The battle for the Universe of the Four Gods finishes up and a new battle begins in Fushigi Yugi Volume 5. This big book collection of volumes 13, 14, and 15 finishes the battle between the forces of the Priestesses of Seriyu and Genbu. With that battle wrapped up, a new journey for Miaka and Tamahome begins, one full of humor, drama, and action.
Highlights
Volume 13
The fight between Tamahome and Suboshi comes to an enjoyable and touching conclusion. And with it the drama really picks up, as Nakago begins his quest to become a god of both the Universe of the Four Gods and the real world with Yui's help. With the battle heating up between the powerless Tamahome and the powerful Nakago things come to an emotional end as all the Suzaku Celestial Warriors come to the aid of Tamahome.
Volume 14
With Miaka and Tamahome, now a college-aged man named Taka Sukunami, reunited all seems at peace. Unfortunately for them, it's not so easy and Miaka is tasked by Suzaku to help regain his lost power by gathering seven orbs that belong to the Celestial Warriors and help fight an evil greater than Nakago. In order to do this, Miaka must go back into the Universe of the Four Gods and due to the book being out of reach, Suzaku gives Miaka the original scroll the book was translated from and enters Miaka's watch so that his power will allow her to enter it for one hour. There is even a new student named Shi-Hang Lian at Miaka's school who is very popular and has a hidden agenda for Miaka and Taka.
Volume 15
With a few of the orbs gathered and the Demon God's powers growing stronger, Miaka's life gets turned upside down by Lian and his ability to control people's actions, not only are they attacked in Hotohori's palace but even other students of Miaka's class are attacking Miaka and Yui. With the confrontation between Yui and the students that are under the control of Lian beginning, Miaka and Taka get sent into the Universe of the Four Gods and are startled to see the palace of Hong-Nan enveloped in a dark aura.
Overall
I really enjoyed the conclusion of the war between Qu-Dong and Hong-Nan. Unfortunately I was feeling a little confused with the final arc that begins with this volume. They never really explain what is going on. Just how does something in Miaka's world affect the world of the Universe of the Four Gods? Just why won't the other three Gods help? There is nothing really wrong with this arc; it just feels like it needed some explaining.
I will say that you really get a sense of time that has passed for the Celestial Warriors. Though it was a short time for Miaka, there has been 2 years in Hong-Nan since the war, the remaining warriors have drifted apart. But it would have been better if they stayed in Hong-Nan for more than one hour at a time.
ComicsOnline gives Fushigi Yugi 3-in-1 Volume 5 3.5 out of 5 mystical jewels.
