Fruits Basket: Prelude

Synopsis

Even after Kyouko Honda's tragic death, her memory continues to offer comfort and guidance to those who miss her during difficult times. Yet Kyouko was not always the wise figure she is now remembered as. Feeling abandoned by her family and rejected by society, a young Kyouko leaves behind her stable life and becomes involved in delinquent behavior, putting her education and future at risk. Fortunately, her path toward ruin changes course when she unexpectedly meets her future husband, Katsuya, who has just begun his teaching internship at her school. Despite Kyouko's volatile behavior, Katsuya wins her over with his calm nature and genuine kindness—a warmth she had never known before. As their relationship deepens, Kyouko begins to share her troubled past and discovers new possibilities for her future.

Background

Fruits Basket: Prelude centers on the Kyouko to Katsuya no Monogatari prequel, which covers part of the manga's 16th volume not shown in the television series. The movie also features a short compilation of the three-season anime and new scenes written by the author set after the original story. Mubichike cards with illustrations by Natsuki Takaya were made available on December 17, 2021. A Blu-ray version was commercialized exclusively at theaters screening the film, and limited edition items were distributed to the audience on a first-come, first-served basis. The gifts consisted of an original 16-page manga that established the setting for the new scenes as well as excerpts from the movie. Another Blu-ray was released on June 24, 2022, including a bonus eight-page manga booklet. Only in the first two days after its premiere, Fruits Basket: Prelude grossed a total of 33 million yen. Moreover, supplementary theaters held additional screenings to accommodate the greater turnout of viewers.