Welcome to a new manga recap session! Today's docket is Fushigi Yugi (aka The Mysterious Play, waaaay back when this was originally translated and released by Viz) volume 1: Priestess.

Meet Miaka Yuki, an average Japanese middle school student cramming for her exams. Meet Yui Hongo, an above average student who is (supposedly) Miaka's Bestie. They find a forbidden book called "The Universe of Four Gods" and the power it contains. Miaka goes back, cause hey easy Street am I right?, and Yui is more or less stuck dealing with that in our world.

In this vol we meet: Tamahome (profiteering jack of all trades master martial artist), Hotohori (the prettiest flower...also the Emperor) and Nuriko (one tough broad...er delicate lady of the Inner Seraglio).

We can recap like this: Miaka don't do that! (does it) Miaka do this! (runs away) Miaka listen! (tunes out) Miaka I love you! (freaks out) Miaka I don't care about you! (faints)

Plus eating every chance she could.

I forgot how early on Hotohori falls for Miaka and just how rabidly anti-Miaka Nuriko was originally. I love Tamahome & Nuriko's dynamic, but Nuriko is pretty awesome. Really everyone is pretty awesome...until they succumb to the reverse harem rule: thou must love the heroine.

At the time I didn't realize it but this IS a reverse harem. Which is odd cause there's a lot of copy cat animes most of which are based on otome games. I could be wrong but I don't think FY was ever turned into an otome game (lost opportunity there). This would make a fantastic live action historical drama (there was the one based on Inuyasha...not that it was good, but this is at least as pretty as Chinese Paladin. Actually Hu Ge would have made a great Tamahome and Alec Su a good Hotohori, back in the day).

Time passes super fast for Miaka, but that's actually explained later. First mention of my all time favorite side character Tai-yi Jun. She's lol Grandma Toph, but even crankier.

Nice nostalgia trip, though young me (15) was so impressed by Hotohori's confident confession to Miaka. Old me (32) is like I AM JUST GLAD WATASE INCLUDED CONSENT STIPULATIONS. ( )

This is one of the classic shoujo mangas by Yuu Watase. I am a fan since I was little. I remember watching the anime of Fushigi Yuugi and Marmalade Boy. Although the anime of Fushigi Yuugi is for more mature viewers as I remember. The illustrations are superb. The plot interests me a lot. It is quite original for me.

Miaka and Yui experienced an earthquake inside the restricted part of the library. They saw an opened book and read that those who will read it will become the heroine in the story. They got sucked by the book and went to another world. They met Tamahome who demanded money for anything (reasons will be shown on further volumes).

The characters slowly show their personalities. The heroine, Miaka, does not think much but she has a big heart & courage. The hero is a knight in shinning armor, and there is a love triangle. It's the old-school formula for shoujo (because you know, this manga is old). Miaka might be seen as a weak character but I think she is just a magnet for trouble. I see her as strong because of her bravery, even more often where she is reckless! Nevertheless, she is endearing and funny. I like the comical scenes especially when it appear in the serious parts. The parodies add value to each volumes, the assistants also showed their creativity. ( )

Miaka Yuki is an ordinary junior-high student who is suddenly whisked away into the world of a book, The Universe Of The Four Gods. There she becomes the priestess of the god Suzaku, and is charged with finding all seven of her Celestial-Warrior protectors. ( )

Miaka Yuki is an ordinary junior-high student who is suddenly whisked away into the world of a book, The Universe Of The Four Gods. There she becomes the priestess of the god Suzaku, and is charged with finding all seven of her Celestial-Warrior protectors. ( )

The first in a series, and part of my continuing journey to read what my kids are. I have to say, I actually liked this one. Maybe because I started at the beginning, unlike some of the manga I’ve read, or because the author is young and not inundated with the stereo-types of manga (or rather, those that I associate with manga), or maybe it’s the atypical heroine who is not sure she wants to be the center of this story.

Read full review here:
https://ermareads.wordpress.com/graphically-graphic/fushigi-yugi-vol-1-priestess... ( )