of viewers held out hope that Shigure and Mayuko would patch up their bond and become happy lovers, but this never came to fruition.
7 Kagura and Kyo
Kagura Was Too Obsessed With Kyo, but Fans Argue Their Bond Could Have Evolved After Kagura Changed
Kagura x Kyo is one ship that Kagura herself undoubtedly wished would become canon, but never did. Kagura Sohma, who represented the Boar Zodiac, was absolutely infatuated with Kyo, the Cat Zodiac. Kyo got very annoyed by Kagura's antics and clinginess, but some fans have reimagined a different potential dynamic for the duo's relationship.
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Kagura was pushy and needy, but these aspects of her personality became less present by the end of Fruits Basket. She even apologized genuinely to Kyo, revealing her maturity and understanding of the harmfulness of her previous behavior. Because of this positive change, many viewers cannot help but imagine a romance between the two outspoken and headstrong characters.
6 Tohru and Hatsuharu
Close Friends Tohru and Hatsuharu Bring out Each Other’s Best Sides, Making Them a Cute Potential Couple
One of the Sohma family members Tohru grew the closest with is Hatsuharu Sohma, the Ox Zodiac. Haru and Tohru are quite different; Tohru is kindhearted and outgoing, while Haru is more of a reserved and private person, until he becomes angry, that is. This Fruits Basket potential pairing could serve as yet another example of the "opposites attract" phenomenon though.
Him and Tohru shared many personal conversations, and Tohru helped Haru process the struggles the Zodiac Curse brought. Although they are dissimilar in a number of ways, the ship does make a lot of sense due to how freely they trust and communicate with one another in the series. In all their on-screen interactions, Tohru and Haru seem to bring out the best in each other, and it is easy to see how the two could enjoy a romantic relationship built on a foundation of unconditional support and honesty.
5 Hiro and Kisa
Fans Are Still Dissatisfied That This Inseparable Best Friend Duo Never Became an Official Couple
Hiro and Kisa were never officially confirmed to be a couple, although one scene at the conclusion of Fruits Basket depicting them with arms interlinked has sparked some debate. Since both of them were introduced, Hiro and Kisa were inseparable, doing everything together. Hiro is more blunt and outspoken, while Kisa is gentle and shy, and their personalities seem to mesh well.
Kisa encourages Hiro to calm down and think before acting, while Hiro encourages Kisa to be adventurous and speak up for herself when necessary. The more time they spend together, the better and more well-rounded they both become. It truly is a shame that this couple was never made officially canon once Hiro and Kisa grew older, because they would have been one of Fruits Basket's best couples.
4 Hatori and Kana
Akito Forced Hatori and Kana Apart, and They Never Found a Way Back Together, Much to Fans’ Disappointment
Hatori and Kana's past relationship was riddled with suffering, due to no fault of their own. For two blissful months, they dated, but Akito, the abusive family head of the Sohmas, lashed out at both of them, hurting Hatori and terrifying Kana. Akito's cruelty terrified Kana into leaving Hatori, as she felt she had no other choice, and Hatori erased her memories to prevent further pain.
Fans were hopeful that once the Zodiac Curse lifted, Hatori and Kana could return to their previous adoring relationship before Akito ruined everything. This optimistic dream never came true though. Kana married someone different, while Hatori married Shigure's ex, Mayuko. Thankfully, both sides of the couple found happiness in the end, but some fans still fantasize about what could have been without Akito's negative interference.
3 Kyo and Arisa
Kyo and Arisa Could Have Been a Perfect Example of the Enemies to Lovers Trope
One of Tohru's two best friends, Arisa Uotani, and Kyo Sohma, have very similar attitudes and demeanors. Because of how alike they are, the pair are often at each other's throats, arguing and yelling constantly. One of the most popular shipping tropes is "enemies to lovers," and Arisa and Kyo fit this dynamic to a tee.
Their fiery, impassioned personalities could blend adorably, as long as their love for one another was as powerful as their arguments. Both Arisa and Kyo are strong-willed, bold, and fiercely dedicated to those they care for, showing that they value the same things. Fans of the pairing state feel they could have made a perfect match, getting into flirtatious squabbles.
2 Tohru and Yuki
Tohru Wound up With Kyo Instead, but Yuki X Tohru Shippers Still Feel This Duo Was the Better Choice
Fans were unsure who in the main love triangle Tohru would end up with: Kyo or Yuki. Both seemed to be likely options, since Tohru had loyal friendships with both Sohmas. When it was revealed that Tohru and Kyo were in love, some Yuki x Tohru shippers were very let down.
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Yuki explained to Tohru that he viewed her as more of a caring mother figure than a potential lover, but fans still sensed romantic tension between Yuki and Tohru at times. Despite not winding up together romantically, Yuki and Tohru's bond is beautiful, supportive, and full of laughter and love. It is easy to imagine the two together, since they have always been very affectionate and close.
1 Tohru and Momiji
Momiji Had a Huge Crush on Tohru, but Respected Her and Kyo’s Relationship
One of the greatest missed opportunities for a Fruits Basket ship was Tohru and Momiji. From their initial meeting, Tohru and Momiji got along well, sharing similar senses of humor and love towards others. They have two of the most giving, selfless hearts in the series, putting others first always.
These two sweet characters seem to be a beautiful match, and Momiji even had a crush on Tohru. However, his love for his friend was so deep that he did not want to unintentionally wreck her and Kyo's happiness. Momiji kept his feelings a secret and wholeheartedly supported Kyo and Tohru, but fans still wonder what could have happened between the pair had he confessed to Tohru.
Fruits Basket (2019) is an anime adaptation following Tohru Honda, a high school girl who ends up living with the mysterious Sohma family. She discovers that twelve members of the Sohma clan are cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac when embraced by the opposite sex. The series delves into the lives and challenges faced by the cursed members while exploring themes of acceptance, friendship, and personal growth.
Release Date April 6, 2019
Seasons 3
Franchise(s) Fruits Basket
Writers Natsuki Takaya
Directors Yoshihide Ibata
Creator(s) Yûichirô Kido , Natsuki Takaya
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