The eighteenth episode of the 2019 season brings Hatsuharu to the door with a silent new Sohma in tow, the wounded Tiger Kisa, whose retreat into wordlessness stirs Yuki's own memories of being broken down.
Summary
Hatsuharu arrives carrying Kisa Sohma, the zodiac's Tiger, who fled her home after enduring cruel bullying at school and has since gone quiet, unwilling to speak. Her withdrawal runs so deep that she turns away all company and bolts, prompting Tohru to chase after her. The whole situation strikes a nerve in Yuki, echoing what he suffered under Akito.
Sheltering at Shigure's house gives Kisa room to recover, and she attaches herself closely to Tohru. Momiji guesses that the bullying stemmed from Kisa's appearance. As Kisa is told she must learn to find the good in herself, Yuki reflects that true healing arrives when another person accepts you exactly as you are.
Key Events
Kisa's silence and flight put Tohru at her side throughout, and the girl slowly opens up while staying near her. Yuki, watching Tohru comfort Kisa, recognizes his own longing for a mother's encouragement and gradually voices the belief that grows into the episode's theme. By the close, Kisa gathers the confidence to head back to school.
Notes
This marks Kisa Sohma's first anime appearance. The title is drawn from Yuki's reflection that his body still trembles yet he will keep facing his fears, since what matters most is the wish to improve that grows out of weakness. The adaptation shifts and adds several beats, moving Yuki's narration about wanting a mother's support to a later point and inserting new montages, while trimming a manga exchange about the Sohma summer house. It covers chapters 27 and 28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kisa Sohma and how is she introduced in this episode?
Kisa Sohma, the zodiac's Tiger, is brought to Shigure's house by Hatsuharu after fleeing home from cruel bullying at school, marking her first anime appearance in "What's Important Is..."
Why does Kisa stop speaking in this episode?
Kisa's withdrawal runs so deep after enduring bullying over her appearance that she goes quiet, turning away all company and bolting from those who try to approach her.
Why does Kisa's situation affect Yuki so strongly?
Kisa's ordeal echoes what Yuki himself suffered under Akito, and watching Tohru comfort Kisa stirs Yuki's own longing for a mother's encouragement.
What does the title "What's Important Is..." mean?
The title comes from Yuki's reflection that even though his body still trembles, what matters most is the wish to improve that grows out of weakness.
Which manga chapters does "What's Important Is..." adapt?
"What's Important Is..." covers chapters 27 and 28 of the manga.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on What's Important Is...? The Fruits Basket Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime 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 Anime, 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.
- Licensed imagery: Photographs of real people, including creators, voice actors and production staff, are used under licence from the rights holder or the applicable stock provider, or under the terms of a public licence permitting editorial use. Each such image is reproduced in its licensed form and remains the property of its owner.
- Exceptions: Limited exceptions to the practices described above may apply to individual entries. Where an exception applies, it is noted on the entry itself alongside the applicable attribution. Rights holders may contact us regarding any attribution and it will be reviewed promptly.
Official resources:
Help Us Keep This Wiki Accurate
Daddy Jim Anime maintains this encyclopedia. If you spot an error, a translation issue, or something that doesn't look right, let us know.
