From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hatsuharu Sohma (草摩 溌春 Sōma Hatsuharu), or more simply, 'Haru', is a
fictional character in the manga and anime series entitled Fruits Basket. He transforms into the ox of the Chinese Zodiac whenever he is hugged by the opposite gender or his body comes under a great deal of stress. Haru has a terrible sense of
direction and often gets lost. His name originates from the Japanese word hatsuharu, which means 'New Year' or 'early
spring'. However the Kanji in Hatsuharu's name (溌春) are not the same as the Kanji in the word hatsuharu from which it originates
(初春), though the hiragana associated with both of them is still はつはる ('hatsuharu').
Role in the story
Background
Haru has something of a split personality. His darker side, 'Black Haru', revealed when annoyed or threatened, transforms
the usually calm, stoic, and well-mannered boy—'White Haru'— into a brash, violent, and somewhat perverted individual.
His alter ego originated from teasing when he was young; adults accused the ox of being stupid for letting the rat ride on its back during the journey to the banquet of the Chinese Zodiac. Haru bitterly blamed Yuki Sohma, the rat in the Sohma clan, but Yuki helped him realize that Haru was not at fault for the ox's actions. Since then, Haru
has claimed that Yuki was his first love. He went out of his way to protect Yuki from Akito Sohma, even making a deal with Shigure Sohma so Yuki would be able to live in his house.
Haru is very close to Kisa Sohma. When Kisa ran away from home as a result of classmates' teasing, he, along with Kisa's mother, were the only ones who made the effort to search for her.
Relationship with Rin
When Isuzu "Rin" Sohma was younger, she was hospitalized, and her parents refused to see her. Haru frequently visited and spent time with her; they gradually fell in love and began to date in secret. Later, Rin broke up with him, telling Haru that she didn't love him anymore, though that was
not her true motive; Akito had found out about their relationship and, out of fury, pushed Rin through a window. Not wanting Haru to be injured as well, Rin isolated herself from him for, as she felt, both
of their safety.
Afterward, Rin became ill and hospitalized again. Haru tried to visit her, but she drove him away, even swinging IV's at him. Though Haru did not hear much from Rin after that, he still sees her whenever he has the opportunity. Later on,
Haru learns from Hiro Sohma of Akito's deed, and his anger is evident. Haru confronts Akito, who counters by forcing Haru to take partial responsibility
for Rin's injuries; it was in part his desire to be with her without considering the consquences and being unable to see it
was Akito who hurt her in the first place that caused it. Kureno Sohma convinces Haru that he should go see Rin, who has been hospitalized (and later runs away from the hospital), rather than
try and hurt Akito. Haru finds her and they reconcile now that he knows Rin's reasons for breaking up with him. When Tohru Honda came to visit Rin, Hatsuharu remarked that he was happy that Rin was learning about the joys of friendship.
