Name: Kyo
Sohma
Name: Kyo
Sohma
Aliases: Kyo-Kyo, Kyon-Kyon, Lucky Kyo
Zodiac Animal: Cat (and no, you aren't wrong, that isn't actually part of the zodiac)
Age: 16-17
Hair: Orange
Eyes: Red
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 123.5 lbs
Blood Type: A
Family: Again all the Sohmas. His parents are deceased and he was raised by Kazuma Sohma. He lives at Shigure's house along with Yuki.
Status: Cursed, 2nd year High School Student, martial arts expert
Quote: "D*** rat." "You're so full of it." (Kyo has a bad temper and a mouth to match...)
Anime: Fruits Basket
Voice: (English) Jerry Jewell (Japanese) Tomokazu Seki
History and Personality: (contains spoilers and Manga info) Kyo is the cat, the outcast of the zodiac. Whenever he embraces a person of the opposite gender or is under a great deal of stress, he transforms into a cat. This animal, however, is not in the Chinese Zodiac. Because of this, Kyo carries a terrible curse - worse than the others. At the end of the anime it is revealed that the cat's truest form is a horrific monster, but inside the monster is still Kyo. Because of this the cat is always locked away. Kyo will be locked away when he graduates from High School unless he can beat Yuki before then, at least, that was the deal Akito made with him. As the cat Kyo bears the worst part of the curse, and is also the key to breaking it. Kyo is really sensitive, so it is easy to get him pissed off. Whenever he loses his temper, he says mean things without thinking about what he's saying. Kyo usually acts short-tempered, impulsive, and rude, but that is only one side to this complex character. He can also be very sweet, but it's awkward because he isn't sure what to do and blushes a lot. This is probably because he has been shunned all his life and not allowed much social interaction. Kyo is also a very capable martial artist, though when he faces Yuki you wouldn't know it - this is because in those fights he lets his emotions get in the way and pretty much swings around wildly... therefore he loses... He is also sometimes called "Kyonkyon" and "Kyonkichi," mainly by Shigure Sohma and Ayame who enjoy teasing him. One example of this is when Shigure teases him to the point where he leaves into the forest on the verge of tears.
Kyo is also really competitive with Yuki. He will get in a fist fight or argument, but Yuki always beats him or has a comeback. The two have always been at odds both because of their roles in the zodiac story, and because of the deal Akito made with Kyo. Since they live together and both of them have a crush on their housekeeper, Tohru, they have even more conflict than before.
Kyo's mother, in despair over having her son born a 'monster', committed suicide when he was a young child of possibly four to six years old, and his father abandoned him as well, blaming Kyo for his mother's death. People have criticized Kyo throughout his life for his differences, too frightened or never bothering to glance beyond the label of 'The Cat' and regard Kyo as a true person. However, Tohru Honda accepted him later on, a true breakthrough for Kyo.
Kazuma Sohma took care of Kyo when he was left an orphan, accepting the responsibility due to guilt over previous wrongs he did to his grandfather— the previous person possessed by the vengeful spirit of the cat— and because he was the only one who had any inkling of what Kyo was going through. The name of Kazuma's grandfather is unknown. Kazuma once talked about "The old Kyo" who used to blame all his problems on others but Kyo is now able to face them. Kyo learned martial arts from Kazuma, calling him Shishou ('Master').
As Kyo grew older, he started getting into trouble, but he despised that others thought there was something unnatural with Kazuma for raising him. Because of this, Kyo lied and claimed Kazuma wasn't his father, as he didn't want Kazuma to be hurt by his cursed existence. However, Kazuma did in fact desire to act as Kyo's father, but when he heard Kyo's declarations, Kazuma distanced himself because he didn't wish to force his feelings upon Kyo. Eventually, this misunderstanding was resolved with Kyo's transformation.
When Kyo was younger, Kazuma would often visit Isuzu Sohma in the hospital and invite her to stay with them. Kyo would become jealous (he and Isuzu did not get along either, often glaring at each other silently without moving for ten minutes), but in reality, Kazuma always cared for him no matter what the situation. The pair doesn't live together anymore because Kazuma wanted Kyo to reside at Shigure Sohma's house (where Tohru acts as the housekeeper). Kyo still visits the dojo where he and Kazuma trained three times a week, occasionally helping out in tasks.
It has been shown that Kyo did in fact know Kyoko Honda before she had died. He did not know Tohru, however, he had made a promise to Kyoko to keep Tohru safe, "a man's promise". There is much unknown about their relationship, but Kyo looked up to Kyoko as a mother he lost.
Kyo did not feel comfortable going straight home to Kazuma's house when he was young, and instead wandered around a bit before doing so. One day, Kyoko stumbled upon Kyo sitting down near her workplace. The two continued to meet and talk until the day Tohru disappeared. Kyo, seeing Kyoko in despair, promised to bring back Tohru and protect her from harm. Though Kyo tried his best to find her, Yuki Sohma was the one to rescue Tohru. After hearing this, he attempted to inform Kyoko that Yuki was a rotten person. When Kyoko disagrees, he insists that even she is taking the rat's side now. Angry and embarrassed, young Kyo ceased to visit her.
The next time Kyo saw Kyoko was the day of the accident. As he wondered whether he should greet Kyoko, he noticed a car going at high speed right toward her. Kyo could have saved her by pulling her out of the way and into his arms, but he would have revealed the curse. He put the curse and Kyoko's life on the line and chose himself. As a result, Kyo feels guilty about her death. Later, it is revealed that the reason Kyo was out that day was because he wanted to meet Tohru. When Kyoko was lying on the ground covered in blood, he swears that he heard her say "I won't forgive you". Kyo, in anguish, fled. His foster father, Kazuma, seeing Kyo in such a distraught state, took Kyo in the mountains for four months of 'training'. Kazuma actually took Kyo to the mountains to keep him alive.
Upon his return, he was sent to Akito Sohma, the head of the Sohma family. Akito's taunting caused him to lose his temper and he screamed that he would beat Yuki. Akito proposed a bet: if Kyo could beat Yuki by the time he graduated from high school, he could join the Zodiac and Akito would stop calling him a monster. Naturally, Kyo was excited; the reason for his excitement wasn't that he had the chance to join the Zodiac but because now he had yet another reason to hate Yuki. After leaving, he immediately went to Shigure's house where Yuki was living. Crashing through the roof, he challenged Yuki.
Suddenly, a girl came up from behind and fell on him, causing him to transform. After changing back, Shigure told Kyo the girl's name. He was angry enough that an outsider had learned of the curse, but the part that bothered him the most was that the girl was Tohru Honda, the daughter of Kyoko. At this point Akito decides that Kyo will live with Shigure and attend High School with Yuki and Tohru.
The first time Kyo meets Tohru, Tohru finds out the Sohma family secret. At first, it seems that Kyo truly dislikes Tohru (But he seems to dislike almost everyone). But after a while, he, like Yuki, seems to be 'drawn' to her kind heart and gentle demeanor. Gradually, after spending time with her, it is obvious that Kyo falls in love with her. Tohru accepts Kyo in his "original form" and their relationship begins.
When Tohru discovers that Kyo is to be locked away after he finishes high school, she resolves to find a way to break the Sohma curse. She tells Rin in chapter 114 that "Kyo-kun is the most precious person to her" and she doesn't want him to be taken away from her. Tohru later confesses her feelings to Kyo in chapter 120 but Kyo - consumed by guilt over Kyoko's death - tells Tohru it's a delusion and runs off.
In chapter 122, as Tohru tries to befriend Akito, the ground collapses and Tohru falls, injuring herself (possibly fatally). Akito screams for help, bringing Yuki and Shigure to Tohru's rescue. While Shigure and Yuki tend to Akito and Tohru respectively, Kyo returns to discover the incident. As he cries and begs her to be all right, Tohru regains consciousness and reassures him that she is fine. Kyo tells her not to speak and gives her what is probably her first kiss.
As of chapter 123, Kyo begins distancing himself from Tohru out of guilt. After arguing with Yuki, Kyo goes to the hospital to go see her only to find visiting hours are over (Yuki, in his anger, forgot to tell Kyo) and even if there was still time to visit, Tohru would have only been able to see family members.
Subsequently, Tohru gets better and she can now see anyone. At school, Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima demand to know why Kyo wishes to visit Tohru and what he would do once he visits her. They threaten to kill him (rather seriously, considering Uotani suggests using spears while Hanajima remarks that they want a method that doesn't leave physical evidence). Hanajima informs him that unless he has a clear and sincere reason for his visit, especially since he had rejected Tohru's feelings and said that they were nothing but a delusion, he has absolutely no reason to see Tohru again. Apologies with no substance and sincere understanding as to why he must apologize would only leave Tohru feeling bad.
Kyo accepts their threats without his usual outbursts, much to Yuki and Hatsuharu's surprise, and reveals that what they are saying is completely right; he cannot bear to see Tohru again until he can sort himself out and his feelings for Tohru. As of chapter 126, he confronted his estranged father to make him understand that he refused to be imprisoned, and in doing so he discovered that it may not have been his fault that his mother died after all. This was shortly before Akito told her maid she had decided that Kyo would not be imprisoned anyway, and would instead order the cat's room to be demolished.
In the meantime, Saki and Arisa inform Kyo that Tohru doesn't want him to come and visit her at the hospital (chapter 127). However, this is because she feels afraid and rejected, not because she is angry. Yuki suggests that Kyo make it a point to spend time with Tohru (and resolve the misunderstanding) when she comes back home. Arisa and Saki finally let Kyo visit Tohru in the hospital after Yuki tells him that Tohru would be discharged that day (chapter 128). However, Arisa warns Kyo that he shouldn't be surprised if she starts running away, which is exactly what Tohru does the moment she sees him. Tohru still thinks that Kyo rejected her, hence her reaction.
Kyo comments on how fast Tohru can run, but he adds that he can run faster. He finally catches up and the two make up while confessing their feelings for one another (chapter 129). They have their second kiss, though Tohru fails to remember the first kiss because she was unconscious at the time. They both hug and are surprised to discover Kyo does not transform into a cat, indicating that he is now freed from the curse.
Breaking the Curse - On the last page of chapter 129 the quote, "When one who was never loved is loved, that ancient promise nears the end", is read. The implication is that the cat, who was never truly loved nor ever truly falling in love, finds love at last, the curse of the Sohma family will near its end. Shigure Sohma has already noted the Sohma curse is weakening, especially considering Kureno (and later Momiji and Hiro) has been freed and Hatori's transformation is less than what was expected.
In Chapter 130, after Kyo and Tohru discover that he is free from the cruse, Kyo tears off the beads on his wrist now that he no longer needs them. With the cat now free, a chain reaction begins as the remaining cursed members of the family are freed. Soon Ayame Sohma hugs Mine, Ritsu Sohma breaks a bowl in shock, and Kisa Sohma begins to cry as she plays with Hiro's baby sister. Kagura Sohma senses something has changed while she shops for groceries, as Isuzu Sohma and Hatsuharu Sohma embrace. Hatori Sohma, who was just out of the estate is freed as well while Shigure Sohma comments to himself the odd sensation of being freed. Out on a bench waiting for Machi, we see Yuki Sohma being freed from the curse as well. As Akito and the now freed Jyunishi break down in tears, a ghostly figure comes and takes the spirit of the rat away saying 'thank you for keeping your promise for such a long time'.
Relationships: At the beginning Kyo doesn't really get along with anyone, so it is hard to single out who is important to him, however there are a few people with who he has strong relationships, good bad or otherwise, whether he wants to or not - and usually it is not.
Yuki - Kyo and Yuki have an intense dislike of one another. This is partly because of their natures (cat vs. rat) and their roles in the zodiac story (the rat tricked the cat). They also have very different personalities: Yuki is quiet and calm and eager to please others, while Kyo is loud, brash, and could care less but somehow still seems to attract people. Their animosity is amplified by Akito's promise that Kyo will not be locked away if he can beat Yuki in a fight. We also discover that Kyo and Yuki envy one another. Yuki wishes he could reveal his true self to others as easily as Kyo, and Kyo wishes he was as capable and calm as Yuki. Hopefully this will one day become the grounds for respect between the two once the curse is broken. Through Tohru's influence the two become less violent toward one another, and throughout the series there are instances where we see that Yuki and Kyo know and understand one another better than anyone else, they can sense subtle changes in one another's mood and are often concerned for one another, though they won't let it show.
Tohru - At first Kyo seems to find Tohru as annoying, if not more annoying, than everyone else on earth. But it soon becomes obvious that he cares for her. he protects her, and is sensitive of her wants and needs. However, Tohru frustrates him because she always puts others before herself even when she is sick. He tells her that it is alright to let people know what she wants and that she could stand to be a little selfish occasionally. Kyo both likes having Tohru around and is made incredibly awkward by her nearness - because he's attracted to her obviously, though he denies it. But Tohru slowly breaks through his walls with her sweetness and her genuine desire to get to know him. Eventually the two fall in love and even manage to confess to one another - though sadly the anime ends long before this point.
Shigure - This is definitely a relationship Kyo wishes not to have, but as Akito's orders have him living under Shigure's roof he is forced to deal with the overly dramatic man. More often than not Kyo is yelling at Shigure to stop being a pervert, or stop being lazy, or stop being annoying, or to leave Tohru alone. And more often than not Shigure is teasing Kyo, doing something just to make Kyo mad, or sighing over how Kyo is always damaging his house.
Hatsuharu- For the most part Kyo seems like he would love to ignore Hatsuharu completely, however, Haru will have none of it. Haru considers Kyo his rival and picks fights with him much as he does with Yuki. He confesses that it isn't that he doesn't like Kyo, it's just that he liked Yuki first. Actually it seems as though Haru just fights with Kyo to get his attention because he certainly doesn't hate him and he seems concerned for him. Surprisingly Kyo doesn't seem to mind Haru much, though he does get annoyed when Haru's desire to fight interrupts what he is doing. Still, he doesn't even yell at Haru much, he seems to be... wearied by him? Maybe he would just feel bad abusing someone as generally gentle and confused as Haru. Usually he just seems concerned and mildly exasperated by the younger teen.
Kagura - Another definitely unwanted relationship. Kagura is absolutely in love with Kyo, and he is absolutely mortified by it and terrified of her. Of course, this may be due to the fact that Kagura tends to get carried away and injure him in her excitement... along with dealing serious damage to whatever area or building they are in. Kyo literally runs for cover when Kagura is coming, though he occasionally suffers her presence when she is calm, and he has been known to give into her demands if she whines enough.
Kazuma - perhaps the only person (before Tohru) who ever really card for Kyo, and also the only person he respects. Kazuma raised Kyo after he was orphaned. At first it was simply out of guilt, as he had shunned his grandfather who had been the previous cat, but then Kazuma truly came to care for Kyo. Kyo deeply respects Kazuma, and longs to be a good son to him. He practically worships the man. Kazuma was also his martial arts teacher and Kyo looks up to him and longs for his approval. Though Kyo feels betrayed when Kazuma forces him to reveal his secret to Tohru, he forgives him and the two seem to be as close as ever.
Akito- Of all the Sohmas, Kyo is the one who has the least interaction with Akito. This is because Akito shuns him as do most of the others in the family. However, Akito still has a great deal of control over Kyo's life and seems to enjoy toying with the young man. Akito offered Kyo a deal - that he would be locked up after he graduated High School unless he could defeat Yuki. Akito likely knew that this would not be possible and was simply being cruel.
Techniques: Kyo is an expert martial artist, but I don't have any idea what type he practices. However, he devotes a great deal of time to his studies in that area.
Trivia: The beads Kyo wears keep him from transforming into his monstrous form.
Kyo's beads are white and black in the anime, but are orange (or red) and black in the manga.
Kyo become lethargic and depressed on rainy days, and often runs a fever. It is on rainy days that he is most likely to transform.
Why we love him: I like loudmouths for some reason, and you can't help but find him adorable when he says something he doesn't mean and then gets all awkward and blushes as he's trying to apologize. Plus, you've got to feel sorry for the guy being so mistreated because of what he was born as. And the way he's always trying to stick up for people, especially Tohru, while still trying to act like he doesn't care... it's so cute! He's just like Inuyasha! (Seriously, they're so similar that it's frightening.)
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