Character Information: Sohma Hatsuharu


GENERAL INFORMATION
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket
Nickname: Haru
Gender: Male
Height: 170.2 cm
Weight: 57.5 kg
Bloodtype: O
Age: 15-17
Zodiac: Ox (cow)
Horoscope: Cancer
School: Year I in High School


NOTE: some things below may not be understood by those who do not watch/read the anime/manga. Since this is a Character Information, I have no duties to summarize the story. I will however, one day set up a review for the series.


APPEARANCE
Hatsuharu appears as a tall young man and is the ox of the Sohma's cursed zodiacs. He has white hair with black roots, an effect of the curse, and this is his natural hair color. He usually sports a punk-like appearance. Most of the time, he likes to wear jewelries and leather accessories which he makes himself. In his zodiac form, he is a black-and-white spotted cow.

PERSONALITY
Like the two colors of his hair, Haru has two personalities which are dubbed by the Sohma's and Tohru as 'White Haru' and 'Black Haru'. His usual self is his white side. During this time, he is a calm, helpful and placid individual and an all-around nice guy. However, when he is angry, provoked, distressed, or upset, he can turn into his black personality. In this time, he is edgy, rude, mean, and egoistic. He has poor sense of direction even with two personalities. He is protective of those he cares about, especially Rin, Yuki, and Kisa, and once confronts and almost punches Akito for confining Rin, and looked for Kisa when she ran away from home.


BACKGROUND
As a child, Hatsuharu has been criticized in the Sohma Family for being somewhat stupid, and during that time, he blamed Yuki Sohma, the current rat, for it because of the story of how the rat tricked the ox to become first in the zodiac. When he finally meets Yuki, he immediately blames him for all his suffering. But, Yuki replies to this by asking Haru whether or not he believes he is stupid. This made him realize that this is all a mental trap and has since cared very much for Yuki. He says that Yuki opened his eyes and his remark made him a lot more relaxed. Hatsuharu is in love with Rin Sohma and has an on-again/off-again secret relationship with her. Haru is admired by Hiro as a brother figure and is called Haru-nii ("big brother Haru"). His name is derived from the first month, hatsuharu meaning "new year" or "early spring," which is the month of the ox, of the traditional Japanese calendar, though his name is written with different kanji than the month.

PERSONAL COMMENTS
Personally, I like Hatsuharu the best among all the characters in Fruits Basket. Aside from being so handsome, cute, adorably likable, and funny, I find his two personalities cool. It sets him aside from other characters. I do prefer the calm, kind, and stupid White Haru from the rude, aggressive, and edgy Black Haru. But nevertheless, I still like him in his Black state. I also love the way he dresses and his approach on things. He is generally helpful and he wants his friends to be friends too. He's like the coolest big brother you'll ever have, the most amazing boyfriend, and the funniest friend. He's too kind for his own good! :D