Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 03

ふしぎ遊戯 玄武開伝 [Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden] #3

by Yuu Watase

When schoolgirl Takiko Okuda attempts to destroy her father's translation of "The Universe of the Four Gods", she is instead literally sucked into the story, becoming the Priestess of Genbu in an epic journey to find the seven Celestial Warriors!

Takiko has found three Celestial Warriors, but four remain hidden. While she and her friends journey to the Oracle Anlu, who may have the power to locate the remaining warriors, Limdo travels undercover with the army of Qu-dong. At Turning Point Rockfield, their destinies will intertwine again...and Takiko will learn that her quest is more difficult than she imagined. If she's already located three of the seven warriors, why does the Oracle claim there are five still to be found?

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

189 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

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]

I'm really torn about these.

- I like the main character and how she's presented, and how her compassion brings her together with her celestial warriors, who are all fun and substantially different from each other.

- The art's pretty good. The backgrounds are quite nice for a story that--by the author's own admission--was produced under severe deadlines and time crunch. Sometimes I have trouble following the battle scenes.

- Too much melodrama. The villains seem to have no motivation, and are too omnipresent and omnipotent to be believed even in the context of a fantasy story. An entire army can pursue one small group of people indefinitely, without a supply train! Ignoring that, the bad guys' purpose in the story it to emotionally torture the heroine Takiko, by murdering anybody who helps her along her journey.

At least there aren't a bunch of rape attempts and rape references in this version of FY. :P

[Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the anime this issue introduces the origin of the Genbu Shinzaho, which amused me. The characters are starting to really flesh out and I genuinely like Takiko, Tomite, and Uruki. Namame is an interesting addition to the crew.

[Ana Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25-3.5!
Recién me entero qe los malos son los de seiyriu y no los de suzaku ups, culpa mia y de mi comprensión lectora aunque honestamente no me sorprende que sean ellos bc cuadra que nunca hayan sido decentes con lo que pasa en la serie original.

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The further along I get in this series, the more I'm convinced it's far superior to the original. Granted, it's written a prequel story written years after the original was completed, so there's obviously room for growth and improvement in Watase's craft as a writer. But I do genuinely think that this is the far better story, and I absolutely enjoy it more than I ever did the original. (Of course, I have never been able to completely shuck my hatred for Miaka and Tamahome as characters, and I can be an adult enough to admit that. There's probably also something to be said for the fact that Watase herself equated Tamahome to a dog and Limdo to a cat, so there's that strike against Tamahome in my books as well. And Limdo is growing on me.)

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, rather predictable, but still enjoyable.

[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?

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's manga post is on Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 03 by Yuu Watase. It is 189 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Celestial Warriors Limdo and Namame with the Orcale Anlu. As it is the third in the series, you need to have read the first two volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo, epic story lines, and beautiful art. There is no foul language, no sex, and violence in this manga. The story told from third person following different characters as needed for plot development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the manga- Takiko has found three Celestial Warriors, but four remain hidden. While she and her friends journey to the Oracle Anlu, who may have the power to locate the remaining warriors, Limdo travels undercover with the army of Qu-dong. At Turning Point Rockfield, their destinies will intertwine again...and Takiko will learn that her quest is more difficult than she imagined. If she's already located three of the seven warriors, why does the Oracle claim there are five still to be found?

Review- Takiko knows that she has more enemies than friends, so she decides to seek help in finding the other Celestial Warriors. But she is hunted from all sides and her enemies are willing to kill any who help her. Takiko learns a lot in this volume, not just about the world around her but about how she needs to interact with it, with an open heart. She has been holding herself back, because she plans to go home, so she has not fully committed to this quest until faced with the newest Warrior, Namame. I liked seeing her embrace her chosen path and I look forward to seeing where her new resolve will take her.

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.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

{REVIEW FOR THE ENTIRE VOLUME}
I was reading this when I am on my trip in Brazil. I love the FS “mysterious play” it was one of my favorite anime back in the day. I am now 28 yrs old grown up working woman and I still love FY, I dont want to make this review long, Genbu Kaiden is more darker, kinda hardcore than the orig FY Miaka/Tamahome , I also believe that GK has the most strongest celestial warriors (they are all unique).

GK is something that is unexpected, there are many challenges, obstacles and it is always hard to look for new celestial warriors. This is also interesting as it shows the history of the book “The Universe Of Four Gods” and the author which is Takiko’s father in the Taisho era. Unlike Miaka who is kinda childish ,Takiko is a fighter, she is charming but she’s mature woman , she thinks of the people who need her and she is convinced to save them all.

There are twist and turns in this story which is very interesting. If you want to know more, read it! Highly recommend 🙂

[Mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

(12/18/2020)
Ooof, two dead little girls in one volume? That's rough.

But I will say I enjoyed the overall volume. Namame is THE BEST, and I'm glad Uruki is going the club. I think him and Takiko are cute, and it kinda scares me as a reader of the OG FY. As a reader of the OG series I also loved seeing the origin of The Necklace.

There being five warriors left intruiges me SO MUCH. I have theories but none make sense. (I haven't spoken on Hatsui because he's not really grabbed me as a character yet.)

This is the last volume I have already read. New stuff ahead! :0

[Mar]

Esta historia cada vez se pone mejor y mejor, en busca de uno de los centinelas Takiko debe aprender a conectarse con ellos y me parecio muy dulce la forma en la que los demas miembros la ayudaban y Rimudo maass tierno, me encantan. Tengo ganas de conocer mas de Namame que es el ultimo centinela presentado y tambien de saber mas de los enemigos que van en busca de Rimudo, Takiko y los otros centinelas

[Allegra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I know why Absolute Boyfriend was so shallow and awful. Watase was working on this and a bunch of other FY magazine work and so she had no time or energy to spare on her new series. I’m so glad she made these books a priority because this is the first quality Watase book I’ve read of hers lately (if ever tbh). I’m so nostalgic for this series, and I’m so glad the re-read is going well so far 🥲

[-moonprismpower- · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume made me cry... Namame and Lady Anlu, their sweet little bond... :(

I love how different these celestial warriors are compared to the original.

And I have a feeling I will like this series just as much as the original!

[AestheticAngel: · Rating 5 out of 5]

As time goes on and a lot of us want to revisit some classic Manga from over 18 years ago, the harder they are to find. You can never go wrong with classic manga, and this story keeps getting better and better. I am hooked!

[Cress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not crying. You're crying.

[Stéphanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un très beau tome, j'aime de plus en plus l'histoire et je passe un très bon moment dans cette lecture. Hâte de lire la suite et de voir l'évolution des personnages et de la quête.

[Stephanie Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

I enjoyed reading this very much. Wish it had a little romance but that’s okay. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

URUKI TE QUIERO GUAPISIMOOO, TE COMO LA CARA

[Maile Sarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did I not expect Yui to leave Miaka to die 😭

[ⓘⓣⓐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 goal 135/150

[Amara Luciano · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[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

I love Naname!!!!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Turning Point Rockfield, they go to consult the oracle Anlu. There they are attacked and find and are saved by the rock Warrior Noname, who can form into different rock shapes or be himself as a small animated rock figure. Noname can't talk. Anlu tries to misinform assassins following them, and an oracle can not lie, so she is killed. She has given Takiko her amulet which lights up as it gets nearer to Celestial Warriors so she can find the rest of them. She prophesized that they would find the other 5 warriors. This confounds Takiko as she is expecting 7 total and already has found 3.

[Raymond Regalado · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Far out of the three, This book is my favorite. I love the action in this book. Takiko and the three Celestial Warriors are go on a journey to the Oracle Anlu who the power to find the other remaining Celestial Warriors which was a challenge since she is protected but a Celestial Warrior named Namame which as the power to summon the Earth or rock. I love the story of Namame which he closed himself from everyone else because everybody thought he was a beast until he met Anlu who befriended him and they had been friends ever since. I really recommend you to read this book which is very good.

[Yume Yoru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seguimos con la búsqueda de estrellas de Genbu. El país es más grande de los que creían en un principio así que buscan la ayuda de las sacerdotisas videntes para que les ayuden. Así, casi sin creérselo se encuentran con Namame, custodiado por la sacerdotisa Anruu. Esta estrella es una de las más curiosas de toda la saga y sin duda una de mis preferidas. Puede que sea de roca, pero es extremadamente adorable y achuchable. Qué pena que en su vida lo haya pasado tan mal, aunque... ¿será uno de los requisitos para ser estrella tener un pasado trágico?

[Nisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Warrior is found and lots more trouble. I absolutely love the heroine, Takiko. She is easier to relate to and easier to like. Uruki (Limdo) is becoming increasing hotter. Switching genders so nifty.

In FYGB, I feel like there's a lot of bad things going to happen, really unpredictable things, compared to FY, and I am both excited and nervous about reading them, but I will still continue to the next book.

[Leila Anani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takiko goes to an oracle to help her locate the rest of the celestial seven - The entire temple are massacred by her enemies although she does manage to find one more of the warriors - rock monster Namame.

Love this series - story, art, emotion - it has it all. The characters are great and suitably different from the original FY cast.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still AWESOME! I just order volumes 4-11 from Amazon! Apparently 12 will be the end of the story, which if you read or watched Fushigi Yugi, you know how it ends, and it is NOT good. I don't want to dwell on the impending tragic ending right now though, these books are just too good!

[Shweta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this two nights eager to read more!
So limdo is proving to be a good guy and not the bad guy and he does everything for takiko.
I swear the way the author has drawn is just pretty and i like it because she doesn't leave any empty spaces but fills it up and doesn't waste and i like her notes.

[Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Anlu (the Oracle) is sooo freaking adorable X3 However, this volume made me sad. Not gonna give spoilers though. Those who have read it will know why. Also, Hagus needs to go die in a freaking hole. -______-

[Holly Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

same as vol. 1-2