Tohru is introduced to yet another zodiac bearer, the young tiger Kisa. Beneath the girl's endearing manner lie heavy troubles: she has fled her home and lost the ability to speak.
Summary
In the middle of a heavy rain, Hatsuharu brings Tohru and Yuki face to face with Kisa Sohma, the tiger of the Chinese zodiac. The child has gone silent, her voice stolen by the bullying she suffered. Yuki's heart goes out to her once he hears that she bolted from home and quit attending her middle school. When Kisa's mother turns up anxious over the disappearance, Tohru gently observes that the girl may dread being rejected by her own mother should the truth about the bullying come to light.
Key Events
Kisa is allowed to stay at the house for the time being, and she attaches herself to Tohru, trailing her from room to room until Tohru, charmed, wraps her in a warm hug. Meeting up with Momiji and Hatsuharu after class, Tohru and Yuki piece together that the taunting Kisa endured targeted the unusual color of her hair and eyes. When a letter arrives from her school by way of Hatsuharu, Yuki reads it aloud to her. Both Yuki and Hatsuharu then urge her to find her voice again and go back to her classroom, telling her that acceptance from others has to come before a person can learn to accept themselves.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kisa Sohma and how is she introduced?
Kisa Sohma, the tiger of the Chinese zodiac, is introduced in this episode when Hatsuharu brings Tohru and Yuki face to face with her during a heavy rainstorm.
Why has Kisa stopped speaking?
Kisa has gone silent because bullying at her middle school over the unusual color of her hair and eyes stole her voice, and she ran away from home rather than tell her mother.
Why does Kisa avoid telling her mother about the bullying?
Tohru gently observes that Kisa may be afraid her own mother will reject her if the truth about the bullying comes to light, which is why she has stayed silent.
How do Yuki and Hatsuharu try to help Kisa?
After a letter arrives from Kisa's school, Yuki reads it to her, and both Yuki and Hatsuharu encourage her to find her voice again and return to class, telling her that acceptance from others must come before she can accept herself.
What does this episode adapt from the manga?
"It's Because I've Been Loved That I've Become Stronger" is the seventeenth episode of the 2001 anime and adapts chapters 27 and 28 of the manga, marking Kisa's first appearance.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on It's Because I've Been Loved That I've Become Stronger? 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.
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