Fushigi Yugi :The Mysterious Play OVA Boxed Set

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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.

DVD:

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