Fushigi Yuugi Original Soundtrack 1 Apollon APCM-5064 1995 32:41 (16 tracks) ¥3000

This CD features 16 tracks of music from the TV anime series "Fushigi Yuugi" or "Mysterious Play." For those of you who are unfamiliar with this series, its basically about a girl (Miaka) who finds a mysterious red book in her school library. When she opens the book up and starts reading it, suddenly Miaka and her friend Yui get teleported into a world within the mysterious red book! The world they are teleported to is reminiscent of ancient China. Miaka and Yui eventually meet a martial artist named Tamahome and he helps them start their quest to return home. This CD contain 4 vocal tracks while the rest are background music tracks. This CD is highly enjoyable since the BGMs are pleasant and easy to listen to. The background music tracks set a mysterious and upbeat mood appropriate for this series. The vocals are very nice as well. The opening ("Itoshi hito no tameni") sets the mysterious mood of this series; the melody of this song makes it fresh and original. The ending theme ("Tokimeki doukusenkan") is my favorite track on the CD. This song has a fast rhythm and uplifting beat, my favorite type of music. "Winner" reminds me of the end theme from "Yuugen Kaisha" since its very similar. This song is also has a fast beat, but isn't as colorful as "Tokimeki doukusenkan." The second image song "Wakate itahazu" is a slow and mellow ballad, very graceful and pleasant. The CD also features the "TV versions" of the theme songs (meaning that they are only more or less 30 seconds long). The rest of the vocals are image songs, pretty nice by themselves. The CD itself has a nice color picture of Tamahome (main male character) and Miaka. This is a MUST for all fans of Fushigi Yuugi. Pick one up now ! -- Phillip L. Yee