Main Page Editorial Column Anime 101 Features [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Fanworks [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Reviews [ 1 ] [ 2 ] ___________ Home    Email		Fushigi Yuugi by Charles Tan with accompanying art by Nicole Lim Warning: This article may contain some spoilers!      It was not so long ago when Fushigi Yuugi was only known to circles of anime fans. Now, it’s making its way to mainstream TV, hopefully by this year. While not as huge as the Gundam universe or even as multi-spanning as Dragonball, Fushigi Yuugi has its own share of various sequels and adaptations. So, what exactly is there to know about Fushigi Yuugi? The Series      Fushigi Yuugi was created by Watase Yu and was first serialized as a Shojo manga series in Shogakukan’s Flower Comics in 1988. Embedded in it is a combination of a romance story and fierce action sequences, which Watase is fond of. Add in elements derived from Chinese culture and you have an instant hit. With its appearance as an anime, its fame grew much more.      The 52-episode TV series is based on the first thirteen volumes of the manga. While it has subtle variations, it is more or less identical to the plot in the comic. The end of the TV plotline and first story arc of the manga wherein Miaka and Tomahome finally get together was originally the end of the entire series. However, due to the immense popularity, the publishers of the comic had Watase make a continuation. Thus, the manga series lasted until eighteen volumes, and later gave birth to the OVAs. The first OVA series, which has three volumes, is an all-original work and is not found in the comic version as Tomahome and Miaka are once more drawn to the world of Fushigi Yuugi. It ends with a prelude to the second OVA series.      This time continuing the plot of the manga series, the second OVA series has six volumes. It deals with Miaka and the life she lives with Tomahome’s reincarnation, Tama. In this occasion, the two face dangers not only in the world of Fushigi Yuugi but in the present world as well as they strive to gather the “memory balls” of Tomahome and overthrow their new foe as well.      Fushigi Yuugi also has several CD releases. Several of them contain drama tracks which offer stories other than those found in the anime or manga. One such concerns the reincarnations of the seishis in the modern world, as can be found in the second OVA soundtracks. The Seishis      Yu designed the characters to be special and sympathetic with her readers. Fore example, Miaka is not so smart and strives to attain high grades to get into a better school, a similar problem students face. Tamahome - Although appearing greedy at first, he is really caring and the reason for his behavior is because he has to feed and support his family, including an ailing father. Hotohori - Quite the narcissist, he is a fair and just ruler. However, there is the tragedy that he bore upon his responsibilities at such a young age and never really had the time for caring parents or loving friends. Nuriko - Endowed with superhuman strength, Nuriko is another of the tragic characters in the series. With his sister dying, he took upon her personality and thus lives a life of womanhood. Chichiri - While sporting a face full of optimism and hope, Chichiri too has his own share of problems. He dons a mask which hides a scar in his face. Tasuki - Despite being a thief, he actually cares for his comrades and his miko. His strife with Tomahome was brought about because of a previous incident. Mitsukake - With the power to heal, Mitsukake underwent a journey to help those around him. However, when the epidemic came upon to plague his own wife, he arrived too late. He cares deeply for those around him and spends his time with his pet(s). Chiriko - Smart and adept, he is the youngest of the seishis and no doubt one of the smartest as well. Nakago - The leader of the Seiryu Seishi suffered problems of his own when he was young, facing the death of his mother as well as the things imposed on him by the emperor. Amiboshi - He cares deeply for his twin brother and has a loathing for war, that which claimed his parents at a young age. Suboshi - Another tragic character, he is in love with Yui. Also, he is blinded by anger and bears a deep hatred against Miaka and her seishi. Soi - Being sold as a prostitute at a young age, Soi was found by Nakago and she fell in love with him ever since. Ashitare - Continually tormented by Nakago, he has no remorse left and does what is asked of him, regardless of how cruel it is. Be sincere and courteous to everyone. You never know where that person might lead you to. Keep an open mind to everyone. [ prev article ] [ top ] [ next article ]
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