Fushigi Yuugi: SANBOU DEN -- Tomo and Seiryuu-Centric Summary

The Fushigi Yuugi light novel SANBOU DEN comes in two parts that focuses on Tasuki and Chichiri's search for the three missing talismans. The story takes place between the first part of the manga and the second part of the manga. The book was written by Megumi Nishizaki with the advice and direction of Yuu Watase. Illustrations were by Yuu Watase.

The fallen Seiryuu warriors Tomo, Ashitare, Miboshi, Soi, Suboshi, and Nakago shed a tear for their deaths in "Fushigi Yuugi: Sanbou Den" Part 2.  The only one not crying is Amiboshi, who's the only remaining Seiryuu warrior still alive. 

The Translated Summary as provided by Tetris No Miko

Then, images start to appear from Seiryuu's talisman. First, it's Soi, crying over how much she loved Nakago and how much she gave for him and how he never returned her feelings, but she still loved him and died for him. 

Then, it's Suboshi, crying over how he was orphaned and separated from his beloved twin, and eventually died trying to protect Yui, who he fell in love with. 

Then, Tomo, crying over being alone and misunderstood and dying in the pursuit of helping Nakago. Ashitare and Miboshi are also crying over their failures and empty existences…

Last is Nakago, crying over how he accidentally killed his mother, then killed his father, was molested, etc. and also died a meaningless death. That is what the true "talisman" of Seiryuu is; tears over having died meaninglessly for no purpose.




MY THOUGHTS

I never thought I'd see official art of Tomo crying. From manga, to anime, and to novelization, Tomo was always depicted as a heartless, demeaning, and sadistic person. In Sanbou Den, he's briefly portrayed in a more sensitive light. I like this very much. It's the one thing that definitely redeems his character.

Considering that this book was published in the early-mid 2000's, Miboshi's character history was not developed. Over 10 years later, his character was touched upon much further in "Byakko Ibun" as Nirusha, where he befriended a little girl, in which he renamed her Neiran, and gave her some hope in life. For Miboshi, I don't think that's an empty existence at all.

I can't say much for Ashitare though. His life story was briedly described in the Nuriko novel "Yukiyasha Den." He was raised in a circus, was called Wolf-Man, and was ridiculed by humans all his life...but at least he knew his mother. Miboshi also knew his family. Tomo didn't have any of that.




SOURCES

FUSHIGI YUUGI: SANBOU DEN Translated Summary
Other Fushigi Yuugi Light Novels
Russian Fushigi Yuugi Site--Light Novel Images