[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] Title: Fushigi Yuugi Episodes: 52 Aired: April 6th, 1995 to March 28th, 1996 Based on the manga by Watase Yuu
Obligatory Disclaimer
As all opinions are merely that, opinions, it goes without saying that I might adore something you find absolutely repulsive, and visa versa. There is no such thing as an anime that "everyone loves" or "everyone hates"; as with all rules there are exceptions. All people have different tastes, and all people will like different things. My reviews merely express my opinion and are not in any way meant to reflect the views of Anime Take as a whole. That being said, I do not intend to offend anyone with my views; I also don't intend to start or condone arguments. Please don't flame me or yell at me for dis/liking something that you dis/like. I do, however, enjoy intelligent and mature conversations. While I may not always be able to defend my viewpoint – sometimes, I just end up dis/liking something because of my own tastes; it's just not my cup of tea – I always find it enjoyable to talk to someone about anime, since it's one of my hobbies.
A Certain Convoluted Synopsis
Yuuki Miaka is a regular fifteen year old high school girl who hates school and loves to eat. One day, she accompanies her best friend, Yui, to the library. Within it, they find a mysterious book called The Universe of the Four Gods. Suddenly, they are transported to ancient China. Miaka must become the priestess of Suzaku (one of the aforementioned four gods) if she wants to return to her world, and in order to do so she must collect the seven celestial constellations of Suzaku. Mishaps occur along the way and Miaka’s relationship with her best friend will be tested, as well as her newfound love for a young man named Tamahome.
Review
Ah Fushigi Yuugi, Fushigi Yuugi, whatever am I to do with you.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear: I do not like this anime. I don’t like it. At all. I don’t even like its manga counterpart. The art is pretty, so why do I dislike it? Why do I dislike it when all the fangirls squee about how wonderful and beautiful and wonderful it is? Why do I dislike this “masterpiece” of an anime? Simple: I just don’t. It’s not my cup of tea, and the writing isn’t all that great.
Miss Watase Yuu is, theoretically, a good writer. After all, Fushigi Yuugi is regarded to be her masterpiece. She draws well and her art is nice. And yet – Fushigi Yuugi and I just don’t click. Her writing is bad. This goes for both the anime and the manga. The character development is not realistic. I’m not ridiculing love at first sight here, since it does happen, but it certainly does not mean that you have to confess your undying love to someone days after meeting them, and after exuding no chemistry whatsoever. Miaka and Tamahome, the main couple of the show, match together about as well as Fushigi Yuugi and I – meaning they don’t. There is no sign of love or chemistry between them at all. Most confessions are ill-placed and jarring. Miaka herself is more than slightly annoying and thickheaded. The character development is lacking.
Fushigi Yuugi has a lot of characters, most of whom are likable or dislikable on their own merits. The only one I really adored was Nuriko. He made the show for me. Everyone else was just…eh.
In terms of the animation – it’s also lacking. Frames, scenes, backgrounds are reused. In addition, the anime encompasses the usage of a lot of flashbacks, repeating material over and over, which is not even particularly necessary. I daresay Fushigi Yuugi could be cut down by quite a few episodes if it didn’t have so many flashbacks. The animation is horrid, even for its era. It looks quite a few years older than it actually is. It’s choppy, and there are too many painfully obvious shortcuts. I’m all for “old” or “vintage” anime, but this is not one that’s aged well. Keeping with the art, it’s okay. It’s nothing to write home about. The manga’s art is better. One of the issues I have is that the author sometimes doesn’t know whether she’s writing a shounen or a shoujo. I don’t mind fanservice, but I don’t really want to suddenly see Miaka’s panties when she trips. If this were a shounen anime, I wouldn’t be that surprised – but shoujo? Really? The manga is worse.
Now, ratting on the author herself – what is it with Watase Yuu and rape? In every single one of her stories, the main heroine either is raped or is almost raped. Do men have no other way of threatening her heroines? Is that the only thing she can come up with? Why is there so much of it? Why is it necessary? It's practically become a predictable plot device with her.
Fushigi Yuugi is not a bad anime. Or a bad manga. It must be obvious with its hordes of fans.
I just don't like it.
...To be honest, I don't like Watase Yuu's stuff in general.
Conclusions
Fushigi Yuugi has good intentions. If I remember correctly it was the pioneer for its genre. The plot is interesting, and I would probably be one of FY's many fans if it were not for the bad writing and bad execution. The characters themselves are fine; it's simply the writing that ruins the whole series for me. And the animation, but that's another thing entirely. Ultimately, Fushigi Yuugi is not a bad anime by any means. You might find it watchable. I simply didn't.
Animation: 2.5/5 Okay art, but the horrid animation hurts my eyes. The Tokyo Babylon OVAs, which were released in 1992 and 1994, have better animation than this. Music: 4/5 Nice music, I guess. The [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] is pleasant. Characters: 2/5 One star for the whole cast, one extra star for Nuriko. Plot: 4.5/5 The basic plot is honestly the strongest part of this anime. The plot is good, it wasn’t cliché when the manga was first released, but if only it had been executed better… Overall: 1.5/5 *Overall =/= average. Overall is my personal enjoyment. The lower the rating, the less enjoyment.
For your entertainment: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
02-07-2012, 11:06 PM
Linear Mode
