I had been holding off on reading this one for a while. I had assumed (never something you should do) that it would be like FY. And not that I hated FY, but Miaka pissed me off. I did not like her. And there were too many guys in potential for Miaka and that was like what the whole story was about. Miaka and these sexy guys trying to win something but there too sexy so how does that even make sense?
Anyway, I finally decided to read it. First off Noriko is 18, which hit off better with me. Because she's not some hysterical, emotional 16 year old little girl (like whine-y Miaka!). Noriko is so down to earth, and more mature.
So I started reading and at it first it was like all the other "girl who gets transported to some other world to save it" deal, but then Noriko is actually a very calm, very responsible girl. She doesn't freak out like some child and she doesn't take for granted Izark who is helping her. She actually has to learn the language, which Miaka does not, and she spends a lot of time here. You find out that she is the key to Izark and his demonic powers, and that this prophecy is all about the apocalypse. Or well you know. Of course the heroes have to save the world from the evil doers!
I think what kept me was the emotional bond that I could see developing between Izark (tragic hero) and Noriko (optimistic heroine) immediately. There wasn't this "insta love connection" and "oh he's so hot". Noriko sees Izark for who he really is, inside his heart. Despite the demons that follow him. Izark also sees the good in Noriko, her kindness, her worth despite her fragility. The bond between these two is incredibly real, much more tangible than other "transported girl" plots, and you can't help but smile. Because it's both sad and wonderful. Who they are and what they are is something that is resolved.
And it was their romance that I was so intent on reading for more for. When I was reading FY, I was always so angry with Miaka and how selfish and pathetic and whine-y she really seemed to be. The only thing Miaka did in my opinion was find the warriors. Then they did all the work. But in From Far Away, Noriko and Izark take on the world saving task all by themselves. They support each other and it was a much more mature relationship. Izark needed Noriko in ways that only she could seem to be there for (if I remember correctly Miaka did a lot of needing, not Tamahome). And Izark was their to support her as well. Noriko sees her struggles, works them out rationally, and then pursues what she can do to help her in her and Izark's quest. She tries to take on as many problems as Izark does, she just has a better handle on things and is fluid in the way she handles things thrown at her. Granted she cried out for Izark every time someone man-handled her, but could be explained by her inability to fight.
The art is something I take pleasure in. It's so beautiful and clean. Although, I could have gone without all of the bams, thuds, screeches and any other big bolded black letters that were thrown in just about every damn fight scene! That blocked out some of the picture and kept my attention diverted which I did not like. But it was gorgeous. The flow between each panel was good. And the emotions were caught perfectly.
The characters are wonderful. The development between Noriko and Izark is beautiful and lonely and difficult. Izark is full of despair and Noriko is like a bubble of courage. The supporting characters are funny and fit well in complementing Izark and Noriko. Just remember that the story is about our two heroes, so the secondary characters do take a back seat often.
The story does not focus on love, nor does it solely focus on fighting. Rather it's more the struggle between good and evil, the light and the dark that each and every single person must go through. The romance was slow, sweet and perfect. The fights were bloody. But it was the battle that people had to take up for themselves to defeat the evil that was inside them and around them.
Of course if you have read Fushigi Yuugi, I would more than just recommend From Far Away. But if you are like any other shoujo/romance person than I say read this. It's not exactly short, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Take the time to read this.
Btw, did I mention that this is SO MUCH BETTER than Fushigi Yuugi?
