Sohma Curse

The is a "bond" between God and thirteen members of the Zodiac. Akito Sohma is the current "God" of the Zodiac, while various members of the Sohma family are possessed by the spirits of the animals from the Chinese Zodiac, including the Cat.

Origin
As told in the true zodiac legend, there was a man (later to be called “God”) who had always been alone. When a friendly cat came to visit and confessed that he couldn't help but be drawn to him and expressed his desire to stay by his side, the man was very happy. Because of his new friendship with the cat, the man yearned for even more connections, and therefore held fun banquets with the other animals (those that are considered part of the Chinese zodiac). The man, who didn't want their friendship or banquet to end, and only yearning to make his bond with his friends (the thirteen animals) last for eternities, created a spell by drawing a circle in a cup of water with his finger. This drink made sure that every single one of them would be reborn, and no matter how many times they were reborn, the bond of their friendship would remain.

Effects

 * Those who are possessed are born two months premature.
 * The Zodiacs transform into their respective animals if they are hugged by a person of the opposite sex, or if they are under a great deal of stress (such as exhaustion, sickness or lack of breath).
 * They do not transform into animals if they are hugged by another member of the Zodiac. There is no explanation for this.
 * They can attract animals of their possessed Zodiac animal and can somewhat communicate with them, and can be used for assistance; for example, rats are attracted to Yuki and he used their help to dig out Tohru's tent from under the landslide at the beginning of the series.
 * They have distinct characteristics and often share special traits with the animal they are possessed by. For example; Hatsuharu Sohma's natural black and white hair is influenced by the Ox's spirit, and Kisa Sohma's golden hair- and eye color is influenced by the Tiger's spirit.
 * They share special abilities that normal humans lack. Kyo Sohma can land on his feet after jumping from the second floor, Isuzu Sohma runs quickly as a horse, and Ritsu Sohma is extremely agile.
 * It is shown that whenever the Zodiacs transform into their respective animals and turn back to their human form, they are naked and colored clouds surround their bodies.
 * As long as all members of the Zodiac are alive at the same time, another Sohma possessed by a Zodiac's spirit won't be born. A new possessed Sohma can only be born if a previous cursed Sohma passes away. For example, only when Kazuma's Grandfather passed away could Kyo become the Cat.
 * The thirteen members of the Zodiac are in one way connected to one another, and share an extremely powerful and strong blood bond with their God, being physically and emotionally unable to openly defy them even when they do want and try to do so.

The Curse and The Bonds
For hundreds of years, various members of the Sohma family have been reincarnated as God or one of the thirteen animals by being possessed by their original spirits. Isuzu Sohma explains that even though they don't have any memories of the original promise between God and the animals, they are still bound by that promise, since the blood of the Zodiac spirits remembers. The original God only wanted the bonds to be sacred and something that would connect him to his friends forever, but he didn't intend for the bond to become something cursed and the source of generations of abuse, isolation och ostracization in the Sohma clan.

The Cat's Curse
The Cat is the only member of the bond who was intended to be cursed. Since the Cat rejected the idea of an eternal banquet and friendship, God and the other animals saw the Cat as rejecting and betraying them, even if his words came from a place of wisdom and kindness. This is why the Cat is punished for this in each rebirth. Not only does the Cat have a “true form”, but they are also ostracized and isolated. Shigure explains that every Zodiac is well aware of Kyo’s future confinement, but none of them will lift a finger to stop it; either accepting it in silence or pretending not to think about it. The reason behind this is that the Cat fulfills the role of a scapegoat within the “bond”; he is discriminated against, disrespected, and locked up, a fate which the other Zodiacs won’t have to suffer. So when they feel self-hatred and that the bond is a curse, they can look at the Cat and think “Thank God. At least I’m better off than that.” It is also mentioned that despite how the Zodiacs acts towards the Cat, they feel superior to him deep down. However, as Shigure was purposefully being cold and cruel towards Tohru so that she would accept her feelings towards Kyo, it's unlikely that the Zodiacs themselves actually do feel such a natural superiority over the Cat and it has been shown that most Zodiacs have a positive relationship with Kyo and are actively worried for him.

The Breaking of the Curse
When Kureno's curse broke, while the bond had previously been intact for thousands of years, those who were aware of Kureno’s situation knew that the curse was slowly weakening. Shigure in particular has many theories about the weakening curse and has stated throughout the series that he hears the sound of “something breaking”. He also had a feeling that since the current generation is the first time all twelve members of the Zodiac (including the Cat and God) are alive at the same time, the God and the animals all gathered for the final banquet. The reason why Hatori turns into a Seahorse instead of a real Dragon, and why Kureno turned into a Sparrow instead of a Rooster is also a sign of the curse weakening.

Because the bond is such an unnatural thing, it has begun breaking down and falling apart, since the “blood” itself had begun weakening. Shigure also predicts that the curse will break completely in the current generation of Zodiacs’ lifetime, although maybe not until they are much older. This is because Kureno’s curse had naturally broken through time. However, thanks to the accumulation of all small changes and triggers, the breaking of the curse only began coming faster. Although there is no definite answer to what these “changes” are, it is implied to be when a possessed member form a stronger bond with an outsider or someone other than God, than the one between them and God. This happens when Tohru forms meaningful and deeply emotional bonds with many of the Zodiac members throughout the series. Another “trigger” to weaken the curse could also be when a possessed member defies, stands up against, or becomes independent from God. It is implied that Akito, the God, holds much control and power over the bonds and the curse. So when Akito forms a bond with Tohru; a bond stronger than her bonds with the Zodiacs, is willing to destroy the Cat's Room and let the Zodiacs have their freedom, as well as admits that she doesn't want to be a special “God” anymore, but only a normal young woman living her own life and just being herself, these actions all weaken the bond and allow it to break, once and for all.

Kureno's curse broke ten years prior to the start of the story. For the rest of the Zodiacs, with the exception of Momiji and Hiro Sohma whose curses broke earlier for unknown reasons,  the curse broke at the same time, with only a few seconds in difference. It is seen that when Kureno, Momiji, and Hiro’s curses broke, feathers surrounded them and they could sense that they had been released from the curse and their God. Akito could feel this as well, even if she wasn't present when their curses broke. Every member of the Zodiac also cried over having their curse broken. Hiro mentions that even though he should have been happy about it, he still felt anger, resentment, regret, remorse, and attachment all mixed up inside of him. Hiro's mother, Satsuki Sohma, explains to Hiro that he had lived with the “bond” his whole life; and even though he had suffered so much because of it, it had been a part of him regardless. It is implied that this is the way the other Zodiacs felt as well. Yuki also mentions having his curse broken felt like saying goodbye to someone he had been together with his whole life (presumably “God” or the “bonds”).

God's Farewell
In chapter 130 of the manga, and episode 11 of the anime, titled 'Goodbye," God and the zodiac disappear. God was happy that the zodiac members accompanied him for so long. But, all feasts must end. Nobody can see or hear him, but god bid farewell to all of the zodiac members. He pleaded them all to cry with him, together, like the first day they have been born. He thanked them to accompany him for so long, and wondered that when did the promise become a curse? And God finally left the world, and the eternal banquet came to an end.

The whole and complete story follow as:

The Cursed Ones
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The God of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Akito Sohma / 酉
 * -|2019 Anime = God of The Chinese Zodiac - Full Body.png
 * -|Manga = The God, Cat & Chinese Zodiacs.png
 * -|2019 Anime = God of The Chinese Zodiac - Full Body.png
 * -|Manga = The God, Cat & Chinese Zodiacs.png
 * style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;" |
 * }

{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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 * colspan="1" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |

The Rat of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Yuki Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Yuki - Rat.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Yuki Sohma - Rat - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga = Yuki as a Rat.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Yuki Sohma - Rat - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga = Yuki as a Rat.jpg
 * style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;" |
 * }

{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Ox of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Hatsuharu Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Hatsuharu - Cow.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Hatsuharu Sohma - Ox - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Hatsuharu as a Ox.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Hatsuharu Sohma - Ox - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Hatsuharu as a Ox.jpg
 * style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;" |
 * }

{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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 * colspan="1" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |

The Tiger of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Kisa Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Kisa - Tiger.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Kisa Sohma - Tiger - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Kisa as a Tiger.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Kisa Sohma - Tiger - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Kisa as a Tiger.jpg
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 * }

{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Rabbit of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Momiji Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Momiji - Rabbit.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Momiji Sohma - Rabbit - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Momiji rabbit.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Momiji Sohma - Rabbit - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Momiji rabbit.jpg
 * style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;" |
 * }

{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Dragon of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Hatori Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Hatori - Seahorse (Dragon).png
 * -|2001 Anime = Hatori Sohma - Dragon - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Hatori as a Seahorse.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Hatori Sohma - Dragon - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Hatori as a Seahorse.jpg
 * style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;" |
 * }

{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Snake of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Ayame Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Ayame - Snake.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Ayame Sohma - Snake - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga = FB-ayame-snake.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Ayame Sohma - Snake - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga = FB-ayame-snake.jpg
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{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Horse of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Isuzu Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Rin Animal - Horse.png
 * -|Manga=Rin Sohma horse.jpg
 * -|2019 Anime = Rin Animal - Horse.png
 * -|Manga=Rin Sohma horse.jpg
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 * }

{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Sheep of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Hiro Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Hiro - Sheep.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Hiro Sohma - Sheep - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Hiro as a Sheep.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Hiro Sohma - Sheep - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Hiro as a Sheep.jpg
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{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Monkey of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Ritsu Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Ritsu - Monkey.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Ritsu Sohma - Monkey - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Ritsu as monkey.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Ritsu Sohma - Monkey - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Ritsu as monkey.jpg
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{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Rooster of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Kureno Sohma (formerly)
 * -|2019 Anime = Kureno_Animal_-_Bird.png
 * -|Manga=Bird Kureno.jpg
 * -|2019 Anime = Kureno_Animal_-_Bird.png
 * -|Manga=Bird Kureno.jpg
 * style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;" |Kureno Sohma is the former Rooster of the Zodiac, whose curse had been broken when he was around Tohru Honda's age. Despite being freed, he said he missed being able to fly, as he usually transformed into a sparrow. Even though this information remained a secret from the rest of the Zodiac members, the other members always 'sensed' that something was off about him and therefore tended to distrust him, with Rin even saying that she could feel he was not like them. Akito forced Kureno to stay by her side because she was afraid of being abandoned. He is currently living with Arisa Uotani in the country side.

Kureno's curse broke earlier than everyone else's, and was the overall first to break.


 * }

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The Dog of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Shigure Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Shigure - Dog.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Shigure Sohma - Dog - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Shigure as a Dog.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Shigure Sohma - Dog - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
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The Boar of the Zodiac

 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Kagura Sohma
 * -|2019 Anime = Kagura - Boar.png
 * -|2001 Anime = Kagura Sohma - Boar - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Kagura as a Boar.jpg
 * -|2001 Anime = Kagura Sohma - Boar - 2001 Anime Concept Art.gif
 * -|Manga=Kagura as a Boar.jpg
 * style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;" |
 * }

{| style="text-align:center; border: 1px solid #ff5996;" align="center;"
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The Cat of the Zodiac
Kazuma's Grandfather (formerly) Normal Form =
 * colspan="2" style="border: 1px solid #ff5996; background:#fff;" |Holder: Kyo Sohma

True Form =


 * style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;" |The irregular member of the zodiac, the cat of the Zodiac was the one "left out," as detailed by the zodiac legend. In the Zodiac Legend, the cat was the one who came first to god and was his closest friend. The cat has three forms; human, cat, and true form. The cat's true form is warped and ugly, and smells of rotting flesh. Kyo Sohma, the current cat, as well as all past cats, must always wear a bead bracelet made out of human bones and blood to keep from transforming into that hideous state. Kyo has to suffer isolation and rejection, and he blames his horrible fate upon Yuki, because the rat tricked the cat in the legend. The cat is to be isolated at some point in his/her life (in Kyo's own, after completing high school), and then the other members of the zodiac are joined in an everlasting banquet until they die.

Kyo's curse was the overall fourth to break.


 * }

Trivia

 * Only 12 of the cursed members appear in the 2001 anime. This includes 10 of the official Zodiac, along with Kyo and Akito. Rin and Kureno are absent, since the first anime finished few before their introductions.
 * In the first anime, Akito bears the "core" of the curse; thus shorting his lifespan.
 * Additionally, the Zodiac only obey Akito out of fear, not the curse. Thus Shigure and Hatori are able to restrain Akito when he violently lashes out at Tohru.
 * The 2001 anime shows the curse to be much more sensitive than in the manga, as simply bumping into a cursed Sohma causes them to transform.
 * Since the curse is broken, it is unknown if the zodiac banquet is still held. If so, the Cat is likely now included.
 * It's possible for the cursed members of the Zodiac to have children with non-cursed humans (as Kazuma is the grandson of the previous Cat). Shigure, however, states that sexual intercourse is tricky because of the curse, thus potentially causing the spouse to grow frustrated with the lack of intimacy.
 * Kazuma mentions that the Cats are treated so miserably to the point where they aren't allowed to be buried in the Sohma's local graveyard; instead, they are buried in a faraway site. However, Kazuma mentions that it may be good for them to be buried "outside", as the Cats are forced be confined inside for life and it could be said that they're posthumously "released".
 * Akito says that before her and Yuki, “God” and the Rat hadn’t been reincarnated in a very long time.
 * From a neutral point of view, the curse isn't that big a deal; something Tohru had. Aside from the involuntary transformations, there wasn't actually anything wrong with those afflicted by the curse.
 * Natsuki Takaya has said in interviews before that the Chinese Zodiac aspect of the story was a motif she was encouraged by her editor to add, which she picked on a whim, to fit her original intention of the story she had planned from the beginning.