Featured Couple
Resurrection at last! The featured couple today is Miaka and Tamahome from Fushigi Yugi. Why? Because I just finished watching the series and this couple is a shoujo fan staple! Plus, the artwork for these two is gorgeous... absolutely gorgeous.
Miaka, a girl from our world and time (roughly) is sucked into an ancient Chinese book where she meets a boy named Tamahome. He's cute, and he rescues her, which is a plus... but he's a little greedy. Still, he's the only person she knows in this strange new world and, when she finds herself alone, she sets off to look for him. From there things get a little rocky. See, she came with her friend, Yui, and since Yui went missing at the same time as Tamahome Miaka thinks maybe he took her. He didn't, but her search gets her into some trouble and he has to save her yet again. When she gets arrested for "accosting" the emperor things only get worse. Fortunately, Tamahome is pretty adept at this saving business, and it doesn't hurt that the Emperor declares her to be the Priestess of Suzaku. Ready for surprise two? Tamahome is one of the seven "Celestial Warriors" born to protect the priestess. And so is the emperor! Though Tamahome can be a little thoughtless, and a lot greedy, he's also very protective and gentle, so it doesn't take our heroine long to fall head over heels. And there are definite signs that he's rather fond of her as well. But falling in love doesn't seem to be in Tamahome's plans, and he isn't shy about letting Miaka know that. Too bad his actions completely contradict his words. When he offers his own life in exchange for hers and then sacrifices his dreams to help send her back to her own world Miaka knows she'll never get over him. So, naturally, she's thrilled when she managed to get back into the book and the first person she sees is Tamahome! Even better ,though it's only been days for her it's been months for him and the time without her has forced him to accept the fact that he loves her. One would think it would be smooth sailing from there, but this is shoujo... nothing is ever that easy. Miaka's subsequent quest for the warriors of Suzaku and to summon the god himself are merely the backdrop for a romance filled with betrayals, heartaches, and tender reconciliation. In a universe bent on keeping them apart Miaka and Tamahome struggle to stay together whether in this life or the next...
Miaka and Tamahome are one of the sweetest pairs in anime/manga you can find. Their love is tested again and again and, though it sometimes falters (generally because one of them is trying to be selfless and goes about it the wrong way...), it always proves true. There are quite a few touching moments between these two. And it's nice to see a masculine character (fairly macho too) so in touch with his softer emotions. Loving someone doesn't have to make you weak... of this Miaka and Tamahome are solid proof. Their's is an inspiring story that will make you long for a sweetheart of your own.
Of course, I wouldn't want to give it all away, so, if you want to know all the soap-operatic details, you'll have to watch the anime or read the manga for yourself.