Product Description
Miaka Yuuki, an average middle school student caught up in studying for exams, is sucked into an ancient Chinese novel titled "The Universe of Four Gods". There she discovers that she is in an ancient country in what is now China, Konan, and is to be the Priestess of one of the four gods, Suzaku. As the priestess, her duty is to gather the Seven Seishi of Suzaku, who are to be her protectors. Once they are gathered, the priestess will summon the god Suzaku and bring peace between the warring lands, Konan and Kutou. But it's harder than it seems. Along the road, many hardships are faced, as Miaka's best friend Yui Hongo enters the book and becomes her rival, the priestess of Seiryuu in the land of Kutou. Who summons their god first is up to the courage and skill of the priestesses and their seishi, as they meet triumphs and tragedies along the way.
Customer Reviews:
xD yes all mine.......2007-08-07
omg thank u so much i love it it has all the episodes i wanted to see!!! and much more i finallt had the chance to watch them all i love it!!
A Great Boxset, Great Series.......2007-03-24
Fushigi Yugi, in my opinion, is a great anime series. It's definitely one of my favorites. With a magical plot, likeable and depthful charcters, sappy-love-sap romance and some slapstick comedy thrown in for good measure, it's kinda hard not to fall in love. ^.^
New viewers need to keep these things in mind: 1) The main protaganist, Miaki Yuuki, can get REALLY annoying at times, and her english actor has a ridiculousy high pitched voice. Beware, when she gets emotional (and she will often) you might want to turn the volume down on your TV, or switch to Japanese with subtitles... it's easier to bear. A lot of FY fans can't stand Miaka because of her ditziness and how lovesick she is for Tamahome, but she doesn't bother me all that much. I don't watch Fushigi Yugi for her, anyway. 2) Fushigi Yugi the anime series was created back in the mid 90's, so yeah, the animation isn't as great as other newer ones like Full Metal Alchemist and Cowboy Bebop. But, it's not awful, either. At first I kinda got pissed at how the noses on the characters were done... if they're showed at any other angle but profile, it looks like they have a big gaping hole in the middle of their face. >.
< The OVAs seem to improve quite a bit from the series, though. 3) I'm not gonna lie - a lot of the music seems outdated and inappropiate for the situation. Generally, the backgrounds are upbeat and have a disco/pop feel to them. This doesn't really fit when you're in the middle of dramatic scene with character deaths. >.
< Other than THAT, however, I happen to adore the Fushigi Yugi music, and actually plan to buy the vocal CDs.
The Fushigi Yugi Perfect Collection comes with eight DVDS in 3 cases fit snugly in a collector's box. There are three "seasons" of the show and they're all wrapped accordingly - Suzaku, Seiryuu, and Oni/Eikoden. You should be aware, though, that this is a bootleg... notice how the prices are so low? Yeah, that's why. I haven't watched my DVDs all the way through, but from the 10 or so episodes I've watched they appear to be in great shape. I, personally, don't think it's worth it to spend the $400 some-odd dollars for the official, but hey, if you're all about supporting Pioneer, be my guest. I love Fushigi Yugi, I do, but Eikoden - the third OVA release - sucks. The CGI they use does not fit at all; I wished they'd just kept it the same. The plot is particularly bland as well. The only reason I watched it all the way through was because of my love for Tasuki and Chichiri, but I would not recommend purchasing it. If you're not buying the Fushigi Yugi Perfect Collection, rent Eikoden from Netflix. Don't waste your money.
Despite its flaws, Fushigi Yugi is timeless. It's fun and warm-hearted, suspenseful and unpredictable, and painful and heart-breaking all at the same time. This is definitely a shojo anime, so if you can't stomach the lovey-dovey stuff, this probably won't be for you. But for everyone else, this is a must see. One of the best series out there, no hands down. ^.^
Fushigi Yugi Is da bomb.......2007-02-09
Fushigi Yugi is one of the best animes out there, It's got romance, action, adventure, comady, and TOMAHOME! If you have not seen or read Fushigi Yugi you had better, it's one of thoughs animes that manga lovers can not go with out.
Great Anime Series.......2007-01-03
I first started with the Fushigi Yugi Manga and fell in love with the story and characters. Then I wanted to try the anime. It is fantastic. Of course, it's changed around a little bit from the original, but it's still great. The voice acting is awesome, and the animation is not the greatest, but it was made earlier on. If you've read the manga, I highly suggest you watch the anime. It's worth every penny.
Amazon.com
This OAV (original animation video) adventure brings back all the characters from the sprawling broadcast series--even ones who were killed. When Miaka, Tomahome (who now lives in the real world), Keisuke, and Tetsuya go visit the grave of Takikio, the one-time priestess of Genbu, Tomahome mysteriously vanishes back into Universe of the Four Gods. Miaka and Yui join him there, causing the Warriors of Suzaku and Seiryu to reassemble. Their reappearance has been arranged by Tenkuo, the former master of the evil Nagako, who hopes to rule the alternate world. Yui summons all four Gods to seal him away and prevent any further contact between the two worlds--which also means Miaka and Tomahome must separate. The secondary characters remain more entertaining than the whiny Miaka, especially sorcerer-in-training Chichiri and mountain bandit Tasuki. Viewers should watch the broadcast series before the OAVs, or they'll be hopelessly lost. Each episode is followed by an omake, or extra: a chapter of "Fûshigi Yûgi Rest and Relaxation Bus Trip: The Tale of the Forbidden Women's Hot Spring Resort," an offbeat farce that features the characters as themselves and as actors playing those roles. It provides a welcome break from the turgid melodrama of the main episodes, much the way Kyogen comedies are traditionally performed with Noh tragedies in the Japanese theater. Genki Yoshimura's script exhibits some chronological problems. When Tomahome arrived in Konan in episode 1, 50 years had passed since the battle at the end of the broadcast series, and Hotohori's grandson was emperor. When Tomahome and Miaka visit Konan in episode 5, only two years have elapsed and Hotohori's infant son occupies the throne. However, these inconsistencies are not likely to trouble fans of this mawkish magical-girl series. Much of the final episode, which is nearly twice as long as the others, is spent on a convoluted subplot involving Tomahome and Taka appearing in the same time and place when they're the same person. As a result, there's little time for the final battle. Perhaps it shouldn't feel too decisive: Miaka's final words to the remaining six Warriors of Suzaku, "I know we'll meet again," suggest that further sequels may already be in the works. Rated 16 and up for nudity, sexual situations, attempted rape, suggested incest, and violence. --Charles Solomon
Description
The mystical book, "The Universe of the Four Gods", was finally closed when Miaka made her last wish, or so everyone had thought. But old enemies have returned from beyond the grave to claim their revenge, and this time it is Tamahome who is drawn into the book... to become one of the Seiryu Seven ?! Now Yui, Keisuke, and Tetsuya must discover how the book was opened, while Miaka and Tamahome, now known as Taka, race to relearn how to survive in the Mysterious Play! Fushi Yugi OVA DVD Box set (Contains all 9 episodes/3volumes: Illusions, Memories and Reflections) Long awaited DVD release of the Fushigi Yugi OVA's! Voted the "Best OVA Release (Japan)" by the fans at Anime Expo in 1997 and 1998.
Customer Reviews:
A must have for anime lovers.......2007-07-09
Like most of the other reviews, if you didn't watch the first 52 episodes, then you will be completely lost in the series. The first three episodes were not that impressive because they were a little confusing. The next 6 episodes however, filled in the blanks from the first three and made the series better to watch. If you are a big Anime fan, this DVD box set would fit perfectly with your collection.
Series = good.......2006-11-16
I liked the first half of the Fushigi Yuugi series, Suzaku, very much. The second half, Seiryu, not so much.
The OVAs, however, are worse than the second set. Although I didn't much care for the ending of Seiryu, it did end, and I didn't much see the point of having more.
The first OVA is about some evil in the book world that they have to deal with. Beware, definitely a mature rating here, and even if the bad guy is cool, I didn't think much about the rest of the story.
The second OVA takes place when Miaka is pregnant, and much older. It goes back into the book to fight against a stupid girl from Miaka's world who tries to mess things up. She's really annoying.
Both OVAs you get to learn a little more about some of the characters, but really some things are better not knowing and going through. Although it was inevitable Tasuki falls for Miaka at one point, the way this happened here completely ruined his image, and my opinion of him has been hard to repair.
Really, the best part of the OVAs was the in between stuff. It's this nonsense story about the two sects (Suzaku and Seiryu people) going to a hot springs. The funniest stuff happens when they're in the buses, and it's just hilarious; using the twins to write insults to the other sect, the accurate portrayal of Miaka and Tamahome ('Tamahome...' 'Miaka...' 'Tamahome...' 'Miaka...' with little flowers and sparklies...), and more. Cute.
There were also some good outtakes, but also some very lame and/or embarrassing ones.
The music was good, once again, and the art stayed pretty and aged the characters very well.
So if you really, really loved the entire series, and are OK with a mature rating, go ahead and get these OVAs, if not only for the Hot Springs nonsense story.
Otherwise, you might try D.N. Angel, Peacemaker, Knight Hunters, Fruits Basket, or a number of the other great anime titles out there.
Also, if you liked the Fushigi Yuugi music, you should definitely look at getting Fushigi Yuugi Super Best Collection, and because there are so many great voice actors in the series, Memories: Character's Vocal and Fushigi Yuugi Best Vocal Collection are a must.
An overall review of all Fushigi Yugi... .......2006-07-13
I will try to write a review of the entire Fushigi Yugi series so that you can have a complete (and overall) picture of this wonderful anime. Therefore, if you don't want to know what happens next then please stop reading the specific section because spoilers will be included all over in the review that is to follow.
Apart from it, I will try to maintain an overall review so that to inform the reader as much as possible without giving too much away.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 1, Suzaku)
Two fiends, Miaka and Yui - the typical Japanese high school girls- will come across a book called the `Universe of the four Gods' and will be drawn into it (SPOILER! The book basically presents itself to be something like a gate to a parallel universe with the difference that the gods of this parallel universe are the ones who `choose' whom to allow to enter and why, something that will be implied latter on, in the second box set).
There, the two girls will be confronted with a world that is divided into four kingdoms and resembles Ancient China, but each of the girls will end up in a different kingdom as a priestess of the kingdom's god; and their goal will be to gather the seven `holy' warriors in order to summon the god. The catch: the girls will be enemies. On top of that, Miaka will deeply fall in love with one of her warriors, Tamahome, who will love her deeply as well but: Yui will want him two; the emperor will love Miaka etc.
The first arc, deals more with the story and character development, the viewer learns a lot about the world/kingdoms, the citizens agony etc. Of course all this will be accompanied with a lot of action as well.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 2, Seiryu)
This is the continuation of the first arc. Now that the viewer has gotten into the anime, the story takes off. After failing to summon Suzaku, the warriors will have to find two holy ornaments in order to achieve it. The story starts to get darker and darker, very emotional and the actual conflict between the two parties of holy warriors takes place, and the true feelings of the love triangle (Tamahome-Miaka-Emperor) will be tested; is their love destined to fail? Additionally, characters that you will learn to love, from the first arc already, will die (be it children, men, women, warriors, emperors or whatsoever)... Last but not least, the final battles will also occur not only in the Four Gods Kingdoms but also in our world as well, because the universes will start to collide (may sound confusing but once you watch the anime it is easy to understand, it is just if I will start to explain it I will give the story and twists away, sorry guys). What will be the end?
Fushigi Yugi :The Mysterious Play OVA Boxed Set
Tamahome is now Taka (well, re-incarnated) and lives together with Miaka in our world. However, trouble occurs once a very powerful and dark force tries to escape from the world of the four kingdoms and wants to come and to destroy our world. Now again, the couple will be drawn back into the book, travel forth and back into the universes, the Suzaku Seven are gathered again and hell brakes loose; because the love of Miaka and Tamahome is in serious danger (not to mention the worlds as well).
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - Eikoden
This is, for the time being, the last of Fushigi Yugi that is out there. In these OVAs, Tamahome and Miaka are married and she is pregnant. However, a girl named Mayo will enter the book of the four gods as a new priestess of Suzaku and will try to: steal Tamahome from Miaka, who will fall into a coma, kill the Suzaku Seven, take the child of Tamahome and Miaka as her own etc. Tamahome will enter the book but the world he once knew is starting to fall apart...
Overall opinion about the series:
Personaly, I believe that this anime alongside with Escaflowne, tops every other anime in the Fantasy genre. It is very emotional, has strong character development, solid and very interesting story with way too many twists and will keep you hooked up till the end (that is something that will happen for sure hehehe)
As for the animation:
The first arc has a fair animation but still a good one (in order to get a picture, the animation is something like crave of the fireflies). The second one is updated (something like Trigun). In the first OVAs the animation is definitely updated (something like FMP). Last but not least, in the last OVAs the animation remains in the same level as the previous OVAs but the creatures' animation is something like the ones you see in Digimon (well, personally I preferred the way they used to be in the previous OVAs).
Music:
The music, no matter arcs or OVAs, opening or ending, is very - very good and emotional. You will love the music in it.
Worth buying or not?
I will be honest. Personally I love these series and bought all of them. However, the price may present itself to be an obstacle (took me two years to buy the complete show). Therefore, if you can afford it than buy it for sure and you will not regret it; if not, than try to rent it if possible because these shows are definitely worth watching. Not to mention the fact that the series all together are very long (something that I liked).
Well, I hope that I could help you by presenting you with an overall picture of Fushigi Yugi. If so then please click on the yes button below ^_^
Excellent continuation to an excellent show!.......2005-12-14
First things first: the editorial review is incorrect. The discrepancy pointed out there is not a discrepancy. When Tamahome gets sent back to the book, he is being tricked into thinking that it's 50 years after the battle, when it really was not nearly so long.
I think, not only was the storyline great, and convoluted, but it was just a wonderful next step for an amazing anime. They really put love to the test, and we get the chance to go deeper into some of the characters.
There is some racy stuff, which I personally felt was not completely necessary, but it's there.
In all, it was very, very good!
Pretty Good.......2005-07-29
Some Spoilers indicated.
The first 3 episodes will confuse anybody who did not see the series, and make sure you pay close attention to details so you won't get lost because it is possible. If you read Charles Solomon's review, there are some major errors in the plot. Yet the whole thing about 50 years passing when Tama arrives then only 2 years when Taka and Miaka go together is not one of them. For those of you who don't understand the whole "Tama being Nakago thing" *SPOILER* it's because Tomo created an illusion which make him think that 50 years had passed, etc. Tech none of that really happened. This was all to convince him that his body and soul were switched with Nakago in order to poison him.
If you are wondering how Tamahome was able to be reborn, it will be explained in those first 3 episodes, but otherwise I thought they were poorly written. *SPOILERS* Yui's hair is longer which is impossible because it couldn't have grown overnight. Also it signifies that the girls are in hs with their new uniforms, etc, when really they had just finished entrance exams at the end of the real series. The stupidest change is that it shows that Miaka met Taka at a restaurant and he was her waiter instead of her brother telling her that he found someone that claimed he was looking for his true love.
The rest of the ova is quite good tho. There's a 5th priestess and you'll prob be a lil suprised to who it is. You get to learn more about Chichiri who is awesome. Taski is also so cute, and you'll see how the bonds between him, Miaka, and Taka changed. The plot is a little confusing though for most people, but if you pay attention everything should be okay. *SPOILER* Hint for those people who get lost when they see Taka and Tamahome. Taka is the real one.
Best part of the ova. The hot springs scenes inbetween! Amiboshi and Chiriko are just so cute. Anywayz those inbetween scenes make the ova worth while. So it gets 4 out of 5 stars for those mistakes. Def. a good buy.
Amazon.com
The second four-disc set of Fushigi Yûgi continues the adventures of Miaka and Yui, two Japanese middle-school girls drawn into an ancient Chinese book, The Universe of the Four Gods. The later episodes are darker in tone, marked by threats of rape, attempted rape, and the deaths of several secondary characters (some of whom die two or three times). Miaka and her friends, who fight in the name of the "beast-god" Suzaku, are pitted against the warriors of the rival deity, Seiryu: twins Amiboshi and Suboshi; werewolf Ashitare; lightning-wielding Soi; Miboshi, who looks like a tiny monk; Tomo, who dresses like a Peking Opera general; and the icily vicious Nagako. Nagako commands this troop in the name of Yui, who is waging a vendetta against Miaka. Despite the myriad plots, battles, and spells, director Hajime Kamegaki focuses on the romance between Miaka and martial artist Tamahome. Tamahome has lost the outlaw panache that initially made him attractive, and Miaka has grown no more prepossessing. She whines continuously, and every third episode seems to end with her either declaring she'll never forgive some evil or apologizing for not living up to someone's expectations. What does Tamahome see in her? Their endless proclamations of undying fidelity leave little time for the activities of the more colorful and interesting supporting characters--transvestite Nuriko, sorcerer-in-training Chichiri, and mountain bandit Tasuki. While Miaka and her friends slog on, her brother Keisuke and his friend Tetsuya are reading The Universe of the Four Gods and tracking its effects in the real world. The final battle that pits Tomahome against Nagako and Suzaku against Seiryu proves more anticlimactic than apocalyptic. Kamegaki has several key events occur off camera, including Yui's final wish to Seiryu and how Miaka escapes from the penalty customarily imposed on those who summon Suzaku. Fushigi Yûgi should be seen one or two episodes at a time: watching for more than an hour is like eating a box of bonbons in one sitting. Rated 13 and up for violence, nudity, and sexual situations, including suggestions of rape. --Charles Solomon
Description
The heartrending conclusion to Fushigi Yugi the Mysterious Play! All 26 Episodes of the second season of the series available on four DVD's (in a collected eight volume boxed set). Join Miaka as she struggles to overcome Yui's betrayal and the deadly obstacles of the Seiryu Seven to protect her adoped kingdom, her friends and her true love. *Packaged in a high quality collectors boxed set with many extras: Fushigi Yugi music videos, non-credit closing, character notes and more.
Customer Reviews:
An overall review of all Fushigi Yugi... .......2006-07-13
I will try to write a review of the entire Fushigi Yugi series so that you can have a complete (and overall) picture of this wonderful anime. Therefore, if you don't want to know what happens next then please stop reading the specific section because spoilers will be included all over in the review that is to follow.
Apart from it, I will try to maintain an overall review so that to inform the reader as much as possible without giving too much away.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 1, Suzaku)
Two fiends, Miaka and Yui - the typical Japanese high school girls- will come across a book called the `Universe of the four Gods' and will be drawn into it (SPOILER! The book basically presents itself to be something like a gate to a parallel universe with the difference that the gods of this parallel universe are the ones who `choose' whom to allow to enter and why, something that will be implied latter on, in the second box set).
There, the two girls will be confronted with a world that is divided into four kingdoms and resembles Ancient China, but each of the girls will end up in a different kingdom as a priestess of the kingdom's god; and their goal will be to gather the seven `holy' warriors in order to summon the god. The catch: the girls will be enemies. On top of that, Miaka will deeply fall in love with one of her warriors, Tamahome, who will love her deeply as well but: Yui will want him two; the emperor will love Miaka etc.
The first arc, deals more with the story and character development, the viewer learns a lot about the world/kingdoms, the citizens agony etc. Of course all this will be accompanied with a lot of action as well.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 2, Seiryu)
This is the continuation of the first arc. Now that the viewer has gotten into the anime, the story takes off. After failing to summon Suzaku, the warriors will have to find two holy ornaments in order to achieve it. The story starts to get darker and darker, very emotional and the actual conflict between the two parties of holy warriors takes place, and the true feelings of the love triangle (Tamahome-Miaka-Emperor) will be tested; is their love destined to fail? Additionally, characters that you will learn to love, from the first arc already, will die (be it children, men, women, warriors, emperors or whatsoever)... Last but not least, the final battles will also occur not only in the Four Gods Kingdoms but also in our world as well, because the universes will start to collide (may sound confusing but once you watch the anime it is easy to understand, it is just if I will start to explain it I will give the story and twists away, sorry guys). What will be the end?
Fushigi Yugi :The Mysterious Play OVA Boxed Set
Tamahome is now Taka (well, re-incarnated) and lives together with Miaka in our world. However, trouble occurs once a very powerful and dark force tries to escape from the world of the four kingdoms and wants to come and to destroy our world. Now again, the couple will be drawn back into the book, travel forth and back into the universes, the Suzaku Seven are gathered again and hell brakes loose; because the love of Miaka and Tamahome is in serious danger (not to mention the worlds as well).
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - Eikoden
This is, for the time being, the last of Fushigi Yugi that is out there. In these OVAs, Tamahome and Miaka are married and she is pregnant. However, a girl named Mayo will enter the book of the four gods as a new priestess of Suzaku and will try to: steal Tamahome from Miaka, who will fall into a coma, kill the Suzaku Seven, take the child of Tamahome and Miaka as her own etc. Tamahome will enter the book but the world he once knew is starting to fall apart...
Overall opinion about the series:
Personaly, I believe that this anime alongside with Escaflowne, tops every other anime in the Fantasy genre. It is very emotional, has strong character development, solid and very interesting story with way too many twists and will keep you hooked up till the end (that is something that will happen for sure hehehe)
As for the animation:
The first arc has a fair animation but still a good one (in order to get a picture, the animation is something like crave of the fireflies). The second one is updated (something like Trigun). In the first OVAs the animation is definitely updated (something like FMP). Last but not least, in the last OVAs the animation remains in the same level as the previous OVAs but the creatures' animation is something like the ones you see in Digimon (well, personally I preferred the way they used to be in the previous OVAs).
Music:
The music, no matter arcs or OVAs, opening or ending, is very - very good and emotional. You will love the music in it.
Worth buying or not?
I will be honest. Personally I love these series and bought all of them. However, the price may present itself to be an obstacle (took me two years to buy the complete show). Therefore, if you can afford it than buy it for sure and you will not regret it; if not, than try to rent it if possible because these shows are definitely worth watching. Not to mention the fact that the series all together are very long (something that I liked).
Well, I hope that I could help you by presenting you with an overall picture of Fushigi Yugi. If so then please click on the yes button below ^_^
Even Better than the First Half!.......2005-06-27
Although the first half was comical, this is where the drama sets in. When I bought the VHS version, we took our time buying the first half of the set. When it got more serious, we started buying almost three at a time (my mother and sister was helping us out with it).
At the second half, Yui and Miaka are now priestesses of Two of the Four Gods (Miaka: Suzaku, and Yui: Seiryu). The most significant warrior in their corner are Tamahome (who's become a BIG softie) and Nakago (who's a cold-hearted bastard). They are warring against each other because...of Tamahome, among the issue of being neglected in Yui's time of need. I'm not giving away any more spoilers now. The mood in this one is a lot darker than in the first half (of course).
If you are a tenderhearted viewer, and rooted for the Suzaku warriors, like I did (you had no choice really)...please keep a tissue handy. I felt sorry for some of the Seiryu warriors because of their hard pasts (and didn't for the ones that had lived before because they had no age limit or are gay). I can't believe I still get misty-eyed every time I think of it! You'd think that after 4 years I'd have gotten over it, but...I guess not! Not completely, anyway!
In order to fight for the better good, some people are killed and sacrificed in order to prove/provoke something to someone--and in my case, for character development and a juicier story. Let me stop here, before I give anything else away! I'm letting you know that the series is that good!
If you liked the first half of this series, you'll like the second half even more because of the suspense. Note to all: if you watch this half, keep the viewing down to a minimum. When I watched it, I could only watch (at most) a tape at a time. That's three episodes. If it was a traumatic (read: emotionally draining) episode, then it was only two.
This half is for kids over the age of 13, because of mature situations. Reminder: keep the hankies handy. You'll need 'em.
Caution: About the New/Used DVDs.......2005-05-15
I want to second the warning about the 3 disk Import DVDs that are being sold in the New/Used section. While I was able to get mine to play and all episodes were there, the quality is pretty bad. The picture is dark and grainy and the sound track does not match up with the visual. Sound effects and voices occur a few seconds after the action. It's really quite disappointing.
I'm puzzled as to why there are no (or at least none listed as such) used DVDs of the "legitimate" 4 disk version.
WARNING: Before you buy this used!.......2005-05-01
The used/new versions that seem to be predominantly listed here are the 3 disc import version of the film, not the 4 disc one listed here. That explains the sizable difference in price, hm? The import, while containing all but the first episode, suffers in the subtitles. The timing is off and can be frustrating, sometimes lines are even blatantly skipped. The version I bought (and returned) was even off balance and had so much trouble playing that I couldn't get past the first episode... though this may be a problem with only the one seller's product.
If you really want to see it and don't mind suffering quality a little because you can't afford the better set, then go for it. But don't say I didn't warn you!
Gripping to the end.......2004-07-28
I'm not a huge anime fan, but I have friends who are, and they got me hooked on this series. I was on tenderhooks when we got to the end of set 1, and had to get this set right away to find out what happened. This series was just as gripping; there was a point where I couldn't stop watching it, where my boyfriend and I were looking at each other and saying, "Just one more . . .," despite the lateness of the hour and work the next morning.
It's the characters that get you. I'm not a huge Miaka fan, but I can allow for her impulsiveness and teariness because she's 15. But I do like her pureness of heart and her selflessness, something that many reviews don't mention, and despite her incessant tears and her repetitive screams of "Tamahome!" I grew to care about what happened to her. And I *love* the Suzaku Seven, especially Hotohori and Nuriko, and I always wanted to know what happens to them. As for Nagako, I've seldom seen a villain I enjoyed hating more.
I give this set 4 stars instead of 5 for several reasons. There are many things that are not explained, such as how and why Nakago by himself is so much more powerful than any and all of the Suzako Seven, and where the Empress suddenly came from (that would have been an interesting storyline to have seen). Secondly, there are some inconsistencies. In the first series, Miaka's overnight trip back to real-world takes three months in book-world, but events that happened 90 years ago in real-world also happened 90 years ago in book-world (which means that one of the Priestesses was over a hundred when she dies). Finally, I wasn't satisfied by the ending. It left too many things unsettled--and (SPOILER!) I'm still angry that Hotohori died.
But see it anyway!
Amazon.com
A sprawling mixture of mythical crises and slushy teenage romance, Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play has the scale, but not the depth, of an epic.
Like the heroine of Sailor Moon, Miaka is a ditzy 15-year-old girl who's crazy about junk food and boys. She and her scholarly friend Yui find an ancient Chinese volume, The Universe of the Four Gods, about a girl "who made her dreams come true after she came to possess the seven stars of Suzaku," and are literally drawn into the book. Miaka is hailed as the girl from another world destined to become the priestess of Suzaku, the protecting deity of the Empire of Konan. She soon finds herself caught in a web of adventures, magic, deadly perils, intrigue, and counterintrigue.
Miaka gains the affection of the seven Celestial Warriors of Suzaku: martial artist Tamahome; the exquisite emperor of Konan, Hotohori; the transvestite Nuriko; sorcerer-in-training Chichiri; mountain bandit Tasuki; physician Mitsukake; and the flute-playing Chiriko. The Warriors and the Priestess are all needed to summon Suzaku to save Konan from an invasion from the rival kingdom of Kutuo. Complicating matters are Yui's estrangement from Miaka and their rivalry for the dashing Tamahome.
The animation is extremely limited, even by anime standards: director Hajime Kamegaki often uses pans over comic book-style artwork in place of character movements. But the adventures are enjoyable and the side characters are often engaging, especially Chichiri. The weakest aspect of the series is Miaka, who comes across as a whiny twit: Tamahome and Hotohori fall in love with her, but it's difficult to understand why.
Mysterious Play began as a girl's manga, then became a weekly TV program. It's more entertaining to watch one or two episodes at a time: after too many at one sitting, the story begins to feel repetitious and padded. This four-disc set includes only the first half of the story (the TV series' entire first season), ending on a real cliffhanger. The supplemental material offers a well-organized chart of the characters and their relationships, keyed to scenes in the story. --Charles Solomon
Description
Deluxe DVD Box Set contains Four Dual-Layer DVD discs in a multi-fold package with a protective plastic slipcase. Special Features include: Image Gallery, Character Information, First Season (episodes 1-26), Dual Language.
Customer Reviews:
a great gift.......2007-06-08
I got this as a gift for my girlfriend. it was the perfect gift. the product was in great condition.
Remarkable!.......2007-04-19
This is the deepest anime I have ever seen. The artwork is clean, the animation is sensational...but! The plot is the major winner here. Fushigi Yuugi is romantic, action packed, emotional, exciting, and deep. The first time I watched it, I didn't take a single break through the entire anime series. The OVA's were kind of a let-down, but the series...fantastic!
A wonderous tale of friendship, love, and the refusal to give up.......2007-01-08
What is it that draws people to anime? For many it's the amazing fight sequences that can not take place except in the most expensive of Hollywood sets. For others it's giant robots and overly endowed women. For other still it's sweet girlish romance that portrays the essence of love without being caught up in "fan service." I, however, was drawn to anime for a very different reason. Anime can be extremely well written. Unlike Hollywood movies, anime can create powerful characters, rich settings, wonderful dialogue, and natural character interaction. There are very many such classy anime, epitomized by Fruits Basket, Full Metal Alchemist, His and Her Circumstances, and Twelve Kingdoms. A lot of this may have to do with the fact that much of anime comes from novels, while others come from manga (Japanese comics that seem to have a lot of literary elements). Fushigi Yugi, an anime adaption of a manga of the same name, is one such show.
The story of Fushigi Yugi excels in many things. It is very, very unpredictable. At times, it seems that the main character does exactly the opposite of what you're convinced she'll do. For the first twenty episodes it's fairly good, turning and twisting here and there. After that, however, it becomes excellent. Fushigi Yugi turns into a very dark, very mysterious show, one that at times leaves Miaka wishing she could just go back home and forget this ever happened. Needless to say, it's very enjoyable, and though many twists seem unnecessary and overplayed (like the many "fights" between Miaka and Tamahome), once the show is seen as an interaction between humans with personalities and not the narrator's magic hand guiding puppets to a conclusion, many of them make sense and actually add a lot to the characters.
Although the storyline really is excellent, the characters is really where Fushigi Yugi excels. The four main characters from the Suzaku side, Miaka, Tamahome, Hotohori, and Nuriko, are all very well explored. They have personalities that stem from their pasts, and not vice versa. Especially well developed are Miaka and Tamahome, whose inner lives and personalities we know like the back of our hands by the end of the show. Not too far behind is Hotohori. What really intrigued me is that, in the beginning, each character seemed like an archetype. The strong and noble leader, the money obsessed wandering fighter, the cute and ditsy main female lead. However, after the first few episodes, the archetypes turn into original characters shaped in reaction to their individual circumstances. Every character has a motive for every action. From Yui and Miaka (the main female roles) to Nakago (the main evil dude), each character is extremely well played out. Even Nakago, whom I would have been content had he been left an evil, evil character, was given a past and a present, as well as motivations that reacted with his past to create a very dark future. His last scene was one of the most touching scenes I have ever seen with an evil bad guy. The characters are absolutely amazing. I would definitely pick up a show with just these characters goofing around.
Another area of expertise for Fushigi Yugi is the humor of the show. It serves very many purposes. For the first twenty episodes it allows the creators of the anime to build up the world as meticulously as possible without the viewers loosing interest. By the time the first twenty episodes are completed, the characters haven't done much, but the world is fully set up and the real adventure is ready to begin. This wouldn't have been possible without the humor of the series- it would just be too slow to actually follow. After that, however, the humor is a welcome change from the sheer darkness of the series. The final twenty episodes have it all: rape, murder, massacre, lust, unfulfilled love. The characters you have grown to really love are thrown through so much pain, without the humor it would be fairly unbearable. In the beginning, the humor is what makes you come back for more, and then later on it's just what makes sure you can survive the intensity of the show.
The animation is called lacking, but I find it fairly perfect for the show. The show is centered around the characters, and the deformed, pint sized and funny looking version of the characters around which the humor is centered wouldn't fit in a beautifully animated, realistic world. Sure, the fights could have been nicer, but they're still intense and very suspenseful. But really, after watching three episodes, you'll forget that the detail of the show isn't all that great. It's all about character and plot; animation only matters when it's supposed to be funny, and it pulls that off brilliantly.
The only main aspect of the show that's lacking is the music. This is not Rurouni Kenshin. This is not Full Metal Alchemist. Don't even mistake this for Fruits Basket. The music outright sucks. Badly. There's only one song worth listening to, but that song is done extremely well (it's near the end and comes with a major spoiler, so I'll say no more). It really is the only thing that keeps it from a five star rating- yes, it's that bad.
Ok, somewhere around 4.5 stars........2006-11-16
The schoolgirl Miaka and her best friend Yui fall into a storybook; Yui gets back somehow, and Miaka gets attached to Tamahome, who saves the two from bandits the minute they enter the story. Yui reads the story, finding out what's happening to Miaka along the way, while Miaka finds out she's the Priestess of Suzaku and must find the seven Seishi in order to save everyone... you get the drift.
The characters are very well done, and made better by an amazing cast of voice actors. Well, the Japanese voice actors, I don't know about the English voice actors.
The voice for the king, Hotohori, is Koyasu Takehito, who you may have encountered if you watched (in Japanese) Knight Hunters, Detective Loki Ragnarok, Twelve Kingdoms, other things, or listened to the band Weiss Kreuz. He's got a great deep voice that really fits the character of Hotohori.
Another member of Weiss Kreuz who also is a voice in Knight Hunters is Tomokazu Seki, who is in Fruits Basket, Chobits, Full Metal Panic, and actually just about anything you can think of... well, I guess that's extreme, but he's an extremely talented seiyuu (voice actor). He plays the role of Chichiri, the funny monk character, who has a rather squeaky voice and always says 'no da' at the end of his sentences.
Another good voice is the voice of Chiriko, who was the main character in Hikaru no Go. He doesn't appear until near the end of the set, however.
At any rate, the casting is marvelous, which is why, if you like Japanese music, you must look at 'Memories: Character's Vocal' and 'Fushigi Yuugi Best Vocal Collection'. The series music is also good, and the CD for that is 'Fushigi Yuugi Super Best Collection'.
In short, the Suzaku set boasts a good plot, great characters, fantastic music, and pretty art. While the romance may get a little old, overall I enjoyed the Suzaku set very much.
Just an overhead warning, however. If you don't plan on watching the second set, Seiryu, for various reasons (ok, bluntly, it's sad and not satisfying), you should probably not watch the last episode in the Suzaku set.
But if you haven't seen Fushigi Yuugi yet, it's a good idea to start here. Enjoy the storybook world that is similar to ancient China, with its four gods; mainly Suzaku, the phoenix, and Seiryu, the dragon: Fushigi Yuugi, the Mysterious Play.
An overall review of all Fushigi Yugi... .......2006-07-13
I will try to write a review of the entire Fushigi Yugi series so that you can have a complete (and overall) picture of this wonderful anime. Therefore, if you don't want to know what happens next then please stop reading the specific section because spoilers will be included all over in the review that is to follow.
Apart from it, I will try to maintain an overall review so that to inform the reader as much as possible without giving too much away.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 1, Suzaku)
Two fiends, Miaka and Yui - the typical Japanese high school girls- will come across a book called the `Universe of the four Gods' and will be drawn into it (SPOILER! The book basically presents itself to be something like a gate to a parallel universe with the difference that the gods of this parallel universe are the ones who `choose' whom to allow to enter and why, something that will be implied latter on, in the second box set).
There, the two girls will be confronted with a world that is divided into four kingdoms and resembles Ancient China, but each of the girls will end up in a different kingdom as a priestess of the kingdom's god; and their goal will be to gather the seven `holy' warriors in order to summon the god. The catch: the girls will be enemies. On top of that, Miaka will deeply fall in love with one of her warriors, Tamahome, who will love her deeply as well but: Yui will want him two; the emperor will love Miaka etc.
The first arc, deals more with the story and character development, the viewer learns a lot about the world/kingdoms, the citizens agony etc. Of course all this will be accompanied with a lot of action as well.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 2, Seiryu)
This is the continuation of the first arc. Now that the viewer has gotten into the anime, the story takes off. After failing to summon Suzaku, the warriors will have to find two holy ornaments in order to achieve it. The story starts to get darker and darker, very emotional and the actual conflict between the two parties of holy warriors takes place, and the true feelings of the love triangle (Tamahome-Miaka-Emperor) will be tested; is their love destined to fail? Additionally, characters that you will learn to love, from the first arc already, will die (be it children, men, women, warriors, emperors or whatsoever)... Last but not least, the final battles will also occur not only in the Four Gods Kingdoms but also in our world as well, because the universes will start to collide (may sound confusing but once you watch the anime it is easy to understand, it is just if I will start to explain it I will give the story and twists away, sorry guys). What will be the end?
Fushigi Yugi :The Mysterious Play OVA Boxed Set
Tamahome is now Taka (well, re-incarnated) and lives together with Miaka in our world. However, trouble occurs once a very powerful and dark force tries to escape from the world of the four kingdoms and wants to come and to destroy our world. Now again, the couple will be drawn back into the book, travel forth and back into the universes, the Suzaku Seven are gathered again and hell brakes loose; because the love of Miaka and Tamahome is in serious danger (not to mention the worlds as well).
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - Eikoden
This is, for the time being, the last of Fushigi Yugi that is out there. In these OVAs, Tamahome and Miaka are married and she is pregnant. However, a girl named Mayo will enter the book of the four gods as a new priestess of Suzaku and will try to: steal Tamahome from Miaka, who will fall into a coma, kill the Suzaku Seven, take the child of Tamahome and Miaka as her own etc. Tamahome will enter the book but the world he once knew is starting to fall apart...
Overall opinion about the series:
Personaly, I believe that this anime alongside with Escaflowne, tops every other anime in the Fantasy genre. It is very emotional, has strong character development, solid and very interesting story with way too many twists and will keep you hooked up till the end (that is something that will happen for sure hehehe)
As for the animation:
The first arc has a fair animation but still a good one (in order to get a picture, the animation is something like crave of the fireflies). The second one is updated (something like Trigun). In the first OVAs the animation is definitely updated (something like FMP). Last but not least, in the last OVAs the animation remains in the same level as the previous OVAs but the creatures' animation is something like the ones you see in Digimon (well, personally I preferred the way they used to be in the previous OVAs).
Music:
The music, no matter arcs or OVAs, opening or ending, is very - very good and emotional. You will love the music in it.
Worth buying or not?
I will be honest. Personally I love these series and bought all of them. However, the price may present itself to be an obstacle (took me two years to buy the complete show). Therefore, if you can afford it than buy it for sure and you will not regret it; if not, than try to rent it if possible because these shows are definitely worth watching. Not to mention the fact that the series all together are very long (something that I liked).
Well, I hope that I could help you by presenting you with an overall picture of Fushigi Yugi. If so then please click on the yes button below ^_^
Description
Summoning Suzaku! Deeply under Yui's spell, Tamahome travels to Konan to kill the Suzaku Seven and settles the question as to who would win in a fight between Hotohori and Tamahome. When the day finally comes to summon Suzaku another turn of events reveal a traitor which is quickly and sadly resolved. Despite all this, Miaka and the Suzaku Seven happily prepare to search for the means to summon Suzaku again. But this respite is short-lived
Customer Reviews:
End of a chapter, but the story isn't over........2005-05-23
The time has finally come! With the defeat of Tamahome's spell, Miaka can finally summon Suzaku and make her wishes. She learns that she is only allowed three, so she must choose wisely. Torn by the many promises and requests of the people, Miaka knows that her heart wants nothing more than to be with Tamahome.
But the summoning ceremony is disrupted with the exposure of a traitor. Despite all saddness and new pains that Tamahome and Miaka must now face, Miaka and her warriors prepare for another way to summon Suzaku. But their happiness is soon extinguished...
Vol 4 includes episodes #21-26 and ends the first chapter of Fushigi Yugi.
Awesome! Buy it now!.......2005-01-20
The first season of the season ends in a cliffhanger (gasp!), leaving you wanting more! I greatly respect Geneon for making Fushigi Yugi a more affordable series by spacing out the DVDs. The Suzaku boxset (which I also have) costs $200 whereas these individual DVDs will get you the same episodes in only $80 or so. The designs on the covers are very pretty (and they are reversible too). Overall, this is a great buy! Every shoujo fan should try this series! Although the first season isn't as emotionally moving as the second season (which made me cry every time I saw it), it still is a great purchase.
Description
Trials of a Priestess To save her newly adopted kingdom of Konan, from impending catastrophe and restore her friendship with Yui, Miaka readily accepts her responsibilities as a priestess of Suzaku and continues her task of gathering together the legendary seven celestial warriors of Suzaku. As if the zombies, bandits and Kutou spies weren't bad enough, Miaka catches a deadly plague! Yui, now a priestess of Seiryu, is bent on hurting Miaka in any way possible and plots to seduce the captured Tamahome forever - body and soul! Can Miaka ever regain her friendship with Yui after such a betrayal?
Customer Reviews:
More adventure in the Universe of the Four Gods, no da!.......2005-05-23
Miaka's quest continues in her search for the remaining warriors, as does her desire to be reunited with Tamahome, who still is waiting in Kutou with Yui, now the Priestess of Seiryu. Yui also loves Tamahome and refuses to give him up so easily, a fact which Nakago, the general of the Kutou army, uses to his advantage.
Miaka faces challenges of bandits, zombies and spies at every turn, but her resolve to find all the warriors and return Tamahome to Konan does not shake. But when all seems successful, a new trial strikes at Miaka's very heart, one that she may not feel she can return from.
Vol 3 includes episodes #14-20.
Customer Reviews:
This is a story of a girl.......2005-05-23
Miaka Yuki is a normal teenager in Japan studying for her high school exams. Little more is in her life other than her two loves: her best friend Yui and food. One day after school, Miaka accompanies Yui to the National Library. In the library, Miaka encounters a vision of a flaming red bird that leads her to a book called the Universe of the Four Gods.
As the girls begin to read, they are pulled into the pages into the world of the book. They are met by Tamahome, a young man with incredible skills as a warrior. But Yui is pulled away from the book and returns to the real world, leaving Miaka alone.
Miaka suspects Tamahome of kidnapping, so she follows him to the city capital of Konan. There, Miaka is chosen to be the Priestess of Suzaku and learns that she will be given the power to make wishes. Miaka's one true wish is to return home and pass her entrance exams, but finds that she has fallen in love.
This first volume of the series Fushigi Yugi by Yu Watase inclues the first seven episodes.
This is definatly 20 stars!.......2005-01-13
Fushigi Yugi is just about my favorite anime of all time. The animation is wonderful, Watase Yu, is an amazing artist, and the stories are so real I either laugh or cry! I am very pleased that they came out with the individual dvds because getting the box set at one time is pretty costly. This story is fantasy, drama, and romance!
This dvd has 7 episodes, just about the most I have seen on one anime dvd and it's well worth $30. Here we learn about the 15-year-old girl Miaka Yuki. Miaka and her best friend Yui travel to the national library and Miaka sees a red bird. The two girls are puzzeled and found and old ancient chinese book called The Universe of the Four gods. Suddenly a red light swarms them into the book and oddly enough they find themselves in acient China. Right when they arrived they were attacked by slave traders and a 17-year-old boy named Tamahome rescued them. Over the 7 episodes, Miaka Yuki finds herself in Conan and assumes the duty of the Preistess of Suzaku. She has to go through terrible ordeals and she must find the Seven Stars of Suzaku so she can make all of her dreams come true. Miaka finds near death, love, and regret. She has formed a strong bond with her warriors and begins to weaken. Buy this dvd to find out what happens!
Fushigi Yugi is two seasons long with four dvds each. Also there are OVAS that add even more drama to the story. It is a must buy and should be an addition to your anime collection.
Description
Illusion and doubt plague the recovery efforts for the Shinzaho of Genbu. Both ancient warriors and the deceitful methods of the Seiryu Seven have our heroes struggling to discover the truth while ensnared in this tapestry of lies. However, the unshakable devotion of Miaka and Tamahome combined with the surprise assistance of one long thought dead are able to find the light - at least temporarily. Based on the popular manga series distributed by Viz Communications, this volume of Fushigi Yugi contains six episodes (approx 150 minute running time) packaged in a clear keepcase with a double-sided wrap. Featuring animation by Studio Pierrott (Ayashi no Ceres, Yu Yu Haksho) of the original story by Yu Watase (Ayashi no Ceres, Alice 19th).
Customer Reviews:
Not to be missed!.......2005-05-09
We again are with the warriors of Suzaku in Houkkan, the land of Genbu. The Suzaku seven have suffered their first loss, but are determined to press on and be victorius over the Seiryuu Seven. Miaka, in turn, is strongly moved to make sure that nothing more will happen to any of her friends. Miaka resigns herself to the unavoidable battle that will occur between her and the Priestess of Seiryuu, Lady Yui. Meanwhile, Yui becomes aware of one of her warriors having feelings for her. But her heart cannot be moved toward him due to the pain of her past and the ache for Tamahome, a fact which the powerful Nakago uses to his advantage.
With new countries, old and returned warriors long thought dead and new trials and evils to overcome at each turn, Miaka and Tamahome's love is put to the test yet again and with each passing moment, it would seem that they are doomed to be apart.
Volume 6 of Fushigi Yugi contains 6 episodes of the series (#34-39) A set of episodes not to be missed!
Amazon.com
The third adventure set in "The Universe of the Four Gods" is a convoluted follow-up to the initial 52-episode broadcast series. Teenage Mayo nurses a gritty crush on Taka (né Tamahome), who's married to Miaka. She travels to the alternate world, which is facing imminent destruction. Taka joins the two remaining members of the original Suzaku Seven, Chichiri and Tasuki, to find the children who are the reincarnations of the other four. Nasty as she seems, Mayo is just a pawn for some evil entity disguised as the phoenix-god Suzaku. Mayo, Miaka, et al. defeat the false Suzaku and restore the fading world. This slushy romantic fantasy ends before it begins, leaving numerous questions unresolved, including the identity of the evil pseudo-Suzaku. (It will make no sense to viewers who haven't seen the first series.) The limited drawn animation fails to mesh with the CG effects. (Rated 13 and older: Violence, nudity, profanity) --Charles Solomon
Customer Reviews:
An overall review of all Fushigi Yugi... .......2006-07-13
I will try to write a review of the entire Fushigi Yugi series so that you can have a complete (and overall) picture of this wonderful anime. Therefore, if you don't want to know what happens next then please stop reading the specific section because spoilers will be included all over in the review that is to follow.
Apart from it, I will try to maintain an overall review so that to inform the reader as much as possible without giving too much away.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 1, Suzaku)
Two fiends, Miaka and Yui - the typical Japanese high school girls- will come across a book called the `Universe of the four Gods' and will be drawn into it (SPOILER! The book basically presents itself to be something like a gate to a parallel universe with the difference that the gods of this parallel universe are the ones who `choose' whom to allow to enter and why, something that will be implied latter on, in the second box set).
There, the two girls will be confronted with a world that is divided into four kingdoms and resembles Ancient China, but each of the girls will end up in a different kingdom as a priestess of the kingdom's god; and their goal will be to gather the seven `holy' warriors in order to summon the god. The catch: the girls will be enemies. On top of that, Miaka will deeply fall in love with one of her warriors, Tamahome, who will love her deeply as well but: Yui will want him two; the emperor will love Miaka etc.
The first arc, deals more with the story and character development, the viewer learns a lot about the world/kingdoms, the citizens agony etc. Of course all this will be accompanied with a lot of action as well.
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 2, Seiryu)
This is the continuation of the first arc. Now that the viewer has gotten into the anime, the story takes off. After failing to summon Suzaku, the warriors will have to find two holy ornaments in order to achieve it. The story starts to get darker and darker, very emotional and the actual conflict between the two parties of holy warriors takes place, and the true feelings of the love triangle (Tamahome-Miaka-Emperor) will be tested; is their love destined to fail? Additionally, characters that you will learn to love, from the first arc already, will die (be it children, men, women, warriors, emperors or whatsoever)... Last but not least, the final battles will also occur not only in the Four Gods Kingdoms but also in our world as well, because the universes will start to collide (may sound confusing but once you watch the anime it is easy to understand, it is just if I will start to explain it I will give the story and twists away, sorry guys). What will be the end?
Fushigi Yugi :The Mysterious Play OVA Boxed Set
Tamahome is now Taka (well, re-incarnated) and lives together with Miaka in our world. However, trouble occurs once a very powerful and dark force tries to escape from the world of the four kingdoms and wants to come and to destroy our world. Now again, the couple will be drawn back into the book, travel forth and back into the universes, the Suzaku Seven are gathered again and hell brakes loose; because the love of Miaka and Tamahome is in serious danger (not to mention the worlds as well).
Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - Eikoden
This is, for the time being, the last of Fushigi Yugi that is out there. In these OVAs, Tamahome and Miaka are married and she is pregnant. However, a girl named Mayo will enter the book of the four gods as a new priestess of Suzaku and will try to: steal Tamahome from Miaka, who will fall into a coma, kill the Suzaku Seven, take the child of Tamahome and Miaka as her own etc. Tamahome will enter the book but the world he once knew is starting to fall apart...
Overall opinion about the series:
Personaly, I believe that this anime alongside with Escaflowne, tops every other anime in the Fantasy genre. It is very emotional, has strong character development, solid and very interesting story with way too many twists and will keep you hooked up till the end (that is something that will happen for sure hehehe)
As for the animation:
The first arc has a fair animation but still a good one (in order to get a picture, the animation is something like crave of the fireflies). The second one is updated (something like Trigun). In the first OVAs the animation is definitely updated (something like FMP). Last but not least, in the last OVAs the animation remains in the same level as the previous OVAs but the creatures' animation is something like the ones you see in Digimon (well, personally I preferred the way they used to be in the previous OVAs).
Music:
The music, no matter arcs or OVAs, opening or ending, is very - very good and emotional. You will love the music in it.
Worth buying or not?
I will be honest. Personally I love these series and bought all of them. However, the price may present itself to be an obstacle (took me two years to buy the complete show). Therefore, if you can afford it than buy it for sure and you will not regret it; if not, than try to rent it if possible because these shows are definitely worth watching. Not to mention the fact that the series all together are very long (something that I liked).
Well, I hope that I could help you by presenting you with an overall picture of Fushigi Yugi. If so then please click on the yes button below ^_^
Clearing things up from Chelsea's review.......2006-03-15
First of all, the wedding was not b/c of Miaka's pregnancy!!!!!!! When they found out she was preggers they figured it out that it was a HONEYMOON baby!!
Not the best of the series, but not the worst of anime........2006-03-04
A lot of the criticism of the previous reviews is valid in scope, but not in degree. Mayo isn't the most endearing of heroines (but, then again, was Miaka really all that great?), and the story is a little rushed (but compared to the first OVA?), but it's still a fun spin through Konan. The main show is far superior, but this is still more. If you loved it enough, even mediocre more is welcome.
Definitely not as bad as the previous reviews.......2005-12-14
Wow, those other reviews make this sound like a cheap knockoff to make more money. I personally thought this was a good spin-off and a good film for those Fushigi Yugi nuts, like myself, who just need a little bit more to feel satisfied.
I won't bore you with another synopsis of the story. However, I did like that the original voices were used (not common for an anime made a good five years after the original tv series). I also thought the twist of bringing the characters back was well done, not hokey. Does it give it a feel that poor Miaka and Taka will never escape this book? Not really, just more of the cycle of life and how destiny repeats itself. Which in some ways is good (you know that the Suzaku Seven will always reunite and be together) and bad (Mistukake's love dies...AGAIN!).
Also there's is some computer animation in this one, an interesting choice. You really see the difference between it and the cell animation. I liked the contrast.
All in all, nothing beats the original series. And I really don't expect spin-offs to. For the true fan, who was left at the end of the series (usually watching it for more than 24 hours straight) going "Nooooo, it can't be over!", the OVAs and Eikoden are a good way to ease off the Fushigi Yugi addiction. And I love that, I've not seen any other anime series carry on after the finale of the tv show like this one has.
So give credit where credit's due. Nothing will ever beat the series. And nothing should. But this was a well done anime. And as a sequel, it works.
A Waste of Paper, Color, and Story.......2005-06-27
Ah, we get to see the lovely Miaka and Taka again...2-3 years later. They're married, and Miaka's pregnant. Wow. Great. What could the producers possibly come up with this time? This isn't Watase Yu's fault. Then again, it is...a fanfic (a fictional story by a fan based on these characters on a website) was approved by Yu, and thus Eikoden begins.
We see this little girl named Mayo, who's on the basketball team with her friend, Saori. The coaches are Keisuke, and you guessed it...Taka. Guess who she has the crush on? Too predictable, I tell you--no need to elaborate here. Mayo's jealousy and rage (at Taka's/Miaka's marriage) equal Yui's of old when she discovers the Universe of the Four Gods and becomes a Suzaku priestess. Keisuke become a witness again to the book's powers as it takes Mayo inside. Mayo wants Taka for herself, in any way that she can. The shinzaho is Miaka's baby, and Miaka's laying in a hospital bed, helpless...or so she seems. Enough of that. I see the original voice of Tamahome (in the English dubbed version) got sick of this convoluted mess, and didn't want to be part of it, because it wasn't his voice that I heard. It sounded similar, but it wasn't him.
If you are a true-blue fan of Fushigi Yugi/Mysterious Play, then at least ask someone who's heard of it and ask them to lend it to you. I got this DVD as a gift, so it sits with the rest of the FY collection...untouched. We view it at least once in a while, but why bother? Mayo has no redeeming virtues because we didn't know her, so we instantly hate her when she tries to separate Taka from Miaka.
The good points was that we got to see the Suzaku Seven come together again (Chichiri and Tasuki are alive and well; the others reborn), though whatever kind of evil it was remained unseen (I still don't know what it was), and I won't even bother trying to find out. All I did was say, "WTF?" and scratched my head, trying to figure it out, and eventually gave up. Also loved the music (which I downloaded).
All in all, try your best to go to a website and read the story, if I were you. You'd waste money trying to buy something like this. The OVA was the end of FY; don't try to resurrect it with some bull like this.
Customer Reviews:
Very sad, yet very awesome..........2005-07-26
This DVD of Fushigi Yuugi is probably my most favorite out of the ones I have seen.
Episode 27- A murder caused by Suboishi. This causes Tamahome to go into a rage and he began striking Suboishi, but before he almost murdered him, a cloaked figure saved him as Nuriko tried to hold him back. Of course, they escape, and Tamahome calms down.
As Miaka and Nuriko were going to set off without him the next morning, he was ready to go.
Episode 28- Basically a wrap-up of what has happened so far. Explains how Miaka got there, the Suzaku Seven, Yui, and Love.
Episode 29- The group sets off without Hotohori for the Hokan empire. But a storm sets them off their course as Tamahome, Nuriko, and Miaka aren thrown off. Upon that, they see shelter and try to get on, when suddenly lightning strikes just as Tamahome was about to get out.
Episode 30- Nuriko is able to pull Tamahome out of the water, and into the shelter. There, Nuriko explains about his little sister, Korin, who died when he was very young. Soon after that, the shelter gets a hole, and they are forced out, as Miaka falls into the water. Tamahome jumps in to save her, and Nuriko pulls both out. The boat with the others arrive after that, as the cloaked figure appears again.
Episode 31- Soi of the Seiryu Seven, the cloaked figure, tries to murder Miaka. Using the sword Hotohori gave her, she's able to defeat Soi, and the group arrives in Hokan. Once there, they take refuge in a small village for a day or so, and then they head to a big city.
There, a man mistakes Nuriko for a girl, and he cuts all his hair off, leaving him with shorter hair, as everyone is shocked.
The group splits up to search for clues about the Shinziho, and Nuriko, Miaka, and Tamahome discover something about it. As Tamahome goes with an air-do-well to discover it. Once he returns , he bumps into Yui, and they talk, and Yui says some harsh words.
Back with Miaka, she feels a chill up her spine, and as she walks out from where they were. Just then, Ashtaree, of the Seiryu Seven, jumps out to attack Miaka, and Nuriko runs to get to Miaka.
Episode 32- Nuriko is able to push Miaka out of the way, but he gets injured. He then uses a signal flare to burn the beast, who runs off. Miaka asks if he's okay, and Tamahome returns with news of where the Shinziho is. Tamahome asks where the signal flare is, and Nuriko explains.
They stay in an inn for a while, and Nuriko and Tamahome talk, and Miaka eavesdrops.
As they head out, one should head on for the shiniho, while the other two go find Chichiri and the others. Nuriko goes to find where the shiniho may be hidden. There, as he is about to clear the path for Miaka and the others, Ashtaree finds Nuriko and is going to fight him. "And their deathmatch began."
I won't say anything for episode 33, because anything I'd say about it would spoil it for you. But it's sad.
It's a must get for anyone! If you get it, you won't be sorry, but I do recomend watching it from the beginning. But this one's too good to pass up!
Saddness abounds.......2005-05-23
The second chapter of the story begins with tragedy and ends with tragedy. But these tragedies only strengthen Miaka's determination to save Konan, its people and those she loves. Miaka has come through the fire of death only to become a stronger priestess. Her strength is tested by new Seiryu warriors are revealed to challenge her. Miaka has also resolved herself to spend her life with Tamahome in the world of the book.
Yui, who continues to work against Miaka in her own agenda, is beginning to realize that her life has little meaning beyond her role as Priestess and is swallowed in bitterness from betrayal and unrequited love. Nakago, the Kutou general, uses Yui's bitterness for his own plan.
As yet another death shakes Miaka to the core, her determination to see the Seiryu and Kutou defeated burns all the brighter.
Vol 5 includes episodes #27-33.
DVD:
- [8-DVD Box Set] Fushigi Yugi Perfect Collection
- ABC Wide World of Sports: 40 Years of Glory
- Agent Aika - Final Battle
- Ah! My Goddess, Season 2: Flights of Fancy, Vol. 3 - Reunited and It Feels So Good
- Appleseed (Widescreen) (2004)
- Bastard - Complete Collection
- Blood - The Last Vampire
- Boogiepop Phantom - Boxed Set (Evolutions 1-4)
- Castle in the Sky
- Compelling Evidence
DVD
DVD
![[8-DVD Box Set] Fushigi Yugi Perfect Collection](http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21MSZ625BWL.jpg)
Fushigi Yugi
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Legend of Himiko Complete Collection
Fruits Basket Series Box Set (2004)
Devil Hunter Yohko: The Complete Collection
Pretear: Complete Collection
Chobits - The Chobits Collection
