| Fushigi Yûgi | |
 Cover of the firsttankōbon volume, featuring Miaka Yuki | |
| ふしぎ遊戯 (Fushigi Yūgi) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Yuu Watase |
| Published by | Shogakukan |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Flower Comics |
| Magazine | Shōjo Comic |
| Demographic | Shōjo |
| Original run | December 1991 –May 1996 |
| Volumes | 18(List of volumes) |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Hajime Kamegaki |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Yoshio Urasawa |
| Music by | Yusuke Honma |
| Studio | Pierrot |
| Licensed by |
|
| Original network | TXN (TV Tokyo) |
| English network | |
| Original run | April 6, 1995 – March 28, 1996 |
| Episodes | 52(List of episodes) |
| Original video animation | |
| Directed by | Hajime Kamegaki |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Genki Yoshimura |
| Music by | Yusuke Honma |
| Studio | Pierrot |
| Licensed by | |
| Released | October 25, 1996 – August 25, 1998 |
| Runtime | 25 minutes (each) |
| Episodes | 9(List of episodes) |
| Light novel | |
| Written by | Megumi Nishizaki |
| Illustrated by | Yuu Watase |
| Published by | Shogakukan |
| Original run | January 30, 1998 –September 26, 2003 |
| Volumes | 13(List of volumes) |
| Original video animation | |
| Fushigi Yûgi: Eikoden | |
| Directed by | Nanako Shimazaki |
| Written by | Hiroaki Sato |
| Music by | Ryo Sakai |
| Studio | Pierrot |
| Licensed by |
|
| Released | December 21, 2001 – June 25, 2002 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes (each) |
| Episodes | 4(List of episodes) |
| Related works | |
Fushigi Yûgi (Japanese:ふしぎ遊戯,lit. "Mysterious Game"[3]), also known asFushigi Yûgi: The Mysterious Play[4] orCurious Play,[5] is a Japanesemanga series written and illustrated byYuu Watase. It tells the story of two teenaged girls, Miaka and Yui, who are pulled intoThe Universe of the Four Gods, a mysterious book at theNational Diet Library. It is based on thefour mythological creatures of China.Shogakukan serializedFushigi Yûgi inShōjo Comic from December 1991 to May 1996 and later compiled the manga into eighteentankōbon volumes.
Studio Pierrot adapted it into a fifty-two episodeanime series that aired from April 1995 to March 1996 onTV Tokyo. The anime spawned threeoriginal video animation (OVA) releases, with the first having three episodes, the second having six, and the final OVA,Fushigi Yûgi: Eikoden, spanning four episodes. In North America,Viz Media licensed the manga series for an English-language release in 1999. The anime series was first licensed byGeneon Entertainment and re-licensed byMedia Blasters in 2012.
A thirteen-volume Japaneselight novel series, written by Megumi Nishizaki, followedFushigi Yûgi. Shogakukan published the novels from January 1998 to September 2003. Watase also released two prequel manga series:Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, which ran from March 2003 to February 2013, andFushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki, which began serialization in August 2017.
As of November 2015,Fushigi Yûgi had over 20 million copies in circulation, making it one of thebest-selling manga series of all time.
The series describes the various trials ofMiaka Yuki andYui Hongo, twojunior high school students. While at the library one day, Miaka and Yui encounter a strange book known asThe Universe of the Four Gods. Reading this book transports them into the novel's universe in ancient China. Yui is transported back to the real world almost immediately, but Miaka finds herself the Priestess of Suzaku.
Miaka is destined to gather the seven Celestial Warriors of the god Suzaku in order to summon Suzaku and obtain three wishes. She falls in love with the Celestial Warrior Tamahome, who eventually reciprocates and Miaka's desire to use a wish to enter the high school of her choice begins to shift towards finding a way to be with Tamahome.
Yui is also drawn into the book when she tries to help Miaka to come back to the real world; becoming the Priestess of Seiryuu, working against Miaka out of jealousy over Tamahome and revenge for the humiliation and pain she had suffered when she first came into the book's world.
Yui HongoVoiced by:Yumi Tōma (Japanese);Wendee Lee (English)
Yui Hongo (本郷 唯,Hongō Yui) is the Priestess ofSeiryū (Seiryū no Miko). An intelligent and mature girl, she is a tenth grade student and Miaka Yuki's best friend. A passionate person at heart, she tends to see the world in black and white terms and is easily infuriated with perceived betrayal. Yui is confident and bold with everything she does, but longs for someone to take care of her. Although throughout the course of the story, Yui is in love with Tamahome, she ultimately gets together with Tetsuya Kajiwara.
NakagoVoiced by:Tōru Furusawa (anime),Ken Narita (game) (Japanese); Michael Deak (English)
Nakago (心宿), considered to be the leader of theSeiryū warriors, is themain antagonist ofFushigi Yûgi, and theantihero in the second OVA. Nakago is both merciless and charismatic; he eliminates those whose usefulness to him is exhausted and skillfully manipulates others into doing as he wishes. Nakago's powers as a Celestial Warrior is shown to be stronger than any of the Suzaku and Seiryū warriors, having the ability to manipulatechi, enabling himself to becomepsychokinetic, fire energy blasts, and set up force fields. In battle, Nakago also utilizes a whip and sword.
AmiboshiVoiced by:Yūji Ueda (anime),Tetsuya Kakihara (game) (Japanese);Steve Staley (English)
Amiboshi (亢宿) is the elder twin brother of Suboshi. As a Celestial Warrior, Amiboshi is capable of emitting chi through his mouth and channel it through a flute to control the will of others. A skilled flute player, Amiboshi holds the instrument to the left when using his powers, but to the right when he is simply playing the flute. He works as a spy.
SuboshiVoiced by:Yūji Ueda (anime),Tetsuya Kakihara (game) (Japanese);Steve Staley (English)
Suboshi (角宿) is the younger twin brother ofAmiboshi. As a Celestial Warrior, he can use a secret weapon known as the Ryūseisui, a double-meteor bell, and control it with his will alone. He and his brother can communicate with one another by writing messages on their bodies. In terms of temperament, Suboshi is fierce, impulsive, and stubborn to a fault, unwilling to listen to reason once he becomes determined to do something. Suboshi is particularly devoted to his brother and will not hesitate to kill if it means protecting Amiboshi, even killing fellow Seiryū warrior Tomo without a second thought for this reason alone.
SoiVoiced by:Atsuko Tanaka (anime),Yōko Honna (game) (Japanese);Melodee M. Spevack (English)
Soi (房宿) was rescued byNakago when she was a child and is his most devoted follower. As a Celestial Warrior, Soi possessesFeng Shui related powers allowing her to control lightning, induce electromagnetic fields, but is also skilled in Fhangzang and chi raising techniques. She was born in Gen, a province near the Kutō border. Soi normally appears as a formidable armored fighter who speaks like a man, concealing a kind heart and feminine nature.
AshitareVoiced by:Ryūzaburō Ōtomo (anime),Kenji Nomura (game) (Japanese);Lenore Zann (English)
Ashitare (尾宿) is awerewolf from Hokkan whomNakago found in a circus tent; until then, Ashitare apparently was a circus side-show. Hardened and angry, he developed a hatred of humans and would devour human flesh after killing them. Because of Ashitare's brute strength, he is seemingly unstoppable.
TomoVoiced by:Nobuo Tobita (anime),Yūichi Nakamura (game) (Japanese); Kevin Seymour (English)
Tomo (氐宿) is an illusionist and performer among the Celestial Warriors ofSeiryū. Having faced hardship since childhood, Tomo is sadistic and cruel, possessing a contorted mentality and severe attitude toward others. Tomo's abilities as a Celestial Warrior allow him to hypnotize opponents.
MiboshiVoiced by: Midori Nakazawa (Japanese);Barbara Goodson (English)
Miboshi (箕宿) is the last of theSeiryū Celestial Warriors to appear. While he looks like a young boy, he is actually much older than the other Seiryū warriors. As a Celestial Warrior he can possess others - as well as summoning and controlling demons. He employs a Tibetan prayer-wheel with sutras inscribed on it to summon monsters and to perform sorcery.
Takiko OkudaVoiced by:Satsuki Yukino (drama CD/game)
Takiko Okuda (奧田 多喜子,Okuda Takiko) is the Priestess of Genbu and the heroine ofFushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden. The daughter ofEinosuke Okuda, the Japanese translator of the original scripture forThe Universe of the Four Gods, Takiko is a serious young girl skilled with the naginata. She demonstrates a strong will and good heart, but shows insecurity with her own abilities and tends to be impulsive. Takiko is sincere, honest, and possesses a strong sense of justice.
UrukiVoiced by:Takahiro Sakurai (male form),Miki Nagasawa (female form) (drama CD/game)
Uruki (女宿) is the crown prince of the Hokkan Empire and second in line to the throne. He wields a bladed discus to fight, but as a Celestial Warrior, he is able to manipulate the wind in various ways, particularly for teleportation; the only setback to this power is that he must transform into a woman in order to utilize it.
TomiteVoiced by:Tetsuya Iwanaga (Japanese);Michael Lindsay (English)
Tomite (虚宿) is a Genbu Celestial Warrior and a bounty hunter from the Ka Tribe, an ethnic minority in western Hokkan. In addition to being a skilled archer, Tomite, as a Celestial Warrior, is capable of manifesting and manipulating ice.
HatsuiVoiced by:Megumi Ogata (drama CD)
Hatsui (室宿) is a Genbu Celestial Warrior and the son of medical doctors. He possesses the ability to shoot spikes from his body and the ability to form a steel cage/basket around himself and others as a means of protection. He is timid, shy, and cries easily and finds it difficult to trust others.
NamameNamame (壁宿) is a Genbu Celestial Warrior who appears as a small doll made of rock that resembles thekodama. Though he is apparently unable to speak, Takiko eventually is able to hear his voice and Namame speaks in simple and short sentences.
HikitsuVoiced by:Nobuyuki Hiyama (Japanese);Skip Stellrecht (English)
Hikitsu (斗宿) is a Genbu Celestial Warrior, able to manipulate water in the form of snakes, but also possesses a second ability which he has no control over: Shikyokan, where anyone who looks upon the eye with his character is forced to remember their worst memories. Hikitsu is withdrawn and cold to everyone apart from his sister Ayla and his best friend Tomite, whom Hikitsu had saved during an attack which caused the death of Tomite's father.
InamiVoiced by:Masako Katsuki (drama CD)
Inami (牛宿) is a Genbu Celestial Warrior, initially found in the country of Konan working as abrothel madam. She fights using a large pipe shaped weapon and possesses the ability to manipulate the length of her hair and the smoke from her oversized pipe.
UrumiyaVoiced by:Takehito Koyasu (drama CD)
Urumiya (危宿) is the last of the Genbu Celestial Warriors to be unveiled. A dangerous and skilled assassin, Hagus always carries a wide bladed sword and is a proficient archer. He is able to absorb the powers of other Celestial Warriors though his mouth and then use them as he pleases. Hagus comes across as a coldhearted and merciless man whose only desire is to succeed in his mission to kill Uruki. He is unemotional and able to remain calm and focused, even in the heat of battle, but demonstrates an unexpectedly compassionate side to him when he saves two children from misaimed arrows. When he is not battling Uruki and Takiko, he comes across as morose and quiet.
Suzuno OhsugiVoiced by:Midori Nakazawa
Suzuno Ohsugi (大杉 鈴乃,Ōsugi Suzuno) was thePriestess ofByakko. She is the daughter of Takao Ohsugi, the research assistant of Einosuke Okuda, translator ofThe Universe of Four Gods and the long time crush of Einosuke's daughter, Takiko, the Priestess ofGenbu.
TataraVoiced by:Jin Yamanoi
Tatara (婁宿) is aByakko Celestial Warrior. Though he is 110 years old, he only appears 20 years old as a result of a spell cast by Subaru and from residing in the Temple of Byakko since Suzuno's departure fromThe Universe of Four Gods. He possesses the ability to control all plants, regardless of their form.
TokakiVoiced by:Kōji Ishii (Japanese); Tom Wyner (English) (Old)Voiced by:Katsuya Shiga (Japanese);Bob Buchholz (English) (Young)
Tokaki (奎宿) is married to the beautiful and kindSubaru. Extremely lecherous in nature, Tokaki takes it upon himself to comment on any attractive young woman he comes across, including Miaka. Despite his womanizing habits, Tokaki loves Subaru dearly and would go to any length to protect her. He cares deeply for Tatara and Tamahome, whom he sees as a son. He is 109 years old, but only appears 19 years old. Tokaki's power is teleportation and is supplemented by his knowledge of pressure points as well as his use of earrings as weapons.
SubaruVoiced by:Mika Doi (Japanese);Barbara Goodson (English)
Subaru (昴宿) is married to the lecherousTokaki. She possesses the ability to manipulate time through spells and is actually 107 years old, though she appears only 17. Sweet and nurturing, Subaru tends to the exhausted Suzaku Warriors who descend upon her home. Though she is often exasperated by Tokaki's roving eye, she does love her husband.
Keisuke YukiVoiced by:Shinichiro Miki (Japanese);Derek Stephen Prince (English)
Keisuke Yuki is the older brother of Miaka Yuki. He is a very caring and protective older brother. He is portrayed as a typical college student. Keisuke is close friends with Tetsuya Kajiwara. He initially doesn't believe Miaka about the Universe of the Four Gods until he witnesses Miaka getting sucked into the book. Keisuke eventually starts reading the book in order for the story to continue. Later on in the story, Keisuke starts investigating the Universe of the Four Gods along with Tetsuya.
Tetsuya KajiwaraVoiced by:Ken Narita (Japanese);Kirk Baily (English)
Tetsuya is a calm, level-headed, and selfless college student and friend. He is usually seen with shades on. He is close friends with Keisuke Yuki. Tetsuya takes turns with Keisuke in reading theUniverse of the Four Gods. During the times Miaka is in danger in the book, Tetsuya takes over reading in order for it to be easier for Keisuke. Tetsuya also helps Keisuke in his investigation of theUniverse of the Four Gods. Tetsuya falls in love with Yui Hongo while reading the book and eventually gets together with her.
Written and illustrated byYuu Watase,Fushigi Yûgi originally appeared in serial form in the semimonthly manga magazineShōjo Comic. It premiered in the January 1, 1992 (No. 1) issue, released in December 1991,[6][a][7] and ran for over five years, ending in the June 5, 1996 (No. 12) issue, released in May 1996.[8][9][7] The series was simultaneously published in eighteencollected volumes by Shogakukan, with new volumes being released on a quarterly schedule.
In 1992,Viz Media licensed the manga for an English-language release in North America. The series was originally released in a flipped trade paperback format, starting in August 1998.[10] Several characters have both Japanese pronunciations and Chinese pronunciations. In 1998, Watase visited the United States and met with Viz staff members at theirSan Francisco headquarters. Viz kept the original Chinese names of characters at her request. Bill Flanagan, the editor of the English version, asked Watase if he should use the Chinese names for popular characters such as Tai Yi-Jun (Taitsukun), and she also asked for the Chinese names to be used there. The characters with names remaining in Japanese in the English version are the characters such as Tamahome who have Japanese pronunciations of ancient constellations; there was never any intention of them having Chinese names.[11]
This caused some confusion for fans as the anime version uses the Japanese names. For example, in the manga, Hotohori's country is named "Hong-Nan" rather than the "Konan" found in the anime series.[12] After eight volumes, Viz stopped publication ofFushigi Yûgi, reviving it in June 2003 when it released the first two volumes in unflipped standard manga size volumes. The remaining volumes were released on a quarterly schedule, including the remaining ten volumes. The final volume of the series was released in April 2006. The dates and ISBN numbers given for the first eight volumes in the table on the link above are for the second edition releases.[13]
Viz also serializedFushigi Yûgi in their manga anthology magazine,Animerica Extra, starting with the October 1998 debut issue and running until the December 2004 issue, the magazine's final issue.[10] In 2009 and 2010, Viz re-released the series as part of their "VIZBIG" line, combining three individual volumes of the original release into each single, larger volume.[14]
Produced byStudio Pierrot, the fifty-two episodeFushigi Yûgi anime series premiered onTV Tokyo on April 6, 1995. The series aired weekly, until the final episode that was aired on March 28, 1996.[15] The series was licensed for English-language release toRegion 1DVD andVHS format byGeneon Entertainment, then named Pioneer, under the expanded titleFushigi Yûgi: The Mysterious Play.[16][17] It has been suggested that Geneon chose to license the series based on its popularity among thefansub community.[18] The main series was released in eight individual volumes and as two box sets, theSuzaku andSeiryū sets.Media Blasters license-rescued the series, and released the first season to DVD on June 19, 2012.[19] Season 2 was released on February 12, 2013.[20][21]
Following the anime adaptation, threeoriginal video animation (OVA) works appeared. The first, spanning three episodes, takes place a year after the events of the main series and has no ties to the original manga. It was released to DVD on October 25, 1996. The second OVA, which has six episodes, animates the last four volumes of the manga series that had been left out of the main series. The episodes were split across two volumes, with the first released May 25, 1997, and the second coming over a year later on August 25, 1998.
The final OVA,Fushigi Yûgi: Eikoden, spans four episodes and is based on two of the light novels written by Megumi Nishizaki. Released on December 21, 2001, it focuses on a new character, Mayo Sakaki, a sixteen-year-old girl who attends Yotsubadai High School. Upon findingThe Universe of the Four Gods in a trash bin at the park, Mayo soon discovers that the story remains incomplete. In the unfamiliar world of the book, Mayo must come to terms with her own life and the unhappiness within it.
Geneon Entertainment also licensed the OVAs forRegion 1 DVD release. The first two OVAs were released together in a set titledFushigi Yûgi: The Mysterious Play, whileFushigi Yûgi: Eikoden was released as a single disc volume. The OVAs were released with similar packaging as the main series, to give them a consistent look.[22] All three OVA series have also been re-licensed by Media Blasters.
Over a series of five years, Megumi Nishizaki (西崎めぐみ,Nishizaki Megumi) wrote thirteen Japaneselight novels based onFushigi Yûgi. Illustrated by Yuu Watase,Fushigi Yûgi Gaiden primarily explores the lives the various Celestial Warriors before they are seen in the manga. The only two novels to be set after the manga,Eikō Den (Jōkan) andEikō Den (Gekan), later became the basis for the thirdFushigi Yûgi original video animation,Fushigi Yûgi: Eikoden. Originally published by Shogakukan, none of the novels have been licensed for English release.
| Volume | Title[23] | Release Date | ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transliteration: "Genrō Den" (Japanese:幻狼伝) | January 30, 1998 (1998-01-30) | 978-4094207736 | |
Details Tasuki's life between joining the Mt. Reikaku Bandits and Miaka's appearance. | ||||
| 2 | Transliteration: "Shōryū Den" (Japanese:昇龍伝) | July 23, 1998 (1998-07-23) | 978-4094207743 | |
Chichiri's life shortly after the accident when he loses his eye to his first meeting with Miaka. | ||||
| 3 | Transliteration: "Yuki Yasha Den" (Japanese:雪夜叉伝) | February 2, 1999 (1999-02-02) | 978-4094207750 | |
Details how Nuriko became a cross-dresser and entered the imperialharem. | ||||
| 4 | Transliteration: "Ryūsei Den" (Japanese:流星伝) | April 23, 1999 (1999-04-23) | 978-4094207767 | |
Details Amiboshi and Suboshi's tragic past. | ||||
| 5 | Transliteration: "Suzaku Hi Den" (Japanese:朱雀悲伝) | July 1999 (1999-07) | 978-4094207774 | |
The story of emperor Hotohori, his brother Tendō and their relationship with Hōki. This story is later told by Hōki herself to Mayo Sakaki in the Eikoden OVA. | ||||
| 6 | Transliteration: "Seiran Den" (Japanese:青藍伝) | December 1, 1999 (1999-12-01) | 978-4094207781 | |
Details Nakago's past and his rise to power within the Kutō army. | ||||
| 7 | Transliteration: "Eikō Den (Jōkan)" (Japanese:永光伝(上巻)) | February 1, 2000 (2000-02-01) | 978-4094207798 | |
Set ten years after the final events in the manga, Mayo entersThe Universe of the Four Gods. Unhappy with her own life, Mayo wants to achieve a storybook ending with Taka, whom she has a crush on. | ||||
| 8 | Transliteration: "Eikō Den (Gekan)" (Japanese:永光伝(下巻)) | March 1, 2000 (2000-03-01) | 978-4094207804 | |
Continues Mayo's story as she is tricked by a false Suzaku, and saved by Miaka. | ||||
| 9 | Transliteration: "Shugyoku Den" (Japanese:朱玉伝) | December 21, 2001 (2001-12-21) | 978-4094207897 | |
Tamahome's life from his training under Tokaki to when he first meets Miaka and Yui. This novel also tells Miaka's backstory and her connection with Tamahome during the years of the manifestation of his powers. | ||||
| 10 | Transliteration: "Hōmei Den" (Japanese:逢命伝) | March 1, 2002 (2002-03-01) | 978-4094207903 | |
Details Mitsukake's romance with Shōka. | ||||
| 11 | Transliteration: "Yūai Den" (Japanese:優愛伝) | April 26, 2002 (2002-04-26) | 978-4094208214 | |
Recounts Chiriko's whereabouts before he joined the rest of the Suzaku Warriors. | ||||
| 12 | Transliteration: "Sanbō Den (Jōkan)" (Japanese:三宝伝(上巻)) | July 1, 2003 (2003-07-01) | 978-4094208221 | |
Explains how Tenkō used his powers to influence people to do his bidding to break the seal the Four Beast Gods placed on him, as well as to gather theShinzaho of Genbu, Byakko, Seiryuu and Suzaku. The two main characters are Chichiri and Tasuki. | ||||
| 13 | Transliteration: "Sanbō Den 2 (Gekan)" (Japanese:三宝伝(下巻)) | September 26, 2003 (2003-09-26) | 978-4094208238 | |
Continues story from part 1. | ||||
Idea Factory created aSonyPlayStation 2 video game based on theFushigi Yûgi series calledFushigi Yûgi: Suzaku Ibun (ふしぎ遊戯 朱雀異聞). It was released in Japan on May 29, 2008, in both regular and limited editions.[24][25] ANintendo DS version of the game was released in Japan on June 25, 2009, bundled with another game,Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden Gaiden – Kagami no Miko, based on the prequel manga seriesFushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden.[26]
Amipro produced threestage plays based on theFushigi Yûgi manga. The first, simply titledFushigi Yûgi, was staged at The Pocket theater inNakano from October 20 to October 24, 2010.[27][28] The second,Fushigi Yûgi: Suzaku-hen (ふしぎ遊戯～朱雀編～), was staged at the Theater Sun Mall inShinjuku from March 30 to April 3, 2011.[29] The third,Fushigi Yûgi: Seiryū-hen (ふしぎ遊戯～青龍編～), was staged at the Hakuhinkan Theater inGinza from April 25 to May 2, 2012.[30] All three plays were written and directed by Shintarō Sugano and starredMao Miyaji in the lead role.[27][29][30]
A fourth play, produced by Nelke Planning, was staged at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX venue in Tokyo from March 19 to March 29, 2015. It was written by Keiko Ueno, directed by Naoyoshi Okumura, and starredGolden Bomber band member Yutaka Kyan in the lead role of Tamahome. The play aimed to depict a "new version ofFushigi Yûgi through the eyes of Tamahome".[31][32]
A live-action2.5D musical stage adaptation,Fushigi Yûgi: Ake no Shō (ふしぎ遊戯～朱ノ章～), ran at the Owlspot Theater in Tokyo from April 8 to April 17, 2016. It was produced by Amipro and written and directed by Kōtarō Yoshitani. The cast featured formerMorning Musume memberReina Tanaka as Miaka, Ryō Hirano as Tamahome, Juri Aikawa as Nakago,Takahisa Maeyama as Hotohori,Mao Miyaji as Nuriko,Yoshikazu Kotani as Tasuki,Eiji Takigawa as Mitsukake,Tatsumaru Tachibana as Chichiri, Tsubasa Hattori as Amiboshi, Daiki Tomida as Chiriko, Mina Kuryū as Shouka, Zendō Ware as Eiken, Shiori Sakata as Yui, and Jun Fujimiya as Taiitsukun.[33][34]
A sequel,Fushigi Yûgi: Ao no Shō (ふしぎ遊戯～蒼ノ章～), ran at Zenrosai Hall Space Zero in Tokyo from October 13 to October 21, 2018. It was also produced by Amipro, but written and directed by Sayaka Asai. Several cast members from the 2016 musical returned to reprise their roles, including Reina Tanaka as Miaka and Ryō Hirano as Tamahome. New cast members included Rina Miyazaki as Yui, Yoshiki Tani as Hotohori, Ken Ogasawara as Mitsukake, Subaru Hayama as Chichiri, and Kunta Yamasaki as Tasuki.[35][36][37]
Anart book,Fushigi Yūgi: Watase Yū Irasuto-shū (不思議遊戯：渡瀬悠宇イラスト集), was published by Shogakukan in May 1995.[38] It was licensed in North America by Viz Media under the titleThe Art of Fushigi Yûgi and published in October 2006.[39]
As of November 2015,Fushigi Yûgi had over 20 million copies in circulation.[40]
In a column forAnime News Network, writerJason Thompson calledFushigi Yûgi a "great mix of monsters, magic, fighting and the more typicalShōjo Comic material, romance."[41] In his expanded review of the series forManga: The Complete Guide, Thompson further praised it as "one of the best 'schoolgirl in a strange land'shōjo fantasies." He singled out Watase's writing, which he believes "successfully balances" romance, action, comedy, and cliffhangers, as well as the series' compact supporting cast full of "strong personalities".[3]
THEM Anime Reviews preferred the manga to the anime, criticizing the latter's production values, repetitious dialogue, and reuse of footage in flashback episodes.[4]DVD Verdict criticized the "convoluted" plot and "nonsensical" dialogue.[42] Another review noted that although Miaka "makes out with her boyfriend quite a bit", the climax is "of the heart and soul", despite the many battles that the characters go through. Her strength and belief in herself give her the strength and courage to change the world.[43] Patrick Drazen, author ofAnime Explosion!, considers the humor inFushigi Yûgi to be based onsuper deformed caricatures and therefore strange to Western audiences.[44]Anime News Network argued that the show is "always entertaining throughout,"[45] whileCBR criticized that Nakago is a pretty character even when "committing horrendous crimes like mass murder and sexual assault."[46]
Winnie Chow ofAnimerica was disappointed by the ending of the anime adaptation, finding the final battle that resolves the series to be "lame at best" that left her cheering more for Nakago than the "good guys". Throughout the series, she notes that the scenes between Miaka and Tamahome became "increasingly sickening" and "overdone".[47]Fushigi Yûgi: Eikoden was panned byTHEM Anime Reviews, which considered the animation to be its only strong point. In particular, the reviewer found the new main character to be unlikeable.[48]
