Why ‘Fruits Basket’ Season 1 Isn’t On Netflix

Jacob Robinson What's on Netflix Avatar
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Fruits Basket – Copyright. TMS/8PAN

Sadly it is true, yet another beloved anime series that isn’t streaming on Netflix. Not to worry though, we can explain why this is the case and we can point you in the right direction so you can watch Fruits Basket to your heart’s content! Here’s why Fruits Basket season 1 isn’t streaming on Netflix.

Fruits Basket is a Japanese anime series based on the popular manga series of the same name by author Natsuki Takaya. The manga serialization debuted in 1998 when the first chapter was published in Hana to Yume magazine. It didn’t take to garner an audience and by 2001 the manga was adapted into an anime that ran for 26 episodes. Ending in 2006, it wasn’t until 2015 before Natsuki Takaya penned a sequel series Fruits Basket Another. 18 years on from the original anime run, the manga has once again been adapted into an anime and will cover all of the manga.

After the death of her mother, Tohru was supposed to stay with grandfather, but when the house is set to be renovated and family members are unsupportive she’s left with no choice but to move out. Fending herself, Tohru moves into a tent and begins to support herself. It isn’t long before Tohru finds a home in one of the unlikeliest places possible, in popular classmates Yuki Soma’s house. Tohru soon discovers that Yuki’s family have been cursed, forcing them to turn into animals of the Chinese zodiac when they are at their most vulnerable. The young schoolgirl is allowed to stay with the Somas and vows to help break the curse that has befallen their clan.


Why Fruits Basket season 1 isn’t on Netflix US

We think you may know this one by now, but the reason why Fruits Basket isn’t on Netflix is thanks to licensing.

FUNimation and Crunchyroll currently hold the license to the series, which means you will need a subscription to one or the other to watch the first season of Fruits Basket.

For the English Dub, you will need a subscription to FUNimation. As for the Japanese Dub, a subscription to Crunchyroll and you will have access to all 24 episodes.

Will Fruit Baskets ever come to Netflix?

There’s always the potential that the anime series will come to Netflix, it’s just a matter of waiting for the license at FUNimation and Crunchyroll to end.

Don’t give up hope yet, but you may be waiting a long time before Fruits Basket arrives on Netflix.


Is Fruit Baskets available to stream on Netflix in other regions?

The only region across the world streaming Fruits Basket is Japan.

In the United Kingdom, you can stream episodes of Fruits Basket on FUNimation and Crunchyroll.

Like the US, Canadians can stream episodes of Fruits Basket on either Funimation or Crunchyroll.

As for Australia, Fruits Basket is exclusive to AnimeLab.


Would you like to see Fruit Baskets season 1 on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below.

Written by

Jacob joined What's on Netflix in 2018 as a fulltime writer having worked in numerous other industries until that point. Jacob covers all things Netflix whether that's TV or movies but specializes in covering new anime and K-dramas. Resides in Norwich in the United Kingdom.