Brothers: Tasuki and Chiriko's unique relationship

There are undoubtedly some diverse characters in Fushigi Yuugi , but none of them are quite as different from each other as Tasuki and Chiriko. Chiriko is extremely well-mannered, mostly quiet, intelligent and polite--a model child. Tasuki, on the other hand, is brash, vulgar, violent, loud-mouthed, and, well, not all that bright. So how, how in the world, can these two have the relationship they do? Frankly, you'd think Tasuki would drive Chiriko up the wall.

But, as with most of the characters in the series, there's more to these two than meets the eye. The aforementioned personality traits these two are known for are essentially superficial. Underneath, how Tasuki and Chiriko truly feel about their lives and their duty is what makes them connect. They are both devoted and serious when it comes to summoning Suzaku and protecting Miaka, even if they have different ways of showing it. Chiriko can be quietly contemplative in a tense situation, even while Tasuki is fire-blasting everything in a five-mile radius. But their level of commitment is the same.

But even more than that, the relationship that Chiriko and Tasuki have is special. Chiriko is the youngest person in the group by a long way, and even though he's intelligent and successful in his own right, boys that age need role models, people to look up to, don't they? Okay, Tasuki does NOT seem to be the best choice of role model for a child--the vulgarity alone is problematic--but that's how it turned out. I attribute this to Chiriko's feelings about himself. He thinks of himself as powerless, and essentially worthless to the group. When he dies he actually apologizes to Tasuki and Mitsukake for being so unhelpful. So he looks up to Tasuki, an extremely powerful warrior. On some level, I think Chiriko would be willing to throw away his brains for a chance to be as strong and courageous as Tasuki.

In the same way, I think Tasuki has a great amount of respect for a "kid" like Chiriko. Tasuki is not a very polite person at all--Nuriko and the others constantly mock him for being so blunt and tactless. In that position, I'm sure Tasuki admires the respectfulness and restraint shown by someone a lot younger than him. In other words, these two admire each other's differences.

Tasuki's value to Chiriko extends beyond respect, though. Tasuki is emotional, and he gets attached to people very easily, as much as he would deny it. (What a softie.) Tasuki cares about what happens to even the smallest and, to the casual observer, most insignificant member of the group. In episode 44 of the anime, Chiriko, possessed by Miboshi, asks Tasuki to use his flames on him--he trusts that Tasuki can hurt him enough to also harm Miboshi. When Tasuki can't do it, he is left with no choice but to stab himself, killing both himself and Miboshi. In his mortally wounded state, he orders Miaka and the others to leave, and not to worry about him, and they, well, do. Yes, the summoning of Seiryuu is imminent, but only Tasuki and Mitsukake stay behind with their fallen friend.

Tasuki, who is already a very emotional person, is overcome by the feeling that he can do nothing for poor Chiriko. Tasuki is not accustomed to feeling powerless, and I think this is amplified by the fact that he feels responsible for protecting Chiriko. It's a touching moment to see Tasuki look at Chiriko with such respect and awe, due to his courage in facing death--and by "touching" I mean if you have a soul your eyes will be leaking like faucets.

It's hard to quantify why Tasuki and Chiriko are so close, but anyone who follows the series can probably see what I mean. They just have a chemistry that's all their own--they're not foils to each other in the way Tasuki and Chichiri are, but their different qualities do create a special bond.