Fushigi Yûgi: Genbu Kaiden

Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden(ふしぎ遊戯玄武開伝) is a Japanese manga written by Yū Watase. It tells the history of the creation of "The Universe of the Four Gods" and the story of the Genbu no Miko, or Priestess of Genbu, who is mentioned briefly in both the anime and the manga of the original Fushigi Yuugi, also written by Yuu Watase, to which Genbu Kaiden is a prequel.

It starts off in 1923, in Japan, where a 17-year-old girl named Takiko Okuda is living with her ill mother. 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 eventually 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, cause her to try to tear the book apart. However, it instead whisks her away to the country of Hokkan where all of her adventures begin.

Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden was first published in Sho-Comi in 2003. New chapters are published quarterly in the Fushigi Yuugi Perfect World magazine, and new volumes of the manga come out in Japan bi-annually. This manga is still in production today, making occasional appearances in the Sho-Comi "zokan" issues. Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden has been licensed in English in North America by VIZ Media and in Singapore by Chuang Yi.

Differences between Genbu Kaiden and the original Fushigi Yuugi

In terms of basic storyline, Genbu Kaiden is like Fushigi Yuugi in that Takiko becomes the priestess, has to search for the 7 seishi, and is trying to summon to god so that she can receive 3 wishes. However, this is where the similarities end. Unlike the priestesses of Suzaku and Seiryuu, Takiko and her seishi are hated by the people due to a rumor that they bring impending doom. They have several assassins sent after them, and where Miaka had the luxury of consulting Taitsukun, Takiko does not, although Taitsukun has helped them in some tight spots.

Another major aspect of Genbu Kaiden that is largely different from Fushigi Yuugi is the nature of the main couple's relationship. Although, as always, Takiko ends up falling for the first seishi she meets, her relationship with Rimudo is very different from Miaka's relationship with Tamahome. For starters, they don't admit their feelings for one another until chapter 14, which is past the 4th volume of manga. Miaka confessed in book 1! Takiko and Rimudo's relationship is also a lot more mature.

Stars of Genbu (Seishi)

Takiko Okuda(??) "Genbu no Miko"

The Priestess of Genbu, whose destiny it will be to summon the god Genbu with her own will after she has gathered the shichiseishi (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 is good in her studies. She is 17 years old and in love with Rimudo, but their relationship is kept secret.

Hikitsu (斗宿) "Dipper"

Hikitsu AKA Chen Emutato (Emtato) from the Kan tribe. He has a little sister named Aila (Aira) and he 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, having accidentally been used on both Tomite and Takiko. His mark means the 'Big Dipper' and he's 21 years old.

Inami (牛宿) "Cow"

Inami is a senior prostitute around her 30s (age not confirmed) who currently owns a brothel in Konan. Her powers enable her hair to grow to incredible lengths and the pipe she smokes from becomes a large weapon.

Uruki (女宿) "Woman"

Uruki AKA Roun Rimudo (Limdo) is the crown prince of Hokkan, and was the only son of the emperor. 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 emperor, fearing for his own life, tried to have his son killed. Rimudo's mark means 'woman' and only appears when he is in woman form. Rimudo MUST be in female form in order to utilize his seishi powers of controlling the wind. He is 16 years old and in love with Takiko, but their relationship is kept secret.

Tomite (虚宿) "Emptiness"

Tomite AKA Taan Chamuka (Tan Chamka) is a bounty hunter from the Ha tribe. He's a bit of a pervert, but sensitive about his mother Boraate (Borate). His mark means 'emptiness' or 'void', and he's a great archer. He has powers of ice and shoots the ice like arrows. He is 16 years old and is the childhood friend of Hikitsu.

Hatsui (室宿) "Room"

Hatsui AKA Erutai Zaraa (Zara) is the son of healers and it's hard for him to trust in others. When his parents died, they left him a large debt to pay off. The villagers picked on him until one day he accidently killed them with his powers of firing needles from his body. His mark means 'shelter' and he's about 12 years old.

Namame (壁宿) "Wall"

Namame was born from the Seimei stone near Iferui. After being traumatized by humans' cruelty when he attempted to fit in, Namame found it very hard to trust others. It took the great priestess Anru quite some time to earn his trust. He was "protecting" the great priestess Anru when Takiko & Co. found him. Namame was the 4th seishi found by the Genbu no Miko, Takiko Okuda. His character, "Bi", is typically found on the back of his head. Namame has the power to control the earth, and typically pulls rocks out of the ground or causes earthquakes. He can control the rocks and have them change into whatever shape he likes.

Urumiya (危宿) "Danger"

Yet to appear

Other Characters

Hakei

The evil Crown Prince of Kutou (the land to the east, protected by Seiryuu).

Shigi

A beautiful, yet cruel, boy. Always insists that Genbu must absolutely not be summoned.

Hien

A violent, hot-tempered man whose arm was cut off by Uruki. Bent on getting revenge for having his arm cut off.

Hagaasu

While not necessarily evil, he fights against the Seishi of Genbu and has the ability to absorb their powers. He's not totally evil, as he is seen saving children during some of the battles. However, he has a goal to destroy the Genbu seishi, with Uruki in particular.

Boratte

Tomite's mother. The one who first accepts Takiko as the Genbu no Miko 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 no Miko and the summoning of Genbu is a good thing. Saves Takiko when an arrow is shot at her during a raid of the village of the Ha tribe.

Aira

Hikitsu's (Chen Emutato) younger sister. Had been encased in ice for a year together with the beasts that had attacked the village of whence the Ha and the Kan tribe used to be placed. Finally, released from the ice when Tomite returned to the place to search for Hikitsu. Currently staying with Boratte.