Fushigi Yûgi - The Mysterious Play

I love this series! It was the first anime I bought years ago. The story line may be a bit predictable but, hey, that's shojo anime for you. I think all the characters are well rounded and have real feelings behind them, you just have to wait, sometimes, to find out what those feelings are. Also, I like the fact that the story takes place in several different settings, such as a country based on ancient China as well as in modern day Tokyo. I feel that the characters develop well going to the different places. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who likes anime, especially anyone who likes "Ceres: Celestial Legend" which is buy the same author. And don't forget to watch the multitude of OVAs that come after the series, for the most part, they finish up the storyline.

I've heard so much praise for this series that I decided I have to watch it myself... What better for a fantasy freak like myself, I thought, than an anime with pretty art, an alternative fantasy universe with gods and magic, and a little romance on the side? I was wrong. "Fushigi Yuugi" is one of the worst series I've ever watched - I had to quit it halfway, I just couldn't take it anymore.

The basic story, if not too original, has potential - but it is dealt with in such an annoying and cliche way that it's totally uninteresting. I only kept watching as far as I did because I was interested in what happens to the twins.

The characters are mostly horrible - the heroine is one of the stupidest, most detestable ever to appear on screen. Sorry Miaka-fans, I just find her to be ditzy, idiotic, dependant and horribly annoying. Her male counterpart is only a little better - after a while you really get sick of the whole "Tamahome!!!" - "Miaka!!!" recurring motif. Most of the protagonists are not much better, save the wonderful characters of Nuriko and Tasuki, who really don't get enough screen time at all. Mostly I found myself rooting for the bad guys, though they also are led by the uninteresting Nakago, who may seem cool at first, but is really no more than the usual power-crazed maniac. The twins Amiboshi and Suboshi, however, are fascinating and identifiable, and really save the viewer from total boredom. Too bad they don't get that much screen time either.

The animation is pretty bad, and Yuu Watase's beautiful drawings fail to be transferred onto the screen faithfully. It is a good indication of the animation quality that Hotohori, supposedly the most beautiful man in the world, often looks squashed and deformed and very unappealing.

All in all, this series is horribly overrated, imho. For GOOD fantasy anime, check out Slayers or, if you're looking for a really fascinating story and gorgeous art, try Utena (which is the best anime ever, imho.)

Fushigi Yuugi is by far one of the most powerful love stories out there. Although you do have to put up with the gushy love, there is trauma and tragedy that negate this, not to mention the added comedy bonuses through out the series. There are characters that impress; Tamahome, Nuriko, Hotohori, Tasuki and Chichiri and villains that make you wish they'd get theirs.

It's a classic story of good versus evil, betrayal and of course love. Bring a box of tissues for this story and be prepared to be blown away by the outstanding performances of the voice actors who bring these characters to vivid and beautiful life.

This show, far and away was the best anime, and perhaps story I have ever seen. The plot is incredibly intricate, the characters (with minor exceptions) are all intricately written (There is not a single un-sympathetic character in the show), and has a soundtrack that does nothing but push the emotions shown in the show to their limits.

However, it does deal with some adult subject matter, and does some things that will make you think long and hard about it for days, weeks, even years afterwards. The plot twists usually cannot be seen in advance, save for a minute or less before they happen. Even so, there are a few that will throw even the most critical show watcher (they did me!). By far, though, the show is best experienced if you go in with an innocent mind, and let Yuu Watase do her magic... you won't regret it.

I first watched this in the I-channel and was immediately hooked. I kept missing episodes, so I begged my friend for a burnt copy. I absolutely loved it and later got the DVD set.

Summary: Miaka and best friend opens book. They get captured into the book and live their life in this new world. They later on get split apart and became enemies, and now Miaka has to find a way to get both her and her best friend out of the book, but new problem arises. Oh no, what will they do!?

Why I loved it was because I discovered this anime on my own without any recommendations, and without any criticism; it was all on my own finding and I enjoyed it on my own without any expectations. All of the characters had a story and they were all presented very well in the anime. I thought the plot was very well placed and it had a very good point, but we all have to catch the meaning ourselves instead of thinking it's just another anime about love.

As much as I adore this anime, there were a few things about it that annoyed me, and that was because it was too lovie-dovie. Tamahome and Miaka keep having that weird problem where they decide not be together again, and then get back together moments after. That part was repetitive, but I could tell it was still essential to the anime.

A reason why I really liked this anime was that, this isn't just about love. IT ISN'T! It's about Miaka. It's about how she has matured into this beautiful blossom that's wiser, and more responsible. Through her experience with her best friend and her new friends--it became an adventure. Some of my friends said she's too young, but that isn't true. I first fell in love at the age of fifteen also, so it's reality/fantasy. I can tell why most wouldn't like it, but I loved it. I thought it was funny and romantic. It gives you this hope that love does conquer all whether it's true or not.

I still cry watching FY. Every time that I watch it, I find more reasons to love it more, and then other reasons that gets me annoyed. Anyway, if this anime isn't your thing, then I recommend FY's OAV. It's shorter, and it might explain a lot more in a short amount of time. But anyway, I do highly recommend it. At least watch it once and watch it all the way through. If mushy love stories aren't your thing, then you will be disappointed.

note: Please do not get the sequel for this. You will want to hang yourself... Well, if you like FY, then maybe you'll like the parodies in between the sequel's episodes.