Fushigi Yûgi

I've heard so much praise for this series that I decided I have to watch it myself... What better for a fantasy freak like myself, I thought, than an anime with pretty art, an alternative fantasy universe with gods and magic, and a little romance on the side? I was wrong. "Fushigi Yuugi" is one of the worst series I've ever watched - I had to quit it halfway, I just couldn't take it anymore.

The basic story, if not too original, has potential - but it is dealt with in such an annoying and cliche way that it's totally uninteresting. I only kept watching as far as I did because I was interested in what happens to the twins.

The characters are mostly horrible - the heroine is one of the stupidest, most detestable ever to appear on screen. Sorry Miaka-fans, I just find her to be ditzy, idiotic, dependant and horribly annoying. Her male counterpart is only a little better - after a while you really get sick of the whole "Tamahome!!!" - "Miaka!!!" recurring motif. Most of the protagonists are not much better, save the wonderful characters of Nuriko and Tasuki, who really don't get enough screen time at all. Mostly I found myself rooting for the bad guys, though they also are led by the uninteresting Nakago, who may seem cool at first, but is really no more than the usual power-crazed maniac. The twins Amiboshi and Suboshi, however, are fascinating and identifiable, and really save the viewer from total boredom. Too bad they don't get that much screen time either.

The animation is pretty bad, and Yuu Watase's beautiful drawings fail to be transferred onto the screen faithfully. It is a good indication of the animation quality that Hotohori, supposedly the most beautiful man in the world, often looks squashed and deformed and very unappealing.

All in all, this series is horribly overrated, imho. For GOOD fantasy anime, check out Slayers or, if you're looking for a really fascinating story and gorgeous art, try Utena (which is the best anime ever, imho.)

I was told this was one of the best anime series ever created, well...it's not. Quite frankly, it is about as complex as Pokemon.

The characters is this series are so-so. They really aren't that great, and often times annoying.

The plot isn't unique at all. A TYPICAL shoujo girl names Miaka Yuuki goes out to find her seven warriors so she can make her dreams come true. BORING. It's the same day to day plot in every episodes. MIAKA is in trouble, TAMAHOME to the rescue. And back and forth, you can't have a moment where everyone is ALL RIGHT.

This is even more sappy than the Titanic. Oh Tamahome, I love you! I love YOU Miaka, it really will drive you nuts.

In the end, this is an awful, boring, chick-flick of an anime. Don't bother getting it, get something with more depth instead.

This show, far and away was the best anime, and perhaps story I have ever seen. The plot is incredibly intricate, the characters (with minor exceptions) are all intricately written (There is not a single un-sympathetic character in the show), and has a soundtrack that does nothing but push the emotions shown in the show to their limits.

However, it does deal with some adult subject matter, and does some things that will make you think long and hard about it for days, weeks, even years afterwards. The plot twists usually cannot be seen in advance, save for a minute or less before they happen. Even so, there are a few that will throw even the most critical show watcher (they did me!). By far, though, the show is best experienced if you go in with an innocent mind, and let Yuu Watase do her magic... you won't regret it.

If this masterpiece of a cartoon series ever makes its way unscathed into American TVs, it will forever transform the image of the cartoon.

As the Japanese continue to prove time and again: cartoons are NOT for children. They are for adults.

Fushigi Yuugi is an ultra epic(33 30 minute episodes) of an earth girl and her quest to save a mysterious world. In the process she learns how shallow her earth life was and how unaware she was of who she truely is.

The many characters in this story, jump off the screen with such depth that you will shake your head at how such a thing is possible with pencil lines. Special mention needs to go to Tamahome and Nuriko who are more three-dimensional than anything Disney has yet to create in its animated classics. Please don't miss this set.

Neverending Story goes anime.

That's what I thought after episode one. =)

This is a kawaii fairy-tale that takes place inside a magical book. A girl from the real world (she is super-annoying and I hate her) is pulled into the book, in which she becomes the priestess of Suzaku, a red phoenix-bird. To bring Suzaku to life, and fulfill her wishes, she must find the seven stars of Suzaku, seven men with marks on their bodies. She falls in love with the first she finds, Tamahome, who has the make of the Ogre upon his forehead.

This is a cute show, but I was surprised of the darkness that springs forth in a few episodes. Between all the puke-kawaii "I love you - I love you too - I love you more - W'll always be toghether - Yes, I love you!", there is torture and rape. Some episodes are not for children.

Overall, I really like this one. The shrieky heroine gets slightly less annoying as the show goes on, but if you can put up with her, the rest of the characters are much more interesting.

Beautiful, fairy-tale-like and cute, with some dark streaks.

Don't miss it!

/Auryn