A long-distance running event turns into a battleground when a new Sohma cousin crashes it looking for a fight. As Yuki pushes through a fever and Kyo rises to the challenge, Tohru meets Hatsuharu, whose split temperament rivals Kagura's for sheer unpredictability.
Summary
With the third term underway, Kyo and Yuki keep trading jabs no matter how much Tohru wishes they would get along. That night Yuki catches a cold, yet he stays set on running in the school's long-distance event, all the more so once Kyo challenges him. At the race, Tohru crosses paths with Hatsuharu, who promptly trips Kyo and dares him to fight, still sore about missing New Year's.
Key Events
The aggression comes courtesy of "Black Haru", the darker half of Hatsuharu's shifting personality. The brawl only ends when a feverish Yuki collapses, at which point Haru hugs Tohru, turns into his ox form, and carries Yuki home. While Shigure and Kyo return to campus for their belongings, Haru and Tohru stay behind to look after Yuki, and Haru opens up about the days when he and Yuki were small.
Notes
Back at the house, a card game with Saki leaves both Kyo and Shigure sick, tipping them into their animal forms. The episode borrows its title from a line spoken by Hatsuharu, and its ending sequence swaps the usual Tiger and Sheep for the Ox and Monkey. The anime adds Tohru's grocery checkout scene and softens Kyo's injury from the tripwire, placing a bandage over his forehead rather than showing the blood depicted in the manga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the title "Yuki Was My First Love" come from?
The title is a line spoken by Hatsuharu Sohma, reflecting his close childhood bond with Yuki rather than a romantic confession.
How does Tohru first meet Hatsuharu Sohma?
Tohru meets Hatsuharu at a school long-distance running event, where his darker persona, "Black Haru," trips Kyo and challenges him to a fight, still sore about missing New Year's.
How does the fight between Kyo and Hatsuharu end?
The fight ends when a feverish Yuki collapses. Hatsuharu hugs Tohru, transforms into his ox form, and carries Yuki home.
What do Hatsuharu and Tohru do while caring for Yuki?
Hatsuharu and Tohru stay behind to look after the feverish Yuki, and Hatsuharu opens up about the days when he and Yuki were small.
Which manga chapters does this episode adapt?
"Yuki Was My First Love" adapts Chapters 13 and 14 of the Fruits Basket manga.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Yuki Was My First Love? 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.
