Fushigi Yūgi Eikoden

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Fushigi Yūgi Eikoden


caption =
ja_name = ふしぎ遊戯 -永光伝
ja_name_trans =
genre = Fantasy, RomanceInfobox animanga/OVA
title =
director = Nanako Shimazaki
studio = Studio Pierrot
licensor = flagicon|Japan Bandai Visual flagicon|USA Geneon
runtime = 30 minutes (each)
episodes = 4
released = December 21 2001

nihongo|"Fushigi Yūgi Eikoden"|ふしぎ遊戯 -永光伝 is the third "Fushigi Yūgi" original video animation.

"Eikoden" is based on the two novels by Megumi Nishizaki and was originally the end of the Gaiden novels. The story follows Mayo Sakaki, a sixteen-year-old girl who attends Yotsubadai High School, the same high school that Miaka and Yui attended. Upon finding "The Universe of the Four Gods" in a trash bin at the park, Mayo soon discovers that the story is not complete. In the unfamiliar world of the book, Mayo must come to terms with her own life and the unhappiness within it.

History

Megumi Nishizaki was inspired to write Eikou Den after a meeting with creator Yuu Watase. Watase had proposed a story idea in which Miaka would gather the reincarnated Suzaku Seven.

This had come about due to the amount of fan mail asking about the whereabouts of "The Universe of the Four Gods" as well as many fans who expressed a wish to be taken into a book much like Miaka and Yui were.

However, Nishizaki decided that Miaka had already done her share of adventuring, and so the character of Mayo Sakaki, someone who the readers could be closer to, was created and Miaka would be left out of most of the action.

The character of Mayo is meant as a representation of all of the weakness in human character. She is singleminded to the point of recklessness, impulsive, jealous, bitter - but at heart she is a good person. Nishizaki points out that due to all of the hardships she has faced, she's become a very jaded person and it takes meeting the Suzaku Seven to realize her innocence again.

Plot

A young girl named Mayo Sakaki finds the "Universe of the Four Gods" on the floor of library and decides to take it home. However she loses the book on the bus and it falls into despair. Three years later, Miaka and Taka are married and Mayo is a player on the girl's basketball team that Taka coaches. She has a crush on Taka and is heart broken to learn he is married. While out walking, she finds the "Universe of the Four Gods." When she opens it, she learned the entire story within seconds. The next day, she learns Miaka is three months pregnant from Taka, who and now Keisuke, has taken over coaching the team. Bitter, depressed, and unhappy with her life, Mayo escapes into the world of the book despite Keisuke's attempt to stop her. When Mayo enters the book, Miaka faints and the baby disappears from her womb. The doctors claim she has no signs of having ever been pregnant. Keisuke goes to the hospital and tells Taka about Mayo, so Taka goes into the book to find her.

In the book world, ten years have passed and the world is falling into ruins. Taka goes to the Honan palace, where Hotohori's son Bōshin is now Emperor Reizeitei and Hotohori's wife Hōki is the Dowager Empress Yotaigo. They tell him that Mayo was there and told lies about Miaka. To try to help the decaying world, Taka goes to find Chichiri and Tasuki. After the three are reunited, they are pulled into a battle with an evil entity using the form of Genbu. After an intense battle, they are able to defeat it though Taka is left wounded. Taiitsukun appears and explain that the remaining Suzaku Seven must be gathered if the world is going to be destroyed. The other five warriors have been reborn within the world, so the trio go to search for them.

Meanwhile, Mayo is drawn to the Suzaku shrine by a phoenix, where a false Suzaku preys on Mayo's weakened mental state and convinces her that Taka and others are going to take the Shinzaho from her and kill her. In the real world, Testuya and Yui and Keisuke in Miaka's room. Together, they follow along with the events of the story by reading the book. Taka, Chichiri, and Taisuki find Chiriko, who is now a baby named Gakurei. Gakurei remembers his past life and speaks with them, but he is starting to become a normal baby. While he stays to study the issue, he gives his former companions horses to ease their journey. As they ride, Taka's injury causes him to fall from his horse. A young girl named Shōka appears and offers the feverish Taka some of her water, which helps him some. While they talk, a boy named Chousei calls to the girl, and the trio soon realize he is Mitsukake. Chousei refuses to go with them, though, and they leave. Shōka convinces Chousei to go with the others, but after he leaves she is attacked by some mysterious birds. Taka, Chichiri, and Taisuki return to the village and find her near death. Chousei also returns, but he has been possessed by a fake Byakko. After he is freed, his dormant memories and abilities return and he is able to heal both Shōka and Taka.

The group travel to a small town where they meet a little girl named Ko Reishun, who decides she wants the crystal ball that Taiitsukun gave them to help in the search. She fights Tasuki for it and easily tosses him aside, but the ball is shattered in the tussle. After finding a stand to buy Reishun a new ball, she is captured by a demon. Taka cuts the demon in half with a holy sword, but the top half of its body escapes to a nearby lake where a fake Seiryū appears. The three combine their powers and defeat the evil creature. Certain Reishun is the reborn Nuriko, they ask her to go with them to the capital.

Back in Konan, Reizeitei talks with Mayo and asks if she knows about his past. Mayo twists the story to make Miaka and Hotohori seem like horrible people. When Reizeitei calls her a liar, she denies it and questions whether Hotohori and Hōki ever loved each other. Reizeitei tells her that the Priestess of Suzaku was a person of boundless love, and wonders if Mayo, who shows no respect for Miaka, can save anyone. Mayo storms out of the shrine and goes to her room. There, she hears the disembodied voice of her best friend from school, Saori Kawai. Saori, with help from Keisuke, Tetsuya and Yui, is using some cosmetics she borrowed from Mayo as a medium to plead her to return. When Mayo looks in her hand mirror, she realizes she has no reflection and feels a sense of panic. Later, as she has a bath, Mayo temporarily becomes transparent. Yotaigo comes to check on her, then tells her the story of her relationship with Hotohori and his older, full-blooded brother, Shū Tendō. Mayo apologizes for the lies she told Reizeitei about Hotohori and Miaka.

Near a large grave for "The Suzaku King Shu Tendo," a young boy named Shu Eian is paying his respects. Reishun takes the others to him and they realize he is Hotohori's reincarnation. His parents agree to allow him to go the capital, but after they set out, the fake Suzaku attacks them. Chirchiri realizes he is after Eian and switches the boy with a fake. Taiitsukun appears to tell them to hurry to the capital because the Shinzaho is in danger. Taka worries that something is happening to Mayo. Keisuku uses a cell phone charm as a medium to talk to Taka and tell him about Mayo's condition. Taka realizes she plans to die, so he has Chichiri transport the group back to the palace. Mayo is depressed after discovering she was being used by a fake Suzaku. When the fake attacks her, her body begins flickering in and out. Mayo tries to drown herself, but Taka arrives in time to save her, and the Shinzaho, which is Miaka's baby. While they wait for Nuriko and Hotohori's memories to awaken, they learn Miaka had sent the baby with Mayo to save Konan, as she herself could not go.

Mayo and Miaka both disappear. As things seem hopeless, Miaka and Mayo reappear and together summon Suzaku. Suzaku uses Taka's body to destroy the impostor. Taka and Mayo return to the real world. Mayo is wiser for her troubles and more appreciative of her life. Miaka also returns and wakes up in the hospital. Later, she gives birth to a girl whom she names Hikari, the Japanese word for light, hoping she will be like the stars that are always shining down on Earth.

Characters

Primary Characters

;Mayo Sakaki:Mayo is the antagonist in the series. She is a sixteen-year-old girl who attends Yotsubadai High School and is a member of the Basketball Club. :When she was in the eighth grade, she saw Taka working in the ice cream parlor and fell in love instantly. Taka is unaware of her feelings towards him. He only had eyes for Miaka, therefore Mayo's first true love was never realized. As her life falls apart around her - Taka's marriage to Miaka and the impending divorce of her parents - Mayo enters into "The Universe of the Four Gods" to attain a storybook ending with Taka.

;Miaka Yuki/Miaka Sukunami:Miaka is now eighteen years old and married to Taka. They are expecting their first child, and Miaka is three months along in the pregnancy.

;Tamahome/Taka Sukunami:Taka, now twenty years old, is still in college. He is trying to support Miaka and himself. :He worked part time as the Yotsubadai Basketball Club coach. However since he married Miaka, he has given that job to Keisuke. :He is also unaware of Mayo's feelings towards him. He has a secret admiration with Thesa Hyuga.

;Hotohori:Hotohori was the first Celestial warrior to be reborn. He was born as Shū Eian, now nine years old, to a poor family living in Suzaku Village.:Every day, he pays his respects to a grave marked as, "Shū Tendō, fourth emperor of Suzaku ." He is now married to Cristina Adorable.

;Nuriko:Nuriko was the second Celestial warrior to be reborn, now as a female. She was born as Ko Reishun, now eight years old, to an innkeeper and his wife.

:She is known in her town as being very beautiful, although a little pushy.

;Chichiri:Chichiri, now thirty-six years old, has spent the last ten years traveling around Konan, Kutō, Hokkan, and Sairō. :He returns to Konan when he senses Taka calling for him.

;Tasuki:Tasuki, now twenty-nine years old, has returned to his proper position as the leader of the Mt. Reikaku Bandits. He is constantly looking out for the welfare of his bandits and sometimes forgets about his time spent as a Celestial warrior of Suzaku. He is in love with Clarissa G. Adorable. She meet the girl in the market where they found the reborn of Nuriko in Fushigi Yuugi OVA3 eikoden.

;Mitsukake:Mitsukake was the third Celestial warrior to be reborn. He was born as Jo Chōsei, now five years old, to a doctor known as Mr. Jo. :His next door neighbor is a little girl named Shōka, who is also the baby that Mitsukake died to save. The two are inseparable. A girl name Rosita Adorable is secretly in love with him.

;Chiriko:Chiriko was the last Celestial warrior to be reborn. He was born as Chō Gakurei who is still an infant, to a local government official and his wife. He still has his memories of being Chiriko and can talk like an adult. :He has studied the destruction of the world, but he is quickly becoming a normal baby with no memories of being a Celestial warrior.

;Thesa Hyuga:Thesa, now seveteen years old, is still in college. :She worked part time as the Yotsubadai Volleyball Club coach.:She is also unaware of Taka's feelings towards her.

Secondary characters

;Yui Hongo:The former Priestess of Seiryu, Yui is still a close friend of Miaka's and she is still dating Tetsuya. She blames her appearance in the story as hastening the destruction within the book.

;Tetsuya Kajiwara:Keisuke's best friend and Yui's boyfriend, he joins Keisuke with Yui in Miaka's hospital room to hold vigil for Miaka as well as read "The Universe of the Four Gods."

;Keisuke Yūki:Miaka's brother, now twenty-three, has entered his fifth year of college. Since he hasn't officially decided on a career yet, he spends he free time as the coach of the girl's Yotsubadai Basketball Club. :He tries to prevent Mayo from entering the book, and after she enters he reads diligently to see if she's in trouble. Though he claims that he cares for Mayo like a little sister, perhaps he cares for her as something more.

;Yotaigo:Formerly known as Hōki :She is Hotohori's widow, and the mother of Bōshin. It has been ten years, but she is still the same gentle and caring woman that Taka remembers.:Having taken the name "Yotaigo" when Bōshin ascended the throne, she guides her son with gentle wisdom when he could not find an answer for himself. :She is also suspicious of Mayo's outrageous claims, but she never confronts her. Instead, she gently guides Mayo's wayward heart without becoming critical or condescending.

;Bōshin/Reizeitei:Hotohori's heir, who is now twelve years old. Having officially taken the throne, he has stopped using his childhood name of Bōshin and is now known as Reizeitei.:He can remember when Taka allowed Hotohori's spirit to hold him, and often recalls his father's words when facing a difficult decision.:He has tried to take his father's advice and become a wise and caring ruler, and he truly fears that he will be unable to fufill his father's wishes. He immediately latches on to Mayo as the new Priestess of Suzaku.

;Mumin:One of the servants in the palace, Mumin is a large, hippopotamus-like woman who is assigned to look after Mayo. It is suggested that Mumin also originally served Miaka, as she makes several references to the differences between Mayo and Miaka, much to Mayo's dismay. :Seemingly simple and clumsy, she takes her duties serving Mayo very seriously.

;Gyōshiku:Emperor Reizeitei's grandson.

Music

Opening theme

"Chijou no Seiza" by "Yoko Ueno"

Ending theme

"YES ~ Koko ni Eien ga Aru" by "Takehito Koyasu"

Comparison to the Novel

The original story of Eiko Den was derived from the two part novel written by Megumi Nishizaki. The novel is much more detailed and also pulls in characters from the manga that do not appear in the OVA adaption. Koji is with Tasuki when Chichiri and Taka go to Mt. Leikaku, and recognizes the two former Suzaku warriors before Tasuki does. Tasuki actually forgets that he is Tasuki, but eventually he remembers. Subaru and Tokaki also appear, though briefly, noting the impedning catastrophe is unlike anything they have ever seen in their lives. The biggest surprise appearance comes from Kaika, who was supposedly killed in the last episode of the series one OVA. However according to Yuu Watase, off-screen Mitsukake was able to save him and he returned to being Kaika after the battle. Also left out of the OVA production is the inclusion of Ko Reishun's parents. A wealthy innkeeper and his wife, the pair are doubtful that their daughter, Reishun, is really the reincarnation of Nuriko. Instead they believe that Chichiri, Tasuki and Taka are kidnappers trying to smooth-talk Reishun away from her parents. Ironically, they end up kidnapping Reishun so that she can awaken her memories of being Nuriko. At first she is upset, but then she decides it will be fun and begs to be taken to a village to see a boy, much like in the OVA.

Most of the basic plot elements remain, however in the novel the relationship between Keisuke and Mayo is much more pronounced. Though Keisuke (now twenty-three) repeatedly states that he thinks of Mayo like a little sister. It can be surmised by his actions that he feels more than just brotherly love towards Mayo. He figures out that Mayo's unrequited love for Taka is holding her back in life.

Reception

Eikoden was panned by THEM Anime Reviews. Animation was considered the only strong point of Eikoden, and the new main character was considered unlikeable. [ [http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=487 THEM Anime Reviews 4.0 - Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play: Eikoden ] ] Although the Animetric review brought up many of the same points, Animetric found Eikoden "fun". [ [http://www.animetric.com/def/eikoden.html Animetric.com >> Anime Reviews >> Fushigi Yuugi: Eikoden (OAV series) ] ]

References

External links

* [http://pierrot.jp/title/eikoden/ "Eikoden"] Official site from Studio Pierrot.
*ann anime|967