Takiko Okuda is the heroine of Yuu Watase's new Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden comic, and is technically the original
priestess, having journeyed The Universe of the Four Gods before Miaka or Yui.
I choose Takiko over Miaka. Why? Simply stated, because Takiko is more strong-willed, mature, self-sacrificing than
Miaka, and she is a more realistic, believable, and relatable character. Although Miaka somewhat develops through
Fushigi Yuugi, she was much more pampered than Takiko. Takiko was not praised or welcome with open arms; she was
rejected and wanted by the land who saw her as a threat, so she had trouble finding open arms to run to in times of
need. Rimudo, the love interest of Takiko, in fact refused to stay with her for the first few volumes.
Miaka may have had a big heart, but Takiko not only possessed the big heart, but she possessed the physical and mental
strength that allowed her to hold herself together in dire situations. Which is to say, while Miaka got out of her
extremely tough situations out of luck, Takiko got out of them through sheer will.
Takiko is simply the best Watase heroine, ever.