Saiyuki

[Youko-KitsuneBlack 666]

Saiyuki is not very well known, mainly because the anime and manga are very graphic and some people can't get around that for some reason. I chose to review this one because it's very funny and all around excellent.

Saiyuki is about four men on a journey to the west. This entire plot is based on the Chinese Legend Journey to the West, but Saiyuki is a play on words meaning Journey to the Extreme. I had to explain that in order to clear up a few things and explain the differences between the two.

This story starts out with the high priest Genjo Sanzo and his assigned quest to help save Shangri-la, the place of peace and equality between Demon and Man. However, nowadays the demons have been going beserk and killing every human in their sights. Sanzo must go and stop any more occurances. But, unfornunately for him, he is assigned to take three demons along with himself on the journey. The result is pure chaos.

Between the fights of Gojyo and Goku in the back seat, and Hakkai's infinate patience, Sanzo is constantly attacked by a string of assassins eagar to get their hands on his scriptures. So, who will he kill first: his traveling companions or the assassins?

Characters:

Genjo Sanzo: The renegade high priest. He loves to smoke, drink, gamble, kill, and refuses to shave his blonde hair. All the faux pas of a Buhddist Priest. He fights with his scriptures and gun. In the Chinese Legend, he is much more meek and helpless.

Cho Hakkai: A demon slayer who is a demon. He has infinite patience, can control chi beyond all sane reason and can hold his liquor better than anyone in the party. Hakkai also owns a pet dragon named Hakoru who turns into a jeep at will. In the legend, Hakkai was a pig. Thank God that he isn't one here.

Sha Gojyo: One horny little half-breed. All Gojyo cares about is smokes, beer, and women. He is very harsh at first but grows on you as time goes on. His pink hair and eyes sybolize that he is a half-breed, and he fights with a spear that can move at his will on a chain. in the legend he was a kappa, but in this series he can't even swim.

Son Goku: A hyperactive little monkey who like food, food, foood and more food. He constantly fights with Gojyo over who gets the last piece of shrimp and kills people who mess up his dinner. He fights with a Ny-Boi (I can't spell. I'm sorry) and his demonic powers. In the legend, he was a carefree monkey who was a pest. Actually, that hasn't changed much....

Kougaji: The guy who's causing the demons to go insane. He has a red mullet and a band of loyal followers. He can almost always beat Goku unless Goku loses his headband.

Yaone: Lord Kougaji's loyal alchemist. She has a thing for Hakkai and fights with her chemicals and spear.

Lirin: Kougaji's half sister who is stronger than he is and rubs it in constantly. She is very hyper and a lot like Goku, right down to eating habits. Lirin likes to sit on Sanzo's head.

Jien (well, it was his ORIGINAL name at least): I can never remember this guy's new name. I'm sorry. But he is Gojyo's older half brother.

Rating: Eh....Five out of Five I guess ***** The characters are loveable and you can't help but root for both sides. The animation is spectactular both in anime and manga, the music is great, and the gods are really, REALLY bored. All in all, unless you can't stand Bishies and some cute scenes, everyone can love this one.


Here is one of my favorite scenes, it occurs in both anime and manga:

Gojyo: YOU WANNA PIECE OF ME CHIBI-MONKEY?!
Goku: BRING IT ON!!!!!
Sanzo: TAKE YOUR FIGHT OUT OF THE CAR!!!!!
Hakkai: It's shaping up to be another lovely day, isn't it?
And then they drive off a cliff. Nice, huh?

Here is the pic: On the left the one with pink hair is Gojyo and the one below him is Goku. On the right top is Sanzo and below him is Hakkai.

[Black Mage]

I believed the red head also threatend to shove his bear can up Goku's rear in that scene

I love the anime

[Youko-KitsuneBlack 666]

Oh, Goku is always threatened with having something shoved up his ass. And then when that happens Sanzo will hit him with a fan and scream BAKA

[Black Mage]

Reminds me of how Tia is to me^_^

[Youko-KitsuneBlack 666]

Lemme guess...Girlfriend or Girl Friend who likes to abuse you?

[Black Mage]

Nah, a girl I chat with. Our lovely dictator knows her.

[Youko-KitsuneBlack 666]

Ahh...sense has been made

[Bangoo]

this manga is really good!!
I wish I had all of them