Fushigi Yûgi: The Mysterious Play, Vol. 9: Lover

ふしぎ遊戯 [Fushigi Yûgi] #9

by Yuu Watase

Series Description: Fushigi Yugi features a modern girl magically transported into an ancient Chinese epic fantasy. When they open an ancient Chinese book, best friends Miaka and Yui are transported to the bizarre and dangerous Universe of the Four Gods. In a world with no fast food and no friends, they must find the seven Celestial Warriors and tap the power they hold. Attacks by ninja emissaries, an excursion into the court of the enemy, and Yui's sudden transformation into the Priestess of Seiryu put the two to the ultimate test A much-loved member of the Celestial Warriors of Suzaku has given his life for the sake of a treasure left behind by the god of the North. The Shentso-Pao is one of the keys to summoning the god Suzaku and having Miaka's most cherished wishes granted. Even if she passes the trials and obtains the treasure, can she hold onto it with the murderous Warriors of Seiryu close on her heels?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels, Shojo, Fiction, Comics

187 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 1994

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

[Lexie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welcome to another recap of Fushigi Yugi! You may notice the low rating! Let me explain - I meant to keep track but I believe this is the SECOND time Nakago uses rape as a means to manipulate a situation.

I want to remind you this is written by a female for a female audience and Nakago, aside from his depraved personality, is drawn quite attractively. AND THE GIRLS INVOLVED ARE AT BEST 16.

When I was originally reading this I was in the middle of at least three other fantasy series (From Far Away, Basara and Red River) and while Red River deals with the...dubious nature at times of Yuri's consent to Kail (read my recaps to see what I mean) rape is not a factor in any of them.

At most there's a scene in Basara where Sarasa is in danger, but it literally lasts two pages and was actually man on man sexual violence (Sarasa was dressed as a man and the guys involved saw her as a guy) not manipulation via sexual violence of a man towards a woman (not that it excuses the behavior, but the standard is differently held).

Yet in another volume or so we have ANOTHER instance of, at Nakago's insistence, Miaka being put in a sexually compromising position. That's THREE instances, all at Nakago's word, involving sexual violence (or the threat thereof) against either Yui (once) or Miaka (twice).

I just...I don't like this. Arata & Genbu do NOT feature this (at least not in a way I can remember so frequently), though Ceres (more or less an English translated contemporary to this series, also by Watase) was basically PREDICATED on the fact sexual violence was done, repeatedly and continued (Aya's brother, once possessed is SUPER INCEST RAPEY) and I remember a few other series being sort of big on it (Peach Girl's Sae was attacked, Boys Over Flowers had this for a while, as did Mars with Kira and her stepfather...) so maybe it was a 90s shoujo thing?

Elsewise Nakago is a team killing fucktard. Nuriko is pretty. Suboshi gets ahead of himself. And...I'm done with this volume.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

somebody pls get rid of Nakago

[Lemoona · Rating 3 out of 5]

….why.

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

Volume 9 Lover

After the death of a loyal friend, the Celestial Warriors and the lady Miaka opened the doors to where the Shentsopao. The group finds themselves in a dark cave with skeletal remains under their feet. Shocked by the discovery two Celestial warriors from 200 years ago appeared as ghost. Then the ghost generals test the Celestial warriors and the lady Miaka to see if the power of Suzaku is real! Frozen by the power of the ghost generals the Lady Miaka is frozen in thin ice. However, the bracelets that were once belonged to Nuriko shine through a red light of energy brust! Freeing the Lady Miaka from the frozen prison. Shocked by her demonstration of her own power the ghost generals acted in tune. Then the ghost generals open the doors to where the artifact is. Sadly, this isn't the first artifact they need to summon Suzaku.

On another note: the author knowledges the death of a dearly beloved friend, Nuriko with a lovely message. "Nuriko really valued life. " What matters is being alive! Even if things get tough, there'll come a time when we can laugh about it."

Chapter 51 A Hazardous Bargain & Chapter 52 Mirage of Hell!


After long at last the Shentsopao is at their hands! But the celebration has to be cancelled! For a dirty Celestial warrior of the Seiryu Seven Ashitare died and become a wolf demon. Steals the Shentsopao away from the lady Miaka. The lady Miaka then chases after begging and pleading that he gives it back, but it's already too late. Wolf dog, then returns back to the campsite and the Shentsopao is in the hands of Nakago. In distress a fake Tai-Yi-jun the appears in front of Miaka eyes. The fake Tai-Yi-jun then advice the lady Miaka to go in search for Nakago to weaken his Chi by doing intercourse with him. Disgusted by Tai-Yi-jun advice the Lady Miaka goes in search for Nakago. Tamahome and the others headed out in search for a town to settle for the night. But Tamahome had a bad feeling about something and leaves the group behind to go after the Lady Miaka. Trying to get the Shentsopao from Nakago the Lady Miaka fails to get it back from him. Then Nakago pins the Lady Miaka to the tent walls using all his chi on her. He then tells her the real truth of how he rescues the lady Yui from being raped and brainwashing her to hate the Lady Miaka. Angered by his words the Lady Miaka tries to break free from his powers and pushes through. The lady Miaka is then knocked out cold. Nakago tries to take advantage of her, but a red flame of power burst out of her protecting her. Nakago then smiles in evil as he plans a surprise attack on Tamahome tricking him into believing that the Lady Miaka is no longer a virgin. Tamahome then launches a powerful source of energy from his hands, leaving Nakago in defense. Tamahome then runs away and finds the lady Miaka in distress. Cuts and bruises decorate her body along with cuts from her school uniform. Her hair is in a mess and her red ribbon is undone. Tamahome looks in terror as the Lady Miaka screams in pain.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh this is what they meant about part 2. Oof.
I picked this up because 2 years ago I left off around Volume 8 and I didn't want to reread that half of the series for the 3rd time without ever having finished the whole series.

This volume is not sucking me back into the world however. Like the stakes have been raised, but the sexual rules and the maybe-rape was like too much. I get this is rated OT (older teen) but this was excessive. Just too much, really. And are they necessary? The lore about Yue was good though and it was nice to see a not "evil" side of her, just hurt and confused.

I'm hoping these last few volumes aren't so icky.

[Pixie 🍜 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sexual violence runs rampant as usual

[Jolly Ann Paciencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is wonderful but I really don’t like the ending.

[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.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was where all the depressing stuff started to happen. It was almost hard to read... still, it was good. I love Chichiri and Chiriko. ^^ And, while I'm reviewing, I guess I should say that I love Amiboshi, too.

[Kirsten Simkiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing like rape plotlines to make me really loathe a book. I don't remember these as being so problematic.

[Inah Solacito · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miaka’s actions are irritating sometimes haha 😅 but humans can really be like that, especially when overpowered by emotions.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes, Miaka is so annoying.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today's post is on Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play, Volume 9: Lover by Yuu Watase. It is 187 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has the two main characters on it facing looking in the distance with excitement towards something that the reader cannot see. 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- A much-loved member of the Celestial Warriors of Suzaku has given his life for the sake of a treasure left behind by the god of the North. The Shentso-Pao is one of the keys to summoning the god Suzaku and having Miaka's most cherished wishes granted. Even if she passes the trials and obtains the treasure, can she hold onto it with the murderous Warriors of Seiryu close on her heels?


Review- We start this volume with Nuriko's funeral and everyone is dealing with her death. The Seiryu general, who is the real villain of this series, is just waiting for Maika and company to finish getting the Shentso-Pao so he can steal it from them. Warriors from both sides are starting to drop like flies with two deaths on Seiryu's side and one on Suzaku. But the plot gets bigger from there as the General makes Miaka think that he raped her. I don't think he did, not because he wouldn't but I think that Tamahome got to Miaka in time but she believes it and that's what matters. But now we know for sure that Yui was never raped and one of her warriors in love with her. I even like that warrior but I do not believe that it is going to end well for them. Decent volume with both plot and character development and I can't wait to see where we are going next.

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

[Zennica Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, Volume 9 of Fushigi Yûgi... Where do I even begin? If you thought Volume 8 was a rollercoaster, let me just say that Volume 9 is the entire theme park. Just when you thought things couldn’t possibly get any more complicated, Yuu Watase takes a deep breath and says, "Hold my tea."

This volume dives deep into the land of “Why Are These People Still Surviving on Pure Drama?” The plot? Oh, it’s still here, in its full, gloriously tangled glory. We're talking about twists within twists and, of course, more life-or-death situations involving magical, angst-filled teenagers who should really consider therapy.

First up – the emotional breakdowns. You’d think by now I’d be used to them, but nope. Miaka and Tamahome are still doing their will-they-won’t-they dance, except now it's more of a should-they-even-be-together-because-everyone’s-a-hot-mess waltz. Every page flip feels like you’re on the verge of another tragic revelation. Just when I think it’s safe to breathe, someone drops an emotional bombshell and I’m back to crying into my pillow.

Tasuki’s still the MVP of "I’m here for the feels, but I also make you question everything in life." I swear, his entire existence is just one big emotional punch, followed by a dramatic "I don't know how I feel anymore." The guy's emotional baggage could probably fill an entire warehouse at this point, and yet, I still love him like he’s my dysfunctional anime child.

[Anne Mey · Rating 3 out of 5]

C'est le début des menaces sexuelles sur Miaka, ça va la poursuivre sur plusieurs tomes et je trouve ça un peu répétitif et en même temps assez réaliste vu toutes les pressions que les filles subissent de la part des hommes. Pour le scénario c'est un ressors un peu trop lu dont on se lasse et c'est dommage car au début l'horreur que cela nous procure est bien faite. Et on continue encore à avoir des raisons pour que Tamahomé et Miaka ne soient pas ensemble. Soit c'est elle qui croit qu'elle ne peut pas parce qu'elle n'est pas "pure" soit c'est lui qui pense que leur amour est impossible. C'est aussi un travail du scénario de continuer à séparer le couple principal pour entretenir la tension chez le lecteur mais je trouve ça assez lassant. Même si leurs décisions sont importantes et permettent à leur aventure de prendre de l'ampleur et à eux-mêmes de grandir dans cette relation ça fait beaucoup en peu de temps.

[Aikazen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 9 is one of the most emotionally charged installments of Fushigi Yûgi. The series has always blended romance, action, and fantasy, but this volume raises the bar with its dramatic character developments and betrayals. Miaka’s resilience is tested more than ever, and the brainwashing of Tamahome adds a painful layer to their already complicated love story.

Yui’s descent into darkness is particularly compelling—her actions are cruel, yet Watase ensures that readers still see the pain and insecurity that drive her decisions. Nakago continues to be a master manipulator, solidifying himself as one of the most formidable villains in shoujo manga.

[Pittoresque · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy. Dieser Band war...heftig, und schont die Emotionen seiner Leser kein Stück. Das will ich jetzt nicht der Geschichte vorwerfen, schließlich gehört da eine ordentliche Portion Drama dazu, dass es spannend wird, aber ein Genuss zu Lesen geht anders. Zwischen all dem Drama gibt es auch ein paar weitere, überraschende Enthüllungen, ein weiteres Cliffhanger-Ende, und wir machen uns schon wieder auf den Weg in ein neues Land, diesmal durch die Wüste. Ich bin gespannt...

[Lau · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Miaka "arregla" todo con salir corriendo, me cae bien ella y su personalidad mayormente liviana, pero ese recurso ya me está cansando. Y sí fue su culpa que le roben el amuleto, más a la mano no lo pudo dejar. Me da mucha pena por la pobre Nuriko, murió para ésto?

Hubo varias escenas que fueron a la vez horribles y bien hechas. Que alguien tire a Nakago por un acantilado por favor.

[♡Kayla♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can someone tell me why exactly there is so much sexual assault, or at least suspected SA, inflicted upon the two female leads?? I know this is from the 90s, and usually I give older stories a bit more leeway, but at this point, it's just ridiculous. I really feel like Yuu Watase ran out of ideas or something, because the story keeps going in circles, and it's getting repetitive and old. I'm tired of it, I want to go back to the fun adventure we were getting initially.

[✨Sky✨ ♏ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

[Andrea Aguas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish Miaka weren't so much of a crybaby and tried to help herself for once.

[fawkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se ha convertido en la telenovela más dramática del mundo, estic flipant.

[Lindsey Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg 😲 😱

[Jodi White · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give up. This is as far as I go 😅

[ⓘⓣⓐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024 goal 165/150

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Miaka stop running away for 1 volume?

[Finn Lectora · Rating 5 out of 5]

El manga tiene momentos más crudos que en la animación.

Tama está más salido que en su versión únicamente caballerosa y noble.

Nakago es de los mejores villanos de Watase (y con diferencia).

[David Doel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some volumes are better than others; for me, most are around 3.5 stars, some slightly higher, some slightly lower.

[Zai Muñoz · Rating 2 out of 5]

My most hated volume! 😭

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I wasn't so damned stubborn, I would have given up on this series. But I hate to leave anything as DNF. But I'm so close.

I still can't stand Miaka. She has shown no growth at all. Where's her character development?
And Nakago. What a vile person. Like, I understand he's a villain. But he's not even a *good* villain.

This entire volume should come with trigger warnings. I'm not easily offended, and even I found myself uncomfortable at how topics like rape were covered in this. Rape is never a good topic, but there's a right and a wrong way to go about it.