Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden, Volume 9

December 10, 2009
Watase (Ceres; Absolute Boyfriend) is a prolific manga-ka whose work is known to shojo readers both as graphic novels and as anime. Previously in this series, Takiko Okuda has been summoned into the Universe of the Four Gods, a mysterious and magical book that transports a chosen priestess into that realm while a reader in our world can follow the progress of her journeys. In this volume, Takiko returns to her home to reconcile with her father and receive a marriage proposal, while her warriors struggle on, lost and depressed without her. This explores fairness within society, the vulnerability of women to injustice and poverty, and ecological collapse in a fantasy alternative world. Verdict A prequel to the "Fushigi Yugi" series, this is a core title for most shojo manga readers. It is filled with romance, magic, tragedy, clashes between armies, and duels between rival Celestial Warriors, just as in the original.-Christine Gertz, Univ. of Alberta

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