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MMF Fruits Basket- Shojo Sensei: Personalities of the Chinese Zodiac

Fruits Basket is one of my all time favorite shojo mangas. So much so that I really can’t do an unbiased review. Most of everything I’ve tried to write in the past sounds like gushing. So I’ve settled for no review. One of the things I did learn while reading Fruits Basket was the personalities of the Chinese zodiac as well as one legend of how the zodiac came to be.



Along with the character analyses I’ve seen other bloggers post, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how the characters align with their equivalent zodiac personalities. I did some research to find information on Chinese astrology and over-arching personality traits that are supposedly observable in anyone born within a particular year of the zodiac. I thought I’d post them here and let you see if you agree with them matching Takaya’s characters.



(Note: Horoscope years start in late January to early February, so if you were born before that you may be the sign of the previous year.)





THE RAT: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032



Individuals of the rat sign are charming, creative, and known as survivors. The rat sign is analytical, always curious, and highly intelligent. Rats are introverted by nature and feel most comfortable when socializing with close friends and family. Worry, excitability, and a quick temper can also be a part of their nature. Rats are natural explorers and voyagers. Despite their outward composure rats may also be gnawed by a devastating feeling of insecurity. They can be difficult to please, demanding, and highly critical of others.




THE OX: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033



The Ox is one of strength and perseverance. Smart, responsible, stable, and dedicated individuals, oxen are conservative to a fault and command the respect of others. The ox personalities are very grounded and not easily swayed. Oxen are the most dependable, patient, and dutiful individuals in the zodiac. They make for good parents. An ox hates being contradicted and can be subject to extreme outbursts of anger. They are capable of holding grudges for long periods of time.
Kisa Sohma



THE TIGER: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034



The Tiger is captivating, extreme, and rebellious. They may appear rough on the outside, but are actually very tenderhearted. Tiger individuals love the challenges and conquests in life. They are playful, deeply sensitive, and always courageous. Tigers may end up making hasty actions without thinking them through, with reckless results. If provoked tigers can become extremely bossy or rebellious.
Momiji Sohma



THE RABBIT/CAT: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035


The Rabbit is a character of good judgement and refined creativity. Rabbits learn early to balance sociability and isolation. They desire comfort and privacy. A rabbit personality hates being tied down to anything. Even tempered and calm individuals, rabbits make for good friends. They possess a highly developed sense of justice and fairness. However, a rabbit may be easily offended and indecisive.  Rabbits hate to take the blame for anything.
Hatori Sohma



THE DRAGON: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036



Dragon individuals are shrewd and enthusiastic. The dragon is one of mystery, vitality, and power. Dragons have the capability to influence, lead, and impress. Full of confidence, ambition, and bravery, it is a Dragon’s nature to excel. They desire many friends and have a deep seeded need to be loved. They make formidable enemies, as they can be extremely ruthless. Some dragons may be short-tempered, demanding, or tactless.
Ayame Sohma



THE SNAKE: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037



Individuals born of the snake are patient, passive-aggressive, calculating, conservative, and silently powerful. They are seductively charming and mysterious and may possess immense wisdom. Snakes like order and and require privacy. They rely on first impressions, feelings, and sympathies rather than others’ opinions. They enjoy pleasing others and adore ornamentation. Some snakes may be secretive and extravagant – insisting on quality that may become costly. They can be jealous and possessive individuals.
Rin Sohma



THE HORSE: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038



The Horse is lively, engaging, and artistic. Independent and outgoing, horses charge through life hurdling adversity and obstacles. They often openly do as they please taking orders only from themselves. Horses are open-minded and generous. They desire activity, change, and diversity, and value freedom above all else. Horses are perceptive and instinctive individuals, but some may become easily infatuated or incredibly selfish. Egotism can be a negative trait among horses.
Hiro Sohma



THE SHEEP/RAM/GOAT: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039



Sheep avoid the extremes and are gentle and reflective souls. They are animated, creative, and articulate. Sympathetic and honest individuals, sheep tend to rely on other individuals. They avoid conflicts and hate unwanted responsibilities, and they hate schedules and stress. Some sheep may be irresponsible, undisciplined, and unreliable. Even though they prefer to follow they will still complain when things don’t go their way.  They may exhibit laziness, procrastination, dependence, pessimism, perpetual tardiness, and a victim mentality.
Ritsu Sohma



THE MONKEY: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040



Individuals of the monkey sign are clever, quick witted, and resourceful. They love to learn and have excellent memories. Monkeys fear being excluded or ignored and hate indifference. They are social creatures and highly productive. Some monkeys may be suspicious or arrogant. They may become scheming, unfaithful, vain, distrusting, egocentric, or immature.
Kureno Sohma



THE ROOSTER: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041



Roosters are brave and confident. Hard-working, cautious and critical individuals, roosters look to future goals. Roosters hate hypocrisy and are ones to speak their mind openly without meaning offense. They will have the greatest fluxes in life of ups and downs. Yet they are adaptable individuals that dwell in the here and now. Some roosters may be so focused on perfection that they become highly critical and egotistical. They may be perceived as arrogant.
Shigure Sohma



THE DOG: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030



Loyal, dependable, and unselfish, dogs are lifetime friends. Individuals of the dog sign have the ability to guard quietly or defend ferociously when necessary. They can be anxious and terrified of rejection, but never egotistical. Dogs tend to worry about many things. They are great observers and desire to understand the significance of things. However they can be acutely aware of their own weaknesses and self-doubt. Some dogs may tend toward anxiety, introversion, criticism, stubbornness, depression, or agitation.
Kagura Sohma



THE BOAR/PIG: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043



Boars are highly intelligent and posses a unique sense of humor. Gentle and strong of will, boars are tolerant, sincere, and honest. Boars relish long-standing relationships and are affectionate and openhearted. They have difficulty saying no and dislike confrontations. Boars are patient, genuine, and upstanding, but often fail to receive that same treatment. They may be easily gullible. Some boars may become passive, self-indulgent and lazy.




*Horoscope information comes from Chinese Astrology: Exploring the Eastern Zodiac. Shelly Wu.  © New Page Books, 2005.  For further information online, here is a Chinese zodiac site.


So what do you think? Do they match up? Post your thoughts in the comments!

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2 Comments

  • What a neat idea!

    I think Yuki and Haru match up the best. When I got to the “never egotistical” line in the dog description, I definitely had to snerk. 🙂

    • I had that same thought. 🙂 Shigure is one of my favorite characters, and I think his outward egotism is one of his quirky charms.

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