gabrielle.lesch - 2016-03-25 23:41:16

Setting:
The story exist in a world where humans and yukais live in harmony, until someone resurrects the long-sleeping demon named Gyumaou from imprisoment.
Gyumaou, a yukai imprisoned for eating humans and turn its back to any kind relationship with them, and prisoned by a god.

Plot:
Many, many years later……………

The story is very easy to understand. The plot is simply; a group of four people who is sent by the gods to go to the West and stop the awakening of the powerful demon, Gyumaou. Our mcs are the group of four, which consist of; Genjou Sanzo (a mad priest who only trust himself), San Goku
(a demon who is always hungry), Sha Gojyo (half-demon who likes wine and pretty women), and Cho Hakkai (a demon, but former human. No one in he whole
world have as much patience as he has). 

The pacing is well balanced, but you will not get to see them actually end up in the West, no satisfying conclusion/ending. 

Characters:
In here, there is no lack for our main characters’ background or development. When we are introduced to our four mcs, we will see (flashbacks) of what they have gone thought in their “past” life that have made them to who they currently are. It is clear to see that they have a strong bond between them, and have shared the same fate in another world.

Cho Hakkai (the guy with the glasses), Genjou Sanzou the blond ), Son Goku (the one with a golden diadem) and Sha Gojyo (with red hair).

Music:
There aren’t much use of ost, but the osts that are used are very good.
The op songs are rememberable; (op 1) “For Real”, and (op 2) “Still Time”.

Sub and Dub:
The sub is okay, like most subbed anime.The dub is good. Each english voice is quite suitable for each of them.

Animation and Visual effects:
The design is a bit weird, but its not a big deal. The animation is okay, also the effects used.

The Series:
Adapted by Studio Clown.

Saiyuki is a series from Minakura Kazua’s works and talents in manga, consist of: Saiyuki, Saiyuki Gaiden, Saiyuki Reload,Saiyuki Reload Blast,
Saiyuki Gunlock. In the manga, Minakuara’s drawings are good, with colour, it is 

MY thoughts:
This anime is a golden treasure. What i really like about this anime is the characters, their relationships and bond.

This is a Must Watch

Listen to the 00:16 first seconds of the 1st op:

aida.stokes - 2015-04-02 14:32:53

The animation style is a little weird, and gets worse as the series goes on, but what it lacks in that it makes up for in good storytelling and compelling characters. This series is full of action and humour, with a good helping of angst too, as we get to see the characters face up against their inner (and outer) demons. The ending of the series is satisfying character-wise, but don't expect them to actually get to the West.
The voice acting in the dub is for the most part good, at least among the main cast.
Note that at least early on in the series there are some homophobic slurs, if that's the kinda thing that turns you off from a series. However, I don't believe they're there in the Japanese version, so that's always an option!

ellis60 - 2014-02-02 07:30:07

Minekura Kazuya is an absolutely phenomenal storyteller. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love lots of mangas of all genres and whatnot but Minekura’s story is definitely a one of a kind gem. The main cast of this series, the Sanzo Ikkou a.k.a the Sanzo Party are made up of four emotionally-charged personalities. Sanzo, the stubborn and quick-to-shoot Buddhist priest, Goku, the ravenous but extremely adorable Seiten Taisei, Gojyo, the flirt who walks and talks like a casanova but wonderfully clicks into a comedic duo with Goku and last but not least, Hakkai who is a sweet but simultaneously a scary man with patience like no other. Spinning a story from the legendary classic tale of the Journey to the West, Minekura’s characters carry dark emotional baggage that she cleverly weaves into their comedic adventures. Now, this is mostly from the manga but in terms of the anime series, Saiyuki has one of the best original sound tracks. From openings to background music, Minekura’s world becomes even more depth-ridden and vast. The melancholic music which graces the background of the Ikkou’s tragic moments gives the anime an absolutely heart-wrenching undertone but also brings amazing authenticity to Minekura’s story. Even with all the ups and downs the anime has suffered and successfully plowed through, Saiyuki remains an absolute favorite of mine. If you haven’t heard of Minekura Kazuya or her manga story, I would most definitely recommend it.