setzergab's Full Review: Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play - VHS Box Set
This boxed set contains the first half of the superb anime series Fushigi Yugi on 8 tapes or 4 DVDs. I was introduced to the adventures of Miaka and Tamahome while attending the anime society of my old university, who had got a fansub translation of it. Soon after they started showing it, I found out that Pioneer were releasing it officially in the US. So I just had to check it out...
The translation of Fushigi Yugi is "Mysterious Play", and what a mysterious play it is too.... the action centres around Miaki Yuuki and her best friend Yui Hongo, both students at Toritsu Daison Junior High School in Tokyo. One day they go to the library to study for their high school entrance exams, when Miaka is distracted by an mysterious red glow.. they follow the trail together and find an old mysterious book in a forbidden section of the library... They begin to read and the story begins, catapulting them into the ancient Chinese world they are reading about...
The story features themes drawn from chinese astrology, superimposed on the struggle between two kingdoms, the warlike nation of Kutou threatening to overwhelm and crush the smaller Konan under an iron-mailed fist. The only hope for Konan is the myth of the Suzuku no Miko (Priestess of Suzuku) who will come from another world in a time of great crisis to summon the Beast God patron of Konan, Suzuku (The Phoenix). Miaka becomes agrees to become the saviour of Konan and the series follows the trials and tribulations of Miaka, and her search for her protectors, the seven stars of Suzuku, mystical warriors that will fight for Miaka until the end.
Love is a powerful theme within the story. A lot of the plot revolves around Miaka and her developing relationship between one of her warriors, Tamahome. Miaka falls head of heels upon her first meeting with Tamahome, when Miaka and Yui are waylaid by bandits after first travelling to Konan. Tamahome steps in and saves them both... and in so doing wins both girls hearts. The series shows the full range of love, the joys and the pain... shows how love can be twisted into hate and jealousy.
The animation is top quality with all the characters, scenes, etc, being very well drawn, and musically it is a masterpiece... you can't help but feel the emotion as soon as the title music starts. Just as a general warning the series is not designed for young children, as there are strong themes within... violent issues such as rape and the merciless killing of innocents are dealt with. They are however tastefully dealt with and are an integral part of the story, designed to shock, but not to be gratuitously violent.
Here's the boring technical bit.. In this boxed set you're getting 650 minutes of top-notch story for around 100$ for VHS tape (sub or dub)or 200$ for the DVD edition (hybrid sub/dub). By buying the set you're saving yourself a load of money (to buy the VHS tapes seperately would run to 240$ subtitled or 200$ dubbed), as well as not having the agonising pain of having to go out and by the next tape... as believe me.... the story grips you so much it takes over your life....
I recommend this boxed set to all of you out there. I'm sure anime fans will already know and love the series and well, buying this set saves us money-starved otaku a good few bucks, and even if you aren't an anime fan at the moment, I recommend you check it out.. I guarantee you love it, and perhaps it might open your eyes to the wonderful worlds and stories coming out of the studios of japanese animation studios. Oh and good news... Pioneer have just released the second half of the series as a boxed set too... so what are you waiting for???
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