 The most ardent
fans of the Fushigi Yuugi series of anime and manga gathered for one last
time on the morning of Animazement's final day. This "Otaku Paradise" was
a lot like a meeting of a local Fushigi Yuugi fan club, the people who
squeal with delight at a convention whenever their beloved "Mysterious
Play" is shown or mentioned. |
 These fans
had their own trivia game show where they tried to outguess each other.
They had a character-imitating contest and re-enacted characters' dances.
(Yes, they were aware that Mokona is not in Fushigi Yuugi, but the otaku
thought the round thing was too cute to leave out of the show.) |
 And then they
showed a collection of Fushigi Yuugi music videos on the largest screen
in the convention hotel (it makes a big impression when Miaka's throbbing
anime eyes are four feet across). All of this could have happened at just
about any gathering of the teenaged girls who love Fushigi Yuugi... |
 ...except that
they had a guest that goes beyond a fan club's wildest dreams, Yuu Watase,
the series' creator. When Watase appeared at an Animazement panel, the
otaku asked her if she would come to their Sunday event. Watase said yes,
quietly slipped into the room (she's in the red dress), and sat back to
watch the show. She giggled with delight when the American fans put on
the dances she had created. |
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