Fushigi Yūgi

] After eight volumes, Viz stopped publication of "Fushigi Yūgi", reviving it in June 2003 when it released the first two volumes in unflipped standard manga size volumes. The remaining volumes were released on a quarterly schedule, including the remaining ten volumes. The final volume of the series was released in April 2006. In the table below, the dates and ISBN numbers given for the first eight volumes are for the second edition releases.cite press release |url=http://www.viz.com/news/newsroom/2004/03_secondedition.php |title=Viz Announces Release of Second Edition Manga Titles |publisher=Viz Media |date=2004-03-18 |accessdate=2008-02-23 ]

Viz also serialized "Fushigi Yūgi" in their manga anthology magazine, "Animerica Extra", starting with the October 1998 debut issue and running until the December 2004 issue, the magazine's final issue.cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/685.html |title=Viz Builds Strong Shōjo Slate |publisher = ICv2 |date=2001-09-06 |accessdate=2008-02-23 ] In January 2009, Viz is slated to re-release the series as part of their "VIZBIG" line, which usually combines two or three individual volumes of the original release into a single, larger volume. [cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-02-24/amazon-viz-adds-gaba-kawa-heaven-will-oishinbo |title=Amazon: Viz Adds Gaba Kawa, Heaven's Will, Oishinbo |publisher=Anime News Network |date=2008-02-24 |accessdate=2008-02-24 ]

Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 1
OriginalRelDate = May 1992
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343512
LicensedRelDate = June 2003
LicensedISBN = 978-1569319574
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Priestess
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 2
OriginalRelDate = August 1992
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343529
LicensedRelDate = June 2003
LicensedISBN = 978-1569319581
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Oracle
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 3
OriginalRelDate = November 1992
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343536
LicensedRelDate = July 2004
LicensedISBN = 978-1569319925
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Disciple
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 4
OriginalRelDate = January 1993
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343543
LicensedRelDate = October 2004
LicensedISBN = 978-1569319932
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Bandit
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 5
OriginalRelDate = April 1993
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343550
LicensedRelDate = December 2004
LicensedISBN = 978-1591160977
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Rival
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 6
OriginalRelDate = July 1993
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343567
LicensedRelDate = April 2005
LicensedISBN = 978-1591160984
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Summoner
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 7
OriginalRelDate = October 1993
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343574
LicensedRelDate = July 2005
LicensedISBN = 978-1591161394
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Castaway
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 8
OriginalRelDate = January 1994
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343581
LicensedRelDate = October 2005
LicensedISBN = 978-1591160878
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Friend
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 9
OriginalRelDate = April 1994
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343598
LicensedRelDate = November 2003
LicensedISBN = 978-1591160960
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Lover
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 10
OriginalRelDate = July 1994
OriginalISBN = 978-4091343604
LicensedRelDate = March 2004
LicensedISBN = 978-1591161387
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Enemy
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 11
OriginalRelDate = October 1994
OriginalISBN = 978-4091362216
LicensedRelDate = June 2004
LicensedISBN = 978-1591161073
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Veteran
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 12
OriginalRelDate = January 1995
OriginalISBN = 978-4091362223
LicensedRelDate = February 2004
LicensedISBN = 978-1591162018
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Girlfriend
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 13
OriginalRelDate = April 1995
OriginalISBN = 978-4091362230
LicensedRelDate = November 2004
LicensedISBN = 978-1591160861
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Goddess
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 14
OriginalRelDate = July 1995
OriginalISBN = 978-4091362247
LicensedRelDate = April 2005
LicensedISBN = 978-1591167372
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Prophet
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 15
OriginalRelDate = October 1995
OriginalISBN = 978-4091362254
LicensedRelDate = July 2005
LicensedISBN = 978-1591168430
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Guardian
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 16
OriginalRelDate = January 1996
OriginalISBN = 978-4091362261
LicensedRelDate = October 2005
LicensedISBN = 978-1421500232
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Assassin
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 17
OriginalRelDate = April 1996
OriginalISBN = 978-4091362278
LicensedRelDate = January 2006
LicensedISBN = 978-1421501802
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Demon
Summary = Graphic novel list
VolumeNumber = 18
OriginalRelDate = July 1996
OriginalISBN = 978-4091362285
LicensedRelDate = April 2006
LicensedISBN = 978-1421503936
ChapterList =
VolumeExtras = Volume title: Bride
Summary =

Anime

Produced by Studio Pierrot, the fifty-two episode "Fushigi Yūgi" anime series premiered on Animax and TV Tokyo on April 6, 1995. The series aired weekly, until the final episode aired on March 28, 1996. The series is now available on dvd, including all 52 episodes.

The anime series was followed by three Original Video Animation releases. The first OVA, covering three episodes, takes place a year after the events of the main series and has no ties to the original manga. It was released to DVD on October 25, 1996. The second OVA, which has 6 episodes, animates the last four volumes of the manga series that had been left out of the main series. The episodes were split across two volumes, with the first released May 25, 1997, and the second coming over a year later on August 25, 1998. The final OVA, "Fushigi Yūgi Eikoden", spans four episodes and is based on two of the light novels written by Megumi Nishizaki. It was released on December 21, 2001.

The main series and all three OVAs were licensed for Region 1 release by Geneon Entertainment, then named Pioneer, under the expanded title "Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play." It has been suggested that Geneon chose to license the series based on its popularity among the fansub community. [ [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=871098 Of Otaku and Fansubs: A Critical Look at Anime Online in Light of Current Issues in Copyright Law] ] The main series was released in eight individual volumes and as two box sets, the "Suzaku" and "Seiryū" sets. The first two OVAs were release together in a set titled "Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play OVA". "Fushigi Yūgi Eikoden" was released as a single disc volume. The two box sets and the two OVAs were released with similar packaging, to give them a consistent look. [cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/indepth/619.html |title=Sailor Moon Explained, Plus Fushigi Yugi, Cardcaptors, More |publisher = ICv2 |date=2001-08-12 |accessdate=2008-02-23 ] All four sets were taken out-of-print and no longer available. With the closure of Geneon USA, the individual volumes are now also out-of-print.

Novels

Over a series of five years, Megumi Nishizaki wrote thirteen Japanese light novels based on "Fushigi Yūgi". With illustrations by Yuu Watase, "Fushigi Yūgi Gaiden" primarily explores the lives the various Celestial Warriors before they are seen in the manga. The only two novels to be set after the manga, "Eikō Den (Jōkan)" and "Eikō Den (Gekan)", later became the basis for the third "Fushigi Yūgi" original video animation, "Fushigi Yūgi Eikoden." Originally published by Shogakukan, none of the novels have been licensed for English release.

Video game

Idea Factory is developing a Sony Playstation 2 video game based on the "Fushigi Yūgi" series that will be called "Fushigi Yūgi: Suzaku Ibun" (ふしぎ遊戯 朱雀異聞). It has a projected release date in Japan of May 29, 2008, and will be available in regular and limited editions. [cite web| url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/944455.html |publisher=GameFAQs |title=Fushigi Yuugi: Suzaku Ibun |accessdate=2008-02-06 ] [cite web| url=http://www.otomate.jp/fusigi/suzaku_ibun/ |publisher=Idea Factory |title=Fushigi Yūgi: Suzaku Ibun (nihongo2|ふしぎ遊戯 朱雀異聞) |accessdate=2008-02-06 ]

Reception

"THEM Anime Reviews" preferred the manga to the anime, and criticized the production values of the anime, and repetitious dialogue and the reuse of footage in flashback episodes. [ [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=44 Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play] THEM Anime Reviews] "DVD Verdict" criticized the "convoluted" plot and "nonsensical" dialogue. [ [http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/fushigiyugivol2.php Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play...The Return Home (Volume 2)] DVD Verdict] Another review noted that although Miaka "makes out with her boyfriend quite a bit", the climax is "of the heart and soul", despite the many battles that the characters go through. Her strength and belief in herself give her the strength and courage to change the world. [ [http://www.ex.org/2.8/45-essay_stereotypes.html the new stereotypes of anime and manga] ] Drazen considers the humour in "Fushigi Yūgi" to be based on super deformed caricatures and strange to Western audiences.cite book |last=Drazen |first=Patrick |title=Anime Explosion! The What? Why? & Wow! of Japanese Animation |year=2002 | month=October |publisher=Stone Bridge Press |location=Berkeley, California |isbn=1-880656-72-8 |oclc=50898281 |pages=pp.281-282]

References

External links

;Fushigi Yūgi
* [http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=64 Official Viz Media "Fushigi Yūgi" manga series site]
* [http://pierrot.jp/title/fushigi/ Official Studio Pierrot "Fushigi Yūgi" anime series site] ja icon
*ann manga|id=1539
*ann anime|id=178

;OVAs
* [http://pierrot.jp/title/eikoden/ Official Studio Pierrot site for "Fushigi Yūgi Eikoden"]
*ann anime|id=967|title=Fushigi Yūgi Eikoden