Saiyuki
Reviewer: Lishy-Po [email]Overall Rating: A
Media Reviewed: DVD
Creator: Minekura Kazuya
U.S. Licensed: Yes
Released by: ADV Films
Run time: 50 episodes
BL Content: None (slashable/suggestive)
Genre: Action/Fantasy
Other media:
English-licensed manga
Movie DVD: Saiyuki Requiem
Sequel series DVDs: Saiyuki Reload, Saiyuki Reload Gunlock
Two Japanese OAVs
Saiyuki is based on an ancient Chinese myth, a story which has been retold more times than can be counted. The latest, more modern version is based on the currently ongoing manga by Mineruka Kazuya, and follows the story of four young men on a journey to the west. When someone in the western land of Tojinku begins using the forbidden combination of technology and magic to resurrect Gyumao, the demon king vanquished over 500 years ago by the war god Nataku, it results in a minus wave that sweeps over the land and causes all the demons (or youkai) to go insane. In Togenkyo to the east, the last place where the minus wave has hit, the Three Aspects call upon High Priest Genjo Sanzo to travel to the west and stop the resurrection of Gyumao. He is forced to take along three youkai, all of whom have human traits which prevent them from losing their minds. The playboy Sha Gojyo, who is half human, half demon; the polite and sharp-witted Cho Hakkai, who once was human but became a demon; and the impetuous godling Son Goku, who has a bottomless pit for a stomach and was feared even by the greater gods.
Saiyuki isn't so much an adventure to the west as it is an adventure through the lives of the characters. All the characters have an indelible bond, formed by their painful pasts and resentment towards each other. It's definitely a show about character development, putting the main plot into the background as it takes the viewer on a journey through the pasts and relationships of not only the four main characters (who have been abused, abandoned, tortured, molested, and wronged in so many ways), but the antagonists as well. Kougaiji, the son of Gyumao and a raretsu, does the bidding of his stepmother only because she has promised to free his true mother from where she is imprisoned in stone. Every day he lives with doubts toward what he is doing and the path he is following. Dokugakuji, one of Kougaiji's retainers, follows his master wherever he goes and into whatever he does, no matter if he has to fight his own brother -- Gojyo -- to do it. The viewer is taken not only three years into the past, but 500 years into past lives, all to prove the strength of the ties that bind. There are many light moments to even out the angst; Gojyo and Goku's constant bickering, along with Sanzo's irritated shouting and shooting (a Buddhist priest who uses a revolver, smokes, swears, and loves to say, 'Die!' -- you can't help but love him) definitely provide balance for the flashbacks and main plot. And the slashability of the characters is at a max high. Gojyo and Hakkai's close friendship, as well as their questionable relationship 500 years ago as gods of heaven, make them easily slashed, as does Goku's deep affection for Sanzo and the fact that they are constantly saving each other. Homura, the second season antagonist, has an odd obsession with Goku and there are moments when they share in some very interesting innuendo. The focus on characters and emotions makes the series ripe yaoi fodder.
Overall, the character design stays true to Mineruka's original ideal, and is extremely refreshing and atypical for anime. The boys aren't necessarily beautiful or feminine like most bishounen. They are drawn in a very lean and masculine fashion. It threw me at first. When I first saw Sanzo the immediate thing I thought was, "He's the ugliest bish I've ever seen!" One gets over this quickly though as the series progresses. Some of the animation is awkward due to the digital animation, such as youkai death and Hakuryuu's transformation into the jeep, but it does little to detract from the overall quality of the show. The soundtrack is very rock oriented, with a first season opening song that sounds frighteningly like Aerosmith's "Eat the Rich." There are light, happy tunes and sad, sweet music box tunes, flourishing pianos and even a bluegrass type song that punctuates a lot of Gojyo and Goku's fights. The music is perfect for the atmosphere of the show.
Though it ends with no real conclusion (they're still traveling to the west by the end of the series) it still leaves one with a good feeling. The desire for more is there, but with two half hour OVAs and a full length theatrical movie (which deserves a review in itself, it is absolutely amazing and gorgeous all the way round), there's definitely satisfaction with the fifty episode series. Anyone who enjoys a good character driven anime with an original twist on a tried and true tale will love Saiyuki.
