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Rating: 
Summary: Ready for Season Two?
Review: Ah Saiyuki Season 2! Three new characters show up. The war prince Homura (voice acted by none less than Jason Douglas, he also was the English voice of Lord Illpilatzo from Excel Saga, he always gets casted for the world conqueror bit doesn't he?), and his two minions Zenon and Shien descend to start a rebellion against the heavens. Now it looks like there is a three way race to get Scriptures now... This Disk features FOUR new adventures for the Sanzo party and their enemies. Episode 27: Basic Introduction of Homura and his minions... Homura calls the Sanzo party by their past life names, destroys literally truckloads of Demons with but a thought, and Sanzo's gun has no effect on Homura.
Most notable seen: Sanzo's introduction about the "If you meet the Buddha kill the Buddha" Episode 28: Homura starts to gather demon followers, he apparently can turn demons into "gods". The Merciful Goddess refuses to do anything to stop Homura, says that watching Homura will keep her from being bored for awhile. Apparently Homura is the half human son of the Jade Emperor... the gods will do nothing to stop him as they have grown lazy and fat. Sanzo's party has to share a single room and draws cards to see who gets the bed while the others sleep on the floor. The episode ends with an attack on Houtou Castle to get the Seiten Scripture. Most notable scenes: The first meeting of Sanzo (of God Sanzo) and Son Goku. Goku and Gojyo fight over the bed and the innkeeper walks in and sees them in a rather embarrassing situation. Episode 29: Homura and gang assault Houtou Castle. Homura single handedly bests both Dokugakuji and Kougaiji. Dr. Ni (that crazy scientist with the stuffed bunny) just hands over the Seiten Scripture to Homura in hopes that he will leave Lady Koushu and the rest with their lives. Sonzo gets a rude awaking from the merciful Goddess, who reminds him of the Teachings of his Master. The "if you meet the Buddha kill the Buddha" which has been said at least 3 times in the series now... Zenon kills a demon who killed his human wife. Basically this episode was to show that these new characters are in fact a force to be reckoned with.
Most Notable scene: Sanzo tries to shoot the Merciful Goddess... and fails." Episode 30: Homura sends his latest Assassin to kill the Sanzo party to get the Scripture that Sanzo carries. This demon makes a village into a ghost town, his "Perfect Paradise". He calls himself the Undertaker, and puts the entire Sanzo party through all kinds of physiological torture. Basically Puts a plate of food in front of a hungry Goku to only make it disappear a second later. Deprives Gojyo of women and alcohol . Burns Hakuryu to get Hakki upset, and gently just pisses Sanzo off with the whole ordeal of things going on. They basically best him and go on their merry way. Most notable scene, Gojyo practically begs Sanzo for a smoke, and Sanzo reminds him that he said "You said my smokes tasted like Crap." Basically this DVD has the basic ADV basics, a new opening theme and animation, new closing theme and animation, but no longer gives you any previews of upcoming episodes. Like all the other volumes of Saiyuki they give a wonderful Culture references from the "Journey to the West" and other Japanese jokes you hear while listing to the Japanese audio. Also this series is best kept in context with the Japanese audio as the English seems to completely warp it at times... all in all a good DVD for Saiyuki fans. And also the fact that you can't go wrong with Zenon, how cool is a god with an AK?
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Summary: One of the very earliest Japanese animated feature films
Review: ALAKAZAM THE GREAT (1961) was the English-dubbed version of the Japanese animated feature, SAIYUKI (1960), an adaptation of "Journey to the West," the Chinese literary work devoted to the famous legend of the Monkey King. It was distributed in the U.S. by American International Pictures and featured a whole new music score, four new songs and a host of celebrity voices, including Jonathan Winters, Arnold Stang, Sterling Holloway and, as the singing voice of the Monkey King, Frankie Avalon. The English dub goes a long way towards divorcing the material from its cultural context, reducing the original mission of its characters, bringing Buddhist scriptures to China from India, to simply a "pilgrimage." It also gives ridiculous new names to all of the characters, including Buddha himself (called King Amo here) and the Emperor of Heaven (renamed Merlin the Magician!). Goku, the Monkey King, is called Alakazam, and Pigsy, the shape-shifting pig, is dubbed Sir Quigley Brokenbottom. The new songs have little to do with the original story and tend to slow things down considerably. Still, it's a beautifully animated piece with rich color and at least a semblance of the original legend. Most importantly for today's young audiences, it depicts the cultural antecedents of the popular "Dragon Ball" cartoon TV series, which is shown on the Cartoon Network and available on home video. Identical points of reference include the flying nimbus cloud and power pole employed by Alakazam/Goku, the same tools possessed by the hero of "Dragon Ball," also named Goku. Oolong, the cowardly, lecherous pig seen in "Dragon Ball," is clearly modeled on Pigsy/Sir Quigley, who also has the power to transform and an eye for the ladies. Also significant is the fact that pioneering animator Osamu Tezuka was a co-writer/co-director of this film (three years before "Astro Boy"), which was adapted from his own manga (comic book) version of the legend. There were many other films and TV series based on "Journey to the West," both animated and live-action, made in China, Hong Kong and Japan, but few are easily available in the U.S.
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Summary: On Road Again (and Again)
Review: Gensomaden Saiyuki is a retelling of a classic Chinese myth (Journey to the West) of a priest (Genjo Sanzo) and his companions (Gojyo, Hakkai, and Goku) who undertake a picaresque journey across a land filled with demons to stop a series of evils. In this version of the story, which has been updated to a more modern context, their primary mode of transportation is a white dragon disguised as a Jeep, and the participants smoke, drink, curse, and womanize with the same flair they use to slay their opponents. This is much more than a hack and slash adventure story. While the emphasis is on the comic byplay between the characters, especially Goku (the monkey king) and Gojyo, there are many more thoughtful moments. Many of the episodes combine the heroic with an ambivalence that frequently displays unexpected sides to an issue. These episodes move from teaching townsfolk to stand on their own to lessons from Genjo's own past. Whether muttering platitudes at the setting sun or suffering from permanent hunger, the lead characters, and even some of their opponents, each find their way into the spotlight and reveal some unexpected facet. In some ways the story echoes the work of another master of the picaresque, Miguel Cervantes. There is not time like the present to point out that Saiyuki is not a standard 26 episode series. Inspired as it is by one of the oldest (and longest) of Oriental adventure stories, it is only fitting that the series let the story drive the length, rather than vice-versa - a total of 50 episodes. While this is a considerable strain on the collector's pocketbook, the timing of the story also allows considerable character development, one of the features of this telling which makes it much more than a simple adventure story.
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Summary: Saiyuki
Review: I picked this up by chance and was most impressed. Great characters and a good story. Vulgar charged dialogue so not for the kiddies.
Rating:
Summary: Saiyuki
Review: It's about time that Saiyuki was released in the states. For every bit that this series has suffered because of poor english subbing in the Chinese release, this series' domestic release has been nothing short of amazing. For one, Saiyuki's the dub is in league with Cowboy Bebop, and its dialogue is even better than that of the subtitled translation. The exchanges between the characters are well-timed, and although viewers used to the typical types of jokes made in anime will appreciate the humour, this is a series that non-anime-addicts will enjoy just as much. The first two episodes on this DVD are particularly beautifully animated, and the somber colors are a nice intermission from Saiyuki's traditionally bright palette. The direction might look familiar to Utena fans: one of the members of the direction crew worked on these gems. By episode 8, the animation goes back to normal, but all the good Saiyuki fun is still there. Characters are more fully introduced in these episodes, and the skeletons are tumbling out the closet for the boys. The Journey West continues: original creator Minekura successfully put countless new twists in an extremely traditional story. This DVD gets 5 stars only because the rating meter does not go up to 6. Saiyuki has lived up to all the hype and is a lovely reminder for those who have forgotten what it's like to *really* be rooting for your favorite characters in a series. This is the good stuff.
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Summary: A dream for those who appreciate great direction in Anime.
Review: It's about time that Saiyuki was released in the states. For every bit that this series has suffered because of poor english subbing in the Chinese release, this series' domestic release has been nothing short of amazing. For one, Saiyuki's the dub is in league with Cowboy Bebop, and its dialogue is even better than that of the subtitled translation. The exchanges between the characters are well-timed, and although viewers used to the typical types of jokes made in anime will appreciate the humour, this is a series that non-anime-addicts will enjoy just as much. The first two episodes on this DVD are particularly beautifully animated, and the somber colors are a nice intermission from Saiyuki's traditionally bright palette. The direction might look familiar to Utena fans: one of the members of the direction crew worked on these gems. By episode 8, the animation goes back to normal, but all the good Saiyuki fun is still there. Characters are more fully introduced in these episodes, and the skeletons are tumbling out the closet for the boys. The Journey West continues: original creator Minekura successfully put countless new twists in an extremely traditional story. This DVD gets 5 stars only because the rating meter does not go up to 6. Saiyuki has lived up to all the hype and is a lovely reminder for those who have forgotten what it's like to *really* be rooting for your favorite characters in a series. This is the good stuff.
Rating:
Summary: saiyuki is excellent!
Review: saiyuki is a great action show. A tiny bit of humor now and then is a great show by me.
Rating:
Summary: saiyuki
Review: savzo is reminde of his past and confronts an old friend. goku goes berserk and well... hell was raisesd.hakkai also gets reminded of his past and gets a visit.its really a good dvd and i recomended to everyone
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Summary: 'I Will Only Fight for My Own Sake'
Review: With a slight change of pace from the lightheartedness of the first DVD, these episodes look deep into the histories of the four companions and brings us closer to their inner motivations. It has been easy to forget that is a serious quest. A divine assignment to recover an ancient scripture and prevent the resurrection of Gyumaoh, an evil demon who was barely defeated on his first appearance. The first pair of episodes brings Genjo Sanzo face to face with a dear friend from his past. But this fellow monk, Shuei, was driven to use a cursed ritual to try to save the monastery from demons. Now he wanders about compulsively killing demons using a new name, Rikuedo, his personality destroyed by the spell. Genjo is forced to confront his own responsibility in this tragedy and put to rest a part of his past he would sooner forget. In the next three episodes Gyukomen Koushu, the woman seeking to resurrect Gyumsoh, aforce her subordinate, Kougaiji, to attempt to capture the scripture in Genjo's keeping. Nothing in this series turns out quite the way it was planned, and Kougaiji and finds much to admire in the four companions. And vice versa. He isn't isn't evil, just driven by his need to free his mother. Kougaiji has attracted several loyal confederates of his own, including Dokugakuji, Sha Goyo's brother. Thus, one of the story arcs that lend unexpected depth to this series is the significance of relationships - love, hate, family, friends, and servitors. Even more than I have mentioned. This is unexpected in a series that initially appears to be a tale of four bickering companions on a quest to India. At first you see a monk and three streetfighting demons, only to discover that you are seeing for modern samurai on an interior quest for self-definition. This novel approach, targeted at a wide audience, makes this series more than an entertaining retelling of an old Chinese classic.
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