Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play: OVA Box

The animation is updated from the TV series. Because Miaka and the others are older, they retain a new, mature look. I think the OAVs in general are for a more older audience. There is some nudity that is actually more detailed than in the TV series.

The music gives the same feel but obviously with a more darker mood. Most of the songs are sung by Akemi Sato (who sang the opening to the TV series). Songs are nice, different ones for each OAV.

Accompanied with the OAV series are these fun little sigments. For the first OAV, there's a trip to a hot spring that only girls are allowed to enter. So you can see all the *cough* fun they have there. The second OAVs have these outtakes of the episodes that are extremely weird and random.

Final Note: While the FY TV series ended well in my opinion, this basically just concludes it even more I guess. Price might seem a little steep for just 9 episodes. But then again, it's good quality, it's Pioneer, it's Fushigi Yuugi! Even though the OAV series wasn't too good, it is definately worth watching. And if you bought the DVD box sets (Suzaku and Seiryu for the TV series), you'll probably want this to finish off the collection.


An overall review of all Fushigi Yugi...   July 13, 2006
Niko
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

I will try to write a review of the entire Fushigi Yugi series so that you can have a complete (and overall) picture of this wonderful anime. Therefore, if you don't want to know what happens next then please stop reading the specific section because spoilers will be included all over in the review that is to follow.
Apart from it, I will try to maintain an overall review so that to inform the reader as much as possible without giving too much away.

Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 1, Suzaku)
Two fiends, Miaka and Yui - the typical Japanese high school girls- will come across a book called the `Universe of the four Gods' and will be drawn into it (SPOILER! The book basically presents itself to be something like a gate to a parallel universe with the difference that the gods of this parallel universe are the ones who `choose' whom to allow to enter and why, something that will be implied latter on, in the second box set).
There, the two girls will be confronted with a world that is divided into four kingdoms and resembles Ancient China, but each of the girls will end up in a different kingdom as a priestess of the kingdom's god; and their goal will be to gather the seven `holy' warriors in order to summon the god. The catch: the girls will be enemies. On top of that, Miaka will deeply fall in love with one of her warriors, Tamahome, who will love her deeply as well but: Yui will want him two; the emperor will love Miaka etc.
The first arc, deals more with the story and character development, the viewer learns a lot about the world/kingdoms, the citizens agony etc. Of course all this will be accompanied with a lot of action as well.

Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - (Boxed Set 2, Seiryu)
This is the continuation of the first arc. Now that the viewer has gotten into the anime, the story takes off. After failing to summon Suzaku, the warriors will have to find two holy ornaments in order to achieve it. The story starts to get darker and darker, very emotional and the actual conflict between the two parties of holy warriors takes place, and the true feelings of the love triangle (Tamahome-Miaka-Emperor) will be tested; is their love destined to fail? Additionally, characters that you will learn to love, from the first arc already, will die (be it children, men, women, warriors, emperors or whatsoever)... Last but not least, the final battles will also occur not only in the Four Gods Kingdoms but also in our world as well, because the universes will start to collide (may sound confusing but once you watch the anime it is easy to understand, it is just if I will start to explain it I will give the story and twists away, sorry guys). What will be the end?

Fushigi Yugi :The Mysterious Play OVA Boxed Set
Tamahome is now Taka (well, re-incarnated) and lives together with Miaka in our world. However, trouble occurs once a very powerful and dark force tries to escape from the world of the four kingdoms and wants to come and to destroy our world. Now again, the couple will be drawn back into the book, travel forth and back into the universes, the Suzaku Seven are gathered again and hell brakes loose; because the love of Miaka and Tamahome is in serious danger (not to mention the worlds as well).

Fushigi Yugi - The Mysterious Play - Eikoden
This is, for the time being, the last of Fushigi Yugi that is out there. In these OVAs, Tamahome and Miaka are married and she is pregnant. However, a girl named Mayo will enter the book of the four gods as a new priestess of Suzaku and will try to: steal Tamahome from Miaka, who will fall into a coma, kill the Suzaku Seven, take the child of Tamahome and Miaka as her own etc. Tamahome will enter the book but the world he once knew is starting to fall apart...


Overall opinion about the series:
Personaly, I believe that this anime alongside with Escaflowne, tops every other anime in the Fantasy genre. It is very emotional, has strong character development, solid and very interesting story with way too many twists and will keep you hooked up till the end (that is something that will happen for sure hehehe)

As for the animation:
The first arc has a fair animation but still a good one (in order to get a picture, the animation is something like crave of the fireflies). The second one is updated (something like Trigun). In the first OVAs the animation is definitely updated (something like FMP). Last but not least, in the last OVAs the animation remains in the same level as the previous OVAs but the creatures' animation is something like the ones you see in Digimon (well, personally I preferred the way they used to be in the previous OVAs).

Music:
The music, no matter arcs or OVAs, opening or ending, is very - very good and emotional. You will love the music in it.

Worth buying or not?
I will be honest. Personally I love these series and bought all of them. However, the price may present itself to be an obstacle (took me two years to buy the complete show). Therefore, if you can afford it than buy it for sure and you will not regret it; if not, than try to rent it if possible because these shows are definitely worth watching. Not to mention the fact that the series all together are very long (something that I liked).


Well, I hope that I could help you by presenting you with an overall picture of Fushigi Yugi. If so then please click on the yes button below ^_^



Confusing Beginning, Satisfying End (?)   June 17, 2001
Circe Sonne (Illinois, USA)
27 out of 29 found this review helpful

Of all the anime series I have seen, Fushigi Yuugi is simply the best. The plot is great, and the series ended well, but the OAVs are definitely a good ending to the ... well... ending. For those who haven't seen the 52 episode series, you will be very confused, so you should probably see those first. (^.~)

I admit that the first three OAV episodes are REALLY confusing, and a lot of people may not like them at all (Sad to say, I was one of those people). The villain just came out of NOWHERE. I didn't get that. But don't be dispirited! The other six episodes make up for the first three, I assure you!

Also, a very wonderful part of the OAVs are the "in-betweeners." This are "mini-episodes" about the characters that give you a good laugh between episodes that don't give you much of one. So, basically, you still get comedy, even when the plot doesn't provide it! A very good thing it is, trust me.

As some of you may have guessed from earlier episodes, Tasuki develops a love for Miaka. ( ...interesting...) The seishi falls for the priestess, despite Miaka's love for Tamahome, who is now Taka. While Taka struggles with his two sides (Taka & Tamahome), Tasuki tries to win over Miaka ... but sorry, can't tell you what happens!

Also, Chichiri's old friend (you know, the one that stole his girlfriend ...;.;), Hikou, returns. The ninth episode leaves it open for another sequel (hopefully there will be one!), that's the reason for "End(?)."

Saying anything else would probably spoil the story, so I won't. My last statement to all you faithful Fushigi Yuugi fans is this: Don't be disappointed by the first three OAV episodes; ultimately, the OAVs are worth every cent.