Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden 7 cover image courtesy of barnesandnoble.com.

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

The year is 1923.  Schoolgirl Takiko Okuda attempts to destroy her father’s translation of The Universe of Four Gods, but she is instead sucked into the pages of this Chinese tale.  Takiko becomes the Priestess of Genbu, destined to save the country of Bêi-jîa, and begins an epic journey to find the seven Celestial Warriors.

As Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 7 begins, Takiko has finally gathered her 7 Celestial Warriors, but there is actually an eighth – the lost twin of one of the warriors.  Takiko and Soren also have been kidnapped in a bid to draw out Soren’s master, Limdo.

THE LOWDOWN:  The prequel to Fushigi Yûgi, the shoujo manga, Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden embraces so many genres and subgenres.  It’s historical fiction that is also a comedy and a tragedy, and like many “Shojo Beat,” titles, this is both romance and drama.  What attracts me to Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden is the fantasy element and the wild, wuxia, martial arts action sequences.  Coming right into the middle of the story, I can only say that Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden has piqued my interest.  Yuu Watase’s lovely art has both the composition and drawing style to make both the fight/battle scenes and the romance convincing.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  VIZ Media could call Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden the chick-lit version of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in its “Shojo Beat” line of manga for teen girls and young women.

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