Rin Sohma

The Horse of the zodiac: stubborn, independent and searching for a way to break the curse.

Rin Sohma, whose given name is Isuzu, is the Horse of the Chinese zodiac in Fruits Basket. She is called "Rin" from an alternate reading of the second kanji of her given name. She is depicted as stubborn and independent, sharp-tongued but concerned about others.

Lore & Background

When Rin was young her parents acted devoted to her, but when she asked whether they were happy the pretence collapsed; they then neglected and abused her until she was hospitalized, and afterwards threw her out, and she moved into Kagura's home. She and Hatsuharu have a relationship that began before the start of the series. When Akito finds out about it, Rin takes full responsibility to protect Hatsuharu, and Akito pushes her out of a window.

Reader's Guide

While recovering in hospital Rin breaks up with Hatsuharu without telling him why, then starts searching for a way to break the curse in order to free him, asking Kazuma, Shigure and Ren for help. Ren offers to help if Rin steals a black box from Akito, but Akito catches her, confines her in the cat's prison and cuts off her hair. After Kureno releases her she reconciles with Hatsuharu and accepts Tohru's help. In the final chapter she says she still gets angry that others move on as if Akito's abuse never happened.

Did You Know?

Natsuki Takaya first designed Rin with very short hair, then made it long to mimic a horse's mane blowing in the wind.
Takaya derived her name from isuzukuretsuki, the sixth month of the traditional Japanese calendar and the month of the Horse.