Audience:	13+
	Genre:	Comedy/Adventure
	Usual Running Time:	70 min. per video
	Average Cost:	$25 U.S. -dubbed- $30 U.S. -subbed-
	Contains:	Animated Violence, Psychic
	Music:	C+
	Animation:	B-
	Plot/Storyline:	B+
	Rating:	B

Miaka, a 15-year old girl, has only but one worry in her life: to be accepted into a good school. Suddenly, her life is changed when she and her best-friend Yui finds a mysterious-looking book in the closed doors of a public library. Miaka and Yui are sucked into the book and experiences what it is like in Ancient China. There they encounter some trouble with some local guys, but are rescued by Tamahome, a rude but hansome young man, who expects money in return for his deeds. After some more adventures, Miaka and Yui return home and are happy that they are back.

Days later, however, Miaka returns to the library, eager to find Tamahome. Once again, she is sucked into the other world. She succeeds in finding Tamahome, and after surviving several more adventures, Miaka finds out that she is the supposed "Priestess of Suzaku". Whoever succeeds in finding the Seven Warriors of Suzaku, will have his/her wish granted.  Miaka continues on the journey with Tamahome by her side as she seeks for the other seven. Meanwhile, back in her world, Yui is reading the book and realizes that Miaka is in the story. For some mysterious reason, whatever Miaka experiences, Yui experiences it too.

Fushigi Yûgi is a pretty good series, but several things bring it down. All the voice-actors are pretty good, but Miaka's voice tends to sound to high and babyish. When I first heard her voice, I thought it sounded awful, but after a while, I got used to it. You could spend the extra 5 bucks and buy the subbed-version, but I don't know the quality of the japanese voices in the subbed version. Someone emailed me and said that the subbed was just as bad as the dubbed, so I don't really know. But I can say that it is much better than the dubbed Tenchi Muyo! series.  Yet another thing that brings its rating down is the music. I'm afraid to say, the music isn't all good, and sometimes it does not match with what is going on. The opening song is especially weird, but that's only my opinion. The animation quality is pretty good--but not great.  The reason I gave it an B is because the storyline. It has a wonderful and unique plot. Very imaginative.

Fushigi Yugi is available @ www.pioneer-ent.com Image not created by me.

Original story by Yu Watase (Shogakukan Shôjo Comic). Director: Hajime Kamegaki. Character Design: Hideyuki Motohashi. Series Structure: Yoshio Urasawa. Produced by: TV Tokyo, Yomiko Advertising. inc,. Studio Pierrot.