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 I’m just really lazy) and there’s nothing on TV, I popped in the third tape of the Fushigi Yuugi series – and no, I’m not spelling it wrong – I just know my Japanese.
Watase Yuu is responsible for this girls’ anime, though I’m not familiar with anything else she’s 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 there’s anything else you’d be interested in. If you’re just tuning in, then you’re 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 what’s going on in the series, it’s like you’re reading a book – and it won’t work if you start up in some middle chapter. Besides, you’re going to spoil things if you read on, unless you don’t 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 let’s 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 don’t like dishing out spoilers.
Episode 8: Miaka’s back on Earth – but where’s Yui? Miaka spills her guts to her bother, Keisuke, in flashback-montage style. Of course he doesn’t believe her and she still can’t find Yui. So where else could Yui be? Geez, let me guess…
Episode 9: Three months have passed?? Yikes – and Tamahome isn’t waiting there for Miaka (and she’s surprised by this?)? Because of this, she’s gone off with Nuriko to find him. But who is that weird guy? Who’s killed the villagers? And do we finally get to figure out what is up with Tamahome’s unending quest for money?
Episode 10: Miaka is trying so hard to find Yui – can she do it? There’s been talk of the Priestess of Seiryu…could that be Yui?
It’s occurred to me that though I’ve made a bit of fun of the old music within the show, I’ve not yet mentioned the opening and closing songs. They’re actually pretty good and can get stuck in your head if you’re not careful. They’re both pretty upbeat and it’s hard for me to say which one I prefer.
Animation = goodness. Nakago’s character looks very promising, both visually and in voice. I’m still not to keen on some of the others. Sometimes it just seems that some of the voice actors are trying too hard. Miaka’s voice is still…meh, but it’s okay. Tamahome’s is a little better, Hotohori’s voice good, and after finding out Nuriko is actually a guy, it’s still a bit weird that the voice actor is 100% female and I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon, which is kind of…I-don’t-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 it’s a bit awkward and unnecessary. Miaka is still an idiot. I mean, she’s 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 didn’t 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 don’t know what you allow your child to see and not see, so I’ll 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, it’s up to you. I’m sure a 15-year-old can handle it (Miaka is 15 and Tamahome 17), but that’s not up to me.
There are also 52 episodes so I can’t 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 I’m borrowing these, because I’m too cheap to shell out that much cash. Besides, I’d get the DVD versions anyway just to get my hands on the subtitled version. I like to compare.
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