Last week, one of our main series for the past two years came to a close. Though Fushigi Yuugi was perhaps not as beloved by many as some of its long-running counterparts (Rurouni Kenshin, LoGH), I still like to think that it was not perhaps as hated as some of the surveys seemed to suggest. Anyway, FY still ranks pretty high on my favorite series list for several reasons. Firstly, I love the characters. Perhaps this is because I was really into FY when I first watched it, and so did a lot of research about it, or maybe I just read more into them than most people. While Mitsukake, Chiriko, and many of the Seiryuu Seishi lack development, the main characters: Miaka, Tamahome, Nakago, Yui, and to an extent, Chichiri, Hotohori, and Tasuki, have definite and distinct personalities.

The last episode gives us a window into a character on whom background has been painfully scarce: Nakago. While his plight doesn't make him more of a likable character, it definitely changes perspective on him (the man sure talks a lot with a hand through his stomach, though). It makes him a little less of a generic American cartoon baddy.

One of the other reasons I like this series is that is does have a happy ending. That's something that is painfully scarce in many of the anime series I've seen, which often end either downright unhappily or perhaps bittersweetly. FY definitely ends on an upbeat note, there's no denying that. I don't think anyone would deny Tamahome and Miaka a happy ending for themselves and all the trouble they've been through (however, self-induced parts of it were). Also, I'm happy that the other characters got their moment of glory back in.

But if you think all is over for the Suzaku seishi, think again. There are two OAV series which further chronicle the groups' adventures, although there is some disparity in the continuity with them. OAV series 1 is a sort of bridge between the end of the series and the second OAV series (which covers the last 4 volumes of the manga; the TV series covers volumes 1-14). So, if you can find it your heart to still like Miaka and Tamahome, they may be worth checking out. Tama-chan says you should!