ssjakira1's Full Review: Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play Vol. 4 - The Pri...
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
Well until my friend calls me about drinks and movies, I’m going to be an anime slug and review the next three episodes of Fushigi Yuugi.
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.
Your briefing: 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 – and after managing to get out and taken in again, the two have now become like characters in the book, the Universe of the Four Gods, which Miaka’s brother Keisuke is now reading. Miaka has since met the protective Tamahome, near-perfect Emperor Hotohori, and the lovely male courtesan Nuriko (who knew??), and the cheery fox-like Chichiri. All four are chosen to be protectors of the Priestess of Suzaku; the Suzaku Seven. But is Miaka up to being the Priestess, finding Yui, and saving the 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 11: Miaka’s found Yui, but it seems like everyone has a secret to hide…and some of them aren’t so good.
Episode 12: What is with Yui’s bizarre behavior? Can Miaka find the answer? And if she does, what can she do to help?
Episode 13: A trade – Tamahome for the security of Konan villages and their people. So what do we do now? Go look for him of course! But of course that’s not ever going to be easy…
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. I am liking Nakago. He looks like fun, haha. Granted, I don’t think he’s ever going to be a good guy, but I will say that he’s got a pretty sexy voice and that I’d like to meet the guy who does it. It’s hard to say whether or not the voice really matches Nakago, but it sounds too good for me to care much, haha. As for the others, well if you’re going in order with this series and bothering with my reviews, you should know my stance on Miaka, Tamahome, and Hotohori by now. I still have yet to make a definitive decision about Nuriko and his female VA (voice actor), though I understand the reasons behind the choice. The one VA I know I approve of – and I approved immediately so that’s a good thing, was Chichiri as he fits the part very well. He’s been pretty happy-go-lucky so far, but I’m willing to bet money his serious side is just as good. Now that I think about it, I haven’t mentioned Yui at all. I guess that means I’m pretty indifferent about her voice, though I admit she does a fine job in episode 12 with Yui’s, ah, predicament. Though I do admit I like her voice better than Miaka’s.
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, like when Miaka finally found Yui. I guess I’ll just have to accept the fact that there’s a big dumb part in Miaka’s brain. After all, she’s only 15 so I guess she’s prone to doing dumb things. Not that I remember doing anything dumb when I was 15, but in this situation who knows how I might have acted (though I still think it would have been far different from Miaka). The story is progressing along at a rather steady pace, which is nice – slow enough to take things in, but not so slow that it feels like things are getting dragged out.
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 (though Nuriko isn’t wearing a dress anymore) and mistaken identities (Hotohori is just too pretty to be a guy – or so some are sure of at times). 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 on a total of 16 volumes, and things are getting quite interesting; I dig on Hotohori and Tamahome’s little rivalry. 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.
Volume 4:
11. Priestess of Seiryu
12. Only You
13. For The Sake Of Love
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