Funimation announced it will debut the English-dubbed version of the first episode of Fruits Basket's finale season on its streaming platform on March 19 at 12 p.m EDT, just two weeks ahead of the Japanese broadcast. All English speakers residing in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand will be able to stream the first episode. The much-anticipated premiere will also include special appearances by English voice cast members Eric Vale (Yuki Soma), Jerry Jewell (Kyo Soma), Ian Sinclair (Kureno Soma), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Akito Soma) and Brina Palencia (Isuzu Soma).
Based on the shojo manga series of the same name by Natsuki Takaya, Fruits Basket follows an orphaned high school girl named Tohru Honda, who ends up residing with her grandfather following the death of her mother. While her grandfather's house undergoes renovations, Tohru finds herself temporarily residing in a tent as a way of not imposing herself on her friends and other family members. It is during this time that Tohru discovers the residence of her classmate, Yuki Soma, and is offered a place to stay. She only accepts his offer after a landslide destroys her tent.
It is while residing in the Soma family home that Tohru becomes aware of the strange curse that's been inflicted upon the family: twelve of the Soma family members are actually possessed by Chinese zodiac spirits. When the cursed family members experience anything such as stress, embarrassment, weakness or something as simple as being hugged by a member of the opposite gender, the tend to turn into their zodiac animals. Upon learning about the Soma family curse, Tohru becomes determined to break the spell, which sets her off on her own character journey.
Prior to the 2019 anime reboot (which is co-produced by Funimation), Fruits Basket was previously adapted into an anime television series by Studio Deen that ran for only 26 episodes in 2001. The current reboot series is a full adaptation of Natsuki Takaya's manga by TMS Entertainment and airs on TV Tokyo, TV Osaka and TV Aichi in Japan. The new anime series is also simulcast on both Funimation and Crunchyroll's streaming platforms for the English-speaking audience.
Prior to the early premiere of the first episode of Fruits Basket on March 19, fans of the reboot series can watch the first two seasons on both Funimation and Crunchyroll. Fruits Basket is set to debut on April 5 in Japan with a simulcast in the U.S.
Source: Funimation
