What do you think?
Rate this book
ふしぎ遊戯 白虎仙記 [Fushigi Yūgi: Byakko Senki] #1
Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki, Vol. 1
The final Fushigi Yûgi story in the Universe of the Four Gods begins!
The year is 1923. Suzuno Osugi’s father Takao warns her to stay away from The Universe of the Four Gods, telling her it’s a book that only men can touch. Takao worked with late Einosuke Okuda, who translated its text. He knows that in order to enact its story, the book needs one last heroine: the priestess of Byakko!
After the Great Kanto earthquake strikes, Suzuno and Takao are trapped in their burning home. Takao has only one chance to save his young daughter, and that is to send her into The Universe of the Four Gods!
The year is 1923. Suzuno Osugi’s father Takao warns her to stay away from The Universe of the Four Gods, telling her it’s a book that only men can touch. Takao worked with late Einosuke Okuda, who translated its text. He knows that in order to enact its story, the book needs one last heroine: the priestess of Byakko!
After the Great Kanto earthquake strikes, Suzuno and Takao are trapped in their burning home. Takao has only one chance to save his young daughter, and that is to send her into The Universe of the Four Gods!
200 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2018
15 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Yuu Watase
363 books1,162 followersYuu 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".
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".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 30, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook ARC from the author, publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Suzuno is thrown into the Mysterious book "The Four Gods of the Universe after an earthquake destroys Tokyo, she is lost and tries to survive not knowing she is a legendary priestess. Can she survive? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good fantasy novel. If you like fantasy manga and the world of Fushugi Yugi, be sure to check this book out when it officially releases to bookstores and wherever books and ebooks are sold on August 4, 2020.
When Suzuno is thrown into the Mysterious book "The Four Gods of the Universe after an earthquake destroys Tokyo, she is lost and tries to survive not knowing she is a legendary priestess. Can she survive? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good fantasy novel. If you like fantasy manga and the world of Fushugi Yugi, be sure to check this book out when it officially releases to bookstores and wherever books and ebooks are sold on August 4, 2020.
January 7, 2022
I was holding off buying this in English. But, the series is releasing too slowly, and my Japanese just isn't enough. Love the set-up for this series. Watase still manages to do new things with the same old story. Can't wait to read more... in either language.
July 2, 2025
4.5 stars, rounded up.
July 9, 2020
Me: A mostly rational human being, who's been reading manga now for over 23 years.
Me as a Teenager reading Fushigi Yugi (OG): Pain. Food. Pain. Oh you really liked that character? More pain. Nope them too. PAIN FOR ALL. Maybe a cute moment at the end here, but not for the characters you liked.
Me as a 20something reading Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden: Fluffy! Cute! PAIN PAIN PAIN cute family moment did you really think this would last PAIN PAIN PAIN
Me as a 30something reading Fushigi Yugi Byakko Senki: Awww look how cute that gloomy child is. Surely she will be protected she's so young! PAIN. Ok but now she should be better right...oh shit she's a teenager...ok how much Pain should I expect? ;-;
Friends welcome back to the Universe of Four Gods, which is the third series in the FY Universe, but is actually chronically the adventures of the 2nd Priestess to come into the book. As always we were spoiled for what happens to Suzuno and her Celestial Warriors in the original FY series (spoiler: it ends badly! because only Miako got to have her cake and literally eat it too), but much like Genbu Kaiden (which is still my favorite) this is really more about the journey, not the destination.
Watase is doing what any fantasy author worth their ink does - she's embellishing upon previously known world lore to give her fans a bit more depth. And like many of the fantasy authors I've adored for years, her later efforts have proven FAR MORE INTERESTING in terms of characters.
I'm sorry I can't help it, I really have such a grudge against Tamahome and Miaka and truly Nuriko deserved better.
ANYHOW this is a review, not a dissertation on how much I think Miaka didn't deserve the happy ending she somehow manage to get.the overwhelming bitterness I feel here
For new readers this works about 70% of the time. The only things they miss out on are the who Takiko (and her father) are and her adventures (especially WHY her father took the drastic steps he did) as well as who Suzu (her father) and later the doctor are in relation to Taki's story.
For everyone else, Suzu is a very different sort of girl from Taki, Miaka or Yui. I wouldn't say she's passive so much as she had been pretty sheltered. Having been drawn into the World of Four Gods so young originally, and under such duress, it didn't help matters. She's prone towards gloomy self flagellation though of the verbal kind. She takes things VERY sensitively, though this isn't a product of her experience in the Book so much as apparently just a facet of her personality (she's like Ritsu, from Fruits Basket, if you get that reference).
Though its not here, nor do I remember it being available translated, who Ning-lan is (and who she crosses over with from the original FY series) is a fascinating one-shot. It also goes a long way to explaining her thought process here. They hint at some of what she had to deal with, but I think the bulk of her circumstances will be explained later (like when we learned about Nakago) and I sincerely hope she doesn't turn out to be...well awful. Redemption! PLEASE.
The art is, as always, beautiful and clean and detailed in the way that Watase's artwork is. Even when depicting an Earthquake that rocked Tokyo in the early 20th century or when Ning-lan decides to get her man-eating tendencies on. We learn relatively little about who is on the right side of history this time around - the ones who find Ning-lan and Suzu (Kasal and his brother Karm) belong to a group called the "Crow People" and are generally considered brigands. Obvious Racism is Obvious in this case however as the folk decrying Kasal and Karm's people are clearly the superior force while the so-called brigands are forced to live in the desert.
Overall, I'm so glad to have Watase back in my life. While I eagerly await Arata's return (they relaunched the unfinished series, which Watase explains is more of a re-imagining, then a continuation of the original story) and I attempt to not destroy my Genbu Kaiden volumes, I can't wait to see what Suzu's journey takes her.
Me as a Teenager reading Fushigi Yugi (OG): Pain. Food. Pain. Oh you really liked that character? More pain. Nope them too. PAIN FOR ALL. Maybe a cute moment at the end here, but not for the characters you liked.
Me as a 20something reading Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden: Fluffy! Cute! PAIN PAIN PAIN cute family moment did you really think this would last PAIN PAIN PAIN
Me as a 30something reading Fushigi Yugi Byakko Senki: Awww look how cute that gloomy child is. Surely she will be protected she's so young! PAIN. Ok but now she should be better right...oh shit she's a teenager...ok how much Pain should I expect? ;-;
Friends welcome back to the Universe of Four Gods, which is the third series in the FY Universe, but is actually chronically the adventures of the 2nd Priestess to come into the book. As always we were spoiled for what happens to Suzuno and her Celestial Warriors in the original FY series (spoiler: it ends badly! because only Miako got to have her cake and literally eat it too), but much like Genbu Kaiden (which is still my favorite) this is really more about the journey, not the destination.
Watase is doing what any fantasy author worth their ink does - she's embellishing upon previously known world lore to give her fans a bit more depth. And like many of the fantasy authors I've adored for years, her later efforts have proven FAR MORE INTERESTING in terms of characters.
I'm sorry I can't help it, I really have such a grudge against Tamahome and Miaka and truly Nuriko deserved better.
ANYHOW this is a review, not a dissertation on how much I think Miaka didn't deserve the happy ending she somehow manage to get.
For new readers this works about 70% of the time. The only things they miss out on are the who Takiko (and her father) are and her adventures (especially WHY her father took the drastic steps he did) as well as who Suzu (her father) and later the doctor are in relation to Taki's story.
For everyone else, Suzu is a very different sort of girl from Taki, Miaka or Yui. I wouldn't say she's passive so much as she had been pretty sheltered. Having been drawn into the World of Four Gods so young originally, and under such duress, it didn't help matters. She's prone towards gloomy self flagellation though of the verbal kind. She takes things VERY sensitively, though this isn't a product of her experience in the Book so much as apparently just a facet of her personality (she's like Ritsu, from Fruits Basket, if you get that reference).
Though its not here, nor do I remember it being available translated, who Ning-lan is (and who she crosses over with from the original FY series) is a fascinating one-shot. It also goes a long way to explaining her thought process here. They hint at some of what she had to deal with, but I think the bulk of her circumstances will be explained later (like when we learned about Nakago) and I sincerely hope she doesn't turn out to be...well awful. Redemption! PLEASE.
The art is, as always, beautiful and clean and detailed in the way that Watase's artwork is. Even when depicting an Earthquake that rocked Tokyo in the early 20th century or when Ning-lan decides to get her man-eating tendencies on. We learn relatively little about who is on the right side of history this time around - the ones who find Ning-lan and Suzu (Kasal and his brother Karm) belong to a group called the "Crow People" and are generally considered brigands. Obvious Racism is Obvious in this case however as the folk decrying Kasal and Karm's people are clearly the superior force while the so-called brigands are forced to live in the desert.
Overall, I'm so glad to have Watase back in my life. While I eagerly await Arata's return (they relaunched the unfinished series, which Watase explains is more of a re-imagining, then a continuation of the original story) and I attempt to not destroy my Genbu Kaiden volumes, I can't wait to see what Suzu's journey takes her.
January 5, 2021
more tragedy by Watase Yuu! Yes!
(gathers tissues)
(gathers tissues)
July 4, 2025
2025: I'm over here like "Yay, volume two is out. It's been a huge 2 year wait." *Looks at publishing date. Eyes pop in Watase humor style.* "2020!?!?!?!?!? I've been waiting FIVE YEARS?!?!?!" Anything Fushigi Yugi really does live rent-free in my head. Still amazing. I can't wait to read the rest of the Byakko story.
2020: The biggest thank you ever to VIZ Media, NetGalley, and Yuu Watase for the opportunity to read Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki in exchange for an honest review.
I am a very long-time fan of Yuu Watase’s work. She is my all-time favorite mangaka, and I own all of her English translated volumes from VIZ, as well as a few Japanese volumes that were never translated (VIZ, please translate Appare Jipangu and Eppotrans Mai, thanks!). When I was in sixth grade, I walked into my small local bookstore and came across these strange books that read from right to left. I later found out they were called manga, and that would shape my interests for the rest of my life. Those two manga I picked up were Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play and Ceres: Celestial Legend, two major works by Yuu Watase.
Following Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play, telling the tale of two of the four gods, Suzaku and Seiryu, Watase eventually released Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden, my favorite of the tales so far. It was a long wait for that ten-volume series to complete, and even more of a wait knowing she must eventually write the story of the Priestess of Byakko. And thus, in 2020, Suzuno’s story is finally being released in English. Worth the wait with its beautiful art, this magnificent cover, and the beginning to a very promising story.
I was wondering how Watase would make the story of Byakko a bit different than her previous Fushigi Yugi tales, and I am not disappointed. Rather, I am left quite excited!
While you can read this book without necessarily having read the other tales, I highly recommend at least reading Genbu Kaiden first, as it references Takiko (the Priestess of Genbu) and her father, and what happened to them both.
This volume begins with an eight-year-old Suzuno who adores her father. Her father, a friend of Takiko’s dad, tries to destroy The Universe of the Four Gods, the book that brought Takiko inside its pages to become the Priestess of Genbu. Worried for his own daughter’s fate, he tells Suzuno to stay away. When an earthquake hits, Suzuno’s father encourages her to enter the book to save her from being killed in the earthquake. The reader gets a glimpse of some of the key characters that will play a major part later in the story; Suzuno’s stay as a little girl is quite short.
When Suzuno is eighteen, she struggles with waking nightmares, trying to remember what happened when she was in the book. Was it a dream, or was it real? After losing The Universe of the Four Gods, all Suzuno wants is to find the book and put her waking nightmares to rest.
Side note: I was disappointed that this volume did not include the short story “Byakko Ibun,” which highlights both the past of Seiryu warrior Miboshi, and a leading character in Byakko Senki who transforms into a tiger. This short story was quite intriguing and really added to my appreciation of this tiger girl who isn’t exactly very nice when we meet her in Byakko Senki. VIZ, please add this to a later volume or release it as a comic or something!!!!! 🙂
This book is such a fantastic read. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to Fushigi Yugi, you will not be disappointed by this book! Now…when will Watase come out with the next one and how long will we have to wait for a translation? ^_^’
2020: The biggest thank you ever to VIZ Media, NetGalley, and Yuu Watase for the opportunity to read Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki in exchange for an honest review.
I am a very long-time fan of Yuu Watase’s work. She is my all-time favorite mangaka, and I own all of her English translated volumes from VIZ, as well as a few Japanese volumes that were never translated (VIZ, please translate Appare Jipangu and Eppotrans Mai, thanks!). When I was in sixth grade, I walked into my small local bookstore and came across these strange books that read from right to left. I later found out they were called manga, and that would shape my interests for the rest of my life. Those two manga I picked up were Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play and Ceres: Celestial Legend, two major works by Yuu Watase.
Following Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play, telling the tale of two of the four gods, Suzaku and Seiryu, Watase eventually released Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden, my favorite of the tales so far. It was a long wait for that ten-volume series to complete, and even more of a wait knowing she must eventually write the story of the Priestess of Byakko. And thus, in 2020, Suzuno’s story is finally being released in English. Worth the wait with its beautiful art, this magnificent cover, and the beginning to a very promising story.
I was wondering how Watase would make the story of Byakko a bit different than her previous Fushigi Yugi tales, and I am not disappointed. Rather, I am left quite excited!
While you can read this book without necessarily having read the other tales, I highly recommend at least reading Genbu Kaiden first, as it references Takiko (the Priestess of Genbu) and her father, and what happened to them both.
This volume begins with an eight-year-old Suzuno who adores her father. Her father, a friend of Takiko’s dad, tries to destroy The Universe of the Four Gods, the book that brought Takiko inside its pages to become the Priestess of Genbu. Worried for his own daughter’s fate, he tells Suzuno to stay away. When an earthquake hits, Suzuno’s father encourages her to enter the book to save her from being killed in the earthquake. The reader gets a glimpse of some of the key characters that will play a major part later in the story; Suzuno’s stay as a little girl is quite short.
When Suzuno is eighteen, she struggles with waking nightmares, trying to remember what happened when she was in the book. Was it a dream, or was it real? After losing The Universe of the Four Gods, all Suzuno wants is to find the book and put her waking nightmares to rest.
Side note: I was disappointed that this volume did not include the short story “Byakko Ibun,” which highlights both the past of Seiryu warrior Miboshi, and a leading character in Byakko Senki who transforms into a tiger. This short story was quite intriguing and really added to my appreciation of this tiger girl who isn’t exactly very nice when we meet her in Byakko Senki. VIZ, please add this to a later volume or release it as a comic or something!!!!! 🙂
This book is such a fantastic read. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to Fushigi Yugi, you will not be disappointed by this book! Now…when will Watase come out with the next one and how long will we have to wait for a translation? ^_^’
July 21, 2020
Full disclosure: I never finished the original Fushigi Yugi or Genbu Kaiden. I did however read everything else this mangaka has done. I really liked Alice 19th, I was fascinated by Ceres and Absolute Boyfriend, and I did not care for Fushigi Yugi. In my defense, I liked the premise, I just didnt like Miaka. I will admit though, the series was wildly influential and kick started portal fantasy shojo.
Now for this book, as the beginning in the last entry in The Universe of The Four Gods.
It was a bold choice to have Suzuko visit the book-verse as a child. It helps set this series apart from the others and the way it plays out makes for compelling plot adhesion. I also like the rival priestess angle in this better than in the first series (I never cared for violence against women for plot motivation). I will be interested in seeing how the time fluctuation will be dealt with.
If I had to name a problem, it would be the potential for middle-eastern orientalism (as weird as it sounds) since the land of Byako is a desert.
Now for this book, as the beginning in the last entry in The Universe of The Four Gods.
It was a bold choice to have Suzuko visit the book-verse as a child. It helps set this series apart from the others and the way it plays out makes for compelling plot adhesion. I also like the rival priestess angle in this better than in the first series (I never cared for violence against women for plot motivation). I will be interested in seeing how the time fluctuation will be dealt with.
If I had to name a problem, it would be the potential for middle-eastern orientalism (as weird as it sounds) since the land of Byako is a desert.
August 5, 2020
Aaaaaaaaand dead
From "day 1" of Fushigi Yugi, the Byakko no Miko and her arc were my favorite thing in the entire series. From Miyaka and Yui, then to Takiko, and now Suzuno I think Yuu Watase by happenstance ended up saving my favorite for last. Just one volume in and already the hallmarks of what makes this saga shine are already in full swing and up to the nines in core quality. I am totally biased of course but hey... Huge fan from pretty much ever. Perfect way to kick off the series in classic "four gods sky and earth" style.
From "day 1" of Fushigi Yugi, the Byakko no Miko and her arc were my favorite thing in the entire series. From Miyaka and Yui, then to Takiko, and now Suzuno I think Yuu Watase by happenstance ended up saving my favorite for last. Just one volume in and already the hallmarks of what makes this saga shine are already in full swing and up to the nines in core quality. I am totally biased of course but hey... Huge fan from pretty much ever. Perfect way to kick off the series in classic "four gods sky and earth" style.
August 17, 2020
So, so happy to be back in this world, even if I KNOW I’m in for a pain fest in 10-12 volumes.
Watase’s original Fushigi Yugi was the very first manga series I picked up, and started me on a love affair with shojo that is still going strong. While the original series does have its flaws, its lore and characters still hold a special place in my heart. Genbu Kaiden was a sleeker and sadder upgrade, and remains my favorite of Watase’s series to date. I’ve been awaiting this series since that one concluded over 5 years ago, and I wasn’t disappointed! Watase’s art is still sharp, and her skill at capturing complex emotions in her characters is on full display.
This volume does a great job of easing the reader into the story, and doesn’t exclude those who are not familiar with the tales of Suzaku/Seiryu or Genbu. We’re introduced to Suzuno as a young child in Tokyo, which was a change of pace from Miaka, Yui, and Takiko, who were all introduced as high school students in their respective timelines. Those who read Genbu Kaiden will be familiar with her father and other characters introduced later, and their importance to the overall narrative. Getting to see Suzuno as a child, seeing the trauma of the earthquake and the loss of her parents, makes her appearance in the world of the book all the more heartrending. She does not go in by accident, but rather by design, as her father’s final attempt to save her life. When she meets the new players — Kasal and Karm, brothers who are part of a roving people, and Ning-Lan, a beguiling young woman who can transform into a tiger, and who later assumes the identity of the Priestess of Byakko when Suzuno is returned to Japan — there are fewer hijinks and more tender moments, with all the found-family vibes of the original series.
The jump into Suzuno’s high school years and her grappling with her experience in the book (was it a dream or the chaos of the earthquake, or real?) was a great departure from the narratives of the other priestesses, and allows her the teenage plights of being an outcast, of finding, her place, and grappling with the attention of an unlikely (to her, at least...) suitor.
I’m keen for her to return to the world of the book as a full protagonist and her story to truly begin. It’ll be a long wait for this series to complete, but maybe that’s a good thing...I know there will be adventure and a LOT of heartbreak, but I’m an adult now! I think my heart is ready (I may regret this statement).
Watase’s original Fushigi Yugi was the very first manga series I picked up, and started me on a love affair with shojo that is still going strong. While the original series does have its flaws, its lore and characters still hold a special place in my heart. Genbu Kaiden was a sleeker and sadder upgrade, and remains my favorite of Watase’s series to date. I’ve been awaiting this series since that one concluded over 5 years ago, and I wasn’t disappointed! Watase’s art is still sharp, and her skill at capturing complex emotions in her characters is on full display.
This volume does a great job of easing the reader into the story, and doesn’t exclude those who are not familiar with the tales of Suzaku/Seiryu or Genbu. We’re introduced to Suzuno as a young child in Tokyo, which was a change of pace from Miaka, Yui, and Takiko, who were all introduced as high school students in their respective timelines. Those who read Genbu Kaiden will be familiar with her father and other characters introduced later, and their importance to the overall narrative. Getting to see Suzuno as a child, seeing the trauma of the earthquake and the loss of her parents, makes her appearance in the world of the book all the more heartrending. She does not go in by accident, but rather by design, as her father’s final attempt to save her life. When she meets the new players — Kasal and Karm, brothers who are part of a roving people, and Ning-Lan, a beguiling young woman who can transform into a tiger, and who later assumes the identity of the Priestess of Byakko when Suzuno is returned to Japan — there are fewer hijinks and more tender moments, with all the found-family vibes of the original series.
The jump into Suzuno’s high school years and her grappling with her experience in the book (was it a dream or the chaos of the earthquake, or real?) was a great departure from the narratives of the other priestesses, and allows her the teenage plights of being an outcast, of finding, her place, and grappling with the attention of an unlikely (to her, at least...) suitor.
I’m keen for her to return to the world of the book as a full protagonist and her story to truly begin. It’ll be a long wait for this series to complete, but maybe that’s a good thing...I know there will be adventure and a LOT of heartbreak, but I’m an adult now! I think my heart is ready (I may regret this statement).
February 4, 2026
Review to be adjusted once series is complete
I am glad that the Byakko Senki prequel is finally back from its hiatus. Watase has grown a lot as both a storyteller and an artist since she first penned the original Fushigi Yûgi series. I think for many it's a sense of nostalgia but I read the original years after its first publication. I enjoyed it in parts but it was also littered with bad cliches. She then brought us the Genbu Kaiden prequel several years later which I enjoyed a lot more. Now we finally have this series which first chronologically after Genbu Kaiden but before the original.
So far, much like Genbu Kaiden, it is a much more refined work than the original; we have beautiful art, less forced humour and higher stakes. The setting and character relationships feel more organic and leave you wanting the next volume. In this series, we follow Suzuno who gets sucked into the world of the four gods at a very young age only to be tossed out again! She grows into her teenage years plagued by a sense of loss and dreams of tigers. She is torn by wanting to get on with her life and sensing the book of the four gods will come for her again.
I am glad that the Byakko Senki prequel is finally back from its hiatus. Watase has grown a lot as both a storyteller and an artist since she first penned the original Fushigi Yûgi series. I think for many it's a sense of nostalgia but I read the original years after its first publication. I enjoyed it in parts but it was also littered with bad cliches. She then brought us the Genbu Kaiden prequel several years later which I enjoyed a lot more. Now we finally have this series which first chronologically after Genbu Kaiden but before the original.
So far, much like Genbu Kaiden, it is a much more refined work than the original; we have beautiful art, less forced humour and higher stakes. The setting and character relationships feel more organic and leave you wanting the next volume. In this series, we follow Suzuno who gets sucked into the world of the four gods at a very young age only to be tossed out again! She grows into her teenage years plagued by a sense of loss and dreams of tigers. She is torn by wanting to get on with her life and sensing the book of the four gods will come for her again.
July 24, 2020
I was a little reluctant to return to the world of a series that was so important to me when I first began reading manga, but I'm happy to say that Yuu Watase managed to infuse a whole new story and setting with enough of the same emotions and ambiance of the classic for it to both be nostalgic and totally original. I'm really happy that it reads like a wholly original idea while maintaining the elements of The Universe of the Four Gods to tie it into the previous stories.
The art is gorgeous and classic shojo. I've always had trouble telling Watase's characters apart and that remains a problem, but I've always forgiven it just because they're all so pretty.
Overall, it was an action and emotionally-packed beginning that I'm really looking forward to following.
Many happy thanks to NetGalley and Viz for the early read!
The art is gorgeous and classic shojo. I've always had trouble telling Watase's characters apart and that remains a problem, but I've always forgiven it just because they're all so pretty.
Overall, it was an action and emotionally-packed beginning that I'm really looking forward to following.
Many happy thanks to NetGalley and Viz for the early read!
March 4, 2024
"Фушиги Ююги" е при нас от доста години вече, а "Бякко" следва да е последната история, която да стане част от поредицата.
Въпреки като цяло класическия арт и класическото поставяне на историята, този том изненадващо много ми хареса. Историята ми е любопитна още от времето, когато попаднах случайно на анимето, което се занимава с историята на жрицата на Сузаку. И до ден днешен ми се струва, че пазя много добър спомен за героите - Тамахоме, Хотохори, Чичири и тъй нататък. Което за мен значи, че заглавието е имало определен силен ефект върху впечатленията ми. Дори си спомням къде гледах последните епизоди :D
"Бякко" като че ли не предлага толкова много мъжки персонажи, или поне не в началото - опитва се да разчупи мотива с "шоджо с много красиви мъже, които пазят невинна девойка". Но пак казвам - засега.
Героинята е доста по-мъничка, отколкото жрицата на Сузаку. В началото това е донякъде досадно, защото се използват стандартните похвати при работа с деца герои. После пораства и мисля, че историята ще има доста по-големи шансове нататък. Действието се развива в любимия ми период н 20-те години на XX-ти век, което също е плюс.
Въпреки като цяло класическия арт и класическото поставяне на историята, този том изненадващо много ми хареса. Историята ми е любопитна още от времето, когато попаднах случайно на анимето, което се занимава с историята на жрицата на Сузаку. И до ден днешен ми се струва, че пазя много добър спомен за героите - Тамахоме, Хотохори, Чичири и тъй нататък. Което за мен значи, че заглавието е имало определен силен ефект върху впечатленията ми. Дори си спомням къде гледах последните епизоди :D
"Бякко" като че ли не предлага толкова много мъжки персонажи, или поне не в началото - опитва се да разчупи мотива с "шоджо с много красиви мъже, които пазят невинна девойка". Но пак казвам - засега.
Героинята е доста по-мъничка, отколкото жрицата на Сузаку. В началото това е донякъде досадно, защото се използват стандартните похвати при работа с деца герои. После пораства и мисля, че историята ще има доста по-големи шансове нататък. Действието се развива в любимия ми период н 20-те години на XX-ти век, което също е плюс.
January 14, 2021
I'm very excited to read this series as Yu Watase is one of my faves, but I feel like this intro didn't give us as much to connect with for some of our main characters as the original and genbu kaiden. Looking forward to getting to know Kasal!
November 23, 2020
Considering most of the Fushigi Yugi series start a particular way (a high school aged girl finds the Universe of the Four Gods book, gets pulled into the book, and becomes a priestess of one of the four gods), I found it pleasantly surprising that this one starts when the main character is a child and uses the book to escape a crisis. Even though I already know some characters and facts about this series thanks to the original that takes place in the future, I'm still looking forward to reading this final arc of the Fushigi Yugi story.
May 24, 2020
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
For those who have read the Fushigi Yuugi series in the past, you know that there are four gods in Chinese tradition that correspond to the NSEW compass points: Suzaku, Seiryu, Genbu, and Byakko. With the first Fushigi Yuugi series back in the 1990s, she concentrated on Suzaku and Seiryu. Then, a decade later, she brought us a series with Genbu. And in Japan in 2018, she started the last of the 4: Byakko. Those who are new to the series need not have read anything previous as this is a new era (1920s) and a new character, of course. Those who have enjoyed the previous series will see much of the same Yuu Watase trademarks here: clumsy and kind of insipid girl who gets a harem of boys who are all madly in love with her. Cue magic and stuff.Story: Suzuno is a little girl living a happy life in 1920s Japan with her family. She dreams only of using her mother's wedding kimono to marry her beloved father one day. The only hiccup has been a book about the four gods - one that her father expressly told her to stay away from at all costs. But when the great Kanto earthquake strikes, the family is trapped beneath a burning building with no hope of survival. Suzuno is urged by her father to open the forbidden book - and therein begins the journey of the Byakko chosen priestess.
This first volume spends a lot of time with Suzuno as a child; mostly because Suzuno will have guardians in both realms. Yes, as Yuu Watase herself claims, this is definitely a Yuu Watase book. Suzuno is clumsy, pretty useless, very naive, and very protected. She'll constantly need men around her to save her from herself and others. This is pretty much a given in a Watase book and Suzuno is pretty much the same character as Miaka in the original series. There is a bit of a twist this time in that someone else may just claim the priestess role before her. But sure, cue all the boys finding and helping her.
The story is thankfully different and looks to have more twists and turns than just discovering who gets to be in her reverse harem of 7 protector boys. But I have to admit the 'ordinary Mary Sue' schoolgirl that worked so well in the 1990s is a lot less relatable in the 2020s. I was already sick of the fawning by the first chapter and never really liked Suzuno or wanted to follow what happens to her. But then again, that is a signature of Yuu Watase books and I knew what I was getting into when I chose to read this manga.
Yuu Watase herself has gone through health issues in the last 10 years and that has greatly slowed her output. So I expect volume releases to slow down in the future as we catch up to the two years they have been out in Japan. Hopefully, she will be able to finish this series since it is the last of the four gods' priestesses to be covered. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
June 19, 2022
Ya sé por qué siempre termino, de una forma u otra, regresando a esta serie. PORQUE ESTA MUJER ES LA REINA.
Y porque lo necesito para vivir.
TODO LO QUE HACE SON JOYAS.
El hype que me provoca esta autora NO ES NORMAL. La idolatro y la odio a partes iguales. Y necesito sus historias en mi vida.
Haga lo que haga, la leeré y la adoraré por ello. Porque es la reina. La gallina de los huevos de oro. Y la mangaka de mi vida. Es lo que hay.
Con ella nunca, NUNCA, me aburro al leer (que suele pasarme con los mangas, sobre todo con los largos), por mucho diálogo que haya (que aquí la mayoría de las veces, lo hay), por muy compleja que sea la historia y el contexto, siempre me mantiene enganchada y sedienta de más. Lo entrelaza todo perfectísimamente de una forma que parece incluso fácil, y siempre consigue que todo tenga sentido y funcione bien. Cada capítulo tiene un sentido y un propósito, todo en la historia lo tiene, nada está ahí al azar. El universo se sustenta tan maravillosamente que te metes de lleno y no quieres salir de él, de lo bien construido que está y lo sólido que es.
Normal que explote tanto la serie, con la currada y obra maestra que se ha montado. Y yo se la compraría entera sin duda alguna.
Si Fushigi Yûgi (o FuJu, como le llamo yo) no es el mundo más complejo y fantástico que he leído nunca en un manga (o incluso en libros), no sé lo que es ni qué lo es.
La idea, el mundo, los personajes, la fantasía y la magia, la trama, TODO es una maravilla.
¿QUÉ TIENE ESTA PRODIGIO EN LA CABEZA PARA PODER CREAR UNA GENIALIDAD ASÍ? De verdad, me lo pregunto y me mantiene despierta por las noches.
Dime tu secreto y por nada del mundo dejes de hacer tu hechicería. Compártelo con nosotros para siempre, por favor y de rodillas te lo suplico. FEED ME.
Esta mujer ha aprendido el arte de la magia negra, ha cogido mis sueños y todas mis fantasías y lo ha arrojado todo en un caldero humeante y GRACIAS AL CIELO porque es lo mejor que me ha pasado nunca.
Su técnica y sus trazos y estilo han evolucionado una barbaridad desde la historia original (aunque tampoco tengo ningún problema con esa; es oro también). A veces simplemente me quedo contemplando alguna ilustración durante largos largos minutos, y me cuesta pasar páginas cuando hay tanta hermosura en cada pedacito de ellas.
La historia original (Suzaku) es una pasada. Me ató a los personajes y al universo.
Genbu robó mi corazón. Y todavía me duele de lo roto que me lo dejó.
Y no tengo dudas de que Byakko me robará el alma.
Y YO SE LA ENTREGARÉ ENCANTADA.
TOMA TODO LO QUE QUIERAS DE MÍ, MUJER. TODO.
De verdad, no sé cómo demonios lo hace, pero se supera con cada una.
Los plazos entre la publicación de cada capítulo y tomo ME MATAN lenta y angustiosamente (y por el historial de las demás series se sabe que va a tardar sus añitos en publicarse entera, laaargos años), pero la historia y los personajes y las ilustraciones ME ENAMORAN.
ME DAN LA VIDA Y ME LA QUITAN.
Le entregaría todo lo que quisiera y con gusto. Todo sea para que nos regale su grandeza tanto como quiera. No le diré que no.
I REGRET NOTHING.
*levantando mi bastón mágico hacia el cielo*:
“-ANGSTY COME AT ME AT ONCE!”
Y porque lo necesito para vivir.
TODO LO QUE HACE SON JOYAS.
El hype que me provoca esta autora NO ES NORMAL. La idolatro y la odio a partes iguales. Y necesito sus historias en mi vida.
Haga lo que haga, la leeré y la adoraré por ello. Porque es la reina. La gallina de los huevos de oro. Y la mangaka de mi vida. Es lo que hay.
Con ella nunca, NUNCA, me aburro al leer (que suele pasarme con los mangas, sobre todo con los largos), por mucho diálogo que haya (que aquí la mayoría de las veces, lo hay), por muy compleja que sea la historia y el contexto, siempre me mantiene enganchada y sedienta de más. Lo entrelaza todo perfectísimamente de una forma que parece incluso fácil, y siempre consigue que todo tenga sentido y funcione bien. Cada capítulo tiene un sentido y un propósito, todo en la historia lo tiene, nada está ahí al azar. El universo se sustenta tan maravillosamente que te metes de lleno y no quieres salir de él, de lo bien construido que está y lo sólido que es.
Normal que explote tanto la serie, con la currada y obra maestra que se ha montado. Y yo se la compraría entera sin duda alguna.
Si Fushigi Yûgi (o FuJu, como le llamo yo) no es el mundo más complejo y fantástico que he leído nunca en un manga (o incluso en libros), no sé lo que es ni qué lo es.
La idea, el mundo, los personajes, la fantasía y la magia, la trama, TODO es una maravilla.
¿QUÉ TIENE ESTA PRODIGIO EN LA CABEZA PARA PODER CREAR UNA GENIALIDAD ASÍ? De verdad, me lo pregunto y me mantiene despierta por las noches.
Dime tu secreto y por nada del mundo dejes de hacer tu hechicería. Compártelo con nosotros para siempre, por favor y de rodillas te lo suplico. FEED ME.
Esta mujer ha aprendido el arte de la magia negra, ha cogido mis sueños y todas mis fantasías y lo ha arrojado todo en un caldero humeante y GRACIAS AL CIELO porque es lo mejor que me ha pasado nunca.
Su técnica y sus trazos y estilo han evolucionado una barbaridad desde la historia original (aunque tampoco tengo ningún problema con esa; es oro también). A veces simplemente me quedo contemplando alguna ilustración durante largos largos minutos, y me cuesta pasar páginas cuando hay tanta hermosura en cada pedacito de ellas.
La historia original (Suzaku) es una pasada. Me ató a los personajes y al universo.
Genbu robó mi corazón. Y todavía me duele de lo roto que me lo dejó.
Y no tengo dudas de que Byakko me robará el alma.
Y YO SE LA ENTREGARÉ ENCANTADA.
TOMA TODO LO QUE QUIERAS DE MÍ, MUJER. TODO.
De verdad, no sé cómo demonios lo hace, pero se supera con cada una.
Los plazos entre la publicación de cada capítulo y tomo ME MATAN lenta y angustiosamente (y por el historial de las demás series se sabe que va a tardar sus añitos en publicarse entera, laaargos años), pero la historia y los personajes y las ilustraciones ME ENAMORAN.
ME DAN LA VIDA Y ME LA QUITAN.
Le entregaría todo lo que quisiera y con gusto. Todo sea para que nos regale su grandeza tanto como quiera. No le diré que no.
I REGRET NOTHING.
*levantando mi bastón mágico hacia el cielo*:
“-ANGSTY COME AT ME AT ONCE!”
October 8, 2020
Extra star for FY nostalgia but tbh this was barely fair. If you gotta have new FY, this exists.
July 3, 2020
Fushigi Yûgi has been in and out of publication since 1995. The original series, Fushigi Yûgi: The Myserious Play, is one I've previously reviewed. There is also another series, Genbu Kaiden, that came out after the original, but not one I have had the chance to get my hands on. Genbu is a prequel to the original series. Byakko Senki is set after Genbu and before the original, but you don’t really have to read any of the others in order to understand this story. This book makes reference to Genbu, but Watase explains all you need to know.
Suzuno is a sweet, ten-year-old child who loves her parents very dearly, growing up in 1920s Tokyo. Her father has a book, The Universe of the Four Gods, that he forbids Suzu from touching. Then, the Kanto earthquake of 1923 strikes and destroys her home. Suzu’s father tells her to open the book in order to save her, and she is transported into the book to the country of Xi-Lang. There she meets Ning-lan, a woman who can turn into a tiger. Later, Ning-Lan and Suzu meet brothers Karm and Kasal, who tell Suzu the legend of the Priestess of Byakko. When Ning-Lan turns on Suzu, Suzu is transported back to Japan, and is immediately beset upon by human traffickers. She is rescued by a boy named Seiji and Dr. Oikawa, a friend of her father’s, but she loses the book in the process. A significant time jump occurs. Suzu is in high school, struggling with dreams and slivers of memories from losing her family to being attacked by a tiger. Seiji joins the military in hopes of establishing a life for himself, and while an injury ends his military aspirations, he asks Dr. Oikawa for Suzu’s hand in marriage.
The entire Fushigi Yûgi universe is an example of Isekai where the main character is transported to another world and has to achieve a goal - in this case, summoning the god Byakku. It’s also a reverse harem - the main girl character will have lots of male suitors desperately in love with her. Based on the way he is illustrated, I suspect that Kasal, despite being much older than her, will become the main love interest in Xi-Lang, and Suzu will have to battle herself to figure out if she wants Seiji or Kasal. Suzu is helpless and innocent throughout the first volume, which is typical of a Watase story. While today's readers might not find as much appeal out of a helpless girl surrounded by strong men, this will appeal to your romance readers who crave drama and difficult choices. Seiji is, as far as this volume shows, a good guy, so the struggle between all the different men, from Xi-Lang or Japan, will be bittersweet. The formula for all three series is identical, so I am interested to see what makes this series different than the original. Watase does mention in a letter in the volume that their struggling health will mean volumes will come out less frequently, so this might further frustrate readers who need to know what's going to happen to Suzu next.
One of the main things that always draws me to Watase series is their art. The Fushigi Yûgi stories take on medieval civilizations like China and India as their inspiration, so the clothing is richly detailed. I am always drawn to the eyes of Watase's characters because they are drawn with such care and beauty. Characters' surroundings are also lush and carefully depicted.
VIZ rates this series for older teen. There is above-waste frontal female nudity and a hint of sexual favors. Watase stories usually have some sex and nudity, but not gratuitously. Any violence to be had will be magical, most likely with very little gore.
Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Edelweiss. This graphic novel will be on sale August 4, 2020.
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
Suzuno is a sweet, ten-year-old child who loves her parents very dearly, growing up in 1920s Tokyo. Her father has a book, The Universe of the Four Gods, that he forbids Suzu from touching. Then, the Kanto earthquake of 1923 strikes and destroys her home. Suzu’s father tells her to open the book in order to save her, and she is transported into the book to the country of Xi-Lang. There she meets Ning-lan, a woman who can turn into a tiger. Later, Ning-Lan and Suzu meet brothers Karm and Kasal, who tell Suzu the legend of the Priestess of Byakko. When Ning-Lan turns on Suzu, Suzu is transported back to Japan, and is immediately beset upon by human traffickers. She is rescued by a boy named Seiji and Dr. Oikawa, a friend of her father’s, but she loses the book in the process. A significant time jump occurs. Suzu is in high school, struggling with dreams and slivers of memories from losing her family to being attacked by a tiger. Seiji joins the military in hopes of establishing a life for himself, and while an injury ends his military aspirations, he asks Dr. Oikawa for Suzu’s hand in marriage.
The entire Fushigi Yûgi universe is an example of Isekai where the main character is transported to another world and has to achieve a goal - in this case, summoning the god Byakku. It’s also a reverse harem - the main girl character will have lots of male suitors desperately in love with her. Based on the way he is illustrated, I suspect that Kasal, despite being much older than her, will become the main love interest in Xi-Lang, and Suzu will have to battle herself to figure out if she wants Seiji or Kasal. Suzu is helpless and innocent throughout the first volume, which is typical of a Watase story. While today's readers might not find as much appeal out of a helpless girl surrounded by strong men, this will appeal to your romance readers who crave drama and difficult choices. Seiji is, as far as this volume shows, a good guy, so the struggle between all the different men, from Xi-Lang or Japan, will be bittersweet. The formula for all three series is identical, so I am interested to see what makes this series different than the original. Watase does mention in a letter in the volume that their struggling health will mean volumes will come out less frequently, so this might further frustrate readers who need to know what's going to happen to Suzu next.
One of the main things that always draws me to Watase series is their art. The Fushigi Yûgi stories take on medieval civilizations like China and India as their inspiration, so the clothing is richly detailed. I am always drawn to the eyes of Watase's characters because they are drawn with such care and beauty. Characters' surroundings are also lush and carefully depicted.
VIZ rates this series for older teen. There is above-waste frontal female nudity and a hint of sexual favors. Watase stories usually have some sex and nudity, but not gratuitously. Any violence to be had will be magical, most likely with very little gore.
Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Edelweiss. This graphic novel will be on sale August 4, 2020.
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
June 7, 2021
I picked this one up knowing absolutely nothing about the two previous Fushigi Yugi series, and after this volume, find myself wanting to seek them out.
Though it’s the third entry in the series—well, second, chronologically—Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki still reads as a strong entry point to the series as a whole. In this series, young Suzuno Ohsugi has been forbidden from touching the mysterious book The Universe of the Four Gods, but when her family is caught in the midst of a tragic earthquake, the only way for her to survive is to open the book—and through it be transported to another world, where she fulfills the prophesied role of the Priestess of Byakko. She’s only there briefly, though, and when she comes back to her home world, it’s to find her entire family dead, and herself haunted by memories of that and the mysterious world in the book.
This single volume covers a whole lot of narrative ground, bouncing between two different worlds and two different eras, split by a time skip near the end of the book, but it does so with such artful efficiency that I was surprised at how short it actually was, relative to how much story I’d experienced.
Suzuno’s family is so well-realized in the few pages they’re present that the reader feels their loss as acutely as Suzuno herself. The world inside The Universe of the Four Gods is equally well-realized and politically complicated—and is bound to become more so after a certain twist that occurs right before young Suzuno is spirited back to her home world. The Suzuno we return to afterward is entering young adulthood, with all its possibilities and challenges, after being raised in a close-knit house of earthquake orphans who don’t exactly know what to make of her dreams of other worlds, but want her to overcome them and have a good life.
And yet this is all merely the setup for what is bound to be a complex, epic story to follow. The art, too, is wonderfully composed—no small achievement for a comic with so much information in it—and contributes to an effortlessly readable whole. Unfortunately, the series has been on hold since 2018 because of the creator’s health (This publication only just came stateside in late 2020), but given this strong starting point, I eagerly await its return, once Watase is well enough to come back to it.
Though it’s the third entry in the series—well, second, chronologically—Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki still reads as a strong entry point to the series as a whole. In this series, young Suzuno Ohsugi has been forbidden from touching the mysterious book The Universe of the Four Gods, but when her family is caught in the midst of a tragic earthquake, the only way for her to survive is to open the book—and through it be transported to another world, where she fulfills the prophesied role of the Priestess of Byakko. She’s only there briefly, though, and when she comes back to her home world, it’s to find her entire family dead, and herself haunted by memories of that and the mysterious world in the book.
This single volume covers a whole lot of narrative ground, bouncing between two different worlds and two different eras, split by a time skip near the end of the book, but it does so with such artful efficiency that I was surprised at how short it actually was, relative to how much story I’d experienced.
Suzuno’s family is so well-realized in the few pages they’re present that the reader feels their loss as acutely as Suzuno herself. The world inside The Universe of the Four Gods is equally well-realized and politically complicated—and is bound to become more so after a certain twist that occurs right before young Suzuno is spirited back to her home world. The Suzuno we return to afterward is entering young adulthood, with all its possibilities and challenges, after being raised in a close-knit house of earthquake orphans who don’t exactly know what to make of her dreams of other worlds, but want her to overcome them and have a good life.
And yet this is all merely the setup for what is bound to be a complex, epic story to follow. The art, too, is wonderfully composed—no small achievement for a comic with so much information in it—and contributes to an effortlessly readable whole. Unfortunately, the series has been on hold since 2018 because of the creator’s health (This publication only just came stateside in late 2020), but given this strong starting point, I eagerly await its return, once Watase is well enough to come back to it.
September 16, 2020
Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki, Vol. 1 by Yuu Watase is the first volume of this story arch, but is part of a larger story. I have not read the previous parts but was still able to catch on to the story. I think those that know the previous parts will definitely get more out of the read than newcomers, but everyone should be able to enjoy the read.
The year is 1923. Suzuno Ohsugi’s father, Takao, warns her to stay away from The Universe of the Four Gods, telling her it’s a book that only men can touch. He knows that in order to enact its story, the book needs one last heroine: the Priestess of Byakko! After the Great Kanto Earthquake strikes, Suzuno and Takao are trapped in their burning home. Takao has only one chance to save his young daughter, and that is to send her into The Universe of the Four Gods!
Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki is a manga style graphic novel that does a good job of laying the groundwork for a grand finale, without making this part of the story feel any less important that what happened earilier in the Fushigi Yûgi world. Suzo's background and trauma over what happens in the first part of this book were really well done, although I struggled a bit with the more 'current' aspects of her life. As a whole I liked the story, there was a good blend of character building, world building, action, and emotion. The artwork matched the story well and kept it moving forward. I wish I had the broader knowledge that would have come from reading the earlier Fushigi Yûgi material, only because I have a feeling that the world building that has gone into the story is even better than this small sliver let me grasp. Of course, my only other issue was that just as big things were starting to come to a head the volume ended, which I should have expected with this adventure/fantasy style of series. It just made me sad to see that I had reached the end, and left me craving the next issue and the time to go back and read the previous story lines.
I think that those that have read the previous parts of the larger Fushigi Yûgi series will definitely want to pick this up, and newcomers might want to give it a look.
The year is 1923. Suzuno Ohsugi’s father, Takao, warns her to stay away from The Universe of the Four Gods, telling her it’s a book that only men can touch. He knows that in order to enact its story, the book needs one last heroine: the Priestess of Byakko! After the Great Kanto Earthquake strikes, Suzuno and Takao are trapped in their burning home. Takao has only one chance to save his young daughter, and that is to send her into The Universe of the Four Gods!
Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki is a manga style graphic novel that does a good job of laying the groundwork for a grand finale, without making this part of the story feel any less important that what happened earilier in the Fushigi Yûgi world. Suzo's background and trauma over what happens in the first part of this book were really well done, although I struggled a bit with the more 'current' aspects of her life. As a whole I liked the story, there was a good blend of character building, world building, action, and emotion. The artwork matched the story well and kept it moving forward. I wish I had the broader knowledge that would have come from reading the earlier Fushigi Yûgi material, only because I have a feeling that the world building that has gone into the story is even better than this small sliver let me grasp. Of course, my only other issue was that just as big things were starting to come to a head the volume ended, which I should have expected with this adventure/fantasy style of series. It just made me sad to see that I had reached the end, and left me craving the next issue and the time to go back and read the previous story lines.
I think that those that have read the previous parts of the larger Fushigi Yûgi series will definitely want to pick this up, and newcomers might want to give it a look.
February 15, 2026
Han pasado más de veinte años desde que leí por primera vez Fushigi Yuugi, y desde entonces Yuu Watase se convirtió en mi mangaka favorita. Después de todo este tiempo, puedo decir que no ha perdido su magia. Byakko Senki es la prueba.
Watase tiene un talento especial para construir mundos que se sienten míticos y humanos al mismo tiempo. Sus historias combinan fantasía, destino y romance con protagonistas que no son perfectas, pero sí valientes. Chicas que dudan, que temen, que se rompen… y aun así avanzan. Esa ha sido siempre la esencia de su obra.
En este primer volumen, volvemos al universo de los Cuatro Dioses Celestiales con una nueva sacerdotisa y una nueva generación de guerreros. El tono mantiene ese equilibrio tan característico entre drama, emoción y romance que define a la autora. Y aunque todavía es pronto para grandes giros argumentales, ya se percibe el cuidado en la construcción de los personajes y el potencial de los conflictos que vendrán.
Si algo distingue a Watase son sus romances. Intensos, dramáticos, destinados a hacerte sufrir y suspirar en la misma página. Tamahome sigue siendo mi eterno amor ficticio y nadie le quitará ese primer puesto, pero confieso que desde su primera aparición en la saga original siempre quise saber más de Tatara. Este volumen abre por fin esa puerta, y eso, para quienes llevamos años esperando, ya es motivo suficiente para leerlo.
Byakko Senki no es solo un regreso nostálgico. Es una expansión natural de un universo que sigue teniendo mucho que contar. Y si algo ha demostrado Yuu Watase a lo largo de su carrera es que sabe exactamente cómo hacer que el destino, el amor y la tragedia se entrelacen de la forma más adictiva posible.
Watase tiene un talento especial para construir mundos que se sienten míticos y humanos al mismo tiempo. Sus historias combinan fantasía, destino y romance con protagonistas que no son perfectas, pero sí valientes. Chicas que dudan, que temen, que se rompen… y aun así avanzan. Esa ha sido siempre la esencia de su obra.
En este primer volumen, volvemos al universo de los Cuatro Dioses Celestiales con una nueva sacerdotisa y una nueva generación de guerreros. El tono mantiene ese equilibrio tan característico entre drama, emoción y romance que define a la autora. Y aunque todavía es pronto para grandes giros argumentales, ya se percibe el cuidado en la construcción de los personajes y el potencial de los conflictos que vendrán.
Si algo distingue a Watase son sus romances. Intensos, dramáticos, destinados a hacerte sufrir y suspirar en la misma página. Tamahome sigue siendo mi eterno amor ficticio y nadie le quitará ese primer puesto, pero confieso que desde su primera aparición en la saga original siempre quise saber más de Tatara. Este volumen abre por fin esa puerta, y eso, para quienes llevamos años esperando, ya es motivo suficiente para leerlo.
Byakko Senki no es solo un regreso nostálgico. Es una expansión natural de un universo que sigue teniendo mucho que contar. Y si algo ha demostrado Yuu Watase a lo largo de su carrera es que sabe exactamente cómo hacer que el destino, el amor y la tragedia se entrelacen de la forma más adictiva posible.
September 13, 2020
Fushigi Yuugi was one of the first manga I ever read, and in my opinion still one of the best shoujo series. So when I found out about Byakko Senki, I was excited! This first volume did not disappoint. Watase's art is as beautiful as ever, and the story is off to an intriguing start.
The basic premise for those who aren't familiar with FY is that there exists a mysterious book titled "The Universe of the Four Gods." The four gods correspond to the four directions (north, south, east, west), four regions in the world of the book. For each of these gods, there is a priestess that is sent from another world to save the land corresponding to said god. The priestess must gather her seven warriors in order to summon the god and be granted a wish. The book sucks a girl from earth into it to become the priestess and issekai ensues.
I very much enjoyed the setup of Ning-Lan as a rival/possible antagonist and can't wait to see what happens with her. The protagonist, Suzuno, seems interesting as well. However I think it'll take a bit more time for me to hopefully get to really like her. Starting the story off with her going into the book as a child was a great idea and made this series beginning feel different from the original and fresh. I haven't read Genbu Kaiden yet, but this story being linked to that one was a nice touch. I'm definitely going to get caught up on Genbu Kaiden as soon as I get a chance and am looking forward to vol 2 of this series!
The basic premise for those who aren't familiar with FY is that there exists a mysterious book titled "The Universe of the Four Gods." The four gods correspond to the four directions (north, south, east, west), four regions in the world of the book. For each of these gods, there is a priestess that is sent from another world to save the land corresponding to said god. The priestess must gather her seven warriors in order to summon the god and be granted a wish. The book sucks a girl from earth into it to become the priestess and issekai ensues.
I very much enjoyed the setup of Ning-Lan as a rival/possible antagonist and can't wait to see what happens with her. The protagonist, Suzuno, seems interesting as well. However I think it'll take a bit more time for me to hopefully get to really like her. Starting the story off with her going into the book as a child was a great idea and made this series beginning feel different from the original and fresh. I haven't read Genbu Kaiden yet, but this story being linked to that one was a nice touch. I'm definitely going to get caught up on Genbu Kaiden as soon as I get a chance and am looking forward to vol 2 of this series!
July 16, 2020
3.5
I have a slightly unique perspective to this story as the only arc I've read is Genbu. So, to read this next feels like a natural progression of the story.
I found it very similar to Genbu in how the protagonist acts and the story progresses. So far, it seems fairly obvious, but I am assuming there will be twists to come in the future installments. The characters do feel somewhat flat, even for a first volume. Out of all of them, child Suzuno had the most development, and I found her older self dull and uninteresting. I'm hoping her character will progress past "lonely girl with PTSD" in the future books.
I was definitely most interested in the story when she was in the book than any other time. I found the parts of the human world to drag and feel milked to add tension. Also, you have to have some suspension of disbelief as a lot of the story in this, and in Genbu, was very contrive and worked around multiple accounts of things just "happening" at the right time.
But all of that to say, I'll try out the series.
I have a slightly unique perspective to this story as the only arc I've read is Genbu. So, to read this next feels like a natural progression of the story.
I found it very similar to Genbu in how the protagonist acts and the story progresses. So far, it seems fairly obvious, but I am assuming there will be twists to come in the future installments. The characters do feel somewhat flat, even for a first volume. Out of all of them, child Suzuno had the most development, and I found her older self dull and uninteresting. I'm hoping her character will progress past "lonely girl with PTSD" in the future books.
I was definitely most interested in the story when she was in the book than any other time. I found the parts of the human world to drag and feel milked to add tension. Also, you have to have some suspension of disbelief as a lot of the story in this, and in Genbu, was very contrive and worked around multiple accounts of things just "happening" at the right time.
But all of that to say, I'll try out the series.
October 2, 2020
It's here~! The Byakko Senki arc! The final story to be told!
Y'all, I have been anticipating this series for a long time and so glad that Watase has drawn it! Suzuno is no stranger to the Fushigi Yugi universe, as the daughter of the Genbu priestess' doctor. When the big earthquake happens and traps her father, Suzuno's father shouts for her to open the forbidden Universe of the Four Gods.
I am curious of how this story will play out. In the past two arcs, the priestess had a connection back to our universe. I wonder whom is going to to be the connection for Suzuno.
Watase's art has not diminish at all. I feel it's even better at using space and the character's expressions. I also like that Suzuno went in once as a child and then (maybe) as a teen. We already know the endgame of Suzuno (like with Takiko) since we do get introduced to some of the celestial warriors in the original Suzaku and Seiryuu arcs.
If you can't tell from my review, this book is the best and I need volume 2 stat.
Y'all, I have been anticipating this series for a long time and so glad that Watase has drawn it! Suzuno is no stranger to the Fushigi Yugi universe, as the daughter of the Genbu priestess' doctor. When the big earthquake happens and traps her father, Suzuno's father shouts for her to open the forbidden Universe of the Four Gods.
I am curious of how this story will play out. In the past two arcs, the priestess had a connection back to our universe. I wonder whom is going to to be the connection for Suzuno.
Watase's art has not diminish at all. I feel it's even better at using space and the character's expressions. I also like that Suzuno went in once as a child and then (maybe) as a teen. We already know the endgame of Suzuno (like with Takiko) since we do get introduced to some of the celestial warriors in the original Suzaku and Seiryuu arcs.
If you can't tell from my review, this book is the best and I need volume 2 stat.
February 19, 2021
Maybe I'm old. I loved fushigi yuugi the original and genbu.
I hated this series. I don't know why but it felt like yu watase was using the same retired stuff she always uses which was tragedy. I get it...the priestess are doomed but seriously. This priestess encountered so many bad things in one volume.
I won't spoil it but mid way I got annoyed. I wish for once they could have a priestess that came from a normal upbringing and be happy was that so hard to ask? I would have enjoyed it if they had continued her story like how it was in the beginning. You...know normal.
Even when she encounters the brothers when she's in the other world I thought that was cute twist how they meet...the one she falls for from the original fushigi yuugi.
Until I learned which brother it was and my ick factor rose. I don't know why it just did.
I feel some brother jealousy down the line which is going to ruin this for me.
I found out it's on hiatus. I'm glad. I won't be picking up anymore if it does come back.
I hated this series. I don't know why but it felt like yu watase was using the same retired stuff she always uses which was tragedy. I get it...the priestess are doomed but seriously. This priestess encountered so many bad things in one volume.
I won't spoil it but mid way I got annoyed. I wish for once they could have a priestess that came from a normal upbringing and be happy was that so hard to ask? I would have enjoyed it if they had continued her story like how it was in the beginning. You...know normal.
Even when she encounters the brothers when she's in the other world I thought that was cute twist how they meet...the one she falls for from the original fushigi yuugi.
Until I learned which brother it was and my ick factor rose. I don't know why it just did.
I feel some brother jealousy down the line which is going to ruin this for me.
I found out it's on hiatus. I'm glad. I won't be picking up anymore if it does come back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
This third entry into the Fushigi Yuugi world has a child sent back to a Tibetan/Silk Road-feeling setting as Priestess of Byakko, but though it does feel a little darker than previous entries this one doesn't yet feel very distinct from the previous stories. It takes place a little while after Genbu Kaiden, and features some side-characters of that story in the our-world side of this story - people who knew the previous priestess and/or her father, and also know the new child-priestess. Existing fans of the previous Fushigi Yuugi stories will enjoy returning to that world, and isekai fans might enjoy an isekai story not based on a video game (a way too common trope lately!).
Content concerns: nudity, sexual solicitation, fantasy violence (swords, eaten/mauled by monsters), that icky relationship trope where a guy doesn't seem to get that his loving someone does not mean that she will feel the same (looks like the love triangle of the series shaping up) -_-
Content concerns: nudity, sexual solicitation, fantasy violence (swords, eaten/mauled by monsters), that icky relationship trope where a guy doesn't seem to get that his loving someone does not mean that she will feel the same (looks like the love triangle of the series shaping up) -_-
March 25, 2021
An action-packed opening to a beloved series.
Suzuno is a dramatic but loving young girl who recently lost her close friend. She is desperate to stay close to her parents and happens to find the book "The Universe of the Four Gods". Unknowingly to her, Suzu is being called to the book. After a terrible tragedy, the book alters Suzu's life.
The pace of the story moves quickly and the cast of characters is relatively limited. The plot has a steady build and takes a surprising turn that will delight readers. Suzu is expressive and despite her age, she is perceptive of the things occurring around her. The illustrations capture the emotions and intensity of the scenes. The shading is expressive and the dialogue is revealing.
An exciting introduction to the series with several references to other books in the series. I look forward to the second volume.
Suzuno is a dramatic but loving young girl who recently lost her close friend. She is desperate to stay close to her parents and happens to find the book "The Universe of the Four Gods". Unknowingly to her, Suzu is being called to the book. After a terrible tragedy, the book alters Suzu's life.
The pace of the story moves quickly and the cast of characters is relatively limited. The plot has a steady build and takes a surprising turn that will delight readers. Suzu is expressive and despite her age, she is perceptive of the things occurring around her. The illustrations capture the emotions and intensity of the scenes. The shading is expressive and the dialogue is revealing.
An exciting introduction to the series with several references to other books in the series. I look forward to the second volume.
August 23, 2020
I FINALLY got my copy in the mail! This is the Fushigi Yugi story I wanted to see since I watched the original anime and the story spent several episodes with the surviving warriors of Byakko. Suzuno's story was so well-told in the anime and I wanted to see it all!
I loved the beginning. The circumstances of how Suzuno came to enter the Universe of the Four Gods is so different than how the other three priestesses did. It sets the tone for how her story is going to go. True, I already know how it ends. But I want to see happen.
Also, the impostor priestess? THAT was an element of the story I did not expect. I'm eager to see how that works out. I will have to wait, since the story is on hiatus right now and we only have this one volume in English. But I'll be keeping tabs on it.
I loved the beginning. The circumstances of how Suzuno came to enter the Universe of the Four Gods is so different than how the other three priestesses did. It sets the tone for how her story is going to go. True, I already know how it ends. But I want to see happen.
Also, the impostor priestess? THAT was an element of the story I did not expect. I'm eager to see how that works out. I will have to wait, since the story is on hiatus right now and we only have this one volume in English. But I'll be keeping tabs on it.
March 16, 2024
I've had a copy of this book for a few years now and only read a few pages before I put it down due to being distracted by other books. I have spent the last three days binge reading Fushigi yugi Genbu Kaiden, and my heart was a huge wreck after finishing the series. I had volume one of Bayakko Senki so I started reading it after taking a little break and letting my feelings ease after Fushigi yugi genbu Kaiden. I finished reading this book in about an hour and it's just as good as the other Fushigi yugi stories. The story is captivating, and I love how Suzuno visits the world in the book briefly when she is a child, and then we experience a time jump.
I hope we see volume 2 in the future.
I hope we see volume 2 in the future.
October 6, 2025
4 stars - I can't believe it took so long for the second manga to come out (7 years!) but I was excited all the same to reread book 1. Compared to the original series with Miaka and Suxaku, this series, along with Genbu Kaiden, feels so much dark and less light hearted.
All I know about Suzuno is from the brief chapters we got in the Suzaku series where Suzuno and three of her guardians made a cameo appearance. So reading this the first time and seeing two boys that looked like Tatara, Suzuno starting out the story as a child, and the king of the country actually being excited to see his country's priestess arrive was all quite strange! But I want to know more!
All I know about Suzuno is from the brief chapters we got in the Suzaku series where Suzuno and three of her guardians made a cameo appearance. So reading this the first time and seeing two boys that looked like Tatara, Suzuno starting out the story as a child, and the king of the country actually being excited to see his country's priestess arrive was all quite strange! But I want to know more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews