Volume 3
Copyright © 1995 Watase Yuu/Shogakukan Shoujo Comics

Followup to the previous review in EX 3.7:

Although I had seen a chunk of FUSHIGI YUGI few years ago on Japanese TV, it was nice to revisit this series with Pioneer's domestic release.
The first episode on this tape is a break back into Japan which allows Miaka to dwell upon what happened, as well as drag her older brother back to become the outside reader dwelling upon the book.
This volume for me is the start of where I was drawn more into the series. Miaka is starting to "grow up" a bit more, and we start to see the beginning of the major enemy. And Miaka's friend Yui is about to become a major factor as well.
The story is still a hybrid of light occasional super deformed antics by Miaka and friends, serious situations, and romantic encounters. The animation quality remains quite consistent and above average for TV quality.
On a good personal note, the subtitled version I previewed is perhaps the "truest" to the original Japanese version I've seen Pioneer produce. The ending credits are left in their original form, to be followed at the end of the tape with an English translated version. It is good to see Pioneer doing justice to this popular series, and hopefully they will be able to release the entire 50+ episode series. I also look forward to Pioneer's pending DVD release as well.

Fushigi Yugi Released by Pioneer Entertainment
PIFY-003S (subtitled) $29.95
PIFY-003D (dubbed) $24.95
75 minutes
Available now in the USA
Where to buy