Shigure Sohma

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Shigure Sohma (草摩紫呉 Sōma Shigure) is a fictional character in the manga and anime series entitled Fruits Basket. He transforms into the dog of the Chinese Zodiac whenever he is hugged by the opposite gender or his body comes under a great deal of stress. Shigure is one of the oldest members of the Sohma family.

Role in the story

Shigure is laid-back and anything but solemn. He is somewhat of a pervert, and as a writer of both romance novels and academic books, Shigure loves to drive his editor, Mitchan, insane. His most famous and well-celebrated pen name is Karitani Noa, which he usually uses for his romance novels, such as 'Summer-Colored Sigh,' which he showed to Saki Hanajima.

Shigure's best friends are Hatori Sohma and Ayame Sohma. This trio has been friends since their childhood. Together their nickname is the Mabudachi Trio. While Ayame and Shigure get along very well, it's less certain how Hatori, who is always exasperated with them, became their friend.

Occasionally, Shigure shows that he has another side to himself. He can be surprisingly mature, thoughtful, and gives rather sage and insightful advice to Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, and other characters, acting like an actual "adult". Few people realize that he is also quite cunning and somewhat dark-humoured. It is speculated that Shigure is actually using Tohru Honda to break the Sohma curse.

Shigure in animal form with Yuki Sohma on his tail

Relationships

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Shigure has previously dated Mayuko Shiraki (Tohru, Yuki, Kyo, Uotani and Hanajima's classroom teacher), though nothing came of it and the relationship began probably because he pitied Mayuko's loneliness. He continues to antagonize her by appearing and interfering with her life, even though his machinations have brought her closer to Hatori Sohma, for whom she has strong feelings.

He is also noted for having an affair with Ren Sohma, Akito Sohma's mother, on the basis that Akito had chosen Kureno Sohma over Shigure. Akito, angry that he would have an affair with the person she hated most (her mother), kicked him out of the main house. In truth, it appears that Shigure actually loves Akito and has since they were both very young. His manipulations not only appear to be for the purpose of breaking the Jyūnishi curse, but also to get closer to Akito.

Name

Shigure (紫呉) means "rain in late Autumn or early Winter".

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