As stated earlier, our body speaks more than our mouths because of how many expressions we can pull off. For example, when we watch anime which focus on crime such as the more recent Ace Attorney, the way the criminals express their guilt is all seen through their body. One fantastic example is when Naruhodo was defending Steel Samurai and the elderly security officer was quite animated when on the stand. When Naruhodo fired questions at her, she began to demonstrate emotions through her movement which gave off guilt entirely and led her to admitting that she was at the crime scene during the murders. While her animations were surely over the top, what we see were beads of sweat, her pupils growing in excitement, and her lacking the ability to stand still and keep calm. Anime is a form of expression in of itself, so it comes as no surprise that a lot of the emotions we express in real life are mimicked within our favorite shows. So what exactly do we see throughout these situations? There are certainly many things we can see such as micro expressions and the more obvious body movements. Micro expressions are subtle in their movement but they play such a major role in how we can understand how someone is feeling, for example a twitchy eyebrow can tell us that this person may be annoyed and frustrated despite putting on a smile.

Anime is an art and so therefore when we watch our favorite shows, we are expecting to see many types of emotions flying around on screen. There are many forms of body language such as the heroic pose which we tend to see a lot of in many action oriented anime, while in the more horror centric genre we see a lot of shock and fear. So what we are truly watching is a mirror image of ourselves in the form of exaggerated expression. These types of expressions are done so to of course provide us with entertainment, but also to give us an idea of what we look like in a certain state. For example, in many comedy anime the body language has been stretched in order to show us an extreme emotion. When someone is surprised, their eyes grow abnormally large and mouths extremely wide. It is done to send us a message that of course there is shock, but to emphasize the philosophy that actions speak louder than words. One great example of over the top expression is in the very popular Osumatsu-san where Osumatsu takes on various roles throughout the show, which all have different attributes attached to the portrayed character. Whenever Osumatsu gets himself into a pinch, we see that his expressions start to blow out of proportion to let the viewer know that either something funny is about to happen, or that he is about to put himself into trouble. His many forms of expression are what we see all throughout the series, which is what makes him so entertaining to watch and learn from. Another great example of over the top expression is when a character becomes so infuriated at another character, that the one being yelled at is seen as tiny while the more outspoken character is extremely large, which demonstrates anger and power over the other. Further features that are seen are the puffed up cherry red cheeks that also embrace one's frustrations toward another character. We can see this in almost every anime every time, clear as day.

Human form or rather animation is how we all interact with each other on a daily basis. Body language is universal and so when we are confronted by many people, our forms change which send off different messages. Whoever can interpret them correctly are more than likely very keen on picking up subtle actions, while the more slow may not see what is being truly said and will overlook everything with a slight chuckle of confusion (which is another body language cue also!). There are many times however when we use external objects to communicate with those around us, and this is a very important form that is seen throughout the entire anime universe. We often use objects to exemplify how we feel towards a situation, and so that object becomes personified as well. There are a plethora of examples that demonstrate this such as the Gundam series where there are so many actions happening on screen that it's hard to really decipher the meaning. The suits that many of the cast wear in Gundam are an extension of who they are, and we can see that in the construction of the suit itself. Some suits have more guns than others which show us that this character is more direct in their approach, and is very much a leader, while other suits may have medical kits attached which signify this character is more compassionate and willing to help at any given moment. In Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans, the main character Orga is quite small when compared to the rest of his team, but his suit of armor is quick, decisive and in charge of the situation in battle. This behavior can be seen throughout the series where Orga is very determined to rebel against all of the adults who betrayed him, and so his demeanor is seen as calm and cool but when in his armored suit he completely takes control and unleashes an array of bullets on his foes. This is something we can all relate to since most of the time, it is only when in times of adversity do we put on our suits to fight for what we love and embrace the truth that lies within.

So this brings us to to learning about ourselves, which is what body language teaches us. Life is most certainly our teacher and there are plenty of things to pick up along our long arduous journey through life. What anime can teach us to do more of, is to become more expressive through our movement and to let others know how we truly feel. As stated earlier, anime is essentially a cartoon representation of humanity with exaggerated movements to demonstrate emotions. This is something we can learn from since anime is merely just who we are but painted with more vibrancy and excitement. Being more open in our lives can lead us to many great destinations throughout our time, and introduce us to things and people who we may have never met had we not expressed our body language. What we see is anime is teaching us to be a little more honest in our approach, and to embrace our inner child to free ourselves from the shackles of society. From the heroic protagonist to the more adventurous, anime shows us that life is best enjoyed when we learn to break free and let ourselves be heard.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a long-running mainstay in both the anime and manga scene in Japan. The plot revolves around the Joestar family, a wealthy family of nobles who learn, often the hard way, that their destiny is to battle supernatural foes and save the world. The first season tells the story of Jonathan Joestar and his adoptive brother, Dio Brando. Dio is a devious character motivated solely by jealousy and anger. Despite the kindness showed to him by the patriarch of the Joestar family, George, and his adoptive brother Jonathan, Dio plans to take George out of the picture and usurp Jonathan’s place as heir to their family estate and fortune. Dio’s calculated efforts to tear Jonathan’s life apart piece by piece are mostly successful, and also sow the seeds of his downfall. The righteous rage caused by Dio’s actions fuel him in his fight maintain the safety of his legacy, and after an encounter with an ancient, vampire-creating relic, the entire world.

Psycho-Pass is set in a dystopian version of our world, in the year 2113. In the society depicted, the Sibyl System actively measures the population’s mental state, indexing their personality and calculating the probability that they will commit a crime. The corresponding coefficient is the titular “psycho-pass,” and once individuals pass a certain threshold, they are pursued by the Public Safety Bureau for apprehension or even death. The righteous anger felt by a society who faces punitive action at the mere possibility of crime is understandable, not only to the audience but by the antagonist of the first season, criminally asymptomatic mastermind Shogo Makishima. In his efforts to tear the Sibyl System from its roots, he harnesses the anger of the masses to incite riots and cause chaos, leaving the building the system is housed in, vulnerable. When a fellow officer goes down in the line of duty trying to stop Shogo, rage forces the protagonists to interpret how real the line is between justice and vengeance.

Serial Experiments Lain is a psychedelic, sci-fi rollercoaster that focuses on protagonist Lain Iwakura, an introverted adolescent girl in a suburban, middle-class family. Her life becomes increasingly complicated when she is introduced to “the Wired,” a global communications network that is essentially the Internet on steroids. When she discovers that classmates have been receiving online communications from a former classmate who committed suicide, a series of increasingly surreal events send Lain on a collision course with Masami Eiri. Masami seeks to utilize Lain in order to break down the wall between the Wired and reality, giving him complete dominion over the world, and all digital information. Masami uses any means necessary to try to convince Lain to give in to his plan, even threats of anger-fueled violence. Without giving away the conclusion of the series, the distance and pain Lain feels from her treatment by her peers, her family, and Masami lead her to explore what is really important to her.

The philosophical cyberpunk tale of Ergo Proxy takes place in a dystopian, futuristic domed city called Romdeau, which was created by humans to save them from an unnamed ecological disaster thousands of years before the show’s main events. Society is comprised of humans, as well as robots and androids called AutoReivs. All is not what it seems, as the AutoReivs gain self-awareness through the acquisition of a virus, and begin to feel indignant rage at their place in society as lower than humans, and begin committing indiscriminate murder. Re-l is a human sent to investigate these murders with her AutoReiv partner, Iggy, which leads her down a rabbit hole that threatens the very future of humanity. Anger isn’t the only emotion pulled to the surface by the mind-bending events of the plot, which provides a thoughtful tableau for what it means to be human.

Code Geass is set in a bleak alternate timeline of Earth, where the world has been carved up by three warring empires; the Holy Britannia Empire (comprised of Britain and the Americas), the Chinese Federation that controls Asia, as well as the European Union (of which Africa is also a part). After Britannia gains the advantage in war with their new weapon, giant mecha known as Knightmare Frames, they conquer Japan and strip its citizens of their civil liberties and freedom. The main protagonist of the story, Britannian prince Lelouch Lamperouge, is sent to live in occupied Japan with his sister as a political prisoner after the assassination of his mother. Lelouch is an affable, if an arrogant young man, with a strong moral compass; his anger at the events that led to his exile have cemented his resolve to make the world a better place, although he is willing to do so regardless of the cost or collateral damage. His ruthless dedication to his cause often puts him at odds with those closest to him, especially once he is granted a mysterious power to control those around him.

Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi, also known as ERASED, is a time-traveling, mind-bending, story focused on a series of mysterious murders. Protagonist Satoru Fujinuma has a unique ability called “revival,” which allows him to relive and change events in the past. At the outset of the story, he can only relive past events from a few moments before, but when his mother is murdered, he is suddenly sent back to his time in elementary school, which gives him the chance to prevent the mysterious disappearances of his classmates, and get to the bottom of his mother’s murder. While there is no question that the mysterious antagonist of the ERASED is mad in every sense of the word, his angry, sociopathic outlook on humanity set the entire series of events in order. Likewise, Satoru’s sadness and anger drive him to never give up when it comes to saving the lives of those around him and discovering the truth. Without revealing too much about the intensely harrowing story, Satoru learns that even positive changes can have costly outcomes.

The dark fantasy drama Berserk centers around the exploits of the mercenary Guts, who joins the mercenary troupe The Band of the Hawk, whose powerful, charismatic leader Griffith makes him his right-hand man. The combined prowess of the two helps create a legendary reputation for the Band, who play a pivotal role in ending a long-standing war that has ravaged the world of Midland. When Guts leaves the Band to pursue his own ambitions, Griffith’s anger, and disappointment drive him to attack the princess, and result in a long internment in a royal jail cell. Upon witnessing the ravages of his internment, Griffith activates a magical behelit and begins a savage journey down a path of madness. He betrays his former comrades for the sake of his ambition. Guts is a man driven to great extremes by Griffith’s madness, and his anger at the betrayal of his former comrade isn’t enough to prevent Griffith’s schemes from coming to fruition.

The anachronistic blend of futurism and feudalism informs the bleak, ruthless world of Afro Samurai. Warriors wear headbands to represent their martial prowess; Number 1 is the best fighter in the land, and can only be challenged by Number 2. However, Number 2 can be challenged by the bearer of any headband, and must either bravely challenge Number 1, or face constant danger from those seeking the Number 2 spot. The titular afro samurai witnesses his father’s murder by aspiring Number 1, Justice, and swears revenge. Justice tells him he’ll be waiting. Afro Samurai is a classic revenge tale, a la Tarantino revenge flick, Kill Bill. Afro’s quest to become a swordsman worthy of challenging Justice also creates an intense, anger-fueled rivalry between his childhood friend, Jinno, who blames tragedy that befalls him on Afro. The show is a short and sweet meditation on what revenge is actually worth.

For a show that combines elements of psychological anime and mad anime, look no further than Monster. It tells the story of Dr. Tenma, a Japanese brain surgeon working in Germany who seems to have it all; his unparalleled professional talent has led him to the top of his field and garnered the favor of the powers that be at the hospital he works at, as well as the love of his boss’s daughter. All that changes after a horrifying accident result in Tenma having to make a choice between saving the lives of innocent twins, Johan, and Anna, or the mayor of Dusseldorf. Following his compassionate instincts costs Tenma more than he could ever reckon, and sets into motion a series of events that drag him through the underbellies of society, and into a very real heart of darkness. His anger at the domino effects of his actions makes him question his humanity, and force him to ask whether it is worth becoming a monster to stop a monster

Based off of the hit manga of the same name, Akira is a dystopian masterpiece widely regarded as one of the best sci-fi films of all time. After a catastrophic explosion resembling a nuclear warhead destroys Tokyo in 1998, Neo Tokyo rises from the ashes. In 2019, the city is a sprawling shadow of its former self; although it is set to host the Olympic games, the city is rife with violence, as gangs have run of the city with near impunity, and anti-government activity results in martial law. Almost every aspect of Akira embodies anger. The city itself is an expression of Japan’s fatigue and anger at their government in the post-war period, and the characters have plenty to spare. Whether it's the complex, insecurity-fueled relationship between adversaries Kaneda and Tetsuo, or that towards the government as represented by the group Kei is a part of, everyone in the film has a stake in the city, and shares in the anger of the events that continue to tear it apart.

Tokyo has become a dangerous and divided city with the existence of ghouls, beings that must eat humans to live. Even though humans have found ways to fight against the ghouls, a violent revolutionary group of ghouls threaten to overthrow everything. In the midst of these changing times, a college boy, Ken Kaneki, finds himself thrown fully into the war as he’s turned into an artificial half-ghoul. Like most thrillers, there’s fear of the unknown, uncertain livelihoods, precarious relationships, and epic battles. However, what Tokyo Ghoul does best is portray both sides to the story with characters of various levels understanding and tolerance. On the ghouls side, we have characters like Hinami who has never eaten a living human, and yet must live knowing that she’s considered a monster. There’s Kureo Mado on the human side who’s very inhumane is his relentless and disturbed pursuit to kill ghouls. Thus, personalities intermix and histories are revealed in a seamless, yet shocking fashion.

Polygon Pictures’s winter thriller, Ajin, takes us into a world where supernatural beings, said to be immortal, exist. For a long time, these supposed immortals have lived in relative peace with humanity with a few documented interactions. However, this all changes in Japan, when one Ajin, Satou, begins to terrorize the nation. No longer are Ajin some mysterious force for scholars to theorize about, but a daily terror. It’s when this fear is growing that Kei Nagai discovers in a terrible bus accident that he is one of these supernatural beings. If you’re not into CG, this might be a tough one to swallow. However, it’s definitely worth a shot. Ajin provides a very detailed portrait of a society and its dependence on information. Between students gossiping about a viral video in which an Ajin is murdered multiple times to news reports with the names of suspected Ajin an innate sense of fear and paranoia is built throughout the world. Heightening the fear and causing mass discrimination towards the Ajin are the extreme, gritty terrorist actions of Satou. Overall, this anime not only sets up intensive questions of morality and truth, but feels extremely relevant to many contemporary dilemmas.

Otherwise known as Attack on Titan season two, Koutetsujou no Kabaneri is the best thriller this season. Created by Wit Studio, this anime follows the main character, Ikoma, in a steam punk, apocalyptic world that is overrun by zombie-like monsters, the Kabane. A perfect mix of the graphic novel Snowpiercer and the series Attack on Titan, Koutetsujou no Kabaneri pushes and pulls viewers between a desire to find out the historic events that triggered such a world calamity and the fear of what further discoveries the future will hold. Though many might see it as a rip off of AoT, the creators have clearly developed a more concise narrative. You won’t find yourself pointlessly watching an episode of training that was difficult due to a technicality. From the first episode, there’s a train attack, a city overran, and a hero who wants to haunt the memories of those who left him to die by sacrificing himself for them.

Mirai Nikki sends Yukiteru Amano down one terrifying journey as he finds himself in a rat race to become the new god of time and space. With 11 other contestants, each holding a future diary with an incredible power, Yuki must meticulously maneuver himself through increasingly dangerous situations in order to survive. Episode by episode, Miraii Nikki proves itself to be a thriller of outstanding proportions. Paranoia, fear, and excitement mix together into a compelling narrative is Yuki propelled through a world where he can’t trust anyone. Furthermore, the one person he relies on frequently, Yuno Gasai, is an insane stalker. The best part of this is show is that you always feel a cold sweat, as if someone’s watching you. However, instead of being able to turn around, you’re shot forward, as Yuno decidedly blows up entire classrooms of students or axes someone in the face to protect Yuki.

Normal life is challenging enough, but apparently to Madhouse it’s not hard enough. Apparently, Earth needs to be invaded by aliens who are able to burrow into brains and take full control of their hosts. From there they basically normal, but are able to morph into insane forms in order to kill and eat their prey, more humans. That’s the setting that Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu throws you into. Now, our protagonist in this world, Shinichi Izumi is one such human who has had an alien species invade his body. However, it wasn’t able to get to this brain and thus it simply resides in Izumi’s right hand. Essentially he has become a hybrid of sorts that threatens the parasitic invaders and so has a hit on his head. This circumstance forces a tenuous collaboration between Izumi and his right hand, Migi, who together must carefully navigate this dangerous environment. Keeping us strapped in each and every episode is this thriller’s extraordinary synthesis between brutal fights and murders to the personal drama of Izumi as he tries to side step the attention of friends and family in order to protect them.

Death Note’s narrative follows the events after the Shinigami Ryuk drops his Death Note into the human world. By chance, it falls into the hands of the idealistic and slightly bored high school senior Light Yagami. From there, Light begins to use the Death Note, which has the power to kill anyone whose name is written within its covers, in order to create a utopia. However, his version of justice is questionable to say the least and catches the attention of the world-renowned detective known as ‘L’. It’s hard to believe that almost a decade ago Death Note had us chasing after Light Yagami as he made himself into a literal god. This anime is considered a classic for a reason. Government officials, secret societies, gods of death all come together in glorious battles of the mind. However, the main two in the ring, consistently challenging each other more, is Light and L. Whether it’s admitting to Light he’s “L”, challenging him to a tennis match, or handcuffing himself to Light; L constantly throws down the gauntlet. From there, we get the joy of watching Light finesse his way out after some intense reasoning.

You find yourself in a bar-like setting, with a person you may or may not know. There’s also a bartender with great hair who goes by the name Decim. He says it’s time to play a game to decide whether or not you’ll be reincarnated or sent to a void. This is Death Parade. Death Parade demands your attention from start to finish as it presents an extremely unique thriller. With its singular environment, our attention focuses in on the characters as they play rather ordinary games to decide their fate. However, each game has a twist, and so every single character quirk or twitch becomes heavily pronounced and holds levels of meaning. Emotional and psychological warfare are a constant in this thriller, and you won’t be able to look away as you consistently wonder what death really means in this world.

Zankyou no Terror follows the activities of the two-member terrorist organization, Sphinx, and the desperate attempts of the government to solve each of their riddles. Now, Nine and Twelve, two high-school aged boys, are the ones leading the attacks in order to enact revenge against the experimental and cruel government program that they were brought up in. As they, push forward though, they recruit a quiet and reserved girl into their schemes as well as earn the attention of some incredible detectives. Zankyou no Terror is the modern portrait of the police procedural/psychological thriller that shows like Monster and Death Note popularized years ago. It shares their twisting plot, dynamic characters, and unflinching look at the darker depths of human nature. However, it’s more concise in its narrative, driving each episode home with one battle in this war having been won or lost. Thus, there is never a wasted moment as we are pulled into a terrorized world where stuffed animals are the make up for bombs and Greek riddles must be analyzed and situated in context of modern infrastructure. Really pushing this show forward is the intelligence of the characters and their ability to test one another to greater degrees. It’s a constant chess match, with explosions for every pawn or rook taken. Everyone has something invested in the plot and everyone, whether or not they care to admit, have something to lose.

Steins; Gate shoves us through the maddening consequences of time travel as we follow the adventures of Okabe Rintarou, a self-proclaimed “Mad Scientist” and head of the Future Gadget Research Laboratory. Alongside two other members of the Future Gadget Research Laboratory, Okabe happens to invent a phone microwave capable of sending messages to the past and thus changing their lives. In the words of the main character, “No one knows what the future holds. That’s why its potential is infinite.” This quote is the show’s inherent strength. Anything is possible and as his crew’s antics with time travel unravels into a universe ripe with tragedy, Okabe finds himself frantically sending messages to the past and getting into insane situations in order to get a happier outcome. Nailing this show so high up on the list is the fact that it is successfully able to incorporate so many different aspects into its narrative with ease. Okabe’s Dr. Pepper jokes, the perverse nature of Daru, and the swift tongue of Kurisu play out humorously, adding an extra layer to the show overall as well as enhancing the darker aspects of the show.

Boku dake ga Inai Machi blew the anime community away this this January. Without trepidation, it sends Satoru Fujinuma into the past, and, in doing so, throws viewers into an emotionally charged, dramatic thriller. You see, Satoru has this strange ability, which he calls ‘Revival,’ that activates when a tragedy occurs. Basically, said tragedy occurs, his ability activates, and then the he is sent back generally several minutes just before the incident. For the most part, he uses this ability to constantly save the lives of others. However, when his mother is killed and he’s framed for the murder, his ability goes into overdrive sending him 18 years in the past, to when he was only 11. This happens, as Satoru soon figures out for himself, because his mother’s death might have something to do with the abduction and murder of his quiet classmate, Kayo Hinazuki. So not only can he possibly save his mother, but also a child whose memory has haunted him. Well, rather than turn this show into a simple murder mystery, which could have been solved in about half the episodes, the creators at A-1 Pictures focus on the complex ways that human interactions can play out and how intensely certain relationships can define our personalities and actions. Parental abuse and bullying play a heavy part in this anime, but so does friendship and a mother’s uncompromising love. In many ways, Boku dake ga Inai Machi really portrays the range of humanity and the importance of connecting with one another. However, to make such ideals shine as brightly as possible, an extremely dark shadow must be cast over the entirety of the show. Be prepared to be glued to your screen for this one as you explore just how impressionistic human nature is.

Hatsuharu, otherwise known as Haru, is a rather mild-mannered Fruits Basket character who is notable for his dual colored hair which is black at the roots and white at the ends. Most of the time, Haru can be rather docile, but when he becomes Black Haru, Haru can be quite foul-mouthed and violent. Never cross Black Haru! As Kyou does to Yuki, Haru is constantly challenging Kyou to duals. On the other hand, Haru dotes on Yuki and admits to loving him. Haru is possessed by the Ox from the Chinese Zodiac. First on our list is dear Haru who can be quite volatile at times, but is in fact, endearing. Haru has been through a lot with Akito and his own past. He was filled with so much hatred and anger as a child, but in truth, Haru just wanted to be treated as an equal, something that is shadowed by the fact that he is the ox. Haru was constantly picking fights with Yuki and Kyou for his own self-satisfaction, but he just wants to be acknowledged. That’s what makes him so endearing!

Known as “Prince Yuki” for his charm and bishounen looks, Yuki is a rather distant person who chooses not to keep his distance from others. Yuki is the one who invited Tohru into Shigure’s home and can often be seen arguing with Kyou. Despite all the fighting Yuki does with Kyou, he actually really envies Kyou. Due to his upbringing, Yuki has an estranged relationship with his family and despises his brother. Yuki is possessed by the rat from the Chinese Zodiac. Yuki struggles with a past that entails being abandoned by his parents and mentally abused by Akito for over a decade. This has resulted in a desire for freedom, isolation, and affection. While some may pass Yuki off as some sort of pompous pretty boy, he is a boy who has been hurt a lot in the past so he tends to be quite guarded around others. Yuki has no idea about how to converse with others. That’s what makes Yuki such an endearing Fruits Basket character. You just really want to mend the broken pieces of his heart.

Despite being a child, Hiro looks down on Tohru and treats her as a sort of plaything that he can mistreat as he pleases. While he hates being treated as a kid, Hiro is quick to turn the tables and tease others based on the fact that he is a kid. Hiro has a quick temper and is not able to express himself properly, both of which get him into all sorts of different trouble with others. Unlike most children of the Chinese Zodiac, Hiro’s mother continued to love him. Hiro is possessed by the sheep from the Chinese Zodiac. At the first, second, and third glance, Hiro is a smart ass who just enjoys antagonizing people. Underneath it all, Hiro hasn’t experienced much hardship at all, but he’s a young boy battling young boy problems like his crush on Kisa. That’s one of the reasons why he picks on Tohru so much; Hiro is jealous that Tohru has all of Kisa’s affection. Poor Hiro is so conflicted by his jealousy over Tohru and his immense desire to make Kisa happy. It can be quite endearing to see Hiro try to sort out his feelings when he just wants to give Kisa the world!

Clad in dark garbs that add to her menacing aura is Tohru’s best friend Saki! Saki is a student who attends the same school as Tohru and has been friends with her since her transfer. Saki often strikes fear in those around her (except Tohru and Arisa) due to her menacing aura and perceived powers. Saki is very protective of Tohru. Saki may frighten most with her dark appearance, but she is one of the best friends Tohru could have. Saki has had to face a constant barrage of accusations regarding an ability to curse people, which is no wonder why she has withdrawn herself from others. Saki embraces the blackness of her soul by bearing it on her clothing, but what Saki needs most of all is a healing touch. That is why we love Saki so much; she’s a gentle soul in need of help. How could you not think that Saki is an endearing Fruits Basket character?

Hatori is the physician of the Sohma family who is tasked with the job of attending to the needs of the members of the Chinese Zodiac. Hatori is also part of a trio including Shigure and Ayame, although Hatori is usually the one cleaning up their messes. The spirit of the dragon possesses Hatori, but Hatori turns into a seahorse. Hatori’s transformation usually startles others who don’t know what to do with a seahorse. Cold and unfeeling, Hatori comes off a little harsh at first. Especially when he glares at you, but Hatori is actually one of the most endearing Fruits Basket characters. Due to his history with Akito, Hatori has given up the hopes of being with the woman he loves to protect her. As one of the members of the Chinese Zodiac, happiness is little and far between, but Hatori had found it in the form of Kana, who, despite his transformation, loved him regardless. Yet, Hatori had to forsake his own happiness so that Kana could be safe and maintain her sanity. How many would give up their little bit of happiness for someone else?

Outlandish and loud, Ayame is Yuki’s older brother who seems to know no boundaries. Ayame grew up with Hatori and Shigure and was the student council president during his time in high school. Aside from Tohru and Shigure, Ayame seems to annoy everyone around him. Ayame is the snake from the Chinese Zodiac. This also means he is cold blooded and can be seen seeking a place of warmth when it is cold, which has gotten him into trouble. When Ayame hits the screen, he comes off as a...pervert. Ayame is crude and rather outlandish, but truth be told, he has a lot going on behind his bright facade. Ayame struggles with past decisions which have put a dent into his relationship with Yuki. Ayame wants to deepen this relationship with Yuki, but the past hands like a velvet curtain between them--heavy and dark. Ayame wants to right the wrongs of his past, but when he caused tragedy to befall his own little brother, what can be done? Ayame may seem bright, but there’s more to him than what appears on the surface.

Kyou is a rather loud and somewhat violent individual who is constantly attempting to pick a fight with Yuki. In the first episode, Kyou can be seen busting through the roof of Shigure’s house to challenge Yuki to a dual. For the most part, Kyou prefers to be alone and has been known to leave on long journeys to train. Kyou is possessed by the cat from the Chinese Zodiac myth, which makes him an outsider. Kyou literally smashes into Tohru in his first scene and is constantly antagonizing others, but there is more to him than we see. Kyou has lived a shelter in confinement, constantly being regarded as a monster and trash. In his heart, Kyou has had a lot of trauma and pain that has greatly damaged him. He needs someone to help him unlock the chains that weigh so heavily in his heart. Yet, somehow, Kyou can still seem so bright and have hope, as we have seen throughout the anime. Kyou still tries to find a little happiness. How can he not be one of the endearing Fruits Basket characters?!

Bouncy and bubbly is our very own Momiji! Momiji is a bright ball of sunshine who loves to glomp onto people without shame. He is half German on his mother’s side. Despite his appearance, Momiji is, in fact, the same age as Hatsuharu. Momiji actually enjoys wearing the girls’ uniform to school because he knows that it suits him well. Momiji is possessed by the rabbit from the Chinese Zodiac. Momiji is a ball full of energy who seems to have no thought for boundaries. However, Momiji’s own mother begged to have her memories of him erased as the fact that he was a freak tore at her. Throughout Momiji’s life following the loss of his mother, Momiji had to continue to give up his own happiness if it endangered his family in any way. Despite this, Momiji is still able to maintain his bright smile and love others unconditionally. Momiji is one of the Fruits Basket characters that shine the brightest!

Quiet yet gentle is our little Kisa! She is not one for words but Kisa does have her own way of showing affection to those around her. Kisa can be quite timid and hesitant to speak her mind if frightened, but if she feels strongly enough about something, Kisa will not be deterred. Due to their close age, Kisa is very close to Hiro. Kisa is possessed by the spirit of the tiger from the Chinese Zodiac. Kisa may transform into a tiger but she is timider than a rabbit! For a while, Kisa has been bullied by her fellow classmates but had no one to confide in. It brought upon her feelings of inadequacy that allowed her to fall into selective mutism, unable to speak with the ones she loves most out of fear. Kisa is such a young child, but she has had to endure so much that has nothing to do with her own transformation. Kisa has a lot of endurance, but really, she just needs someone to reach out to her, even when she does not ask for it. If you have ever seen Fruits Basket, you cannot deny that Kisa is an endearing young child!

The primary protagonist, Tohru is #1 on our list of endearing Fruits Basket Characters. Tohru is an orphan who did not enjoy living with her own extended family. It is with the Sohma family that Tohru feels loved. Tohru lost her mother just a few months prior to the events in Fruits Basket, but she still continues to smile every day. Tohru’s best friends are Arisa and Saki. There is no doubt that Tohru is the most endearing Fruits Basket character! Despite being orphaned, disliked by her extended family, and suffering through bullying, Tohru has showered many others with her love and compassion, healing their wounds and providing others with a safe place. Tohru endures many troubles, but she continues to muscle on to protect others. It is her heart that makes her the most endearing of all. Tohru may seem like a dimwitted shoujo protagonist, but she’s the type of person every damaged character in Fruits Basket needs: a place of love and safety.