The appeal and evaluation of "Saiyuki": A masterpiece anime seen from a modern perspective

The appeal of the Saiyuki OVA and a detailed explanation

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

April 23, 1999

■Release and sales

Enix

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Kazuya Minekura

■ Director

Takashi Sogabe

■ Production

Produced by Tokyo Kids Co., Ltd.

■ Story

In Shangri-La, humans and monsters coexisted peacefully. However, when Bull King showed signs of revival, negative energy suddenly filled Shangri-La. As a result, the monsters became violent and started attacking humans. Then, Kannon Bodhisattva, realizing the seriousness of the situation, ordered Tripitaka to take Goku and the others to the west. The group of four led by Tripitaka set off for the west to prevent Bull King's complete revival.

■Explanation

This animation is based on the comic of the same name by Kazuya Minekura. It was released in conjunction with the drama CD. The original author, Kazuya Minekura, was deeply involved in the work, and was in charge of the original concept and supervision. It is based on the Chinese fantasy novel "Journey to the West," but contains many original elements. Incidentally, some of the cast members of the TV anime series that aired after the release of the OVA were different from those in the OVA.

Saiyuki is a work that is appealing due to the unique worldview and character settings of Kazuya Minekura, and this OVA, which was animated from the original manga, brings out that charm to the fullest. In particular, the fact that the original author was deeply involved is a great joy for fans, and the visual beauty and character design that faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of the original are stunning. In addition, the collaboration project with the drama CD also became a hot topic, which was one of the reasons for expanding the fan base.

Although it is based on the Chinese classic Journey to the West, Kazuya Minekura's unique interpretation and creativity has resulted in a work that combines a modern sensibility with a deep story. The OVA depicts the adventures of Tripitaka and his companions as they set out on a journey to stop the resurrection of Gyumaoh, and the individuality and growth of each character are depicted, drawing viewers in. The high-quality visuals and sound that make the most of the OVA format are also noteworthy, making this a must-see for fans.

■Cast

・Xuanzang Tripitaka/Wataru Takagi ・Son Goku/Kosuke Okano ・Sa Gojyo/Koichi Yamadera ・Ichi Bajie/Akira Ishida

As for the cast, the OVA version features Takagi Wataru as Xuanzang, Okano Kosuke as Son Goku, Yamadera Kouichi as Sha Gojyo, and Ishida Akira as Zhu Bajie. These voice actors bring out the best in each character's personality, leaving a strong impression on viewers. In particular, Takagi Wataru's role as Sanzo exquisitely expresses the free-spiritedness of a fallen monk and the sense of responsibility of a leader, eliciting sympathy from viewers. Okano Kosuke's role as Goku is an appealing portrayal of a character who combines childlikeness with strength.

Koichi Yamadera's role as Sha Gojyo is a warm portrayal of the kindness and good-natured personality of an older brother, soothing the hearts of viewers. Meanwhile, Akira Ishida's role as Zhu Bajie is characterized by his gentle smile and soft-spoken manner, but he also skillfully expresses the contrast between his personality and the fact that he can be the scariest member of the team when he gets angry. It can be said that the acting abilities of these cast members further enhance the appeal of the OVA.

■ Main staff

・Original work / Kazuya Minekura・Character concept / Kazuya Minekura・Supervision / Kazuya Minekura・Short manga / Kazuya Minekura・Director / Takashi Sogabe・Series composition / Reiko Yoshida・Character design / Toshiko Sasaki・Monster animation director / Makoto Furuta・Art director / Tadashi Kudo・Color design / Sanae Kimura・Director of photography / Hiroshi Kubo・Sound director / Shigeru Chiba・Music / Yuriko Nakamura・Producer / Takashi Kikuchi・Production producer / Kengo Kimura・Production / Tokyo Kids・Production and copyright / ENIX CO., LTD.

As for the main staff, Minekura Kazuya is in charge of the original story, character design, supervision, and short manga, and has consistently expressed the worldview of the work. Director Sogabe Takashi pursued the visual beauty of the OVA and succeeded in bringing out the atmosphere of the original work to the fullest. Series composition by Yoshida Reiko has skillfully constructed the story's development and has the ability to draw the viewer in.

Character designer Toshiko Sasaki draws out the charm of the characters to the fullest, based on the original ideas of Kazuya Minekura. Monster animation director Makoto Furuta realistically depicts the designs and movements of the monsters, including Gyumaoh, frightening the viewer while deepening the worldview of the work. Art director Tadashi Kudo enhances the visual appeal by depicting the beautiful scenery of the Shangri-La and the intensity of the battle scenes.

Color designer Kimura Sanae pursues visual beauty by choosing colors that match the atmosphere of the work. Cinematographer Kubo Hiroshi utilizes various techniques to improve the quality of the images, providing viewers with a vivid visual experience. Sound director Chiba Shigeru brings out the best in the voice actors' performances and creates sound effects that stir the viewers' emotions. Music composer Nakamura Yuriko provides beautiful music that matches the atmosphere of the work, capturing the hearts of viewers.

Producer Takashi Kikuchi and production producer Kengo Kimura oversee the production of the series and are working hard to meet the expectations of fans. Tokyo Kids, the production company, and Enix Co., Ltd., the production and copyright company, work together to maintain the quality of the series and create a work that is loved by fans.

■ Main Characters

・He is a renegade monk who has no intention of converting to Tripitaka Buddhism, but he has the skills. He is also the leader of the team.

Son Goku: A being born from the life energy of the earth. He has a childish side despite his age.

A young half-demon named Sha Gojyo. He is like an older brother to the team, but because he is a kind-hearted person, he often ends up playing the losing role.

・Zhu Bajie A young man with a gentle smile and soft-spoken manner. However, when he gets angry, he is the scariest person on the team.

As for the main characters, Xuanzang is a renegade monk who has no intention of converting to Buddhism, but he is a capable leader who guides his group. His free-spiritedness and sense of responsibility leave a strong impression on viewers. Son Goku is a being born from the life energy of the earth, and although he has a childish side for his age, his strength and purity make him an appealing character.

Sha Wujing is a half-demon young man who supports the group as a kind-hearted older brother figure, but his good-natured personality often puts him in a disadvantageous position. However, his kindness and warmth are what he uses to soothe the hearts of viewers. Zhu Bajie is a young man who is known for his gentle smile and soft-spoken manner, but when he gets angry he becomes the scariest person on the team, which makes him an appealing character. His humanity and fighting ability are important factors in maintaining the balance of the group.

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・"The theme of 'Saiyuki' - In the lost time"
Lyrics: Kazuki Matsumoto; Composition: Yuriko Nakamura; Arrangement: Yuriko Nakamura; Singer: Tadashi Takahashi

As for the theme song, the opening theme, "The Theme of Saiyuki - In the Lost Time" is used. The lyrics for this song were written by Matsumoto Kazuki, the music and arrangement by Nakamura Yuriko, and it is sung by Takahashi Tadashi. The lyrics express the theme of the work, "In the lost time," and it features a melody and singing voice that resonates deeply in the hearts of viewers. This theme song is an important element that further enhances the atmosphere of the work.

■ Evaluation and recommendation

The Saiyuki OVA is a work that is appealing due to Kazuya Minekura's unique worldview and character settings, and this OVA, which was animated from the original manga, brings out that charm to the fullest. In particular, the fact that the original author was deeply involved is a great joy for fans, and the visual beauty and character design that faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of the original are stunning. In addition, the collaboration project with the drama CD also became a hot topic, which was one of the reasons for expanding the fan base.

Although it is based on the Chinese classic Journey to the West, Kazuya Minekura's unique interpretation and creativity has resulted in a work that combines a modern sensibility with a deep story. The OVA depicts the adventures of Tripitaka and his companions as they set out on a journey to stop the resurrection of Gyumaoh, and the individuality and growth of each character are depicted, drawing viewers in. The high-quality visuals and sound that make the most of the OVA format are also noteworthy, making this a must-see for fans.

As for the cast, the OVA version features Takagi Wataru as Xuanzang, Okano Kosuke as Son Goku, Yamadera Kouichi as Sha Gojyo, and Ishida Akira as Zhu Bajie. These voice actors bring out the best in each character's personality, leaving a strong impression on viewers. In particular, Takagi Wataru's role as Sanzo exquisitely expresses the free-spiritedness of a fallen monk and the sense of responsibility of a leader, eliciting sympathy from viewers. Okano Kosuke's role as Goku is an appealing portrayal of a character who combines childlikeness with strength.

Koichi Yamadera's role as Sha Gojyo is a warm portrayal of the kindness and good-natured personality of an older brother, soothing the hearts of viewers. Meanwhile, Akira Ishida's role as Zhu Bajie is characterized by his gentle smile and soft-spoken manner, but he also skillfully expresses the contrast between his personality and the fact that he can be the scariest member of the team when he gets angry. It can be said that the acting abilities of these cast members further enhance the appeal of the OVA.

As for the main staff, Minekura Kazuya is in charge of the original story, character design, supervision, and short manga, and has consistently expressed the worldview of the work. Director Sogabe Takashi pursued the visual beauty of the OVA and succeeded in bringing out the atmosphere of the original work to the fullest. Series composition by Yoshida Reiko has skillfully constructed the story's development and has the ability to draw the viewer in.

Character designer Toshiko Sasaki draws out the charm of the characters to the fullest, based on the original ideas of Kazuya Minekura. Monster animation director Makoto Furuta realistically depicts the designs and movements of the monsters, including Gyumaoh, frightening the viewer while deepening the worldview of the work. Art director Tadashi Kudo enhances the visual appeal by depicting the beautiful scenery of the Shangri-La and the intensity of the battle scenes.

Color designer Kimura Sanae pursues visual beauty by choosing colors that match the atmosphere of the work. Cinematographer Kubo Hiroshi utilizes various techniques to improve the quality of the images, providing viewers with a vivid visual experience. Sound director Chiba Shigeru brings out the best in the voice actors' performances and creates sound effects that stir the viewers' emotions. Music composer Nakamura Yuriko provides beautiful music that matches the atmosphere of the work, capturing the hearts of viewers.

Producer Takashi Kikuchi and production producer Kengo Kimura oversee the production of the series and are working hard to meet the expectations of fans. Tokyo Kids, the production company, and Enix Co., Ltd., the production and copyright company, work together to maintain the quality of the series and create a work that is loved by fans.

As for the main characters, Xuanzang is a renegade monk who has no intention of converting to Buddhism, but he is a capable leader who guides his group. His free-spiritedness and sense of responsibility leave a strong impression on viewers. Son Goku is a being born from the life energy of the earth, and although he has a childish side for his age, his strength and purity make him an appealing character.

Sha Wujing is a half-demon young man who supports the group as a kind-hearted older brother figure, but his good-natured personality often puts him in a disadvantageous position. However, his kindness and warmth are what he uses to soothe the hearts of viewers. Zhu Bajie is a young man who is known for his gentle smile and soft-spoken manner, but when he gets angry he becomes the scariest person on the team, which makes him an appealing character. His humanity and fighting ability are important factors in maintaining the balance of the group.

As for the theme song, the opening theme, "The Theme of Saiyuki - In the Lost Time" is used. The lyrics for this song were written by Matsumoto Kazuki, the music and arrangement by Nakamura Yuriko, and it is sung by Takahashi Tadashi. The lyrics express the theme of the work, "In the lost time," and it features a melody and singing voice that resonates deeply in the hearts of viewers. This theme song is an important element that further enhances the atmosphere of the work.

The Saiyuki OVA is a work that is appealing due to Kazuya Minekura's unique worldview and character settings, and this OVA, which was animated from the original manga, brings out that charm to the fullest. In particular, the fact that the original author was deeply involved is a great joy for fans, and the visual beauty and character design that faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of the original are stunning. In addition, the collaboration project with the drama CD also became a hot topic, which was one of the reasons for expanding the fan base.

Although it is based on the Chinese classic Journey to the West, Kazuya Minekura's unique interpretation and creativity has resulted in a work that combines a modern sensibility with a deep story. The OVA depicts the adventures of Tripitaka and his companions as they set out on a journey to stop the resurrection of Gyumaoh, and the individuality and growth of each character are depicted, drawing viewers in. The high-quality visuals and sound that make the most of the OVA format are also noteworthy, making this a must-see for fans.

As for the cast, the OVA version features Takagi Wataru as Xuanzang, Okano Kosuke as Son Goku, Yamadera Kouichi as Sha Gojyo, and Ishida Akira as Zhu Bajie. These voice actors bring out the best in each character's personality, leaving a strong impression on viewers. In particular, Takagi Wataru's role as Sanzo exquisitely expresses the free-spiritedness of a fallen monk and the sense of responsibility of a leader, eliciting sympathy from viewers. Okano Kosuke's role as Goku is an appealing portrayal of a character who combines childlikeness with strength.

Koichi Yamadera's role as Sha Gojyo is a warm portrayal of the kindness and good-natured personality of an older brother, soothing the hearts of viewers. Meanwhile, Akira Ishida's role as Zhu Bajie is characterized by his gentle smile and soft-spoken manner, but he also skillfully expresses the contrast between his personality and the fact that he can be the scariest member of the team when he gets angry. It can be said that the acting abilities of these cast members further enhance the appeal of the OVA.

As for the main staff, Minekura Kazuya is in charge of the original story, character design, supervision, and short manga, and has consistently expressed the worldview of the work. Director Sogabe Takashi pursued the visual beauty of the OVA and succeeded in bringing out the atmosphere of the original work to the fullest. Series composition by Yoshida Reiko has skillfully constructed the story's development and has the ability to draw the viewer in.

Character designer Toshiko Sasaki draws out the charm of the characters to the fullest, based on the original ideas of Kazuya Minekura. Monster animation director Makoto Furuta realistically depicts the designs and movements of the monsters, including Gyumaoh, frightening the viewer while deepening the worldview of the work. Art director Tadashi Kudo enhances the visual appeal by depicting the beautiful scenery of the Shangri-La and the intensity of the battle scenes.

Color designer Kimura Sanae pursues visual beauty by choosing colors that match the atmosphere of the work. Cinematographer Kubo Hiroshi utilizes various techniques to improve the quality of the images, providing viewers with a vivid visual experience. Sound director Chiba Shigeru brings out the best in the voice actors' performances and creates sound effects that stir the viewers' emotions. Music composer Nakamura Yuriko provides beautiful music that matches the atmosphere of the work, capturing the hearts of viewers.

Producer Takashi Kikuchi and production producer Kengo Kimura oversee the production of the series and are working hard to meet the expectations of fans. Tokyo Kids, the production company, and Enix Co., Ltd., the production and copyright company, work together to maintain the quality of the series and create a work that is loved by fans.

As for the main characters, Xuanzang is a renegade monk who has no intention of converting to Buddhism, but he is a capable leader who guides his group. His free-spiritedness and sense of responsibility leave a strong impression on viewers. Son Goku is a being born from the life energy of the earth, and although he has a childish side for his age, his strength and purity make him an appealing character.

Sha Wujing is a half-demon young man who supports the group as a kind-hearted older brother figure, but his good-natured personality often puts him in a disadvantageous position. However, his kindness and warmth are what he uses to soothe the hearts of viewers. Zhu Bajie is a young man who is known for his gentle smile and soft-spoken manner, but when he gets angry he becomes the scariest person on the team, which makes him an appealing character. His humanity and fighting ability are important factors in maintaining the balance of the group.

As for the theme song, the opening theme, "The Theme of Saiyuki - In the Lost Time" is used. The lyrics for this song were written by Matsumoto Kazuki, the music and arrangement by Nakamura Yuriko, and it is sung by Takahashi Tadashi. The lyrics express the theme of the work, "In the lost time," and it features a melody and singing voice that resonates deeply in the hearts of viewers. This theme song is an important element that further enhances the atmosphere of the work.

The Saiyuki OVA is a work that is appealing due to Kazuya Minekura's unique worldview and character settings, and this OVA, which was animated from the original manga, brings out that charm to the fullest. In particular, the fact that the original author was deeply involved is a great joy for fans, and the visual beauty and character design that faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of the original are stunning. In addition, the collaboration project with the drama CD also became a hot topic, which was one of the reasons for expanding the fan base.

Although it is based on the Chinese classic Journey to the West, Kazuya Minekura's unique interpretation and creativity has resulted in a work that combines a modern sensibility with a deep story. The OVA depicts the adventures of Tripitaka and his companions as they set out on a journey to stop the resurrection of Gyumaoh, and the individuality and growth of each character are depicted, drawing viewers in. The high-quality visuals and sound that make the most of the OVA format are also noteworthy, making this a must-see for fans.

As for the cast, the OVA version features Takagi Wataru as Xuanzang, Okano Kosuke as Son Goku, Yamadera Kouichi as Sha Gojyo, and Ishida Akira as Zhu Bajie. These voice actors bring out the best in each character's personality, leaving a strong impression on viewers. In particular, Takagi Wataru's role as Sanzo exquisitely expresses the free-spiritedness of a fallen monk and the sense of responsibility of a leader, eliciting sympathy from viewers. Okano Kosuke's role as Goku is an appealing portrayal of a character who combines childlikeness with strength.

Koichi Yamadera's role as Sha Gojyo is a warm portrayal of the kindness and good-natured personality of an older brother, soothing the hearts of viewers. Meanwhile, Akira Ishida's role as Zhu Bajie is characterized by his gentle smile and soft-spoken manner, but he also skillfully expresses the contrast between his personality and the fact that he can be the scariest member of the team when he gets angry. It can be said that the acting abilities of these cast members further enhance the appeal of the OVA.

As for the main staff, Minekura Kazuya is in charge of the original story, character design, supervision, and short manga, and has consistently expressed the worldview of the work. Director Sogabe Takashi pursued the visual beauty of the OVA and succeeded in bringing out the atmosphere of the original work to the fullest. Series composition by Yoshida Reiko has skillfully constructed the story's development and has the ability to draw the viewer in.

Character designer Toshiko Sasaki draws out the charm of the characters to the fullest, based on the original ideas of Kazuya Minekura. Monster animation director Makoto Furuta realistically depicts the designs and movements of the monsters, including Gyumaoh, frightening the viewer while deepening the worldview of the work. Art director Tadashi Kudo enhances the visual appeal by depicting the beautiful scenery of the Shangri-La and the intensity of the battle scenes.

Color designer Kimura Sanae pursues visual beauty by choosing colors that match the atmosphere of the work. Cinematographer Kubo Hiroshi utilizes various techniques to improve the quality of the images, providing viewers with a vivid visual experience. Sound director Chiba Shigeru brings out the best in the voice actors' performances and creates sound effects that stir the viewers' emotions. Music composer Nakamura Yuriko provides beautiful music that matches the atmosphere of the work, capturing the hearts of viewers.

Producer Takashi Kikuchi and production producer Kengo Kimura oversee the production of the series and are working hard to meet the expectations of fans. Tokyo Kids, the production company, and Enix Co., Ltd., the production and copyright company, work together to maintain the quality of the series and create a work that is loved by fans.

As for the main characters, Xuanzang is a renegade monk who has no intention of converting to Buddhism, but he is a capable leader who guides his group. His free-spiritedness and sense of responsibility leave a strong impression on viewers. Son Goku is a being born from the life energy of the earth, and although he has a childish side for his age, his strength and purity make him an appealing character.

Sha Wujing is a half-demon young man who supports the group as a kind-hearted older brother figure, but his good-natured personality often puts him in a disadvantageous position. However, his kindness and warmth are what he uses to soothe the hearts of viewers. Zhu Bajie is a young man who is known for his gentle smile and soft-spoken manner, but when he gets angry he becomes the scariest person on the team, which makes him an appealing character. His humanity and fighting ability are important factors in maintaining the balance of the group.

As for the theme song, the opening theme, "The Theme of Saiyuki - In the Lost Time" is used. The lyrics for this song were written by Matsumoto Kazuki, the music and arrangement by Nakamura Yuriko, and it is sung by Takahashi Tadashi. The lyrics express the theme of the work, "In the lost time," and it features a melody and singing voice that resonates deeply in the hearts of viewers. This theme song is an important element that further enhances the atmosphere of the work.