TV-Series
Description
Akito Sohma, born female to Sohma family head Akira and maid Ren Sohma, was possessed before birth by the spirit of the God from the Chinese Zodiac legend, appearing in the dreams of several Zodiac members. Ren, driven by jealousy and fear that a daughter would replace her in Akira's affection, demanded Akito be raised as a male, threatening abortion otherwise. Consequently, Akito was presented as male at birth, with only the eldest Zodiac members aware of the true gender.
Akira doted on Akito, instilling the belief that being the Zodiac God made Akito "special" and deserving of unconditional love from the Zodiac members. After Akira's death from illness, Ren emotionally abused Akito, declaring the child an unwanted existence and a mere toy for Akira. A maid gave Akito an empty box, claiming it contained Akira's spirit; Akito kept this hidden while wrestling with hope and doubt about its contents. This upbringing, Ren's psychological abuse, and the lack of correction from enablers led Akito to associate self-worth entirely with the role of God.
As head of the Sohma family, Akito ruled absolutely, enforcing control over the Zodiac members through fear, manipulation, and physical and emotional abuse. Akito insisted male Zodiac members could love only the God, projecting hatred of Ren onto other women. This manifested as violent misogyny: throwing Rin Sohma out a window for dating Hatsuharu, beating Kisa Sohma after Hiro's confession of love, and causing Hatori Sohma to lose an eye over his relationship with Kana. Akito enforced a bet with Kyo Sohma that he would be confined for life if he failed to defeat Yuki Sohma. Later, a bet with Ren involved allowing Zodiac members to form outside bonds to test their loyalty; if they did not return, Akito would bow to Ren and leave the family.
Akito's underlying fragility surfaced as the Zodiac curse weakened due to Tohru Honda's influence. Tohru's kindness helped Zodiac members form independent bonds, breaking several curses. Blaming Tohru, Akito confronted her, only to have Tohru empathize with Akito's loneliness. This, combined with the curse's full dissolution, prompted a mental breakdown. Akito realized the abuse stemmed from internalized falsehoods: that worth depended on being God, that bonds required control, and that the world beyond the Sohma estate was irredeemably cruel.
Post-curse, Akito began dressing and living openly as a woman, growing out her hair and wearing feminine clothing. Akito married Shigure Sohma and had a son, Shiki Sohma. In Fruits Basket Another, Akito became a protective and encouraging mother, prioritizing Shiki's happiness and freedom. Akito also formed friendships outside the Sohma family, notably with Saki Hanajima and Mine Kuramae. Despite this growth, Akito remained burdened by guilt over past actions, believing atonement required enduring pain alone without expecting forgiveness. Akito distanced from the Zodiac members to avoid inflicting further harm, viewing this separation as part of bearing the consequences.
Akira doted on Akito, instilling the belief that being the Zodiac God made Akito "special" and deserving of unconditional love from the Zodiac members. After Akira's death from illness, Ren emotionally abused Akito, declaring the child an unwanted existence and a mere toy for Akira. A maid gave Akito an empty box, claiming it contained Akira's spirit; Akito kept this hidden while wrestling with hope and doubt about its contents. This upbringing, Ren's psychological abuse, and the lack of correction from enablers led Akito to associate self-worth entirely with the role of God.
As head of the Sohma family, Akito ruled absolutely, enforcing control over the Zodiac members through fear, manipulation, and physical and emotional abuse. Akito insisted male Zodiac members could love only the God, projecting hatred of Ren onto other women. This manifested as violent misogyny: throwing Rin Sohma out a window for dating Hatsuharu, beating Kisa Sohma after Hiro's confession of love, and causing Hatori Sohma to lose an eye over his relationship with Kana. Akito enforced a bet with Kyo Sohma that he would be confined for life if he failed to defeat Yuki Sohma. Later, a bet with Ren involved allowing Zodiac members to form outside bonds to test their loyalty; if they did not return, Akito would bow to Ren and leave the family.
Akito's underlying fragility surfaced as the Zodiac curse weakened due to Tohru Honda's influence. Tohru's kindness helped Zodiac members form independent bonds, breaking several curses. Blaming Tohru, Akito confronted her, only to have Tohru empathize with Akito's loneliness. This, combined with the curse's full dissolution, prompted a mental breakdown. Akito realized the abuse stemmed from internalized falsehoods: that worth depended on being God, that bonds required control, and that the world beyond the Sohma estate was irredeemably cruel.
Post-curse, Akito began dressing and living openly as a woman, growing out her hair and wearing feminine clothing. Akito married Shigure Sohma and had a son, Shiki Sohma. In Fruits Basket Another, Akito became a protective and encouraging mother, prioritizing Shiki's happiness and freedom. Akito also formed friendships outside the Sohma family, notably with Saki Hanajima and Mine Kuramae. Despite this growth, Akito remained burdened by guilt over past actions, believing atonement required enduring pain alone without expecting forgiveness. Akito distanced from the Zodiac members to avoid inflicting further harm, viewing this separation as part of bearing the consequences.