FUSHIGI YUUGI
I've heard of getting lost in a book before, but this is ridiculous!
Review by: Craig "The Anti-Bishounen" Norris
Length: 52 episodes
Genre: Fantasy, romance
Watched: 1-52, subbed
With a cast composed largely of men that look more nubile and feminine than most women I know, I was expecting this title to be a drawn-out feast for female hormones. In fact, I put off watching it for more than a year. But boredom often clouds one's judgment, and I finally capitulated. However, this anime proved to be a perfect cure for my boredom. Just about everything it serves up is complete, impressive, and highly addictive.
Plot synopsis: While studying for high school entrance exams, childhood friends Miaka and Yui become drawn to an old book in the library. Instead of reading the story, however, they become the story, as they are transported to the world described in the book. After they become separated, Miaka agrees to become the Priestess of Suzaku, hoping to use her powers to reunite with Yui and return to her world. Unbeknownst to Miaka, however, Yui has become the rival Priestess of Seiryuu. Now Miaka must gather the Seven Stars of Suzaku and summon Suzaku before Seiryuu is summoned and brings war and destruction to the world.
Artwork: For such a long series, the artwork is very rich and vivid. Character designs are diverse and colorful, giving each person a distinct visual flavor that makes them instantly recognizable. Backgrounds can be bland at times, but by and large they get the job done, especially since such a wide variety of settings are present throughout. Serious expressions and SD silliness are pulled off with equal amounts of success. The only noticeable corner-cutting was in the fight scenes, where liberal use of still-frames and swooshing-line backgrounds were used. Unless your eye for animation is particularly discerning, the artwork in this series will leave little to be desired.
Music: About what I'd expect from a series of this genre. The opening and ending themes are fair, but don't really hold my attention enough to want to listen to them more than once. Some of the in-episode music is kind of catchy, but by and large is around only for ambience. Some of the tracks are overused, especially during the romantic moments; I lost count of how many times a hug would be the cue for the exact same melody. That's not to say the soundtrack is bad; if you're a fan of cookie-cutter background music you'll like it. And it even flexes its muscles with some vocal arrangements from time to time. But there are better soundtracks out there, and you won't have to look hard to find them.
Characters: If I bothered with every character that does something important here, this review would require its own domain. So I'll just stick with the most main of the main characters. Miaka was a normal junior high school student struggling through her studies to get into high school when she stumbled upon "The Universe of the Four Gods" in the back room of thelibrary. Thrown into a world she knows nothing about, she at first shows much fear and uncertainty. However, that gradually gives way to determination and resolve as she progresses on her quest to summon Suzaku. She also comes to fall in love with Tamahome, one of the Seven Stars of Suzaku who is bound to protect her. Tamahome is carefree and greedy, but matures into a fiercely loyal protector of the Priestess of Suzaku, especially after he begins to return her romantic feelings. Other members of the Suzaku Seven include: Hotohori, emperor of Konan; Nuriko, a cross-dresser with amazing strength; Chichiri, a monk with mystical powers; Tasuki, a bandit who wields fire magic; Mitsukake, a mystic healer; and Chiriko, a young scholar. Yui was transported into the book along with Miaka, but becomes separated from her, and is taken in by Nakago, the most powerful of the Seven Stars of Seiryuu. Nakago, being a deceitful bastard, fools Yui into believing that Miaka betrayed her, and convinces her to become the Priestess of Seiryuu. Yui puts on a veneer of outward hatred towards Miaka, but her heart hasn't completely turned against her. However Nakago continues to manipulate her, along with just about everyone else he meets, and emerges as the true enemy of the Suzaku Seven. Other members of the Seiryuu Seven include: Soi, who wields electricity; Ashitare, a werewolf; Tomo, an illusionist; Miboshi, who controls demons; Suboshi, who fights with spheres and rope; and his twin brother Amiboshi, who invokes powerful spells with his flute. Aside from the main forces of Suzaku and Seiryuu, several more people are met throughout Miaka's and Yui's travels, a list that would include more names than my baseball card collection.
Plot: The plot has a little bit of everything. Actually, it has a lot of everything. It can go from comedy to soap opera to supernatural to ass-whooping action, all in the span of half an episode. The plot is largely composed of human drama that uses a mystical quest as a backdrop, and the two elements complement each other very well. I was particularly impressed that the ever-present romance was handled without a hint of sap or cheese. Plus, there's more than enough action and bloodshed to keep more masculine audiences riveted. Although at times the comedy seems to interfere, as a whole all elements of the plot act as a cohesive unit, making for a viewing experience that is strong enough for a man, yet sensitive enough for a woman.
CHICKS!: Chicks are a dicey subject in this anime, because some of what I thought were decent chicks actually turned out to be men. I spent many hours in a hot shower before I felt clean again. So I'll only dwell on those whom I am absolutely sure are women, which will make this a much shorter section than I thought it would be after only the first few episodes. Miaka has a developing figure, but she's already filled out nicely and has a nice girlish look to her. She's very clingy to Tamahome, but her relationship sometimes struggles due to her seeming to be prone to angst, which I suppose is understandable at her age. Yui is a dead ringer for Sailor Uranus' junior high yearbook photo. Her personality becomes heavily tainted with hatred, making a relationship with her a very volatile prospect. When she's calm, though, she is a pleasant companion. Soi is the only female warrior, but with how well she handles lightning, she deserves her title. Her love for Nakago goes completely unrequited, even though he never kicks her out of bed. She's got the most sex appeal of the small group of chicks that make regular appearances. The overall chick quality is mediocre, especially since I was highly paranoid of getting attached to any of them, should it be discovered later on that they weren't chicks at all.
Overall: This show has it all, and does it well. It's got elements that will appeal to everyone, and will be appreciated by anime novices and afficionados alike. Don't be put off by the length of the series; it's well worth sitting through all the episodes, and you may even wish there were more. I actually regret waiting so long to see this series. Had I known it was this good, I would have put it at the top of my "to watch" list. Now I'll just have to settle for putting it near the top of my favorites list.
IN A NUTSHELL
+ Nice animation
+ Great plot and character development
+ Wide range of emotions
+ Nearly universal appeal
- Spotty soundtrack
Rating: 9/10
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