Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 05

ふしぎ遊戯 玄武開伝 [Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden] #5

by Yuu Watase

In the midst of a heated battle, Takiko is transported back to her own world. There, all the problems she escaped through her father's book are waiting for her: her mother's funeral, her father's disapproval, and her reunion with Mr. Ohsugi, her first love. But with the wisdom and strength she's found as the Priestess of Genbu, Takiko knows what she has to do. And when she discovers that the wishes of the Priestess really do have power in her world, she realizes that she must find a way to return to the Universe of the Four Gods!

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

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2004

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

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storytelling still feels unfocused on the larger scale, and even worse feels like it's killing time until the big splashy battles and sacrifices of the endgame.

There are definitely things to like here, though. Takiko as a protagonist is miles better than Miaka, the celestial warriors aren't a reverse harem, and there are a couple of odd or unusual members to make things fun. There might even be a woman in the main party!

I enjoy this while I'm reading it, but it's literally forgettable. There's something lacking about it, an overall impression of being dispassionate, rushed and/or by the numbers, that makes it not connect with me very well. I'm looking forward to starting up with Arata the Legend again, since that's my favorite series of Watase's.*

*I know that, like many manga series, it went "on hiatus" and was never seen again. Not the first series that's been true of, on either side of the Pacific....

[Ana Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Takiko you will always be famous.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's manga post is on Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 05 by Yuu Watase. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Uruki and Takiko on it. As it is the fifth in the series, you need to have read the first four volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this volume. The story is told from third person close of Takiko. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the manga- In the midst of a heated battle, Takiko is transported back to her own world. There, all the problems she escaped through her father's book are waiting for her: her mother's funeral, her father's disapproval, and her reunion with Mr. Ohsugi, her first love. But with the wisdom and strength she's found as the Priestess of Genbu, Takiko knows what she has to do. And when she discovers that the wishes of the Priestess really do have power in her world, she realizes that she must find a way to return to the Universe of the Four Gods!

Review- Takiko is back in her home world but she wants to get back. She wants to finish her mission as the Priestess of Genbu and bring peace to the kingdom. Of course when she returns, she has to deal with her feelings for Uruki and his for her. They decide to put them aside until after the mission is done. They also find the next Warrior and she doesn't want to go back and help. The plot continue to move forward at a good pace and the love story is becoming more important. I look forwarding to seeing why the next Warrior doesn't want to help and what trouble is coming next.

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

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for complete series



Despite Fushigi Yuugi being a classic fantasy shoujo manga, I only got around to it long after its original publication. Sadly, I was rather disappointed by it, especially given that it is a popular work. Genbu Kaiden is a newer work of Watase's and serves as a prequel to the original series and this series is everything I hoped the original would have been.

All the things wrong with the original were made right here: our main character Takiko largely makes sensible decisions - sure, they are sometimes also emotionally loaded and not always strategic, but she never left me shaking my head in frustration over stupid decisions. Takiko and her love interest don't fall in love from the start allowing for a much more natural flow which in turn led me to genuinely care about them. The pacing was just right for this kind of plot with only a few chapters seeming a little rushed. The characters we meet along the way are more fleshed out and contribute to the story beyond being yet another follower of the main character - they've got agendas and dreams of their own. The fact that they still chose to follow Takiko just makes their bonds seem a lot stronger than in the original series. While I love a bit of comedy here and there, it was far more subtle than in the original which at times came across as silly.

Having fixed all that, this is a wholesome fantasy series with lovely friendships, interesting family dynamics and bittersweet turn of events. Takiko is a strong main character both in her determination but also in her willingness to lift a weapon despite being physically weaker than her companions. The world is interesting and the art is simply beautiful. Although I doubt it will ever happen, if Watase were ever to redraw the original series at this standard, I have no doubt I would love it. Instead, I will hope that her other prequel series, Byakko Senki, will soon no longer be on hiatus and be drawn to the end.

Only one little beef I had with this series: it's common for many manga, especially in the shoujo area, to have a style in which the characters look very much alike. It's usually hair and clothing more than anything else that makes characters look different from each other. This has never been an issue for me but I don't mind when artists add some more diversity. What I don't like is when authors add diversity purely for diversities sake. I am not sure if this is what Watase's intention was but the Genbu Kaiden cast was a lot more diverse than the original series' was (e.g. I was very pleased to have some more important female characters besides the main character). But, as I have already found with some of Watase's other works, she tends to add some goofy or stereo typical cartoonish characters. Hatsui is an overweight character and everything from design to behaviour and personality feels like a joke rather than a proper member of the group. Why not add a competent overweight character rather than, apologies, a bumbling idiot who is treated more like an overgrown child?

[Leila Anani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takiko and co learn that the next celestial warrior is in a brothel - so they infiltrate it to try and find her.

Another brilliant instalment - Nearly had me in tears when Takiko and Limdo confess their love but then have to set their feelings aside for the sake of their quest. The brother sequences are fun and I love the bond Takiko has with each of the warriors. The latest one Inami has killer hair which just put a big smile on my face.

Beautiful art and an epic story. Loving this series.

[Mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

(12/22/2020)
I really did not see her coming back to her world, but I liked the progress it made for Takiko's character. I also liked that it was brief. This was a good volume.

Hikitsu/Tomite, by the way. I do not take suggestions at this time.

I will also say, I appreciate that at its core this story is about Takiko. I love that it's her decisions and her journey. I love that she's not perfect but I still root for her. She's such a badass.

[Maile Sarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so tired of Yui 😒🙄. I kind of understand how she feels betrayed that she feels like Miaka left her for Tamahome, but like you're basically doing the same???? Yui literally drugged Tamahome to make sure he fell in love with her and forgot about Miaka. Yui annoys the crap out of me. I can't even stand looking at the drawings of her ESPECIALLY when she's standing next to Tamahome all helpless looking. 🙄

[Cress · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the volume that sucked me in fully. The romance is set in stone, we have a good amount of our warriors in place, just gotta get two more warriors (one being Inami). I also feel that this is where things stop being light and fluffy. From here on out the characters will know the true meaning of pain. Sob.

[Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not anticipate a brothel storyline, or that one of the Genbu 7 would be a sex worker. Given some of the plot lines in the original I was nervous when this kicked off, but so far I'm interested. Especially in the reveal at the end. Also: I am here for Tomite and Hikitsu.

[Kala · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Stéphanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un tome sympathique avec de l'action, l'histoire avance vraiment bien et le rythme est plutôt bon.

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw yes they have confirmed their feelings!
Boo, they have to set it aside for the quest....

And brothel fun ! hahaha

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

No sabeis lo feliz que me está haciendo leer estos mangas de nuevo, aunque como ya se como acaban lloro en casi cada página JAJAJAJAJ socorro necesito terapia

[ⓘⓣⓐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 goal 137/150

[Nina Sakura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this series forever ago. I think it was like in 2003. I never knew what it's about & just picked it up at my library. I was not even old enough for the rating that they gave it, but I was intrigued. I believe they only had up to volume 5 so I just stopped reading it. Somehow (thankfully) I was reminded if this story and so I began re-reading it online and oh my gods I feel in love. It's great Takiko is such a great priestess and I love her connection with all the Celestial Warriors.
I didn't have any idea that it was a prequel, & I'm very tempted to read it just so I can see if the other priestess lives up to Takiko & her journey with the Celestial Warriors. I seriously feel in live with these characters & I'm pretty sure they will be hard to live up to.
--M

•Planetarium-- Ai Otsuka

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little difficult to get into, probably because it's been so long since I read Volume 4. My bad. I will sit down and read these from the beginning again, but probably not until I get at least a few more volumes in. I do love Yuu Watase's art, and her notes to the readers are always enjoyable. If this series has a major fault it is that it's a little too similar to the original Fushigi Yûgi. That's done intentionally on Watase's part, though, so I can't be too harsh about it. As it stands, this series is sort of an extended inside joke for fans of the original. If you're new to the Universe of the Four Gods, it's probably best to read (or watch the anime) Fushigi Yûgi first.

[Yume Yoru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puede que sea mi tomo favorito de la serie simplemente por un capítulo en el que en realidad solamente se desarrolla la relación de los personajes. Para empezar los trajes son preciosos, para seguir Ayla es una monada y, por último, las ilustraciones son increíbles. Pero ese capítulo no podía durar para siempre, así que después visitamos el país de la serie original (y un personaje secundario juraría que es la antepasada de Nuriko) para buscar a Inami. Sólo Yuu Watase tendría la gran idea de colar a Uruki y Takiko en un burdel... Risas aseguradas.

[Sarah]

I was a huge fan of the original Fushigi Yugi manga and I usually have a strong distaste for sequels. But something about Yuu Watase's writing has improved in reecent years. These stories are tighter and the characters are more interesting and more developed. The pacing is great and while I usually abhor after-it-got-cool knockoffs, this one is actually well worth the time. It is defiantly for fans of Fushigi Yugi, but fans will not be disappointed.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's getting more and more interesting!

Wow! So much excitement happened in this volume. There were a lot of great plot developments and I am loving the romance!!!! The pacing is really well done and the art as well. In this volume they got some much needed rest and then started their journey again. Taking is really strong and I love her character.

[Sandi T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-reading FY:GK again since I stopped before the series finished. It's true that Watase's writing and art improved, especially compared to FY.

Also love that one of Genbu's Celestial Warrior's is a woman! (Soi was Seiryuu so, meh.)

[Holly Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

same as 1-4

[Hebada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LUUUVVV FUSHIGI YUGI!! I can't wait till the 6th book comes out... it should be out already..

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stakes are getting higher (as usual) and the warriors are gathering slowly. They certainly have some stubborn ones this time around! Still, Takiko's story is interesting.

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is my FAVORITE so far! Made my heart go "bdmp bdmp bdmp"!

[Pearl Angeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this in 2010 because I simply could not move on with the Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play. I really had fun. So nostalgic!!!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

If she does a Byakko arc it'd be nice to have more female celestial warrior...

[E.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear, Limdo and Takiko are the best. Every scene with them is so damn romantic that it makes me feel like a teenager again thinking about a crush,

[金伯利 · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing more important to a human being than loving someone. In the end, love is what connects people, countries and the entire world. - Souren-san, Chapter 14: The Festival of Love