Well, look at me, breaking my own rules... I stated in my little profile blurb that I didn't think I could ever rate something using the highest OR lowest rating. And while I'm sure I could find some flaws in this series if I went looking for them, I am entirely satisfied with the manga for Fruits Basket.

Can it be a little cheesy? Of course. I love this series, but not even I will deny that. But I'm not gonna lie... I'm a sucker for the types of stories (like this one) where there are more than enough sad backstories to go around. But that's one of the things I love most about this series: I can't think of a single character who was overlooked. Even Tohru's 'normal' friends and Yuki's fellow student council members have their place in this story. And they don't seem overshadowed by the magic element.

It certainly helps that I've always had a fascination with fables and folk tales and things like the Chinese Zodiac. But it was really the characters-- not the curse plot-- that shined here. And it's a bonus that I support every single canon pairing.