By Ani Cox
Yuu Watase invited readers to the magic within ‘The Universe of the Four Gods' in “Fushigi Yugi the Mysterious Play” where Miaka was introduced as the Priestess of Suzaku and Yui, Miaka's best friend, was introduced as the Priestess of Seiryu. The story continued in “Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden” as a prequel. Takiko, the Priestess of Genbu, entered the book and followed her destiny. ‘The Universe of the Four Gods' looks for the priestesses that are destined to save various parts of the world within the book.
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Once they are found, they are transported into the book where they must find the seven celestial-warriors that exist to protect their respective priestesses until they finish making their wishes. Now ‘The Universe of the Four Gods' has returned in “Fushigi Yugi Byakko Senki“. The story follows Suzuno Ohsugi, the Priestess of Byakko. Suzu loses everything and is sucked in the book at the age of eight– 20 years after Takiko was pulled. It is Suzu's turn to find her seven celestial-warrior protectors in order to protect the land of Xi-Lang.
Yuu Watase does not disappoint in continuing this series. The art and feel of “Byakko Senki” is on par with her previous works. Watase builds various complex characters in a way that makes them feel real. Suzu starts her journey at a young age and Watase was able to show her maturity level as well as make it apparent that in this situation, a child would be emotional and frightened. Her ability to do so aids in making the story even more enjoyable. Suzuno follows the lessons her parents taught her when encountering strangers but is still impressionable and naïve to the evils of the world. It was interesting to see her start the main character so young though, since, in the past, the priestess' have been teenagers. Her age makes a huge impact on the atmosphere of this first volume.
Just like the previous books, Suzu does not spend all her time in ‘The Universe of the Four Gods'. In fact, she returns home and continues her life as she would normally. This aspect complements the reality that their personal lives wouldn't end just because of their periodical absences. Miaka and Yui were a great example of this in the original “Fushigi Yugi”, when their friendship was in jeopardy due to being destined as the priestesses of Seiryu and Suzaku. Relationships and responsibilities went to the wayside but were still important to them, despite the fact they were sucked into something much bigger than themselves.
Suzu doesn't have an easy beginning due to the earthquake in Tokyo. She lives with her parents with whom she is extremely close. After being sucked into the book, hearing her father's last words as he does what he must do to save Suzu's life, she finds herself in a desert with nothing around. When her life is threatened, the young priestess is returned to find her home ruined and her parents gone, while her tragedy continues as she grows up over the next few years dreaming about what happened while in the book.
The readers are granted a glimpse into what is to come just as Suzu is with her short, one-night stay that was the equivalent to four nights in her world. However, new readers should tread lightly into this series because “Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden” is referenced to the point that there are spoilers. Watase does a fantastic job at carrying the story along throughout these three series. As it progresses, the reader gains new knowledge of what ‘The Universe of the Four Gods' is and why women are not allowed to touch it.
Watase's art style is consistent through all her works and heightens the mystical elements of her stories like “Fushigi Yugi” and “Ceres”, but is diverse enough that it works well with her more slice-of-life works like “Imadoki! Nowadays“. She also does a fantastic job at adding a purpose to her stories. She shows the importance of friendship, the words we use with one another, and so much more throughout the works she has published. This is also evident in “Fushigi Yugi Byakko Senki” already, as she shows the serious impact that this book is having on the priestess' lives when it finally finds them. Not only did Suzu suffer a traumatic event, but Watase set the story up to show the bonds that Suzu will make with the people she meets along the journey to finding her celestial-warriors.
The first volume of “Fushigi Yugi Byakko Senki” is fast-paced and leaves the reader eager to find out what is going to happen to Suzu as she searches for her celestial-warriors and what trials she will go through along the way. She's already lost so much in such a short span of time, but there is much for the Priestess of Byakko to gain as she pushes forward. If Watase's past works are indicative of what will transpire for Suzu, then this first volume is barely the tip of the iceberg of a great adventure ahead.
