ssjakira1's Full Review: Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play Vol. 5 - The Dyi...
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
It’s 7:20, Sunday, my Broncos didn’t beat the Steelers so I’m not too excited about the Super Bowl – so instead I’m gonna watch some Fushigi Yuugi and dish out the next review.
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. Now that we’re in Volume 5, you’re really going to have to go back and check out Volume 1 because this series is one you really do need to see from the beginning. All the events are based upon things that have come before and you wouldn’t have any idea where you are, who you’re looking at, and what is going on. Besides, you’re going to spoil things if you read on, unless you don’t mind.
So Far: Miaka Yuuki is a 15-year-old schoolgirl (who else?) who discovers an old book after following a mysterious bird. She and her friend Yui are both eventually sucked into it and have become characters in 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, the cross-dressing Nuriko, and the cheery fox-like Chichiri in the land of Konan. All four are chosen protectors of the Priestess of Suzaku; the Suzaku Seven. Yui has since met up with Nakago, a strange foreign general of the land of Kutou, who also happens to be one of the Seiryu Seven – giving Yui the title of Priestess of Seiryu. But is Miaka up to being the Priestess? Does that make her and Yui enemies? How can they get out of this book?
Right, 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 14: Miaka, Hotohori, and Nuriko have been captured by mountain bandits on their way to search for Tamahome (surprise, surprise). Still, with that little mirror Taiitsukun gave Miaka, she’s sure that one of the Suzaku Seven is among these thieves, but getting that information could be pretty troublesome…
Episode 15: Well it’s bad news for Miaka, Hotohori, and Nuriko…and then more bad news…and then even worse news. Is there a sliver lining to be found?
Episode 16: In their attempt to find more members of the Suzaku Seven, Miaka falls deathly ill and there’s no cure for the disease. And to make things worse, Tamahome is still stuck in Kutou, learning what it means to be a hostage in a hostile country.
So the music within the show is a little older, some saxophone for tender moments, which is amusing, and then there’s the opening and closing songs. They’re pretty good and can get stuck in your head – I was just humming one of them today. They’re both pretty upbeat and it’s hard for me to say which one I prefer.
Animation = goodness. As usual, Tamahome, Hotohori, Nuriko, Yui, and Miaka’s voices are the same and I’m enjoying/accustomed to them. Actually Nuriko’s is still female and I know the character is a male so sometimes I forget… Nakago is getting meaner and meaner and I still enjoy his voice though it seems a bit deep for the look of the character – but I don’t care. Haha. Tasuki is pretty enjoyable, though if he gets really excited his voice jumps up to a higher pitch that doesn’t quite seem to work, but otherwise he’s gained the seal of approval. And I think I know the voice of yet another character that’s popped up…
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, such as during an attempted murder on Miaka’s life, or when Nakago tortures Tamahome. I guess it’s because of the age group this anime sort of aims for, but it can be a bit annoying and sort of ruins the mood. Another thing is Miaka (yes, again) – during her horrible sickness, there are times when she just sits up or walks around like she’s hunky-dory when five seconds before she was in “so much pain.” Ok, so are you really in that much pain or what? I blame the writers on that one – it just doesn’t make sense, but oh well. The story is progressing along at a rather steady pace, and has some interesting side stories, which is nice. It gives a little variety and keeps things from being too linear (because that can sometimes be boring).
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, some sexual content, and a bit of cross-dressing (though Nuriko isn’t wearing a dress anymore) and mistaken identities (Miaka feels she has to keep making sure a pretty woman is actually a woman). 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 52 episodes on a total of 16 volumes, and things are getting quite interesting. But I’m starting to wonder, if I’m only on episode 16 and there are 36 more to go – what on earth is going to happen because they’re just a point where I can’t think of anything… Either way, I’m 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 5:
14. Wolf in the Fortress
15. The City Of Resurrection
16. Battle of Sorrow
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