#Fruits Basket: The Final

[runawaycarouselhorse]

People who don't bother to watch Fruits Basket or don't understand the psychology behind the character: Tohru is too perfect, she's unrealistic--

Yeah, that's the point, it's a fake persona she built up as a trauma response. She's taking on the caretaker role, compulsively taking care of others, being who they need her to be, trying to ignore her own pain, deny the reality of her mother's death by talking to the photograph, and bottle up her suffering.

She's a contrast to Akito, as the final season shows, too, as both are desperately afraid of losing love. The story about why she speaks so formally, because her father spoke that way, and she was scared her mother would follow him in death, so she hated him in a childish way, so she spoke the way he did in the hopes of securing her mother's love... they're similar in terms of their abandonment issues, they just present it very differently.

One can certainly argue we saw too little of it as viewers because of just how much she's become the mask and how she bottles everything up, but Tohru is as broken and human as everyone else in Fruits Basket, she's just also a very genuinely kind and trusting person, even if part of her motivations are born of "selfishness" (read: a natural desire to be loved, complicated by a fear of abandonment).

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Sorry for not having a Year of the Dragon MDZS artwork; Unfortunately, I can only picture Dragon LWJ in this particular flavour.

[metalandmagi]

Romance Anime Starter List

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m sick and tired of seeing “Top ___ Best Anime of All Time” lists that are nothing but shounen. So, with "My Happy Marriage" getting a little attention from the anime community, I wanted to put together a list of some romance anime that I consider good “starters” for the genre. Because if I were just now becoming an anime fan, I’d think all there was to offer was shounen action series.

And by “starters” I mean basic stuff that’s not too…out there, and actually involves the characters getting together instead of just harems or using romance as a side plot (sorry Ouran High School Host Club and My Next Life as a Villainess). 

So if you’re new to anime and want stuff that’s not just guys beating the shit out of each other (which is also fun, don’t get me wrong), here are some basics.

Taisho Maiden Fairy Tale- When the pessimistic Tamahiko Shima loses all function in his right arm, his family sends him away to live in the mountains with the cheerful, hard working Yuzuki Tachibana…who was purchased by the Shima family to pay off her family’s debts and basically act as a caretaker/future bride for Tamahiko so they’d never have to deal with him again. It’s a more cheerful version of My Happy Marriage (without the supernatural stuff), except in this one, the guy is the one who has massive self-esteem issues and an abusive family. There are still very serious themes, but ultimately it’s not meant to make you cry every episode. I swear it’s so good, but nobody watched it!

Horimiya- A slice of life in which pretty and popular high school queen bee Hori, finds out her quiet, unassuming classmate Miyamura is hiding piercings and tattoos that could get him expelled. The two gradually find out more about each other and get together in the most realistic way I’ve seen depicted in an anime. It’s also fucking hysterical and genuinely emotional.

Recovery of an MMO Junkie- Another slice of life that focuses on two adults who meet in an MMO game without realizing they also know each other in real life. I don’t want to say much more than that. It’s adorable, and the main character is so relatable it hurts.

Love with Yamada-kun at Level 999- Speaking of MMOs, this is a newer series about Akane Kinoshita, a college first year who’s reeling from a bad break up. In an attempt to get back at her ex, she winds up meeting Akito Yamada, a popular gamer who happens to be in her guild in the MMO they both play at an IRL meetup. The two go from acquaintances to something more as they keep running into each other. Even more relatable main characters and just wholesome relationships all around.

Snow White With The Red Hair- A fantasy in which an apothecary named Shirayuki (meaning, you guessed it, “snow white”) runs away from her home in order to escape becoming the concubine of her town’s prince. While fleeing, she is rescued by Zen, the prince of a neighboring country, and she ends up becoming an herbalist to repay him. It's super cute with some genuinely swoon worthy moments and a couple that just works so well together. I have a habit of comparing this to Akatsuki no Yona, even though the two aren’t really that alike. This is more romance driven while Akatsuki no Yona is more of a serious historical fantasy with romance elements (Yona manga is amazing, but the anime barely scratches the surface, so that’s why I didn’t include it).

Sasaki to Miyano- When the shy, easily flustered Miyano meets Sasaki, a cool “delinquent” upperclassmen, the two end up bonding over manga…specifically BL manga. That’s right, Miyano is a fudanshi, but due to his small stature and somewhat feminine appearance, he’s constantly trying to convince others that he’s not interested in having his own love story where he’d be reduced to a stereotypical doe-eyed uke. But as Sasaki and Miyano spend more time together, they realize that what they have is more than friendship, and they have to come to terms with their own perception of gay relationships. This is my favorite romance of all time. It’s a slow burn, but boy is it worth it. Their relationship is so natural and realistic, just like Horimiya. Just two people hanging out and bonding over things the way people do in real life!

Given: The story of some boys in a band with trauma. Enough said. It's great. Go watch it.

Bloom Into You- Yuu Koito is a high school girl who’s been waiting her whole life for her own perfect romance to start…but when she receives a confession, she realizes she doesn’t know how to respond when she’s just not into the guy. And then she gets another confession…this time from the cool student council president Touko Nanami, who basically jumpstarts her lesbian awakening. Very cute story about how we perceive the concept of love vs actually feeling it. Also has a canonically aro/ace side character, so that’s a win for me. Another show like this is Adachi to Shimamura (but I honestly don’t remember much about it. It just didn’t stick with me as much).

Ore Monogatari- Takeo Gouda is a tall, bulky high school first year with a sensitive heart of gold. He wants nothing more than to find his own true love, but most girls are intimidated by his enormous stature, and they end up falling for his conventionally attractive friend instead. That is, until he meets the tiny, adorable Rinko Yamato. He falls in love instantly, but he’s sure she’s interested in his best friend like everyone else, so he vows to help get them together, even though his heart is breaking. Peak himbo behavior. Pure of heart, dumb of ass.

Yuri on Ice- Yes it’s the gay figure skating anime everyone knows. And yes it’s a fucking romance, okay? I will die on this hill. The romance between Viktor and Yuri is just as important as the plot!

Kaguya-sama Love Is War- Two insanely smart high school students both have a crush on the other, but since they’re…you know…high schoolers, neither of them wants to admit it first. So they come up with increasingly convoluted plans to get the other to confess first. This will go down as one of the best of all time. It’s a hilarious yet poignant modern classic.

Fruits Basket- I’ve talked about it before and I’ll talk about it again. A romance “comedy” that slowly morphs into a drama about a girl named Tohru who finds herself living with the mysterious Sohma family after her mother dies. Little does she know, the Sohmas are the victims of a  (somewhat silly, but ultimately tragic) curse that she must fight to break. Even though I’m more into it for the family drama, the romance is still top tier and plays an important role in the story. This is my second favorite anime of all time, and it’s a classic for a reason. If anyone hasn’t watched it yet, GO WATCH IT! IT WILL RIP YOU TO SHREDS!

And now for some honorable mentions that didn't quite fit into the regular list:

Ride Your Wave- A movie about a surfer who falls in love with a firefighter……and I’m not going to say any more than that. Go into it blind. If you like stuff like Your Name, this is a good one to watch.

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun- A comedy about a high school girl who finds out the upperclassman she has a crush on is actually a shoujo manga artist, and no matter how she tries to confess to him, he just never gets it.

The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague- A slow burn slice of life that focuses on a guy with ice powers who has a crush on his coworker. That’s it. That’s the show. When I say slow, I mean SLOW. It’s perfectly cute and fluffy, but my god does it take forever to get anywhere with these two.

Skip to Loafer- A high strung, small town girl decides to go to high school in Tokyo, where she meets a variety of classmates, including the laid back Sousuke Shima. The unlikely pair become friends, and soon enough, she starts to feel something more than friendship. The only reason I didn’t include it in the main list is because they don’t get together by the end of the first season, but it’s still really cute (also canonically trans character for the win!?)

So that’s my starter list. And no, I didn’t include Toradora, even though it’s a classic. I know it’s blasphemous, but I like it more as a comedy than a romance. It kinda lost me with the ending. But anyway, maybe someone will find something they like. Or maybe you'll just want to roast me and my picks 😅

[romancemedia]

Anime Romances + Intense Moments

[hello-there-nice-to-meet-you]

Can't express my love for fruits basket.

[veroniquesboutique]

* ~~ Fic Masterlist ~~ *

Here's the list of all my writing, separated first by show/fandom then by character within that show.

*** indicates NSFW content

Jujutsu Kaisen (jjk)

Multi-Character Headcanons & One-Shots

i wanna hear you *** jjk men and how they sound in bed

Satoru Gojo

Anything You Do To My Floor, I'll Do To You *** Sub!Satoru Gojo x AFAB!Domme!Reader

Scrabble Is Eternal *** Poly!Satosugu x AFAB!Reader

If It's In A Threeway *** CuckBF!Satoru Gojo x Professor!Nanami Kento x AFAB!Reader

Losing Their Bet *** BestFriend!Satoru Gojo x AFAB!Reader

Shirley Temples and Steak Dinners Satoru Gojo x Nanami Kento

Nanami Kento

Playing Innocent *** Boyfriend!Nanami Kento x AFAB!Reader

If It's In A Threeway *** CuckBF!Satoru Gojo x Professor!Nanami Kento x AFAB!Reader

Bare Faced *** Fiancé!Nanami Kento x AFAB!Reader

Family Recipe *** Husband!Nanami Kento x AFAB!Reader

Shirley Temples and Steak Dinners Nanami Kento x Satoru Gojo

Sukuna Ryomen

Allegiance *** Sukuna Ryomen x AFAB!Reader (hate sex, part 1)

Double Crossed *** Sukuna Ryomen x AFAB!Reader (dumbification & dubcon, part 2)

You Have A Secret *** Sukuna Ryomen x AFAB!Reader (soft Sukuna, part 3)

Toji Fushiguro

The Shirt Off Your Back *** Roommate!Toji Fushiguro x AFAB!Reader

Boyfriend Material *** Boyfriend!Toji Fushiguro x AFAB!Reader

Suguru Geto

An Assistant's Schedule *** Boss!Cult Leader!Suguru Geto x Assistant!AFAB!Reader

All's Fair *** Suguru Geto x AFAB!Reader

Scrabble Is Eternal *** Poly!Satosugu x AFAB!Reader

Shooting Blanks *** Boyfriend!Suguru Geto x AFAB!Reader

Shoko Ieiri

In Your Dreams *** BestFriend!Shoko Ieiri x AFAB!Reader

Toge Inumaki

Tuna Mayo *** Boyfriend!Toge Inumaki x AFAB!Reader

Yuta Okkotsu

We Did The Monster Mash *** Stranger!Yuta Okkotsu x CursedSpirit!Rika Orimoto x AFAB!Reader

Naruto

Kakashi Hatake

The Night Shift *** ANBU!Kakashi Hatake x Prostitute!GN!Reader (part 1)

Hopefully, Just Like Normal *** ANBU!Kakashi Hatake x Prostitute!GN!Reader (part 2)

Shikamaru Nara

Commitment *** KindaBoyfriend!Shikamaru Nara x AFAB!Reader

Parent's Approval *** Stranger!BadBoy!Shikamaru Nara x Innocent!AFAB!Reader

Hashirama Senju

Untouched *** Star Crossed Lovers!Hashirama Senju x GN!Reader

Neji Hyuuga

A Brat On A Mission *** Team Leader!Neji Hyuuga x Shinobi!AFAB!Reader

Fruits Basket

Hatori Sohma

Lock & Key *** Boyfriend!Hatori Sohma x AFAB!Reader

Shigure Sohma

Best Friend's Dad *** Best Friend's Dad!Shigure Sohma x Virgin!AFAB!Reader

Free!

Rin Matsuoka

In The Deep End *** Ex!Rin Matsuoka x GN!Reader

For The Team *** Captain!Rin Matsuoka x Free Use!GN!Reader

Haikyuu!!

Koshi Sugawara

All Dressed Up With No Where To Go *** Boyfriend!Koshi Sugawara x AMAB!Reader

Asahi Azumane

Keeping Track *** Boyfriend!Asahi Azumane x AFAB!Reader

Given

Akihiko Kaji

Fantasize *** Ex!Akihiko Kaji x GN!Reader

Kuroko No Basket (KNB)

Aomine Daiki

Delaying Gratification *** Boyfriend!Aomine Daiki x AFAB!Reader

Benched *** Aomine Daiki x Haizaki Shogo x Kise Ryota

Kagami Taiga

The Stranger From The Bar *** Stranger!Professional Basketball Player!Kagami Taiga x AFAB!Reader

Study Break *** Virgin!Best Friend!Kagami Taiga x AFAB!Reader

Kise Ryota

Benched *** Kise Ryota x Haizaki Shogo x Aomine Daiki

Haizaki Shogo

Benched *** Haizaki Shogo x Kise Ryota x Aomine Daiki

Attack On Titan (aot)

Levi Ackerman

In Our Bedroom After The War Levi Ackerman x Erwin Smith

Erwin Smith

In Our Bedroom After The War Levi Ackerman x Erwin Smith

[xekutozoren]

They're All Animals! (KH Furuba)

Slowly figuring out the art style I want for this series. (- w - / )

Thought I'd add some colour even if it's lazy. (Terra's eye colour still confuses me, seems to switch a lot, I'm going with a green-blue)

And Ven joins the parteh!

I was going to base this piece off an existing promo art for Fruits Basket but nothing really fit that well so I ended up making something up.

Favourite thing about this is Sephiroth's expression xD

Cat ref from AshBlossom

Rabbit ref from JOANN

Aqua pose ref from Kimi ni Todoke

[wakattah]

[gamercats-fight]

Daniil Dankovsky from Pathologic vs Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket. Vote for your fav!!

[jazzymarie1006]

Five pairs of precious and close anime cuties I adore so very much.

[ao3-anonymous]

Fastest Growing Fandoms on AO3 This Week (09/18/2023)

Every week I pull data on how many fics are in each fandom and compare to the previous week, then calculate the percentage increase to determine fastest growing fandoms.  Since this naturally skews towards smaller fandoms, I have included the same data filtered to Over 1k, 5k, & 10k fics.

Overall:

Over 1,000 Fics:

Over 5,000 Fics:

Over 10,000 Fics:

Source: AO3 Fandom Dashboard

[runawaycarouselhorse]

[coralpaperthoughts]

I'm gonna miss them 🤧

[kkbardd]

some laminated clear cases & such that ive made so far w/ the addition of the jjk ones i just finished !!

[romancemedia]

Why is it that even though these anime couples get married... WE NEVER ACTUALLY GET TO SEE THE WEDDING ITSELF!?!?!?!?

Is it too much to ask for?!?!?!

[hello-there-nice-to-meet-you]

Yay!