I’ve been a fan of shoujo manga for 20 years, and for much of that, I’ve been fighting to get other manga readers to take it more seriously. I even started a podcast, Shojo & Tell, where I talk to other fans and industry professionals about it. Even so, the word “shoujo” for me evokes knee-jerk stereotypes and assumptions that I have to consciously fight against.
Through its raw, emotional, sometimes-frustrating narrative, Fushigi Yugi uses isekai trappings and the relationship between Miaka and Yui to explore common sources of desire and anxiety for teenage girls along with their potential consequences, both positive and negative. By tapping into the mentality of its audience and providing reassurance in its conclusion, Fushigi Yugi serves the function of a modern fable or fairy tale.
Full of big adventure and bigger emotions, Fushigi Yugi scratched an itch I hadn’t even known I had: for fantastical, adventure-driven comics and TV shows that placed as much focus on character relationships and emotional turmoil as they did on action and intrigue, and treated those feelings not only with respect, but as powerful forces essential to the plot.
The team finishes out the OVAs in trademark rollercoaster fashion as they bask in one of the series’ highest highs, suffer through one of its lowest lows, and still come out the other side fighting for this messy, sincere franchise. Taka finds himself. Chichiri needs a hug. Mayo does everything wrong.
The multi-part Fushigi Yugi watchalong with Dee, Vrai, and Caitlin is back for a pair of bonus episodes covering the OVAs! Here in Part 1, the team talks Oni 1 and half of Oni 2. (Spoiler alert: It’s the angry half.) Studio Pierrot writes a drunken fanfic. Hotohori and Nuriko revisit some old haunts. Tasuki gets […]
During the Chatty AF Fushigi Yugi watchalong, Caitlin, Dee, and Vrai would frequently chat privately about the show. While watching the OVAs, the conversation turned to the relationship between a pair of supporting characters, which in turn developed into a spontaneous discussion about age-gap romances in fiction. As the subject is a complicated one (and particularly topical given recent anime), the team thought it worthwhile to expand it into a roundtable and publish it for the site.
Part 8 of the multi-part watchalong of Fushigi Yugi with Caitlin, Vrai, and Dee! As gods rise, characters fall, and the TV series comes to an explosive conclusion, the team discusses the highs and lows and argues for the show’s place in the anime canon.
Part 7 of the multi-part Fushigi Yugi watchalong with Dee, Vrai, and Caitlin! With the badlands safely behind them, the team returns to the show’s usual mixed bag of big adventure and even bigger emotions as the series heads into its action-packed home stretch. Yui phones home. Keisuke makes the Best Boy shortlist. Miaka’s thirst intensifies.
Part 6 of our Fushigi Yugi watchalong with Dee, Vrai, and Caitlin! The team enters the show’s infamous badlands, and only headcanon AUs, visual novel tangents, and copious amounts of alcohol can get them through it. Nakago levels up to Literal Worst. Tamahome boyfriends good. Miaka stabs her way to freedom.
Part 5 of our Fushigi Yugi watchalong with Caitlin, Dee, and Vrai! Emotions run high as the team grapples with the loss of a beloved character and the many, many problems with the story’s handling of gender and sexuality. Miaka applies for dual citizenship. Tamahome invents a stereotype. Nuriko opens up.
Part 4 of the Fushigi Yugi watchalong with Vrai, Dee, and Caitlin! The ensemble cast shines in another strong stretch, but there’s a storm on the horizon, and we ain’t just talking about Soi’s lightning powers. Chiriko gets real. Miaka straps on her chastity belt. Tamahome has a very bad week.
Part 3 of the multi-part Fushigi Yugi watchalong with Vrai, Dee, and Caitlin! Amidst another fun stretch of episodes, the sleep-deprived trio talks Dubtales, ‘shipping wars, and isekai appeal. Mitsukake is 1000% done. Chiriko is unappreciated in his time. Tasuki is a very good boy.
Part 2 of the multi-part Fushigi Yugi watchalong with Dee, Vrai, and Caitlin! The series hits its stride as an engaging fantasy adventure and tackles some difficult topics, with… mixed results. Miaka flies solo. Hotohori sucks at his job. Chichiri is an effing adult.
Part 1 of the very-multi-part watchalong of the ’90s shoujo fantasy Fushigi Yugi with Caitlin, Dee, and Vrai! For this first installment, the gang takes a trip down memory lane. Miaka is pretty okay actually. Everybody loves Nuriko. Hotohori? Not so much.
