Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden
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| Fushigi Yūgi - Genbu Kaiden | |||
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 Cover of volume 3 |
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| ふしぎ遊戯 玄武開伝 | |||
| Genre | adventure, Comedy, Drama, Historical, romance | ||
| Manga | |||
| Author | Yuu Watase | ||
| Publisher |  Shogakukan |
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| Demographic | Shōjo | ||
| Magazine | Sho-Comi Zoukan | ||
| Original run | October 25, 2003 | ||
| Volumes | 8 (currently) | ||
Fushigi Yūgi - Genbu Kaiden (ふしぎ遊戲 玄武開伝?) is a manga written by Yuu Watase. It is a prequel to Fushigi Yūgi, telling the creation of "The Universe of the Four Gods" and the story of the Genbu no Miko, or Priestess of Genbu, briefly mentioned in the Fushigi Yūgi manga and anime.
Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden was first published in Sho-Comi in 2003. New chapters are published quarterly in the Fushigi Yūgi Perfect World magazine, and new volumes of the manga come out in Japan bi-annually. This manga is still on-going, making occasional appearances in the Sho-Comi "zokan" issues. Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden has been licensed in English in North America by VIZ Media and in Singapore by Chuang Yi.
Contents |
[edit] Story
In Japan of 1923, a 17-year-old girl named Takiko Okuda is living with her ill mother after recently moving to a small town. Her father comes home one day (he's never home, as he's a busy novelist), much to Takiko's chagrin. He apparently has been working on something called "The Universe of the Four Gods" and even after returning home, is obsessed with the book. Her mother soon dies and Takiko becomes angry at her father for ignoring the two of them. These feelings, paired with her feelings of loneliness and uselessness at being rejected both in love and by her father, lead her to attempt to tear the book apart. However, it instead whisks her away to the country of Hokkan(Beî Jîa) where all of her adventures begin.
[edit] Characters
Note: The seiyū listed are from the drama CD version. As such, some characters may not have a seiyū as the CD dramas may not involve every character from the manga.
[edit] Stars of Genbu (Seishi and miko)
- Takiko Okuda (奧田 多喜子 Okuda Takiko?, "Genbu no Miko") Seiyū: Satsuki Yukino
- A seventeen year old schoolgirl, whose mother has recently died of tuberculosis and whose father seems to care more about his research than his own family. She is revealed to be the Priestess of Genbu, whose destiny will be to summon the god Genbu with her own will after she has gathered the Celestial Warriors and have it grant three wishes of her choosing. Takiko is impulsive and strong willed, though she can be insecure at times. She can fight well with a naginata, a spear-like weapon, and does well in her studies. Takiko was in love with Takao Ohsugi, a friend of her father's, but her love was unrequited. Uruki falls in love with her and she eventually comes to reciprocate, though they must keep their relationship a secret.
- Uruki/Limdo/Rimudo Roun/Liwûtû Lang-Huî (女宿 ロウン・リムド Roun Rimudo ?, "Girl") Seiyū: Sakurai Takahiro/Nagasawa Miki (female form)
- Uruki is the sixteen-year-old crown prince of Hokkan and the only son of the emperor's brother. At the time of his birth, a priest prophesized for his father "When the Priestess opens the Book of the Four Gods of Heaven and Earth and appears, your son will definitely kill you." At this time, the Prince, fearing for his own life, tried to have his son killed. Limdo's mark means 'girl' and only appears when he is in female form. Limdo must be in female form in order to utilize his celestial powers of controlling the wind, which seems to be a sore spot with him. He is in love with Takiko and they confess their love for one another later, but their relationship is kept a secret.
- Tomite/Chamka Tan (虚宿 ターン・チャムカ Taan Chamuka?, "Emptiness") Seiyū: Iwanaga Tetsuya
- Sixteen year old Tomite is a bounty hunter from the Ha tribe and Hikitsu's childhood friend. He's a bit of a pervert, but sensitive about his mother Boraate (Borate). His mark means 'emptiness' or 'void' and he is a master archer. Combined with his ability to create ice, Tomite is able to shoot arrows of ice. He is the first Celestial warrior that Takiko gathers, as Uruki, the first found, refuses to acknowledge his destiny until later on, and is in a delicate position with the Qu-dong army. Tomite appears to be jealous of Uruki concerning his relationship with Takiko, possibly because he has some feelings for Takiko. However the author has stated they have a kind of brotherly/sisterly relationship. He later gains a love interest in the form of Hikitsu's sister, Ayla.
Known to fans of the original Fushigi Yugi, Tomite and his friend Hikitsu became the guardians of the Shinzaho of the Genbu priestess after their deaths. - Hatsui/Zaraa Erutai (室宿 エルタイ・ザラ－ Erutai Zaraa?, "Encampment") Seiyū: Ogata Megumi
- Twelve year old Hatsui is the son of healers who finds it difficult to trust in others. He cries a lot and also stutters when he speaks (at least in the Japanese version of the manga). When his parents died, they left him a large debt to pay off. The villagers picked on him until one day he accidentally killed them with his ability to fire needles from his body. When Takiko found him, he was being 'looked after'(or rather, being used to kill off enemies, particularly Takiko & Co.) by Fen (a female assassin who was hired by Uruki's father to kill the Celestial Warriors and priestess).
- Namame (壁宿? "Wall")
- Namame was born from the Seimei stone (Star-Life Stone) near Iferui. He usually takes the appearance of a little stone doll, although when Takiko first found him, he was a stone giant, protecting the oracle Anlu, who was in his mouth. After being traumatized by human cruelty when he attempted to fit in, Namame found it very hard to trust others; it took Anlu a whole day of sitting right next to him to earn his trust. He was "protecting" Anlu when Takiko & Co. found him. Namame was the fourth Celestial Warrior found by the Genbu priestess. His character, "Bi", is typically found on the back of his head. Namame has the power to control the earth, which allows him to manipulate the ground itself, create earthquakes, and shape stones into whatever he desires.
- Hikitsu/Emthatt Chen (斗宿 チェン・エムタト Chen Emutato?, "Dipper") Seiyū: Hiyama Nobuyuki
- Twenty-one year old Hikitsu is a member of the Han tribe. He has a little sister named Ayla and once saved Tomite from being killed by monsters (which also killed Tomite's father) when the two of them were children. He controls water in the form of snakes, but also has another power he called 'Shikyokan', where anyone who looks upon the eye with his Seishi mark is forced to remember their worst memories. The latter power doesn't seem to be under control, the eye is usually covered and it has accidentally been used on Takiko .
Known to fans of the original Fushigi Yugi, Hikitsu and his friend Tomite became the guardians of the Shinzaho of the Genbu priestess after their deaths. - Inami/Tarma (牛宿 タルマ Taruma?, "Ox") Seiyū: Masako Katsuki
- Inami is a senior prostitute. She is not the owner of the brothel as previously thought, she is just the temporary owner. The original owner of the brothel had discovered that Taruma was a Celestial Warrior and knew of the persecution Inami would faced if found out, so they moved the brothel from Hokkan to Konan for her safety. Inami's power is being able to control her hair to great lengths and is able to use a pipe as her weapon. She joins Takiko and the other Seishi after great encouragement from the other prostitutes.
- Urumiya/Hagus & Teg (危宿 ハーガス & テグ Hāgasu & Tegu ?, "Rooftop or Danger") Seiyū: Takehito Koyasu
- It is revealed that Hagus is only half of Urumiya (only half of the character is shown), therefore, he is not complete. His elder twin brother, Teg, carried the other half of the character. Though Hagus fights against the celestial warriors of Genbu and has the ability to absorb their powers, he is not necessarily evil as he is seen saving children during some of the battles. He has a goal to destroy Uruki, in order to rescue his brother. He is under the command of Uruki's father, King Temudan. Teg is kept prisoner by Temudan, who bribes him with the possibility of being reunited with Hagus to get him to block the other seishis powers, thereby protecting Temudan and the Hokkan army.
[edit] Other Characters (Book of Four Gods)
- Soruen
- Retainer of Limdo (Uruki). Twelve year old Soren and his father Tauru had been given the responsibility by Uruki's mother to safe infant Uruki from being killed by his own father. Ever since then, both men raised Uruki while living on the run. He grew attached to Uruki and Uruki considered him as an older brother. Tauru, Soruen's father, was killed when he was 21 and told him to guard Uruki with his life. Mentally fragile after Tauru's death, Uruki (who was nine at the time) decided to jump off a cliff. Soruen held on to Uruki, but was at first tempted to let go of the boy so he could live a normal life. He didn't follow his inner demons, and rescued Uruki. He then vowed to always be by Uruki's side. He constantly appeared by Uruki's side and saved Uruki from harm. He uses gunpowder and a sword in combat. Soruen was among the first to realize Uruki's feelings for Takiko, and always urged him to pursue those feelings. He also helped protect Takiko whenever Uruki was unavailable. Both Uruki and Soruen has a strong bond, and whenever one of them is in trouble the other will show up and help. The bond was created by the scent of Toka seed, which both men carries all the time. The scent was unmistakable and they would always find each other because of it. Soruen protected Uruki with his life until the end, and lost his life in the battle at the Oroko Valley. Before he died, he left Takiko with his toka seeds so that she will share the special bond that he had with Uruki. His death devastated Uruki to a point of depression. His soul was later properly sent to heaven after Hoshikaeri (return to the stars) ceremony.
- Hakei ( 玻慧?) Seiyū: Mitsuaki Madono
- The Crown Prince of Kotou (the land to the east, protected by Seiryu). He is evil, but always hides his intentions with a friendly attitude towards Uruki (in "Taki" form) and is bent on invading Hokkan. Shigi and Hien are under his command.
- Shigi ( 紫義?) Seiyū: Jun Fukuyama
- A beautiful, yet cruel, boy. Always insists that Genbu must absolutely not be summoned. He kills The Oracle, Priestess Anlu, Namame's guardian. His weapon resembles a whip, but is made out of what looks like nunchuku. He is constantly wearing a smile on his face (even when he is brutally killing someone) and is not one to be underestimated in battle. Speaks very politely, almost like a woman. In the most recent chapter, Shigi is discovered to have been castrated and tortured when he was younger.
- Hien ( 緋鉛?) Seiyū: Kishō Taniyama
- A violent, hot-tempered man whose arm was cut off by Uruki. Bent on getting revenge for having his arm cut off. Shigi and Hien are commanded by Hakei to take "Taki" (who is actually Uruki's identity when he joins the Kotou army in his man form) and fight with him against the Genbu Celestial Warriors and priestess. Although Hien does not trust Taki (and it is later revealed that Shigi did not either), they do not throw him out of the army, as Hakei is adamant that he should stay.
- Temudan Roun ( テムダン・ロウン?) Seiyū: Kazuya Nakai
- Father of Uruki. He was the prince of Hokkan, due to be king except that he had inherited a strange disease: his limbs slowly fall off, bit by bit (he was supposed to die by the age of 20, which is why his younger brother received the throne; but Temudan did not die, so he waits as first in line to the throne.) He has replaced each missing limb with one made of lead. He believes that Uruki will kill him when the Genbu no Miko appears, so he is very keen on killing his son, Genbu no Miko and the Genbu Celestial Warriors. Hagus is currently under his command.
- Tegiru Roun
- Uncle of Uruki and younger brother of Temudan Roun. After his elder brother stepped down the throne, he became king. He ruled Hokkan with an iron hand. He only has daughters so he doesn't have an heir to the throne. He seemed to dislike his older brother, and forbid his subordinates to even mention the name. He is also very proud of his bloodline and continues to believe that the Roun clan is the most superior clan and other clans in Hokkan must bow to the Roun clan. He hates the Genbu priestess and her warriors, especially because they were getting a lot of trust from the people.
- Borate Tan ( Taan Boraate 旦 ボラ－テ?) Seiyū: Ai Satou
- Tomite's mother. The one who first accepts Takiko as the Genbu priestess followed by the rest of the village. She and the village people, the Ha tribe, might be the only ones who thinks that the coming of the Genbu priestess and the summoning of Genbu is a good thing. Takes an arrow for Takiko when it is shot at her during a raid of the village of the Ha tribe.
- Ayla Chen ( Chen Aira チェン アイラ?) Seiyū: Sayuri Yahagi
- Hikitsu's (Chen Emutato) younger sister. Has been encased in ice for a year together with the beasts that had attacked the Ha and Kan tribe's former village. She was finally released when Tomite returned to the place to search for Hikitsu. Currently staying with Boratte, Aila still loves Tomite, despite the fact he was the one who encased her in ice.
- Oracle Anlu/Anru ( Anruu 巫尊師 アンルウ?) Seiyū: Ayako Kawasumi
- An Oracle protected by Namame. It took her a long time to win his trust, as he had been treated very cruelly by other humans when he attempted to fit in. She is killed by Shigi and Hien's men after she prophesized that "The priestess will definitely summon Genbu- Go away!". With her dying words, she reveals to Takiko the key in communicating with Namame (her necklace, which is made out of the same rock as him).
[edit] Other Characters (Takiko's world)
- Einosuke Okuda (奧田 永之助 Okuda Einosuke?) Seiyū: Tōru Ōkawa
- Takiko's father is a researcher of folklore who seems more concerned about his most recent discovery, the Book of Four Gods, than he does for his sickly wife and their impetuous daughter. Takiko believes her father does not love her or her mother and deeply regrets that Takiko was born a girl rather than a boy. When his daughter is pulled in the Book of Four Gods, her father reads the book, which allows the story to progress, and gradually comes to realize and understand Takiko's feelings. When she briefly returns to her own world, her father apologizes for regreting that he would have preferred a son over her and confesses that his interest in the book was largely in hopes that a wish from one of the four gods could cure Takiko's mother.
- Takao Ōsugi
- Takiko's first love and her father's research assistant. He gently rejects her feelings because he loves his wife, but does seem to care about Takiko in a friendly manner. Takiko seems to be friends with his daughter, Suzuno, who will one day become the Priestess of Byakko. According to the original Fushigi Yuugi, after the deaths of both Takiko and Einosuke, Takao is entrusted the book in hopes that no one should suffer the same fate as Takiko.
[edit] Video game
Idea Factory released the Sony Playstation 2 video game Fushigi Yuugi - Genbu Kaiden Gaiden: Kagami no Miko in Japan on June 22, 2005. The adventure game puts players in the shoes of Mariko Kobayashi, an original character created for the game, who is taken into the Universe of the Four Gods through a mirror.[1] While searching for her friend, who was also taken into the mirror, Mariko is aided in her quest by Genbu no Miko and the Genbu Seven. A limited edition version of the game was released on the same date, containing an art book and a CD of interviews with the game voice actors.[1] A PSP version of the game was released in Japan on September 28, 2006.[1]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden (manga) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
