Saiyuki...
A while back, I picked up Saiyuki...
I picked up one volume of Saiyuki and I've seen quite a few episodes on cable TV. While Saiyuki was modestly entertaining, the sheer scope and magnitude of the series presents a daunting task to actually wade through in its entirety. I lost interest in this epic series very early on. From what I've seen, one should expect violence and copious amounts of red ink. I gave Saiyuki a 2 out of 5.
A Japanese anime series that is loosely based on the popular 16th Century Chinese novel attributed to Wu Cheng’en titled Xiyouji, or Journey to the West. Saiyuki’s tale follows the perilous journey of an unorthodox, pistol-packing monk by the name of Genjo Sanzo-Sanzo being the title bestowed upon the highest order of monk who guards the Holy Scriptures of Heaven and Earth. Genjo Sanzo and his three wise-cracking demonic companions must journey to India from China in order to stop the resurrection of a sinister demon of tremendous power known as Gyumaoh, whose rebirth could tear the already chaotic world asunder.
Saiyuki
Our story begins with mankind and demons, once living in harmony as brothers in Shangri-La, now at odds due to a rift caused by some unseen force that provoked the demons to shed their restraints and become openly hostile to the human race. Wreaking a trail of death and destruction upon humanity and the land, the Gods entrust the unconventional monk Genjo Sanzo, keeper of one of the Sacred Scrolls of Heaven and Earth, with the task of traveling to the West to seek out the cause of the demonic rebellion and putting an end to the terrifying force behind the unfolding conflict.
Accompanying the irregular Genjo Sanzo on his noble quest are three powerful demons that stand unaffected by the chaotic forces compelling their demonic brothers to rebel and subjugate humanity. The first is Goku, a powerful demon with a childish and somewhat naïve outlook on life, but with an unquenchable appetite. Sha Gojyo, the compulsive womanizer of the group with a fondness for beer and smokes, usually can be found fighting with Goku over whatever trivial matter he's decided will entertain him at the moment.. Then finally there is Cho Hakkai, perhaps the most calm and level-headed of this eccentric quartet.
Together this unlikely assemblage must face down the threat of demonic assassins, sinister schemes and occasionally each other if they hope to succeed in vanquishing the horrifying threat that lies sleeping in the West. The fate of the world lies in their hands... God help humanity.
Volume 1
Once, demons and man lived together in harmony. But when a band of rogue demonic forces sought to resurrect a diabolical monster, dark spiritual energy began to cover the land—and the demons decided mankind was no longer friend, but food. Now, it’s up to a renegade priest, a monkey king, a lecherous water sprite, and a sympathetic demon to stop the resurrection and return harmony to the dangerous land.
Enter the world of Saiyuki! A unique universe of beauty and betrayal, where sacred scrolls battle enchanted weaponry and where dragons can transform into jeeps. A land of magic and menace, where four reluctant heroes are just as concerned about having a good time, a stiff drink, and a beautiful woman as they are about saving the world…
Volume 2
Old Friends, New Enemies
The future of the world is at stake as Sanzo and his eccentric band of travelers continues west to prevent the revival of the Gyumaoh. But first, Sanzo must confront his past when he meets a demon killer, called Rikudo, with great Talismanic powers. Is he friend or foe?
Next, a mysterious fortune teller predicts death for a member of their party. Whose future does he see? The answer may come when they battle Gyumaoh's son, Kougaiji. In the meantime, a group of imposters has been passing themselves off as the Sanzo Party. But with Sanzo's fame, comes Sanzo's burden.
Volume 3
Confronting their Demons
The Sanzo Party heads further into the thick of the demon plague terrorizing the Earth, and dangers threaten them every step of the way. And no matter how far west they go, the group's past is always one step behind! The ruthless fortune teller Chin Yisou seeks to avenge the slaughter of a thousand of his brethren by destroying Hakkai.
Then, it's dangerous to trust anyone on this journey - a lesson Goku learns the hard way when he is tricked into eating a forbidden fruit. In the third episode of the volume, Gojyo's love of the ladies could lead to his doom when he agrees to help a young girl find her kidnapped parents. Finally, every member has something they would like to forget. A fact they must confront as the party must hole up to wait out a storm.
Volume 4
Storms
When the members of the Sanzo Party are forced to camp out during a storm, the closed atmosphere brings out the horror of long-buried memories. The tangled pasts of Hakkai, Gojyo, Sanzo and Goku are fraught with murder, lies and a bloodthirsty quest for vengeance.
Volume 5 Sting of the Scorpion
An ancient legend tells that eating a priest entrusted with one of the founding scriptures of heaven and earth will grant immortality-and now the Scorpion Queen Renli has developed a taste for Sanzo. After luring his party into her underground lair, Renli infects Sanzo with her deadly venom. Now, if Goku is to reach an antidote in time to save Sanzo, he may be forced to go berserk to get past his old nemesis Kougaiji! Renli may eat men alive, but these guys know how to take care of themselves.
Volume 6
Demon Rising
As drought and famine spread throughout the land, local townships have fallen under the control of demons. Sanzo and his crew teach one village to rise up against a Baron who demands a human sacrifice every year, and things get rough when the Armored Demon Corps comes after Sanzo's scripture. But, in the end, it is little Lirin who may prove to be the party's mightiest foe! With each step westward, the Sanzo party faces a barrage of both physical and psychological attacks!
Volume 7
The Gods of War
He is powerful enough to grant divinity to demons that become his loyal subjects.
He is strong enough to waltz into Houtou Castle and steal the Seiten Scripture out from under Gyokumen Koushu's nose.
He is Homura, the Prince of War.
And he is hell bent on forming an army in the Lower World capable of overthrowing the heavens. Accompanied by his fellow gods, Shien and Zenon, it seems nothing can stand in his way-and now he's after Sanzo's Maten Scripture!
Volume 8
Soldiers of Destiny
Everyone's got a reason for giving Sanzo trouble. Rather than serve in heaven, Souto's crack team of god soldiers enlist in Homura's army.
Also - two brothers modified by Gyokumen Koushu using black magic try to nab the Maten Scripture in exchange for their freedom. But when some second rate imposters foolishly try to pose as the legendary travelers, they learn again the hard way it's safer to be yourself. That’s why Gojyo, Hakkai, Goku and Sanzo always persevere: they fight no one’s battles but their own!
Volume 9
Children of Sacrifice
When Gojyo becomes trapped in a cave with Dokugakuji, the brothers reminisce about a stepmother's resentment for her half-breed child. But it may very well be the burdens of youth that molded Goku, Gojyo, Sanzo, and Hakkai into the only men who could undertake this journey!
Volume 10
Trouble in Paradise
In the words of the Merciful Goddess, Things that don't change are so lame, which is why eternal bliss could get a little boring. But 500 years ago, the Sanzo Party's alter egos were just the imperfection heaven needed to liven up the place. Trouble starts when an upper level bureaucrat named Konzen takes in a heretic monkey, whose curiosity is not always so welcome inside the pearly gates.
Fortunately, Field Marshal Tenpou and General Kenren have rebellious streaks of their own. So at least one thing's for sure: eternity will never be the same!
Volume 11
Following the Scriptures
Free from the restrictions of Heaven, Homura and his team of dissenters have indulged in a little fun at the expense of Sanzo and crew. Now they've decided to get serious about stealing the founding scriptures of Heaven and Earth. Homura provides Sanzo an ultimatum: Turn over the Maten Scriptures he carries by morning or else!
Volume 12
New World Order
The world has not been kind to Homura. Armed with the Maten and Sieten Scriptures he’s stolen, the War God has vowed to replace the universe with a new Heaven and Earth. But he will need Son Goku to do it. So in the end, it will be up to the heretics who have suffered the most in this world to decide whether it’s worth saving. The Sanzo Party has always struggled to carve their own path in the Earth that’s been given to them. That quest never ends. But as these guys know, a quest is all about the journey, not the destination!
Saiyuki Movie
Requiem
What motivates a cynical, gun-toting monk and his unruly band of misfits to head into the heart of demon territory to stop the experiments to revive Gyomaoh? It takes more than the ability to kick butt to be considered a part of the Sanzo party. It takes a seriously bad attitude.
Volume 1
Saiyuki Reload
The legendary Sanzo group continues on the path to saving the world from the revival of Gyumaoh and his demons. As they travel, Goku, Gojyo, Hakkai and Sanzo use their tremendous powers to restore peace to Shangrila. However, there are many who wish for the victory of the dark side...
Volume 2
When they arrive at a new village, a demon called Suika approaches the Sanzo party. Because they don't sense any evil, they decide to stay the night. Suika sings for the group, which brings bitter memories to mind. Everyone except Goku fall into a semi-hypnotic state, then falls asleep.
The next morning, Lirin arrives to steal the scripture from Sanzo, which Sanzo throws at her and then heads back to Suika's house. Goku hears about 'a demon who extracts memories' and must return to save his friends.
Volume 3
One day, Lirin meets two brothers who leave offerings at a small shrine hoping to see their late mother. That night, their mother appears before them and tells the overjoyed brothers to obtain Sanzo's scripture, which will bring her back to life.
In the meantime, having become separated from the others, Goku becomes lost in a forest and is helped by a girl. She takes him home to give him a meal but he senses an odd feeling from her parents. Have the demons roped in these innocent children to acquire Sanzo's scripture?
Volume 4
Kougaiji feels frustrated at repeatedly failing to obtain the scriptures, as well as not yet being able to save his mother, so Jenyi gives him a bracelet, supposedly forbidden to be used, that makes him stronger and faster. With it, Kougaiji challenges the Sanzo party - and they are no match for him at all.
However, strange side effects of this newfound power begin to change Kougaiji's body. Worried, Dokugakuji brings an unconscious Kougaiji to Houtou Castle, where Jenyi welcomes them with a fearless smile?
Volume 5
Gojyo saves a boy, Kinkaku, from being bullied by some punks. Kinkaku is quite impressed with Gojyo's strength, but he tells the boy that he is nothing compared to his traveling companions and half-jokes that nothing good ever happens because of them. When Gojyo returns to the inn, he finds Sanzo and the others beaten unconscious in the wreckage of their room. Kinkaku is there, with a giant demon and an innocent smile. This is in thanks for saving me, he tells Gojyo.
Volume 6
Gojyo goes off on his own to defeat a rumored, so-called God. Sanzo is infuriated by this and decides to continue west without him. Everyone feels that there is something wrong about leaving Gojyo behind, but none admit to this out loud, until Hakkai becomes fed up and gets into an argument with Sanzo. Meanwhile, Gojyo makes his way to the God's castle to find out who he is and what he wants.
Volume 7
Sanzo's group barely escapes with their lives from God. It is their first serious defeat. They've taken heavy damage, both physical and mental, leaving them all in a dark mood - except Goku, who decides to rope everyone into some games of Mahjong, which he wins easily time after time.
When the others start to grumble, he simply says that it's easy to win against someone who expects to lose. Will they defeat this God in the end? Who is behind all of this?
Volume 1
Saiyuki Reload Gunlock
The epic journey westward by Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai continues in this sequel to Saiuki and Saiyuki Reload!
In this first volume, the group must face some of their most deadly challenges yet! A peaceful temple hides a corrupt secret. Will Sanzo fall victim to the deadly truth? After that, a den full of disgruntled bears is on the hunt, and Sanzo and the others just happen to be in the crosshairs.
To top it off, the group must cross an impassable river, see through deadly illusions and a newly unstoppable Kougaiji is waiting for them. Will they ever make any progress on their journey?
Volume 2
While Goku fights Kougaiji alone, Dokugakuji tells Sanzo, Gojyo and Hakkai the truth of the situation: Kougaiji has been transformed into a brutal killing machine. Goku is really in a pinch; his strength is dwindling, and it is all he can do to stay conscious. Can they get Kougaiji back to normal before this fight turns fatal? And who knew that both a board game and a beautiful woman could each prove to be more deadly than any demon?!
Volume 3
As if days and nights of fighting demons constantly and trekking westward weren't hard enough, Hakkai finally reaches his limit! Fed up with the irresponsibility of the others, Hakkai does the unthinkable: he runs away! Can the others get him back... or at least the gold credit card he took with him?! And in the latest incident of members gone M.I.A., Sanzo disappears, and a mansion full of malicious marionettes might know where he's gone.
Volume 4
On their journey, the Sanzo group is attacked by a bevy of villagers that seem quite human - except for their glowing yellow eyes. Unable to fight these attackers off, they choose to flee, escaping to a nearby town.
While searching for lodging, they meet two strangers, Hazel and Gato, who proclaim their intent to kill all demons. They are quiet, ruthless, efficient and quite hostile to youkai. The most amazing thing about the duo, however, is Hazel's astonishing gift: he is able to resurrect the dead by transferring the soul! But is there more to this miracle-man than meets the eye?
Volume 5
It seems impossible for Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai to get rid of Hazel's attentions, and the group gets more irritated by the second. Just then, Lirin arrives on the scene, complicating matters - if Hazel detests all demons, what will he do to Lirin?
Surprisingly enough, Hazel doesn't seem to mind her, but later on the group finds her tied up in a tree. Hazel explains to Sanzo and the others that Lirin suddenly ran wild and killed villagers as well as demons. Hazel then tries to convince Sanzo that all demons exist to be his enemies, and that Sanzo should join Hazel's quest to rid the world of demons...
Volume 6
Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai are finally fed up with the constant demon attacks. With demons trying to get Sanzo's scripture at every turn, the three come to the conclusion that everything is Sanzo's fault! So, they decide to set off on their own, and get to the West before the chain-smoking priest can.
Abandoned, Sanzo continues on his path when a familiar man suddenly appears before him. Zakuro, the master manipulator of illusions, is after Sanzo! However, Hazel shows up to save Sanzo in the nick of time... But are those two plotting something together?
Volume 7
They say absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Hazel is no exception. When everything is falling apart, Gato is still intent on protecting the half-crazed Hazel, even if it costs Gato his life! Without Gato, Hazel cannot control himself, and only Sanzo will be able to put a stop to his madness.
I picked up one volume of Saiyuki and I've seen quite a few episodes on cable TV. While Saiyuki was modestly entertaining, the sheer scope and magnitude of the series presents a daunting task to actually wade through in its entirety. I lost interest in this epic series very early on. From what I've seen, one should expect violence and copious amounts of red ink. I gave Saiyuki a 2 out of 5.
