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Saiyuki - Confronting Their Demons (Vol. 3)

Saiyuki - Confronting Their Demons (Vol. 3)

List Price: $29.98
Your Price: $26.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
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?

Rating: 2 stars
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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Shut up and watch -
Review: Another boxset. Remove the staple holding your hand to your forehead, sit down and see what happens next.

Our protagonists acquire three new bad guys (who can kick the asses of the worst they've had to deal with so far), knowledge of past lives and a cadre of bored gods and goddesses who you expect to wager on the outcome out of sheer ennui.

This ain't your Daddy's Monkey King.

Rating: 5 stars
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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: In regardes...
Review: I'm sorry, you Bandai fan you, Klyngster, but ADV is probably just starting out. I must admit that they are in fact ripping you off by making TWO boxes and it IS annoying with the ads they made, but you MUST know that Saiyuki is pure genius on Kazuya Minekura's behalf. The DVD itself is what people mostly aim for, and, like I said, it was the DVD itself (with help from the creator) that people want, and if you dont want the box then dont buy it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: SAIYUKI RULES!
Review: In the words of the Merciful Goddess, "Things that don't change are so lame," which is why eternal bliss could get a little boring. But 500 years ago, the Sanzo Party's alter egos were just the imperfection heaven needed to liven up the place. Trouble starts when an upper level bureaucrat named Konzen takes in a heretic monkey, whose curiosity is not always so welcome inside the pearly gates. Fortunately, Field Marshal Tenpou and General Kenren have rebellious streaks of their own. So at least one thing's for sure: eternity will never be the same!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a dumbass...
Review: ok klyngster, before you go yelling at the "fat cats" of ADV films why dont you stop and think that maybe YOU are the one wrong in this situation. Holy crap I cant believe what a dumbass you are. THERE ARE 2 SEASONS OF SAIYUKI GENIUS!!! omg ok, the first box holds dvds 1-6. Thats season 1. Then dvd 7 comes out with another box for the second season which holds dvds 7-13! UNDERSTAND!??! Jesus I cant believe how stupid... Whatever. Please, for the rest of you.. dont listen to dumbasses like him. Do your own research on products.. - griffin

Rating: 5 stars
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: 5 stars
Summary: The Remaking of a Myth
Review: Saiyuki is a retelling in modern garb (if a dragon/jeep and beer can toting demons can be considered modern) of an old Chinese legendary tale - Journey to the West, originally set down in the 16th Century. Faced with the loss of a manuscript of great magical significance Sanzo, a priest , is dispatched along with three companions. As told here his companions are three demons - Goku the Monkey King, Gojyo the water sprite, and Hakkai a human turned demon when he slaughtered a thousand demons in revenge.

The four reel from one hair-raising adventure to another as they head for the final confrontation. Arguing, brawling and womanizing in between the heroics. As I've noted elsewhere this is an essentially masculine story, with women playing what is so far a very secondary role. This is a different spin than usual for this kind of anime, and it is surprisingly successful.

In these episodes each of the demons faces their own personal demons - Hakkai's grief over the loss of his beautiful wife, Goku's need for someone he can trust, and Gojyo's surprising soft spot. Sanzo is the wise man and healer in this group of stories, although sometimes his advice is every bit as harsh as the problem it solves.

Dialog is what really makes this series work. Not that there is anything to slight in the story or the artwork, but the snappy give and take of this modern gang-on-a-mission is what carries the day. In addition, the episodes refuse to become yet another tale of finding and destroying evil in the goriest fashion possible. Instead, they demonstrate instead a surprising amount of literary merit.

Rating: 5 stars
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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