Whimsies and nonsense ahead:

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Fruits Basket is wild because the premise is "Haha! Wow! These Pretty Anime Men turn into Animals when theyre hugged and then when they turn back they're NAKED!!! 😳😳😳 ehe silly anime!" but then you watch it and its like. Every Character on this show is physically, financially, and emotionally controlled by one person with immeasurable wealth and power. the main characters stories revolve around their slow recovery from the trauma of physical/verbal abuse, sexual manipulation, and neglect. there's a love triangle that isnt even about Who Gets The Girl, but rather each individual's growth as a human being, understanding that they are worthy of love and compassion, that there are people in this world who will love them, unconditionally, and that they DESERVE to be loved. love EXISTS and nothing about them makes them unworthy of whole, unbiased love. that realization is a pivotal part of their healing and it's a central theme of the show that comes up for each and every character, whose own journeys follow that same thread of healing past wounds with compassion, love, and friendship.