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Fruits Basket Anime's 2 Episodes Delayed Due to French Open Broadcast
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
Funimation revealed on Thursday that episodes 9 and 10 of the new anime of Natsuki Takaya's Fruits Basket manga are delayed internationally due to the airing of the French Open tennis tournament on television in Japan. This year's French Open is being held from May 20 to June 9. Funimation said that it will announce the updated broadcast and simulcast times when they are confirmed.
The anime's official website announced on Wednesday that there is a "possibility for a broadcast date and time change" for episode 9 on TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, and TV Aichi. Episode 9 will air as scheduled on AT-X on June 1 at 9:00 p.m.
The anime premiered in Japan on April 5. Funimation and Crunchyroll are streaming the anime as it airs. Funimation has also licensed the home video rights.
Funimation screened the first two episodes of the anime in theaters in the United States on March 26 (English-dubbed) and March 27 (English-subtitled). The screenings featured an "exclusive gift pack" and Japanese and English voice actor commentary.
Crunchyroll describes the anime's story:
Tohru Honda thought her life was headed for misfortune when a family tragedy left her living in a tent. When her small home is discovered by the mysterious Soma clan, she suddenly finds herself living with Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure Soma. But she quickly learns their family has a bizarre secret of their own: when hugged by the opposite sex, they turn into the animals of the Zodiac!
The new anime has an entirely new Japanese cast and staff, as per Takaya's request. The anime will cover the entire manga's story.
Yoshihide Ibata (Pikaia!, FLCL Progressive) is directing the anime at TMS Entertainment. Taku Kishimoto (Silver Spoon, Haikyu!!, 91 Days, Hanebad!) is in charge of series composition. Masaru Shindō (Macross Delta, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) is drawing the character designs. Takaya herself is serving as executive supervisor.
Beverly is performing the opening theme song "Again," and Vickeblanka is performing the ending theme song "Lucky Ending."
Takaya serialized the original Fruits Basket manga in Hakusensha's Hana to Yume magazine from 1998-2006. Tokyopop released the manga in English from 2004 to 2009, and Yen Press re-released the manga in 12 updated omnibus volumes beginning in June 2016. Yen Press is also releasing the new Fruits Basket: The Three Musketeers Arc manga as a digital simulpub. The original manga inspired a television anime adaptation in 2001.
Sources: Funimation's Twitter account, Fruits Basket anime's website
