Name:
Hatsuharu SohmaName:
Hatsuharu Sohma
Alias(es): Haru, Black Haru, White Haru
Zodiac Animal: Ox (but he looks an awful lot like a dairy cow...)
Age: 15-16
Hair: two tone, white and black
Eyes: Gray
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 126lbs
Blood Type: O
Family: the entire Sohma clan... he lives at the main house
Status: Freshman at Kaibara High, cursed
Quote: You still can't beat Yuki, now can you loser?
Anime: Fruits Basket
Voice: (English) Justin Cook (Japanese) Akio Suyama
History and Personality: Haru transforms into the ox of the Chinese Zodiac whenever he is hugged by the opposite gender or his body comes under a great deal of stress. Haru has a terrible sense of direction and often gets lost. Haru is mostly seen wearing rockish attire, like biker clothes. Sadly, he only rides a bicycle because he's not old enough to ride a motorcycle.
Haru has something of a split personality. His darker side, 'Black Haru', revealed when annoyed or threatened, transforms the usually calm, stoic, and well-mannered boy—'White Haru'— into a brash, violent, and somewhat perverted individual. His alter ego originated from teasing when he was young; adults accused the ox of being stupid for letting the rat ride on its back during the journey to the banquet of the Chinese Zodiac. Haru bitterly blamed Yuki Sohma, the rat in the Sohma clan, but Yuki helped him realize that Haru was not at fault for the ox's actions. After that Haru developed a sort of adoration for Yuki. He went out of his way to protect Yuki from Akito Sohma, even making a deal with Shigure Sohma so Yuki would be able to live in his house.
The other defining incident in Haru's past seems to be his relationship with Rin. When Isuzu "Rin" Sohma was younger, she was hospitalized, and her parents refused to see her. Haru frequently visited and spent time with her; they gradually fell in love and began to date in secret. Later, Rin broke up with him, telling Haru that she didn't love him anymore, though that was not her true motive; Akito had found out about their relationship and, out of fury, pushed Rin through a window. Not wanting Haru to be injured as well, Rin isolated herself from him for, as she felt, both of their safety.
Afterward, Rin became ill and hospitalized again. Haru tried to visit her, but she drove him away, even swinging IV's at him. Though Haru did not hear much from Rin after that, he still sees her whenever he has the opportunity. Later on, Haru learns from Hiro Sohma of Akito's deed, and his anger is evident. Haru confronts Akito, who counters by forcing Haru to take partial responsibility for Rin's injuries; it was in part his desire to be with her without considering the consequences and being unable to see it was Akito who hurt her in the first place that caused it. Kureno Sohma convinces Haru that he should go see Rin, who has been hospitalized (and later runs away from the hospital), rather than try and hurt Akito. Haru finds her and they reconcile now that he knows Rin's reasons for breaking up with him. When Tohru Honda came to visit Rin, Hatsuharu remarked that he was happy that Rin was learning about the joys of friendship.
Relationships: Haru sees Kyo as his rival because... well, he just does. He has never been able to defeat Kyo, but that doesn't stop him from picking on Kyo for not defeating Yuki. The rivalry is rather one-sided - with Haru picking all the fights and Kyo finishing them. It probably originated from Haru's respect for Yuki, but he seems to respect Kyo in a way as well. And, although he'd never let Kyo know he probably understands Kyo better than anyone.
Haru treats Yuki with a respect that borders on idolization. He claims Yuki is his "first love", however he does not behave in a romantic manner toward Yuki, at least not when he is "white Haru" (black Haru will hit on anything moving if the mood strikes...). He does have a deep concern for Yuki however. Yuki seems to, at best, tolerate his presence, though after Haru starts attending their school they develop some sort of friendship even if it isn't very deep.
In the manga Haru eventually decides that he is in love with Rin, another cursed member of the family. Even after she breaks up with him (because of Akito's interference) he still loves her and wants the best for her.
Haru is very close to Kisa Sohma. When Kisa ran away from home as a result of classmates' teasing, he, along with Kisa's mother, were the only ones who made the effort to search for her.
Trivia: Haru's name originates from the Japanese word hatsuharu, which means 'New Year' or 'early spring'.
Why we love him: He's very cool looking, and usually very sweet. And, once again, I am drawn to the voice of Justin Cook... don't ask me why. Anyway, Haru seems to respect everyone in some way and he stands up for everyone even if they aren't right... he can see both sides of an argument, and he looks out for people who can't look out for themselves. He's so sweet when he's White Haru!
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