Fushigi Yuugi, Band 12: Ein unverzeihlicher Wunsch

ふしぎ遊戯 [Fushigi Yûgi] #12

by Yuu Watase

La joven Miaka viaja a un reino de fantasía mediante un libro mágico.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels, Shojo, Comics, Young Adult

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 26, 1995

About the author

Yuu Watase (渡瀬悠宇) is a Japanese shoujo manga-ka. She is known for her works Fushigi Yūgi, Alice 19th, Ceres: The Celestial Legend, Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden and Absolute Boyfriend. She likes all music, except heavy metal and old traditional music.

She received the Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo for Ceres, Celestial Legend in 1997. Since writing her debut short story "Pajama de Ojama" ("An Intrusion in Pajamas"), Watase has created more than 80 compiled volumes of short stories and continuing series. Because of her frequent use of beautiful male characters in her works, she is widely regarded in circles[which?] as a bishōnen manga artist.[citation needed] In October 2008, Watase began her first shōnen serialization, Arata: The Legend in Weekly Shōnen Sunday.
Her name is romanized as "Yû Watase" in earlier printings of Viz Media's publications of Fushigi Yūgi, Alice 19th, and Ceres, The Celestial Legend, while in Viz Media's Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden and Absolute Boyfriend her name is romanized as "Yuu Watase". In Chuang Yi's English-language versions of Fushigi Yugi (spelled without a macron or circumflex), her name is romanized as "Yu Watase".

Reviews

[AℳY♔Queen of Fat cats♔Ain't no lie Baby Byebyebye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried so much so many deaths and Hotohori Married, finally over Miaka but why his wife looks so much like my baby, not fair, I'm dead now.

[Jolly Ann Paciencia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m kinda pissed off of what happening in this book.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for complete series



I am actually really sad and disappointed. Fushigi Yuugi was that one classic shoujo fantasy that I never got around to reading even though I was convinced I would love it. I love Watase's art - this is an older work and the art is a tad dated, but it's perfectly lovely. It's a portal fantasy quest story with Chinese lore and it's not ridiculously long like many of its peers (I'm looking at you Inu Yasha and Yona of the Dawn). Eighteen volumes seemed like the perfect length and there was just no way I wasn't going to love this. It turns out that this manga has some of the worst pacing I have ever come across.

At its core, the story is pretty straight forward: Miaka is your normal school girl who comes by a magic book, gets pulled into an ancient fantasy world and is sent on a quest to collect items that will help her save the world she's in. For this, she needs to pull together some preordained set of warriors who fight by her side. Of course she falls in love with one of them and there's the big drama or which world she will end up staying in. All of this is pretty standard in this type of portal fantasy but that's exactly what I am here for. So while the premise isn't hugely unique, it's definitely not the problem I had with this story.

The first couple of volumes were insta-everything. I'm not just talking about Miaka and Tamahome falling madly in love from volume one, all other relationships are established in the same way. Yui, Miaka's best friend, is also in love with Tamahome from the moment they meet. The emperor is in love with Miaka from before they meet. All allies join their ranks effortlessly and they become best buddies just because. There's no real effort in recruiting any of the characters nor even finding them. Part of the whole point of this quest was to find these characters yet they just sometimes stumble into a scene, introducing themselves and declaring they're part of the gang and are already set to join them on a quest - no questions asked. It was so extreme that I don't think the last two characters added to the group were given much of a personality and were completely forgettable.

The problem with tossing these characters together like that is that there are no real developments. They say they all love and care for each other but, as far as I am concerned, I can't really believe them. If I see characters get to know each other, grow and form bonds, I will care for them. If they just pop out of the blue and risk limb and life for each other I feel there is something sorely lacking. I can't invest into friendships or romances that just kind of happened without any development whatsoever.

The plot becomes continuously more dark and a lot of deaths and loss occur. I'd normally feel something for these characters by that point but everything feels so over the top dramatic given what it is all based on. The pacing did improve quite a bit halfway through the series and the last couple of volumes were over all well-paced. The problem is that the damage was already done - the characters grew on me to some extent and while their actions and motifs became more believable, it still didn't do away with how wishy-washy their starting point was.

I also need to dedicate a paragraph to Yui - I feel no sympathy for her whatsoever. I don't care if she was manipulated, her actions were shallow and selfish. She blames Miaka for things she didn't do and sets heaven and hell loose just to get an uncalled for revenge. It's such a shame because I liked Yui's character in the second arc but yet again, it was already ruined by how she acted in the first arc. I'm not saying a character can't redeem themselves, Yui did do her part to earn forgiveness. The problem is that her anger and bitterness was completely misplaced and out of proportion.

I am not saying that this is a bad manga. I do think that a lot of people who like this are driven by nostalgia and I think I would have liked it a lot more had it also been one of my first manga. But after years of manga reading, this just doesn't deliver emotionally what I would expect of a good fantasy manga. The art is its strongest point, the characters are nice but they were never given the time they needed to grow. I don't think that eighteen volumes was too short, I just think that Watase priorities the wrong things over proper character and relationship development. I am not even sure what I am going to do with my copies - it's a good chunk of eighteen volumes taking up shelf space and somehow I don't see myself reading it again. Yet there's a part of me that just really wants to like this - but of course, wanting to like something and actually liking it are not the same thing. I think it will ultimately depend on how much I like its prequel Genbu Kaiden - I expect it to be a better work as it was written later and Watase has already proven in other works and in Fushigi Yuugi's second arc that she can write a properly paced story.

[Bee (BacchusVines) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course Yui is going to summon the beast first :v

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent. Pretty good story. =)

[Tamikan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh man, I forgot about that one. :(

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of a pretty good climax! Everything comes to a head basically as Yui continues to want Miaka to suffer the same way she has. You get the sense that while it is about Tamahome on the very basic level, it's really about her feeling betrayed and abandoned by her best friend. (Feelings helped along by Nakago).

Also Tamahome in the real world! Back in the day this was exciting. I was completely floored by it. It doesn't really hold up that well, however, at least not to me. Part of the problem is I just can't see any chemistry between Tamahome and Miaka and the majority of these scenes are about Tamahome and Miaka, reaffirming their love and encountering more obstacles to their happiness. It just does nothing for me.

Part of the problem, too, is that things aren't given much room to expand emotionally. Perhaps it's because I'm reading this all in one chunk rather than week to week, or perhaps Watase was constricted in what she was able to do-- But Tamahome encounters a problem discovering he's a fictional character. And tbf that's done really well! You can see how shocked/freaked out he is by this and then a few chapters later comes out of it. I just liked to see more. I wonder what would have happened it Watase had been given free reign?

Other than that, we have more character deaths. Primarily Soi and Mitsukake. Soi's death obviously has a huge impact on Nakago even if you get the sense that these are feelings he can't/won't process.

Mitsukake's death really effects Chichiri. While I really enjoy how Mitsukake's death was due to his own agency and desire to help, basically exhausting himself to death, I really wish Miaka had reacted at all. I mean granted Suzaku was sealed and their connection broken so she wouldn't have felt it and I know Watase doesn't have tons of space, but once again one of the less popular Suzaku seishi is shunted to the side.

That being said Mitsukake's death in the anime was really well done and carried a huge impact, mostly due to the talents of Seki Tomokazu but also the music and general atmosphere made me cry back in the day. Oops me

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's post is on Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play, Volume 12: Girlfriend by Yuu Watase. It is 183 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the two main characters on it facing facing the reader with excitement. The intended reader is someone who likes historical fantasy, high fantasy, romance, and shojo stories. There is mild foul language, mild sexuality, and violence in this story. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Girlfriend
A god is summoned, a wish is granted, and all is not right with Miaka Yuki! The good empire of Hong-Nan is overrun with enemies; Celestial Warrior powers useless; and Miaka finds herself back in the real world unable to help her friends! Can a young woman transform herself from a priestess back into a simple girlfriend?


Review- Yui summons Seiryu and she starts using her wishes. She sends both herself and Miaka back to the real world but Tamahome goes with them by not letting Miaka go. In the outside world, he learns that he is a character in a book. That gives him an identity crisis but he comes through it and decides that he loves Miaka and she loves loves him and that is enough. I really have no idea where Watase is going with the story now. What does it mean that Tamahome and others from the book can come into the real world? What is going to happen to Yui when she uses her last wish for the General Nakago and makes him a god? Yui is getting weaker every time she uses a wish, so I'm sure that she is going to die but after that what then? Watase has me fully engaged in the story now and with only six volumes left thing are getting real serious.

I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow fashion in the 90s. Sure was a thing. That vest/shirt combo, Tama-chan? Longer vest or shorter shirt. Otherwise, I mean aside from Watase's continual use of a problematic punchline (yay 90s) and the love story, which yes okay. I know it's the Miracle Romance and the whole pivot upon which the series turns. But even when I first read it in the 90s I was like come on guys.

Also it bothers me that you know, there are seven seishi. Seven. Seven. And while I'm not saying Miaka has to have deep interpersonal connections with all of them on the same level, they are serving you you know. Like, come on, man. Chiriko died. Spend a little time with that. He was a kid

There are some interesting things in this volume and I love Tamahome's reactions, and Keisuke's. But at the same time like. I'd care a little more about their miracle romance if this wasn't the fifth time they learned more or less the same lesson.

[Aikazen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 12 of Fushigi Yûgi is an intense, heart-wrenching continuation of Miaka’s quest to summon Suzaku. The emotional weight of this volume is heavy, with moments of loss, sacrifice, and desperation. Miaka faces one of her greatest challenges yet as the lines between trust and betrayal blur.

Tamahome’s struggle with his identity and loyalty deepens, and his relationship with Miaka is pushed to the brink. Meanwhile, Nakago’s manipulation reaches new heights as he continues to control Yui and the Seiryuu warriors, leaving devastation in his wake.

The story grows darker, with serious consequences for the characters’ actions. Yet, amid the chaos, Miaka’s determination and the strength of the Suzaku warriors remain a beacon of hope. Yuu Watase’s art and storytelling shine in this volume, capturing both the intensity of the battles and the emotional turmoil of the characters.

[Zennica Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Suzaku Seven are as loyal and chaotic as ever, each playing their part in this swirling mess of destiny. Tasuki is still the king of one-liners (and low-key crushing on Miaka), while Chichiri continues to dispense sage advice like an exasperated babysitter for a group of toddlers wielding swords. They’re the glue holding this hot mess together, and honestly, we don’t deserve them.

As for Yui, she’s still stuck in her tragic anti-hero phase, trying to untangle her feelings while Nakago whispers poison in her ear like the world’s worst life coach. You want to hug her, shake her, and yell “Girl, he’s NOT your friend!” all at once.

[Lau · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Me encantó este volumen.
Claro que Yui iba a convocar primero a Seiryuu. Qué manera de malgastar deseos en resentimiento.

Y aunque la felicidad haya durado poco, los momentos de Tamahome y Miaka en este mundo fueron hermosos y muy simpáticos. Me alegra también que Hotohori haya seguido adelante.

[Anne Mey · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'aime beaucoup qu'ils viennent dans le monde de Miaka. On a l'espoir que ça va les aider à rester ensemble et en même temps ça ouvre la porte à l'envahissement du monde par Nakago. De bonnes idées donc pour maintenir la tension.

[Inah Solacito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tamahome’s words towards the end is ✨

[Zai Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hate Yui's character!

[✨Sky✨ ♏ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

[Ally Alcopop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allyjane9160@gmail.com

[✨Samantha Lopez✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost Boyyyyyyyy 💌🥹

[Lindsey Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whaaaaaat????

[ⓘⓣⓐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 goal 168/150

[Veronica Ika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yui's Vengeful Wishes
Yui's summoning of Seiryu heralds a devastating turn of events as she uses her newfound power to seal Suzaku forever and strip Miaka's Celestial Warriors of their divine status, rendering them mere mortals. With her first wish fulfilled, Yui's jealousy and resentment drive her to further action.

A Desperate Gambit
Yui's second wish to return to their world with Miaka, thus separating her and Tamahome, backfires as Tamahome is inadvertently transported alongside the girls. Fueled by jealousy and desperation, Yui summons her warrior to aid her in separating Miaka and Tamahome, even if it means destroying their world in the process.

A World in Peril
As Yui's vengeful wishes threaten to tear their world apart, Miaka and Tamahome find themselves facing an unimaginable threat from within. With their love tested and their world hanging in the balance, they must find a way to overcome Yui's machinations and restore peace before it's too late.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome back to another recap of Fushigi Yugi! In this volume well Yui manages to sort of succeed while still somehow failing, I cry for Soi, Nakago maybe sort of understands human emotion a bit better, Miaka's Mom is still THE WORST, Hotohori is married, Seiryu appears and Keisuke apparently has a crush on Tamahome.

Wow that's just the basics!

You'll note my rating went up again - that's cause we're getting down to the wire on the first Story Arc and that means action action action.

Nakago starts like doing warrior shit instead of threats, Yui more or less gets serious and ugh ok we lose another two warriors on both sides. Oh and Tama-baby is a vampire! he has no reflection!

By in large I enjoyed this, tho for serious Yui & Miaka's feud has lasted as long as the hundreds of obstacles between Miaka & Tamahome. It's annoying.

[Leila Anani · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG Yui succeeds in summoning Seriyu... I did not see that coming. Not only that but her first wish is to seal Suzaku so Miaka can't succeed. This volume turns everything on it's head. Yui's second wish is to send Miaka home so she can never enter the universe of the four gods again. Tamahome enters the real world but he's not quite real - I love how he doesn't have a shadow and has to come to terms with the fact that he's not a real boy. Hotohori got married to a woman who looks like Nuriko... when did that happen!???

Loads of surprises in this one and a cliff hanger ending so have volume 13 on hand. Great art as ever and a really exciting story make his shojo manga at its best.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watase's side notes claim the next compilation would be the last but there's 18 books total! I guess the story got away from her, haha. This one details the final fate of Suzuno, the Byakko priestess. We finally made it back to the real world!

[Rei · Rating 5 out of 5]

God I think this one is my favorite from the whole series! Hotohori made me cry! I just want Yui to die, is unforgettable and unforgivable what she has done!! and such lovely words Tamahome said at the end!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

good fights the evil.

a fight for all to have hope!
great read

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ahh! these are really bad don't read them!!! The story is still cute but there are really bad things in these if you do read them.. stop at five..:)

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keep it going

[Danyka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched and loved the Anime version of this since I was a kid. It also landed on my favorites.

For now, I got no plans for buying a copy.

[Raechel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yui and Miaka have returned to their world!