Fushigi Yûgi: The Mysterious Play

Miaka Yuki is an ordinary junior high student until a mysterious book in the school library pulls her and her friend Yui into the Universe of the Four Gods. The girls land in a strange world where they’re immediately attacked, and a handsome stranger rescues them. When Miaka looks away, both Yui and the rescuer vanish; Miaka later learns Yui has returned to Tokyo, alone with the book. Determined to help, Miaka heads toward the capital to track down the young man and reunite with her friend, only to discover that her only ticket home may be accepting the role of the Priestess of Suzaku and playing a far bigger part in that realm’s fate than she ever imagined.

The 1995 TV anime adapts Yuu Watase’s popular manga and features a noted voice cast, including Kae Araki as Miaka, Hikaru Midorikawa as Tamahome, Nobutoshi Canna as Tasuki, Takehito Koyasu as Hotohori, and Tomokazu Seki as Chichiri. It premiered in Japan in 1995 and became a staple of 90s anime lineups.

While it didn’t collect major industry awards, the series kept a devoted audience and spawned extra releases, such as OVAs and related media. That ongoing interest helped the property secure translations and international home video runs, keeping the story in circulation beyond its initial broadcast.

As a 90s shoujo landmark, the show left a clear mark on romantic fantasy anime. Its mix of love triangles, political intrigue, and a large ensemble cast influenced later series and fueled active fan communities. Many viewers still reference its dramatic moments and character pairings in discussions about classic anime romance.

Audience and critical response tends to be mixed-to-positive, reflected in an average score around 7.6/10 on some sites. Fans praise the relationships and emotional stakes, while critics often point to uneven pacing and melodramatic turns. Central themes include friendship, fate, sacrifice, loyalty and the messy consequences of power.