Gensomaden Saiyuki (幻想魔伝 最遊記, Gensōmaden Saiyūki?), commonly known as Saiyuki, is a popular manga series created by Kazuya Minekura. An adventure is an activity that comprises Risky dangerous and uncertain experiences Action movies are a Film genre where action sequences such as fights, Shootouts Stunts Car chases or explosions either take precedence Comedy (from the Greek κωμωδίαkomodia has a popular meaning (any discourse generally intended to amuse especially in Television, Film, and Historical fiction is a sub-genre of Fiction that often portrays alternate accounts or dramatization of historical figures or events ˈmɑŋgə is the Japanese word for Comics (sometimes called komikku コミック and print Cartoons In their modern form manga date from shortly is a Japanese manga artist most known for the Saiyuki series Her other manga series include Wild Adapter, Shiritsu Araiso Koto Gakko The was a company that produced Japanese Video games and Manga. is a Japanese word literally meaning few years which can have the following meanings Shōnen a typical Boy, from elementary school through junior high Gangan Comics is a Manga Imprint of Square Enix (originally Enix) is the Japanese term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series though the Manga industry uses it for volumes which may be in a series abbreviated (and sometimes as OAV) is a term originating from Japanese animation ( Anime) for animated films and series which are made specially to be Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Events 479 BC - Greco-Persian Wars: Persian forces led by Mardonius are routed by Pausanias, the Spartan Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic (anime in Japanese, is a Japanese animation ( Anime) company founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production. is a TV station based in Tokyo, Japan. It is also known as, a Portmanteau of "terebi" and "Tokyo Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 196 BC - Ptolemy V ascends to the throne of Egypt. 1309 - Pope Clement V excommunicates Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. is a Japanese animation ( Anime) company founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production. AD Vision (commonly referred to as ADV) is an American international Multimedia entertainment company based in Houston Texas, active Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. abbreviated (and sometimes as OAV) is a term originating from Japanese animation ( Anime) for animated films and series which are made specially to be is a Japanese animation ( Anime) company founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production. ˈmɑŋgə is the Japanese word for Comics (sometimes called komikku コミック and print Cartoons In their modern form manga date from shortly is a Japanese manga artist most known for the Saiyuki series Her other manga series include Wild Adapter, Shiritsu Araiso Koto Gakko The story is loosely based on the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West (Xīyóu Jì). China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story Journey to the West ( is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. In 1999 the Saiyuki OVA by Tokyo Kids was released. abbreviated (and sometimes as OAV) is a term originating from Japanese animation ( Anime) for animated films and series which are made specially to be A year later it was adapted into an anime series by Studio Pierrot, which won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in 2000. (anime in Japanese, is a Japanese animation ( Anime) company founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production. is a Japanese Anime and entertainment magazine which Tokuma Shoten began publishing in July 1978. The Gensomaden Saiyuki: Requiem movie appeared in theaters in Japan in 2001. A sequel to this movie is the Gensomaden Saiyuki: Kibou no zaika OVA, which is actually animation taken from an interactive game[1]
There are two sequels to Saiyuki, Saiyuki Reload (最遊記RELOAD, Saiyuki Reload?) and Saiyuki Gunlock (最遊記RELOAD GUNLOCK, Saiyuki Gunlock?). is a manga series by Kazuya Minekura, adapted into a 25 episode Anime tv series of the same name and it is the second premise of the Saiyuki saga is a manga series by Kazuya Minekura, adapted into a 25 episode Anime tv series of the same name and it is the second premise of the Saiyuki saga
The descriptions and summaries in this article are based on the English-adapted Saiyuki anime as distributed by ADV Films. AD Vision (commonly referred to as ADV) is an American international Multimedia entertainment company based in Houston Texas, active
Plot
Saiyuki is the story of four anti-heroes: the monk Genjyo Sanzo (or just "Sanzo"), the monkey demon Son Goku, the half-demon Sha Gojyo, and the man turned demon Cho Hakkai (formerly known as Cho Gonou). They have been dispatched by the Sanbutsushin (the Three Aspects of Buddha, who relay the orders of heaven) to travel to India to stop the possible resurrection of the Bull-Demon-King, Gyumaoh. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Along the way they are beset by inept assassins, bad weather, and their own tragic, personal pasts. Meanwhile, the villains, two unlikely confidants, Gyokumen Koushou (Gyumaoh's concubine, a demon) and a mad scientist, Dr. Ni Jianyi (a human), continue their attempts to restore the long-dead king. These experiments, a forbidden mixture of science and magic, spawn the "Minus Wave", infecting all of the demons in Shangri-La with madness, shattering the fragile peace that once existed between humans and demons.
Characters
Main characters: The Sanzo-Ikkou ("Sanzo party")
- Son Goku (Seiten Taisei or Great Sage Equaling Heaven)
Height: 162 cm
Weight: 51 kg
Age: 500+
Birthdate: April 5
Zodiac: Aries
Blood type: O
Past Life: Kenren Taisho
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Age: 22
Birthdate: November 9
Zodiac: Scorpio
Blood type: B
Past Life: Tenpou Gensui
Former name: Cho Gonou
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 69 kg
Age: 22
Birthdate: September 21
Zodiac: Virgo
Blood type: AB
Past Life: Konzen Douji
Former name: Kouryu ( the river drifter )
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 64 kg
Age: 23
Birthdate: November 29
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Blood type: A
Secondary Characters
- Hakuryuu: Hakkai's pet-dragon that can transform into the jeep the Sanzo-party travels in. See also Xuanzang (fictional character Xuanzang ( pronounced Shwan-dzang) was a famous Chinese Buddhist Monk, scholar traveler In the manga, Hakuryuu's name is "Jeep" (Jiipu).
- Kougaiji: Based on Gyumaoh's Son, Kåfēise Dalu Hai Er (meaning "brown moose child") the Bull Moose Prince, Kougaji is Gyumaoh's son. He reluctantly takes part in Ni Jianyi and Koushou's plan in order to restore his mother Rasetsu-nyo, who was turned to stone by a curse. He has no deep animosity towards the Sanzo party, but makes no effort to hide that he loathes Ni Jianyi and Koushou. He deeply cares for other demons, but has never displayed any ill feelings toward humans. Despite that he's willing to allow thousands to die if it means bringing his mother back. Of everyone he's been around, he's been shown to care for Lirin the most and often attempts to keep her out of battles. He wields power over fire and the ability to summon powerful fiends. He's also a highly skilled hand-to-hand fighter.
- Lirin: Kougaiji's half-sister and Gyokumen Koushou's daughter. She deeply admires Kougaiji, and overall is like a female Son Goku in personality. Although she likes fighting she's also extremely friendly. Lirin fights using brute strength but isn't very smart. When Kougaiji's group fights Sanzo's group, she's usually seen on Sanzo's shoulders. Sanzo views her as another monkey, like Son Goku.
- Dokugakuji: Gojyo's full-yōkai half-brother, formerly known as Sha Jien. When he was younger he was very close to his little brother, and attempted to protect him from his emotionally unstable mother by having an incestuous affair with her. She attempted to kill Gojyo anyway, and Jien was forced to kill his mother to keep her from killing Gojyo; after this he left his home and brother, and pledged himself to Kougaiji's service. He's extremely loyal to Kougaiji, though he still seems to love his baby brother. He fights with a sword.
- Yaone: An apothecary, alchemist, and Lirin's "babysitter". Her first appearance seems to show a relation to Kanon, but it is not mentioned again later in the series. She is deeply devoted to Kougaiji, who saved her from being sacrificed to the Centipede Demon, and has rashly taken on dangerous missions to prove her loyalty to him. However, her primary role in the group is that of healer. She seems to be friendly enemies with Hakkai; she always addresses him with great respect, and on occasions they work together. Hakkai regards her as a fellow-healer and colleague, and seems to have platonic feelings for her.
- Gyokumen Koushou: Gyumaoh's concubine and the mastermind of the plan to revive him. She's extremely cruel and selfish, and has shown to be willing to sacrifice anything to get what she wants. Has told Kougaiji that she'll only restore his mother to life if he helps her obtain the Five Sacred Scriptures. Despite being Lirin's mother she cares nothing about her own daughter and only sees her and Kougaiji as tools.
- Dr. Ni Jianyi: A wild card, mystery man, mad scientist, and Koushou's human lover. He owns a plushie bunny that he carries with him as his pet. He was also once a Sanzo priest (known as Ukoku Sanzo) and was considered a heretic due to the fact that he fought and killed his master (Goudai Sanzo) to attain his title instead of inheriting his chakra from the gods. His pupil, a man known simply as "God" (Kami-sama), appears in Reload. is a manga series by Kazuya Minekura, adapted into a 25 episode Anime tv series of the same name and it is the second premise of the Saiyuki saga Although he's extremely eccentric, he's also intelligent and ruthless. He reasons for aiding in reviving Gyumaoh are a mystery.
- Kanzeon Bosatsu aka the Merciful Goddess: The Buddhist bodhisattva Guan Yin herself. Guanyin (觀音 pinyin guānyīn, Wade-Giles kuan-yin) is the Bodhisattva of compassion as venerated by East Asian Buddhists She is portrayed as a hermaphrodite in the manga, while in the anime it gives no indication of her being anything other than a female. A hermaphrodite is an organism having both male and female reproductive organs She rarely helps the Sanzo party, usually watching their travels on the way to India from Heaven for her amusement.
- Nataku only appears in Saiyuki Gaiden and in the anime *War Prince Nataku: Nataku is based on the Taoist deity Nezha. Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions Nezha or Na Zha ( Japanese: Nataku or Nata) is a Deity, the Enfant terrible Trickster, originally He is a half-mortal war god who won the then-divine Son Goku (Sun Wukong)'s friendship, since they were both branded as "heretical" beings due to their birth. Unfortunately, Nataku falls into a catatonic state (the reasons for this are not disclosed in the anime) and sits in the divine garden of heaven with only the Goddess of Mercy to keep him company, staring blankly ahead for all time. In the series, Nataku is decidedly more somber than Goku and is resigned to being a puppet to the Gods. (He was 'given the honor' of being the War Prince, a role which is later passed onto Homura. The title of "war prince" essentially just means someone is a living weapon to be repeatedly sent into battle. ) Furthermore, Nataku goes by a different title, but his background is still very much the same - right down to a Commander father and spear weapon. (However, it is glaringly obvious as the series goes on that the Commander is exploiting his son for fame and recognition from the Gods, reversing the roles that Nataku is to blame for misfortune) Nataku's father however, is then lectured by the past reincarnation of Cho Hakkai (Field Marshal Tenpou) and further mistreatment of his son is then yet to be seen in the series.
- Homura Toushin Taishi Homura was born between the humans and the warriors of the Upper heavens. Although he succeeded Nataku Taishi who destroyed Gyumaoh-Bull Satan 500 years ago, he is fed up with utter tranquility and lazy life in the Upper Heavens. He had some relationship with Sanzo and his comrades. He calls them by their names from a previous existence. He is eager to get Sanzo's Sutra of Dark Power. His ultimate ambition seemed to be the creation of a perfect world with Son Goku as a tool, but it is shown near the end of Saiyuki Gensomaden, that he was looking to be defeated by somebody who is worthy of him, Son Goku--the "perfect world" was only a place where he could obtain the most honorable and worthy death. His weapon is a long sword possessing tremendous power. He can wipe out a troop of monsters at one swing. He uses the Power of Spirit, better known as Chi, like Cho Hakkai.
- Zenon comes down with Prince Homura only because he dislikes the evil monsters and spirits. His revolving 'Demon Blaster' destroys dozen of monsters. His right eye is covered by the patch. It is revealed that the eyepatch is his demon limiter, and he goes berserk without it. Zenon agrees to follow Homura for multiple reasons. One being he is sick of his life in the heavens, and is sick of living in general, another is that he wants to find the demon who killed the mother of his son. Years ago, Zenon went freely between earth and heaven (the year was no specified in the anime). He had relations with a woman who became pregnant with his son. The gods found out about this, and Zenon agreed to give up his immortality and live as a human. However, one of his subordinates (who was a demon), was told to bring her to the heavens, he killed her instead. He wields a banishing gun like Sanzo, only his has the form of an assault rifle. An assault rifle is a Selective fire Rifle or Carbine (not to be confused with a semi-automatic only replica firing Ammunition with muzzle
- Shien comes down with Prince Homura for exciting adventures. He never harms anyone unless he has to defend himself. However, once getting in a battle, he is fierce, slaying the opponent with his twin 'Light Whips. ' He previously worked under War Prince Nataku, and wonders what Nataku saw in the human world, after the fight with Gyumaoh, as Nataku told him he wanted to stay longer. A celebration is held every year when he descends to view the scenery Nataku seemed to be most fond of.
Anachronisms
Although the setting of the story is never made clear, it is fairly consistent with being ancient China and India (like the classic novel in which it is based). However there are many elements that are anachronistic, such as
- Sanzo's gun
- Hakuryu's transformation into a Jeep (cars are considered rare in this world)
- The presence of cigarettes, cigarette lighters (both disposable and refillable), and newspapers
- Sanzo's glasses and Hakkai's monocle
- The science used by Dr. A cigarette ( French "small Cigar " from cigar + -ette) is a product consumed through Smoking and manufactured A newspaper is a written Publication containing News, information and Advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called Newsprint. A monocle is a type of Corrective lens used to correct the vision in only one Eye. Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding Ni Jenyi
- The Sanzo party's means of travel funding is a credit card issued in the name of the Sanbutsushin (the "three aspects" or Buddhist deities whom Sanzo serves), and even villages which don't give any other evidence of having electricity readily accept the card in payment
From Classic Novel to Anime
Saiyūki is the Japanese name for Journey to the West, or Xīyóu Jì (西遊記 "Record of the Journey to the West") in Chinese. Journey to the West ( is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. While Saiyūki is normally written "西遊記",
or "Journey to the West", Kazuya Minekura writes the title as "最遊記", or "Journey to the Extreme". is a Japanese manga artist most known for the Saiyuki series Her other manga series include Wild Adapter, Shiritsu Araiso Koto Gakko This is her pun, as both are pronounced saiyūki. This popular Chinese novel has inspired several Japanese works, including:
Minekura's Sanzō-Ikkō bears only a superficial similarity to the original four in the Chinese novel. is a Japanese Manga series created by Fujiko F Fujio (the pen name of Hiroshi Fujimoto which later became an Anime series and Asian commonly known as Saiyuki, is a popular Manga series created by Kazuya Minekura. Monkey, also known as Monkey Magic!, refers to the English language voice-over version - not the original English subtitled version - of the Japanese is a long-running Manga series by, one of the few known male Mangaka for Shōnen-ai manga Their names are the same as the names of the characters in the Chinese novel, but given Japanese pronunciations:
- Genjō-Sanzō (玄奘三蔵) is Xuánzàng (玄奘) or Táng-Sānzàng (唐三藏, Tang's three scriptures). See also Xuanzang The Fictional character Xuanzang ( is a central character of the classic Chinese Novel Journey to the West
- Son Gokū is Sūn Wùkōng (孫 悟空), or the Monkey King. Sun Wukong ( known in the West as the Monkey King, is the main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West.
- Cho Hakkai is Zhū Bājiè (豬 八戒), a pig monster. Zhu Bajie ( Sino-Vietnamese: Trư Bát Giới; Japanese: Cho Hakkai; Thai: Teu Poi Gai) also named Zhu Wuneng His original name, Cho Gonou is actually Zhū Wùnéng (豬 悟能), the Buddhist name given to Zhu Bajie by Guan Yin when they first met in the original novel.
- Sha Gojyō is Shā Wùjìng (沙 悟淨), a water demon, classified as a kappa in some translations. Shā Wùjìng ( is one of the three helpers of Xuánzàng in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. alternately called or, are Legendary creatures a type of water sprite found in Japanese folklore.
- Gyūmaōh is Niumowáng (牛魔王) Ox King
Series Information
Anime
The original anime series is distributed in North America by ADV Films and comprises 50 episodes. AD Vision (commonly referred to as ADV) is an American international Multimedia entertainment company based in Houston Texas, active The sequels Saiyuki Reload and Saiyuki Reload Gunlock are licensed by Geneon in North America, and consist of 25 and 26 episodes respectively. is a manga series by Kazuya Minekura, adapted into a 25 episode Anime tv series of the same name and it is the second premise of the Saiyuki saga Due to the change in licensing, the English voice cast is not consistent throughout all three series, and the characterization and general feel of the series may change noticeably in the second and third installments.
Enoki Films holds the US license to Saiyuki under the title Saiyuki: Paradise Raiders, yet ADV chose not to use this subtitle. Enoki Films is a producer of Anime based in Tokyo. Enoki Films also has a North American division established in 1986 headquartered in the Encino There has also been a movie (Saiyuki: Requiem) adapted into English that is also licensed by ADV. A new OVA has been released by Studio Pierrot, which covers the "Burial" arc of the Saiyuki Reload manga; it is called Saiyuki Burial. is a Japanese animation ( Anime) company founded in 1979 by former employees of Tatsunoko Production.
Manga
The Saiyuki manga is comprised of three separate series:
- Saiyuki, 9 volumes, complete. This manga was serialized in the shōnen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy. is a Japanese word literally meaning few years which can have the following meanings Shōnen a typical Boy, from elementary school through junior high Gangan Comics is a Manga Imprint of Square Enix (originally Enix)
- Saiyuki Reload, currently at 8 volumes, still running in the monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine Monthly Comic Zero Sum. is a manga series by Kazuya Minekura, adapted into a 25 episode Anime tv series of the same name and it is the second premise of the Saiyuki saga is a Japanese word originally derived from a Chinese expression written with the same characters is a monthly Shōjo (targeted towards girls Manga magazine published by Ichijinsha.
- Saiyuki Gaiden, currently at 3 volumes, is currently being published in the quarterly Japanese shōjo manga magazine Zero Sum WARD. This series takes place in Heaven, 500 years before the first Saiyuki series. The plot is based around the four main characters of Saiyuki in their past lives, and details exactly what it was they did to get thrown out of heaven.
- The names of the characters are:
- Konzen Douji - Genjo Sanzo's former incarnation. See also Xuanzang (fictional character Xuanzang ( pronounced Shwan-dzang) was a famous Chinese Buddhist Monk, scholar traveler
- Tenpou Gensui - Cho Hakkai's former incarnation.
- Kenren Taishou - Sha Gojyo's former incarnation.
- Goku - Son Goku himself, 500 years ago.
- Gojun - Dragon King of the Western Seas (believed to be Hakuryuu's former incarnation).
- Nataku Taishi - the War Prince
- Li Touten - Nataku's father
- Kanzeon Bosatsu - Konzen's aunt, and the one responsible for bringing Goku to heaven.
Media Information
Opening themes
- Gensomaden Saiyuki
- For Real sung by Hidenori Tokuyama, lyrics/composition by Kurosawa Ken'ichi
- Still Time sung by Hidenori Tokuyama, lyrics/composition by Kurosawa Ken'ichi and arrangement by Tooyama Yuu
Ending themes
- Gensomaden Saiyuki
- Tightrope by CHARCOAL FILTER
- Alone sung by Shimokawa Mikuni, lyrics by Sumiyo Mutsumi and composition/arrangement by ab:fly
- Gensomaden Saiyuki Requiem
- Tightrope by Tetsu 69 of L'Arc~en~Ciel
See also
- Saiyuki Reload: The sequel to this manga. is a Japanese actor and singer from Tokyo. One of his most notable roles was as Sou Yaguruma/ Kamen Rider TheBee / Kamen Rider Kick Hopper in (born 19 March 1980 in Shizunai Hokkaido, Japan) is a J-pop singer and songwriter is a popular Japanese Rock band, formed in 1991 The group has sold over 13 million albums 16 million singles and millions of other units such as videos is a manga series by Kazuya Minekura, adapted into a 25 episode Anime tv series of the same name and it is the second premise of the Saiyuki saga A sequel is a work in Literature, Film, or other media that portrays events following those of a previous work
- Saiyuki Gunlock: The second sequel to the anime.
- Journey to the West: The original story which this manga is loosely based on. Journey to the West ( is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
- Monkey (TV series): Japanese TV series based on Journey to the West. Monkey, also known as Monkey Magic!, refers to the English language voice-over version - not the original English subtitled version - of the Japanese
- Monkey Magic (TV series): Another anime series based on Journey to the West. This article is about the 1990s animated television series for the live-action TV series sometimes known as Monkey Magic!, please see Monkey (TV series
- Saiyuki: Journey West: Video game based on Journey to the West. Saiyuki Journey West is a tactical role-playing Video game released for the Sony PlayStation by Koei.
References
External links
Anime News Network (ANN is an Anime industry News Website that reports on the status of Anime, Manga, Japanese popular commonly known as Saiyuki, is a popular Manga series created by Kazuya Minekura. is a manga series by Kazuya Minekura, adapted into a 25 episode Anime tv series of the same name and it is the second premise of the Saiyuki saga
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