Fushigi Yugi |
 | Summary:Oracular, enchanting romance follows the contretemps of a youth whom is granted the powers of another dimension's mythical deity. Anime fans willing to ignore it's occasional fades into bromide characterizations, appreciate it's often scrupulous environment; vivid storytelling. |
| Title Aka: | The Mysterious Play |
| Company/Distributors: | Pioneer Entertainment |
| Year: | 1995 |
| Length: | 52 Episode T.V. Series |
| Rating: |  |
| Genres: | Romance, Comedy, Fantasy |
| Format: | T.V. Series |
| Content Level: |
|
| Comments: | N/A |
|
Synopsis:
Miaka Yuki is your typical average Jr. High School Student. On occasions when she is not devouring masses of food, Miaka tries her best to pass her school exams and gain entrance into High School with her best friend Yui. One day at the library Miaka encounters a mysterious and magical book entitled "The Book Of The Universe Of The Four Gods", after she is led to an abandoned refrence book room by a magical red bird. While both She and Yui begin to read it, they are suddenly transported to a magical world within the mysterious book. They awaken finding themselves in a land which resembles ancient China, when they are attacked by a band of traveling thugs. Miaka and Yui are saved by a young man named Tomahome. But soon afterwards, Yui is transported back to the library. In an attempt to reunite with her friend, Miaka travels with Tamahome; later she soon discovers that her presence in the mysterious world may hold the key to the destruction or conquest of a magical kingdom known as "Konon".
Review:
Fushigi Yugi is a wonderfully enchanting and engaging fantasy with fantastic characters, hilarious moments, fast-pased action, and a moving story with great character development. Truly an example of what a great anime classic should be right? Although, I'm afraid that statement isn't entirely accurate. Fushigi Yugi has the potential to become one of those very rare anime classics. A show with masterful storytelling and a true epic feel. However, there are enough flaws in this series to make it loose nearly all the potential aspects I feel it already has. "Fushigi Yugi", has no doubt some impressive characterizations. The show really does what it's best at, giving the viewer a sense of character depth; a really enjoyable experience to see characters improve and interact with one another within the changing story. Though the show tends to be overly romantic and emotional, it still maintains that sense of anime depth which all the shows tend to have. The music for the show is rather well done, emphasizing every mood; the opening and closing themes are also especially good. But Fushigi Yugi lacks greatness in all it's necessary areas. For instance, you have your technological aspects for a T.V. series. If there is one thing which most disappoints me about this series, it is the quality of it's animation; which I felt was very poorly done. The colors are grim, lifeless and lackluster. This adds a downbeat sense to the show's overall atmosphere, which I feel could have been much better. What's even more disappointing about the animation is it's use of backrounds. Yick!, Studio Ghibli this not; they really could have done a much better job. Although character designs in the show are quite good, I feel it's rather pointless to place gorgeous character designs onto some poorly done backrounds. If low frame rates and second-rate animation is not enough to complain about, another major problem is the show's characterizations. With exception for 'Chichiri" and "Nuriko", nearly all characterizations in Fushigi Yugi tend to be overly cliche. Particularly with Miaka's character, which is in fact just plain annoying. It sort of remindes me of "Sailor Moon", your typical crybaby wimp school girl. I can see some kind of in-depth personality trying to break free, but it's definatly not happening here; same goes for the other characters in the show. Take the dialouge for instance. Now "Chichiri" containing the potential speech problem is one thing, but the lead characters having to re-state each other's name's every single sentence is just plain ridiculous. "Miaka!, Tamahome!, Miaka!, Tamahome!!, Yui!!!, Miaka!!.... Who writes the script for these episodes? I must have heard Miaka and Tamahome's names being called a record million times per episode. However, this is only one of the many flaws the series contains; which become more prevalent toward the end. Any anime fans who enjoys series like "Oh My Godess", "Marmalade Boy", or "Ranma 1/2" should enjoy the series' often wonderful sense of character depth, humor, fast-paced emotionally romantic storyline. Everyone else will just find this series to be technically second-rate, and overly familiar. In the end, Fushigi Yugi is a great romanctic comedy, with a nice moving story and in depth characters (For The Most Part Anyway). Though this series isn't considered in my opinion of what great anime should be. If you are a fan of romantic anime dramas, go right ahead and check this series out. Viewers not too fond of "Shoujo" anime should in turn avoid.
|
