{"id":2661,"date":"2009-03-08T14:01:01","date_gmt":"2009-03-08T19:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/?p=2661"},"modified":"2009-03-08T14:01:01","modified_gmt":"2009-03-08T19:01:01","slug":"fushigi-yugi-anime-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/2009\/03\/08\/fushigi-yugi-anime-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Fushigi Yugi&#8211;Anime Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/image\/stars\/3o5.gif\" alt=\"3 Stars\" \/><br \/>\nThis is an interesting series. I don&#8217;t think I would call it a great classic, but it certainly has some dedicated fans. At first glance, from the way it is drawn and presented, it looks like a cheerful comic series with lots of slapstick humor. Actually the story is pretty dark and intense.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a story of adventure and romance, of jealousy and revenge, of passion and treachery and loyalty and courage&#8211;all of which was enough to keep me watching for all 52 episodes. However there are a couple of things about it that irritate me.<br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ItemList\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Original Title<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\"><em>Fushigi Yuugi<\/em> (The Mysterious Game)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Genres<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Otome<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Languages<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">English, Japanese with subtitles<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Demographic<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Shoujo<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Contents<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">52 Episodes on 8 DVDs<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Based on<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">A <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#manga\">manga<\/a> by Yuu Watase<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Director<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Hajime Kamegaki<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Series Composition<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Yoshio Urasawa<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Character Design<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Hideyuki Motohashi<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Animation Studio<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Studio Pierrot<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Broadcast<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">TV Tokyo 1995-1996<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"Item\">Region 1 Publisher<\/div>\n<div class=\"Description\">Geneon Entertainment<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The thing that annoys me most is that the heroine is a total airhead. She does gradually become less silly as the story progresses, but she never gets really smart. I get the point that she is brave and pure-hearted, and this is the kind of story where a pure-hearted decision may work out better in the long run than one based on a modicum of common sense. That doesn&#8217;t keep me from wanting to shout at the screen at least once per episode.<\/p>\n<p>The other annoyance is the animation quality. It is never outstanding to begin with and around the midpoint of the series it starts to get worse, until by Episode 40 it is practically static. After that it starts to get better again. Clearly the production company was hoarding its animation budget for the conclusion (which is indeed worth waiting for.)<\/p>\n<h3>Parental Advisory<\/h3>\n<p>It seems to me that the producers must have thought this show was suitable for elementary school children. For example, whenever <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews\/#kanji\">kanji<\/a> characters play a role in the story they are shown one word at a time and their meaning is carefully explained in the dialog. Note also how the virtual camera turns away from violent scenes, though not so far away that we can&#8217;t see splashing blood.<\/p>\n<p>In fact this is not something that most Americans would consider suitable for small children, due to violence, the deaths of sympathetic characters, and sexual situations, some of which involve threatened or implied rape.<\/p>\n<p>In my opinion this material is fine for teenagers. (Nothing very explicit is shown.) However many ten-year-olds would probably find parts of it very upsetting. I don&#8217;t recommend letting anyone younger than that watch it.<\/p>\n<h3>Premise and Characters<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/miaka.png\" alt=\"Miaka\" title=\"Miaka\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2740\" \/><strong>Miaka Yuuki<\/strong> is a 15 year old middle school student. She is a good-hearted but rather silly girl, and an indifferent student. She likes <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#anime\">anime<\/a>, but her primary interests are cheeseburgers, pork cutlets, onigiri, ice cream, manjuu and anything else that she can stuff into her mouth.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/yui.png\" alt=\"Yui\" title=\"Yui\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2769\" \/>Miaka&#8217;s best friend <strong>Yui Hongo<\/strong> has been protecting Maika ever since they were children. She is responsible, smart and studious. She is preparing for the entrance examination for the highly competitive Jonan Academy. Miaka also hopes to get into Jonan and be with Yui, but her mother warns her that anyone who wants to go to the same high school is a rival, not a friend, since only a limited number of places are available.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/suzaku.png\" alt=\"Suzaku\" title=\"Suzaku\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2755\" \/>Miaka accompanies Yui to the National Libaray. While there Miaka sees a vision of a strange red phoenix-like bird. She runs after it and Yui follows her into a restricted room containing rare old books.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/intothebook.png\" alt=\"Into the Book\" title=\"Into the Book\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2734\" \/>A mysterious old Chinese book called <em>The Universe of the Four Gods<\/em> falls from the shelf. When Miaka and Yui open the book they are pulled inside of it. They find themselves in an exotic fantasy world.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/kounanstreet.png\" alt=\"Kounan Street Scene\" title=\"Kounan Street Scene\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2738\" \/>The land of <strong>Kounan<\/strong> is a feudal kingdom resembling medieval China. It&#8217;s people worship <strong>Suzaku<\/strong> the Red Bird of Summer. It is a mostly happy country with bustling trading ports, boisterous markets and colorful festivals, but it is also plagued by roving bandits and outlaws.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/slavetraders.png\" alt=\"Slave Traders\" title=\"Slave Traders\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2751\" \/>As medieval kingdoms go Kounan is not such a bad place, but it is still not a safe place for a couple of teenaged girls dressed in anime-style short-skirted school uniforms. Miaka and Yui have no sooner arrived than they are accosted by slave traders who threaten to kidnap them.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/tamahome.png\" alt=\"Tamahome\" title=\"Tamahome\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2760\" \/>They are rescued by a handsome young man named <strong>Tamahome<\/strong> who single-handedly defeats the slave traders using astounding martial arts skills.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/onicharacter.png\" alt=\"Oni Character\" title=\"Oni Character\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2747\" \/>The kanji character for &#8220;<a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#oni\">oni<\/a>&#8221; appears on his forehead when he fights. In spite of his obvious heroic qualities, Tamahome appears callous and mercenary.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/redlight.png\" alt=\"Red Light\" title=\"Red Light\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2748\" \/>At this point Yui vanishes and finds herself back in the library.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\nLooking in the book, <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/yuireadingbook.png\" alt=\"Yui Reading the Book\" title=\"Yui Reading the Book\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2770\" \/>she finds that it describes Miaka&#8217;s further adventures. She continues reading, hoping to find a way to rescue Miaka. (The rule seems to be that for the story to progress, someone in the real world must be reading the book.) However she finds that she an Miaka are linked in a nasty way: whenever Miaka is injured in the story, Yui suffers the same injury.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/hotohori.png\" alt=\"Hotohori\" title=\"Hotohori\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2733\" \/>After some minor adventures, Miaka is brought before <strong>Hotohori<\/strong>, the Emperor of Kounan. He is a good-looking young man, so beautiful in fact that Miaka initially mistakes him for a woman.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\nThe Emperor offers her a deal. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/emperormiaka.png\" alt=\"The Emperor and Miaka\" title=\"The Emperor and Miaka\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2731\" \/>They are looking for a girl from another world to serve as the Priestess (<a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews\/#miko\">miko<\/a>) of Suzaku. With the help of the <strong>Seven Celestial Warriors of Suzaku<\/strong> the Priestess can summon Suzaku, and will be granted three wishes, which they hope she will use to protect Kounan from its enemies. Miaka accepts the job, though she seems to be thinking more in terms of wishing for something frivolous like food, or at most a free pass on her high school entrance exams.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/celestialwarriors.png\" alt=\"Celestial Warriors\" title=\"Celestial Warriors\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2726\" \/>Now all she has to to is locate the Seven Celestial Warriors. These are special people, born to serve and protect the Priestess of Suzaku. Each has a unique supernatural power, and each is marked with a kanji character somewhere on his body, a character that identifies one of the traditional Chinese constellations of the southern sky.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/nuriko.png\" alt=\"Nuriko\" title=\"Nuriko\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2746\" \/><strong>Nuriko<\/strong>, one of the Emperor&#8217;s consorts, possesses enormous strength and a fierce temper. She is devoted to the Emperor, who ignores her. She is initially very jealous of Miaka.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/taiitsukun2.png\" alt=\"Taiitsukun\" title=\"Taiitsukun\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2756\" \/><strong>Taiitsukun<\/strong> is the creator of this universe. She watches over it from her home on distant Mount Taikyoku. She is difficult to find and dangerous to approach. Travelers who try to seek her out often give up is despair or die in the attempt.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/kiesuke.png\" alt=\"Kiesuke\" title=\"Kiesuke\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2735\" \/>Miaka&#8217;s older brother <strong>Keisuke Yuuki<\/strong> learns of her fate and seeks to discover the secret of the book.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/tetsuyakiesuke.png\" alt=\"Tetsuya and Kiesuke\" title=\"Tetsuya and Kiesuke\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2765\" \/>Kiesuke and his friend <strong>Tetsuya Kajiwara<\/strong> investigate the history of <em>The Universe of the Four Gods<\/em>. They begin to suspect that there is a terrible curse on the book that will affect anyone who is drawn into it.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/chichiri.png\" alt=\"Chichiri\" title=\"Chichiri\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2727\" \/><strong>Chichiri<\/strong> is a whimsical wandering monk who hides his real face behind a smiling mask. He is an accomplished magic user.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/seiryuu.png\" alt=\"Seiryuu\" title=\"Seiryuu\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2750\" \/><strong>Kutou<\/strong>, to the East, is a land of warlike people who worship the fierce dragon god <strong>Seiryuu<\/strong>.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/nakago2.png\" alt=\"Nakago\" title=\"Nakago\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2744\" \/><strong>Nakago<\/strong>, the commander of Kutou&#8217;s armies, is a powerful magic user and a brilliant tactician, canny and ruthless.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/tasukitamahome.png\" alt=\"Tasuki\" title=\"Tasuki\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2762\" \/><strong>Tasuki<\/strong> is a bandit chieftain with a fiery temper, and power over fire.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/mitsukake.png\" alt=\"Mitsukake\" title=\"Mitsukake\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2743\" \/><strong>Mitsukake<\/strong> is a doctor with great healing powers.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/tama.png\" alt=\"Tama\" title=\"Tama\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2759\" \/><strong>Tama<\/strong>, his cat, can be surprisingly useful to have around.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/amiboshi.png\" alt=\"Amiboshi\" title=\"Amiboshi\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2724\" \/><strong>Amiboshi<\/strong> is a young man who can cast spells by playing the flute.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/chiriko2.png\" alt=\"Chiriko\" title=\"Chiriko\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2728\" \/><strong>Chiriko<\/strong> is a 13-year-old boy genius, a brilliant scholar gifted with wisdom and courage beyond his years.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/suboshi.png\" alt=\"Suboshi\" title=\"Suboshi\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2754\" \/><strong>Suboshi<\/strong> is a fierce and stubborn young warrior who uses his double-balled weapon to deadly effect.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/soi.png\" alt=\"Soi\" title=\"Soi\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2752\" \/><strong>Soi<\/strong> is a powerful magic user, able to summon lightning.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/hokkanelders.png\" alt=\"Hokkan Elder\" title=\"Hokkan Elder\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2732\" \/><strong>Hokkan<\/strong> is a cold land in the North, inhabited by nomadic horsemen who live in round tents and worship <strong>Genbu<\/strong> the Black Tortoise of Winter.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/ashitare.png\" alt=\"Ashitare\" title=\"Ashitare\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2725\" \/><strong>Ashitare<\/strong> is a fierce, bloodthirsty beast-man. His life has been cruel and he hates normal humans.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/tomitehikitsu.png\" alt=\"Tomite and Hikitsu\" title=\"Tomite and Hikitsu\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2767\" \/><strong>Tomite<\/strong> and <strong>Hikitsu<\/strong> are the last surviving Celestial Warriors of Genbu. Many years ago they helped the Priestess of Genbu summon the god.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/tomo.png\" alt=\"Tomo\" title=\"Tomo\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2768\" \/><strong>Tomo<\/strong> has the power to trap people in a deadly web of illusions.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/sairou.png\" alt=\"Sairou\" title=\"Sairou\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2749\" \/>In the land of <strong>Sairou<\/strong> to the West, the people worship <strong>Byakko<\/strong> the White Tiger of Autumn. Byakko too was summoned many years ago by his priestess.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/tokaki.png\" alt=\"Tokaki and Tamahome\" title=\"Tokaki and Tamahome\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2766\" \/><strong>Tokaki<\/strong> is one of the surviving Celestial Warriors of Byakko. Years ago he traveled to distant lands and trained the young Tamahome in martial arts.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/subaru.png\" alt=\"Subaru\" title=\"Subaru\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2753\" \/><strong>Subaru<\/strong> is another surviving Celestial Warrior of Byakko. She has power over Time.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/tatara.png\" alt=\"Tatara\" title=\"Tatara\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2763\" \/><strong>Tatara<\/strong> is the third remaining Celestial Warrior of Byakko. He has power over plants.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/miboshi.png\" alt=\"Miboshi\" title=\"Miboshi\" width=\"240\" height=\"180\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2742\" \/>The evil monk <strong>Miboshi<\/strong> has the power to take over other people&#8217;s bodies.\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Character\">\n<\/div>\n<h3>Other Versions<\/h3>\n<p>The television series has a resounding conclusion that seems to require no sequel. However it only covers the first part of the original manga.<\/p>\n<p>The second part of the manga was made into two <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#OVA\">OVAs<\/a>, totaling nine episodes. These were published in Region 1 by Geneon, but are now out of print and almost impossible to find.<\/p>\n<p>A third <a href=\"\/fun\/terms-used-in-anime-reviews#OVA\">OVA<\/a>, called <em>Fushigi Yugi Eikoden<\/em>, is still available. I haven&#8217;t seen it, but the general consensus seems to be that it is dreadful.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Fushigi Yugi<\/em> manga is available in English from VIZ Media. (Some of the volumes may be hard to find since the publisher is switching from single volumes to combined volumes.)<\/p>\n<p>Yuu Watase is currently engaged in an ongoing manga called <em>Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden.<\/em> This is a prequel that tells the story of the Priestess of Genbu. This is also available in English from VIZ Media.<\/p>\n<h3>Links<\/h3>\n<p>ANN Encyclopedia <a href=\"http:\/\/www.animenewsnetwork.com\/encyclopedia\/anime.php?id=337\">entry<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Wikipedia <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fushigi_Yugi\">entry<\/a> (major spoilers.)<\/p>\n<p><em>The Universe of the Four Gods<\/em> draws heavily on traditional Sino-Japanese astronomy. Steve Renshaw&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www2.gol.com\/users\/stever\/jastro.html\">Astronomy in Japan<\/a> is a useful resource for figuring out the astronomical references, especially the pages on <a href=\"http:\/\/www2.gol.com\/users\/stever\/charts.htm\">Star Charts and Moon Stations<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Wikipedia article on <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chinese_constellations\">Chinese Constellations<\/a> is less helpful since it only gives the Chinese names.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is an interesting series. I don&#8217;t think I would call it a great classic, but it certainly has some dedicated fans. At first glance, from the way it is&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/2009\/03\/08\/fushigi-yugi-anime-review\/\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[255],"class_list":["post-2661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-anime","tag-fushigi-yuugi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2661"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2781,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2661\/revisions\/2781"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bugfox.net\/fun\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}