Saiyuki - Confronting Their Demons (Vol. 3)

Rating:
Summary: Once More Into The Fray (Again)
Review: Seems like everyone has the names of Sanzo and his party of pilgrim/adventurers inscribed on their weapons of choice. Carrying ascripture around in this alternate Chinese world is risky business. The priest, Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai don't need any help to get into trouble though, but they are getting much more than they ever bargained for.

It seems that the god Homura's decision to rebel and gather the scriptures for himself has attracted some followers. First Souto, head of a group of crack divine shock troops gets the assignment to take Sanzo down. A little later, Homura and his own sidekicks, Zenon and Shien show up to demonstrate that Sanzo and Goku are completely outclassed in this contest. As usual, the monk pulls through, but not without serious damage.

While all this is going on there are two visits from season one - first a pair of twins in the service of Gyokumen Koushu show up with utter destruction on their mind - and then the idiot impersonators show up again for a short sojourn into the more violent forms of comedy. Somehow, our heroes keep up their attitude and return to each conflict determined to survive.

Production quality seems to have improved an order of magnitude since the last season. In the previous DVD I wasn't sure whether to believe it or not, but with this second one it is clear that the show has iimproved, both in art and writing. In the middle of all the action, the group finds time to develop as characters, and both animation and color have increased in intensity.

This series is a bit past the point where one can pick it up mainstream. This isn't a bad thing from a watcher's point of view, but be prepared for a sudden urge to empty your wallet for the series.

Rating:
Summary: Saiyuki is more than you could expect
Review: To basically start this off I'll start with the obvious, well Genjomaden Saiyuki is one of the most comical, entertaining, and certainly up with the best. I personally love this anime. There's a lot of DVDs and as far as I do I beleive that there are 18 DVDs total. Of course only up to 9 came come out and we all eagerly awaiting March 30th aren't we? Well at least I am. Saiyuki is about Demons and Humans living in Shangrila (let me know if I spelled it wrong; I'm not in the mood to look it up)together and I know this 7th DVD, well the Demons get all uncontrolable and attack humans while these gods come along and such, the god of war. Well the Sanzo gang consists of Son Goku (Demon), Genjo Sanzo of course, Sha Goyjo (Half water Demon), and last but never least Cho Hakkai (He killed 100 Demons which turned him into one). Basically that concludes my ranting... if any of you actsually read this, thank you!^^ Any questions e-mail: [e-mail],
Arigato!
-Killua

Rating:
Summary: Getting down to Business
Review: We have reached the 'second season' point in this series. While the first year was a time of picaresque journeying on a quest to stop the resurrection of an ancient evil, this season starts off on a much different tack. Something is awry in heaven, and suddenly gods are walking the earth. Gods with large chips on their shoulders, looking for the sacred scriptures in order to bring down heaven's walls.

The leader is Homura, the God of War. He is a matched opponent for Genjo Sanzo with a in deadpan style and classic bishonen good looks, and nearly impossible to defeat. He lacks Sanzo's moral fiber and ability to trade bon mots, but his almost lackadaisical cruelty makes the perfect contrast. He seems to know the priest from some former life in heaven, but that mystery has yet to unfold. In the meantime, Homura and his two companions. Zenon and Shien make life pretty grim for the fab four.

After the initial confrontation, Homura heads off to Houtou castle to take the Seiten scripture for his own and foil Gyokumen Koushu's plan to raise his father. Meanwhile Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo, and Hakkai enjoy a short respite for brawling, arguing, letching, and, of course, eating. They are brought up short when they encounter another of Homura's servants, the Undertaker. Then it is very nearly death by neat freak.

Until this point Saiyuki has been a battle among equals, with more emphasis on the lives and interactions of its unlikely heroes than real advance of the overall story arc. Now this complex approach to some major confrontation is a fascinating change of pace, coming at just the moment when viewer interest might begin to lag. Art, acting, and music remain at a high standard and there is no sign of sophomore slump. Saiyuki's deviation from classic anime role models continues to make it one of the strongest entries in modern adult anime.