A thorough review of Son Goku's Silk Road adventure!

The appeal and evaluation of "Son Goku Flying the Silk Road!!"

The TV special "Son Goku Flying the Silk Road!!" aired in 1982 as an original anime work and was delivered to viewers as a 70-minute special program on Fuji TV. Although the story is based on the Chinese classic literature "Journey to the West," it has succeeded in drawing viewers in with its own interpretation and development. Below, we will take a closer look at the story, characters, production background, music, and viewers' reviews of the work.

story

The story begins in the early 7th century in the capital of Chang'an, China. Under the orders of Emperor Taizong, Tripitaka Monk sets out on a journey to bring back Buddhist scriptures from India. Along the way, he meets Son Goku, a monkey with mysterious powers, and the two continue their journey together. Along the way, he converts the pig demon Zhu Bajie and makes him join the group, but the river demon Sha Wujing leaves. The group arrives at Mount Flame, which is surrounded by flames, but is blocked by a wall of flames and is unable to proceed. There, they learn from a fairy about the existence of the Basho fan, which can blow away flames, but they must face one hardship and demon after another. Just when they are in a pinch, Sha Wujing, who was supposed to have left, appears. This story depicts the bonds between friends and the strength to overcome difficulties.

character

The main characters of this work are as follows:

• Son Goku : Voiced by Ikue Sakakibara. A free-spirited and powerful monkey. He uses his strength and wisdom to help his friends and overcome difficulties.
• Tripitaka Priest : Voiced by Ayako Sawada. A monk who continues his journey to bring back the scriptures. He is compassionate and has a caring heart for his companions.
• Zhu Bajie : Voiced by Tetsuro Sakawa. He was originally a pig monster, but was reformed by Son Goku and became his friend. He is a joker and a glutton, but he also cares for his friends.
• Sha Gojyo : Voiced by Kin'ya Aikawa. A river monster who disappears once, but reappears when the group is in trouble and helps them out. He is a calm and reliable character.
• Fushigi Doji : Voiced by Keiko Han, he plays a vital role in helping the story move forward.
• Rakshasa : Voiced by Noriko Ohara. She appears at important moments in the story and challenges Son Goku and his friends.
• Narration : Voiced by Yoshiyuki Fukuda. Narration conveys the background and situation of the story to the audience.

Background

"Son Goku Flying the Silk Road!!" was produced by TMS Entertainment. It was directed by Takayashiki Hideo, with character design by Sugii Gisaburo, animation director by Wagatsuma Hiroshi, and script by Fukuda Yoshiyuki. Directing assistance was provided by Sugii Gisaburo and Fukuda Yoshiyuki, art direction by Mizutani Toshiharu, and music by Izumi Taku. Additionally, production was provided by Fujioka Yutaka and Ikeuchi Tatsuo, with producers Kato Shunzo, Kubota Eiichi, and Ohashi Masunosuke. With the strong support of this production team, the work was completed with high quality.

music

The music is by Izumi Taku, and the theme song and insert songs add excitement to the story. The theme song, "Travel is a wind that washes the heart," was written by Yamakawa Keisuke and Fukuda Yoshiyuki, composed by Izumi Taku, and arranged by Oyadomari Masanori. Insert songs such as "Monkey Heaven," "Somewhere Not Here," "Go! Go! Goku," "Hakkai and Goku Duet," and "Ghosts' Chorus" are used, enhancing the emotions of the viewer as the story unfolds. With Izumi Taku's unique melodies and Oyadomari Masanori's sophisticated arrangements, these songs deepen the worldview of the work.

Viewer reviews

"Son Goku: Flying the Silk Road" has been highly praised by viewers. In particular, the character of Son Goku is appealing, and the story is praised for its speedy yet profound development. The music and character design were also highly praised, leaving a strong impression on viewers. Furthermore, the story, which depicts the bonds between friends and the strength to overcome difficulties, has touched many viewers, and there have been many requests for rebroadcasts and DVD releases.

Recommended points

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

• Attractive characters : The characters, including Son Goku, have distinctive personalities that draw viewers in.
• Fast-paced development : In a short 70-minute length, the story unfolds swiftly, keeping you from getting bored.
• Deep story : Stories that depict the bonds between friends and the strength to overcome difficulties will inspire viewers.
• High-quality music : Izumi Taku's music and Masanori Oyadomari's arrangements deepen the worldview of the story.
• Beautiful character design : Gisaburo Sugii's character designs visually enhance the work.

summary

"Son Goku: Flying the Silk Road!!" is an original anime TV special that has succeeded in drawing viewers in with its unique interpretation and plot based on the Chinese classic literature "Journey to the West". Many elements combine to create a highly polished work, including attractive characters, fast-paced plot development, a deep story, high-quality music, and beautiful character design. It has also received positive reviews from viewers, and there have been many requests for it to be rebroadcast and released on DVD. This is a moving story that depicts the bonds between friends and the strength to overcome difficulties, and is a work that can be recommended to many people.