I'd start from volume 1 because there is a lot of things that were left out, added in, and changed in the anime. Including: Character development, relationship development, story development, characters personalities, and who characters really were. The animé only covers up to volume 6, but has the addition of Hiro's story and the Yuki fan club president's story from volume 7 and Ritsu's story from volume 8. So when toi read those chapters toi will get a different feeling from them then toi did in the anime. Same thing applies to the episode where Tohru and Yuki visit Ayame's shop, that happened in volume 6 but it took place after Kyo's seconde form was revealed, and Yuki was trying to get away from Kyo, which is why he visited Ayame's shop. Besides all of the above, the reason I say to start with volume 1 chapter 1 is because there are things that are VERY important to the series that are in the first 6 volumes of the manga that are completely left out ou changed in the anime. Like: the first half of the valentines jour episode (episode 11 for anime, chapter 15 for manga), the part where Kagura's trying to get Kyo to eat her chocolat in the animé does not happen in the manga, instead Kagura is trying to get Kyo to go out on a rendez-vous amoureux, date with her the suivant day. The seconde half of chapter 15 (which has a lot a character development for Kyo and relationship development for Kyo and Tohru) is completely left out of the animé and instead the animé jumps right into chapter 17 (Momiji comes over and tells the foolish traveler story), completely skipping chapter 16 where we learn a lot plus about Shigure.
There is a lot plus that was left out, added in, and changed in the animé (including things in the first volume) so I beg of toi start with volume 1 chapter 1, it will make the series SO much better. Also, there is a group of voice actors (mainly fans of the series and are not professional, but still really good) that are making a radio drama version of the series that is actually going to stick to the manga. Currently they are up to chapter 24 and are hoping to do the whole series if it's populaire enough. So I'll leave a link to their web site. But yeah, start with volume 1 chapter 1 and if toi want to toi can check them out.
Their web site:
link
