ssjakira1's Full Review: Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play Vol. 3 - Separat...
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
Seeing as how I have nothing better to do with my life (actually Im just really lazy) and theres nothing on TV, I popped in the third tape of the Fushigi Yuugi series and no, Im not spelling it wrong I just know my Japanese.
Watase Yuu is responsible for this girls anime, though Im not familiar with anything else shes done the way I am with a few other creators. But if you like you can look her up on the internet and see if theres anything else youd be interested in. If youre just tuning in, then youre going to have to rewind back to Volume 1 because this series is one in which you really do need to see from the start. Not unlike whats going on in the series, its like youre reading a book and it wont work if you start up in some middle chapter. Besides, youre going to spoil things if you read on, unless you dont mind.
Quick recap Miaka Yuuki is a 15-year-old schoolgirl (typical) who discovers a mysterious book after following a mysterious bird. She and her friend Yui get sucked into the book shortly after Yui gets thrown out again, but continues to read the book as Miaka has now become one of the characters. Miaka has since met the handsome money-happy Tamahome, extra beautiful Emperor Hotohori, and the lovely male courtesan Nuriko (who knew??). All three are chosen to be protectors of the Priestess of Suzaku; the Suzaku Seven. But is Miaka up to being the Priestess and saving this strange land of Konan?
All right, well lets take a look see at the next three episodes that are in this volume. However, since each episode slips right into the next one, the info I give you is going to be pretty basic, seeing as I dont like dishing out spoilers.
Episode 8: Miakas back on Earth but wheres Yui? Miaka spills her guts to her bother, Keisuke, in flashback-montage style. Of course he doesnt believe her and she still cant find Yui. So where else could Yui be? Geez, let me guess
Episode 9: Three months have passed?? Yikes and Tamahome isnt waiting there for Miaka (and shes surprised by this?)? Because of this, shes gone off with Nuriko to find him. But who is that weird guy? Whos killed the villagers? And do we finally get to figure out what is up with Tamahomes unending quest for money?
Episode 10: Miaka is trying so hard to find Yui can she do it? Theres been talk of the Priestess of Seiryu could that be Yui?
Its occurred to me that though Ive made a bit of fun of the old music within the show, Ive not yet mentioned the opening and closing songs. Theyre actually pretty good and can get stuck in your head if youre not careful. Theyre both pretty upbeat and its hard for me to say which one I prefer.
Animation = goodness. Nakagos character looks very promising, both visually and in voice. Im still not to keen on some of the others. Sometimes it just seems that some of the voice actors are trying too hard. Miakas voice is still meh, but its okay. Tamahomes is a little better, Hotohoris voice good, and after finding out Nuriko is actually a guy, its still a bit weird that the voice actor is 100% female and I dont think thats going to change any time soon, which is kind of I-dont-know-what-to-do-ish. Chichiri on the other hand, is quite enjoyable and fits very well with his role.
There are times during the story when things are supposed to be serious and something comedic happens. I suppose to keep things light, but sometimes its a bit awkward and unnecessary. Miaka is still an idiot. I mean, shes got good intentions, but still, there are many times when I just think she does some stupid things that are really unwarranted. Aside from that, the story is getting rather interesting with turns I didnt see coming, and some of the cute and unexpected things make up for the annoyances.
A brief warning for all you parents out there I dont know what you allow your child to see and not see, so Ill just point out that there is a tiny bit of swearing, violence (including some blood and death), a bit of nudity, and a bit of cross-dressing (*coughNurikocough*). So really, its up to you. Im sure a 15-year-old can handle it (Miaka is 15 and Tamahome 17), but thats not up to me.
There are also 52 episodes so I cant say for sure how serious events will get, though it looks like things are picking up more and more. Yes, 52 episodes on a total of 16 volumes. Glad Im borrowing these, because Im too cheap to shell out that much cash. Besides, Id get the DVD versions anyway just to get my hands on the subtitled version. I like to compare.
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