Cat of The Chinese Zodiac
CharacterThe first Cat of the Chinese Zodiac is the deceased spirit tied to the origin of the Sohma curse. Once a stray drawn to the Zodiac's God, he chose to accept life's endings over the endless existence he was offered, and his final wish echoes across the story's long arc toward release.
Appearance
Across the manga and the 2019 anime, the first Cat is depicted as a male figure marked by orange hair. The source material offers little more about his looks beyond that.
Personality
What the story reveals of him comes chiefly through his parting words to God. He is devoted and helplessly drawn to the Zodiac's God despite calling himself nothing more than a stray, content simply to remain near. Yet he refuses the lure of permanence, asking instead that both of them accept that all things and all lives eventually come to an end.
Related Reading
See all
Naruto vs Luffy: Does the Fight Change if Luffy Tickles Hinata?
Naruto vs Luffy with the twist nobody asked for: Luffy tickled Hinata on date night, and she kind of liked it. We break down the whole fight and commit to a winner....
Namek Has No Women, and Piccolo Pulls Anyway
There are no women on Namek. That isn't an oversight, it's the biology. Why we handed Piccolo the one thing his own species rules out, and why it had to be trap soul....
History
By his own account the Cat was a wandering stray who could not help being pulled toward God, pleading only for the chance to stay at his side. God had him drink something meant to grant a kind of eternity, but the Cat did not want it.
In his last words he says he was happy during their brief time together and hopes that, should the two die and be reborn to meet once more, it will not be under the moon alone; he longs to see God smiling in the light of day, surrounded by other people. He is counted among the deceased, and his story stands as the emotional root of the bond that binds the Sohmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a cat zodiac in Fruits Basket?
The Cat of the Chinese Zodiac traces back to a stray who was helplessly drawn to the Zodiac's God and stayed by his side out of devotion. When God offered him a drink meant to grant a kind of eternity, the Cat refused it, asking instead that they both accept that all things eventually come to an end, a choice tied to the curse's origins.
Who is the Cat of the Chinese Zodiac in Fruits Basket?
The first Cat of the Chinese Zodiac is a deceased spirit connected to the origin of the Sohma family's curse. He is described as a stray who was drawn to the Zodiac's God and chose mortality over the endless existence he was offered.
What does the Cat of the Chinese Zodiac look like?
Across the manga and the 2019 anime, the first Cat is depicted as a male figure with orange hair. The source material offers little other detail about his appearance.
What did the Cat of the Chinese Zodiac say in his final words?
In his parting words to God, the Cat said he was happy during their brief time together. He hoped that if the two were reborn and met again it would not be under the moon alone, wishing to see God smiling in daylight, surrounded by other people.
Is the Cat of the Chinese Zodiac still alive in Fruits Basket?
No, the first Cat of the Chinese Zodiac is counted among the deceased. His story is considered the emotional root of the bond that ties the Sohma family to their curse.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Cat of The Chinese Zodiac? The Fruits Basket Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Fruits Basket anime series, manga, and official materials. Fruits Basket was created by Natsuki Takaya, published by Hakusensha, and animated by TMS Entertainment. All rights to Fruits Basket and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byNatsuki Takaya
- Published byHakusensha
- Animated byTMS Entertainment
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to TMS Entertainment and Hakusensha.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to the game's respective publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: volume covers, credited to Hakusensha and Natsuki Takaya.
Official resources:
Help Us Keep This Wiki Accurate
Daddy Jim Headquarters maintains this encyclopedia. If you spot an error, a translation issue, or something that doesn't look right, let us know.
