Rin Sohma

The Horse

Isuzu Sohma , aged 17–19, is the horse of the Chinese zodiac. She only appears in the manga. She is often called Rin because that is an alternate reading of 鈴, the second kanji of her given name. She is tall, busty, and initially has hip-length dark hair, which is later cut off; in an author’s note, Natsuki Takaya described her as “the character in charge of sexiness.” She is depicted as stubborn and independent,to the point she cannot stand being dependent on someone else,traits associated with those born in her zodiac year; she is also sharp-tongued but concerned about others. When Rin was young her parents acted affectionate and devoted to her, unlike the parents of many cursed Sohmas, but when she asked if they were happy, the strain of pretending for her benefit shattered the facade, after which they neglected and abused her to the point she was hospitalized. After this her parents kicked her out and Rin moved into Kagura Sohma’s home.Rin and Hatsuharu have a sexual relationship that began before the start of the series. When Akito finds out about it, Rin claims full responsibility to protect Hatsuharu, and to punish her Akito pushes Rin out a window; while recouperating in the hospital, Rin breaks up with Hatsuharu to protect him but without explaining why.Rin starts searching for a way to break the curse, and asks Kazuma,Shigure,and Ren Sohma for help, though she resists the assistance of Tohru Honda, who she thinks is annoying and too nice to others than is good for herself.To punish Rin’s meddling, Akito confines her in the cat’s prison;after she is released by Kureno, she reconciles with Hatsuharu,accepting his support. She also accepts Tohru’s assistance, because of her kindness,and grows as protective of her as of Hatsuharu, and gets angry when someone upsets or hurts her. After the zodiac curse is broken, Rin cannot understand how others can move on as if Akito’s abuse never happened,and in the final chapter she says she still gets angry.Takaya derived her name from the sixth month, isuzukuretsuki or “month of the last cool spring days,” which is the month of the horse, of the traditional Japanese calendar.