If there ever was a story worthy of praise- it would honest, to life be Fruits Basket.
For, it is not one of those typical mangas where the main protagonist is a good-for-nothing clumsy [Tohru is clumsy... but never mind that] girl, whose life gets delivered to her lap on a silver platern. No, this is a manga where ones happiness is earned through honest effort, good friends, and the person herself who brings everyone together in the end [because of her personal experiences], Tohru.

The way in which this manga is paced, introduced and concluded is brilliantly woven into a story perhaps a bit non-puzzling.
The way in which it introduces its characters is peculiar, because it is done in a way that makes all the characters memorable in their own way- I swear, I could possibly name all the 12 animals of the zodiac, and from there describe their individual story.
If not remembering their name, I remember their zodiac sign.
For it is that unforgetable.
The story itself is pretty simple- a girl getting to know about the deep secrets of the Sohma family, thereafter meeting each and everyone of them. Learning about them, healing them and recieving a special place in their hearts.
Which is pretty much all she does, and is what pretty much concludes the story.

The art is simple, and beautiful. Nothing to flaw about it, because it fits the theme- the seriousness, the silliness, the warmth perfectly.

So, who are the characters you ask?
Tohru- a clumsy, air headed girl- whose parents have both died. Because she does not wish to trouble her friends while her Grandpa [who took her in] is gone, she moves into a tent in the middle of the woods. She has a peculiar gift of talking her way [through her mothers words] into others heart.
Kyo- the Cat of the zodiac [though he's not one of the twelve zodiac animals...]. He is shunned by all, and hates Yuki, the rat. He is a rather hot headed, though kind fella.
Yuki- the Rat of the zodiac, your typical kind and conciderate "prince". In my opinion- he has a somewhat split personality problem, couse he seems rather cold sometimes [to me at least... I don't like him much -nod nod-].
Arisa Uotani- One of Tohru's friends, a "delinquent". Her big inspiration in life was Tohru's mother, and she holds true to that, for she still loves her even after death. She loves Tohru very much, and threatens to beat people up from time to time.
Saki Hanajime- Tohru's other friend. She is seen as a pretty weird person, and she ALWAYS wears black, no matter what. She can read peoples thoughts and send weird, electrical signals. She also notices that there is something "different" with the Sohma people.
Akito- probably the biggest antagonist of the story. Can't really tell much about this person, because most of it is spoilers. Lets just say, I took a liking to him near the end.
And lots more; including some of my favorites- Momiji, Haru, Ayame [xD], Rin [She comes in a little bit late in the manga, and doesn't even get an entrance in the anime...].
Among others, of course.

The enjoyment of this series is absolute- whatever the reason for picking it up, it will have you laughing, rejoycing, crying and more without fail in doing so.
Enjoy reading. =)