For fifteen year old Miaka Yuuki, life centred on two things- passing her high school entrance exams, and getting to eat all of her favourite dishes! All that changes, however, when she takes a trip to the National Library with her best friend Yui. Finding herself mysteriously drawn to the restricted section, Miaka discovers a Chinese novel entitled ‘The Universe of the Four Gods’�, and as she and Yui begin reading it, they find themselves drawn into the world of the book!

Whilst Yui is soon sent back to the real world, Miaka remains inside the Universe of the Four Gods (a world based on ancient China), where she accepts the role of Priestess of Suzaku, and with it, the responsibility to gather the seven seishi (celestial warriors) in order to summon the beast god Suzaku and have three wishes granted. To Miaka, the idea of being able to make all her dreams come true seems irresistible, but she soon discovers that her task will be far more difficult than she first imagined- especially when Yui returns to the Universe of the Four Gods and becomes the rival Priestess of Seiryu.

Despite the apparently simple ‘girl gets transported to another world’� concept of Fushigi Yuugi, the story is incredibly hard to condense, perhaps because of the depth and complexity of the characters and their interactions. Central to this is Miaka’s relationship with the seishi Tamahome, which is a source of much dramatic tension in the series (although even the most implacable viewer may become irritated by the ‘hot and cold’ nature of their relationship). Their feelings, however, form only the core of a much larger web of emotional connections (including more than a few cases of unrequited love) that motivate the actions of the characters throughout the series. For some of the characters, including Miaka herself, this is very much a coming of age story, as the trials they face force them to grow and mature. Unfortunately, not all of the main cast are given such development- some receive little attention beyond their introductory episodes.

If this all sounds too much like a soap opera to you, never fear, for Fushigi Yuugi has far more to offer. Action and intrigue are in ready supply as the Suzaku warriors clash with their Seiryu rivals through both outright battles and more subtle plots. Many of the seishi on both sides are gifted with superior physical prowess and even magical abilities, adding an extra spice to their conflicts. And, in the midst of all this, the series also finds time for humour, much of it relying on anime staples such as Miaka’s insatiable appetite.

Whilst not perhaps the most visually stunning of series, the beauty of Yuu Watase’s character designs ensures that Fushigi Yuugi continues to stand the test of time, although it must be admitted that the animation does show its age in places. Similarly, the soundtrack, if not deserving of classic status, is still surprisingly good, with both instrumental tracks and insert songs providing an additional layer of emotional depth to the more poignant scenes. In fact, the only real flaw in the audio is the English dub, which sadly sounds a little flat, especially when compared to the Japanese version.

In Summary

Romance may be a central theme in Fushigi Yuugi, but it is far from all the show has to offer- there is a sufficient range here to strike a chord with all but the most jaded and cynical of viewers. Be warned, though, if you find yourself easily annoyed by angsty relationships and unrequited love, you may want to approach with caution.