The appeal and evaluation of "Saiyuki Gaiden": The unknown depth of the story

A comprehensive review and recommendation of Saiyuki Gaiden

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

May 25, 2011

■Release and sales

・Sales: Frontier Works Inc.(PLC)(D)

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 3

■Original Story

・Original work: Kazuya Minekura

■ Director

Director: Naoyuki Kuzuya

■ Production

Animation production: Anpro
Production cooperation: Studio Izena Production: Saiyuki Gaiden Production Committee Cooperation: Pierrot, Dentsu, TV Tokyo

■Works

©Kazuya Minekura/Ichijinsha/Saiyuki Gaiden Production Committee 2011
©Kazuya Minekura, Ichijinsha, Saiyuki Gaiden Production Committee 2012

■ Story

Can you be someone's "sun"?
The heavenly realm where the heavenly beings live. In this world where even death does not exist, Kinzen Doji was feeling bored.
However, his life changes completely when a boy with golden eyes, who was said to have been born from a rock in the mortal world, is brought to Kannon Bodhisattva.
Kinsemi is ordered to take care of a naive boy, and although she is irritated at being bossed around, she begins to notice a change in him with each passing day.
The boy is also named "Goku" by Kinzen Doji, and becomes acquainted with Marshal Tenpou and General Kenren of the Western Army of Heaven, deepening their friendship and making his first friend.

However, the boy, Prince Nataku, is an "unclean one" and is the only one allowed to kill among the Celestials, who follow the principle of not killing, so he received repeated orders to go to battle and continued to fight the enemy.
For his father, Li Tatian, who is using his son's authority to increase his influence in the upper echelons of heaven...
Li Tatian then believes that Goku is an obstacle to his own ambitions and orders Prince Nataku to kill him.
Nataku, who regards Li Taten as an absolute being, attempts to carry out his orders, but with his sword pointed at him, Goku states his name, the one he has always wanted to say.
Prince Nataku regains his sanity after hearing these pure words of faith in Nataku's friendship, and stabs himself.

Shocked by the sight of his dying friend, Goku unleashes the power of the "Great Sage Equaling the Heavens", which had been sealed away by confinement, and with his overwhelming force, brutally murders everyone present.
When Kannon Bodhisattva attempts to knock unconscious the Great Saint Equaling Heaven, who is killing instinctively, and kill him, he is stopped by Kinzen Doji.
However, by protecting Goku, Kinzen Doji, General Kenren, and Marshal Tenpou end up making heaven his enemy.
He attempts to escape to the lower world with Aojun, the Western Sea Dragon King, as a hostage, but――――――!?

■Explanation

With the series written by Kazuya Minekura, the story centered around the 18th to the final episodes of the original work will be visualized in an OVA (3 volumes in total)!!

■Cast

・Kinzen Doji/Toshihiko Seki・Goku/Soichiro Hoshi・Kenren Taisho/Hiroaki Hirata・Tenpo Gensui/Akira Ishida・Western Sea Dragon King Aojun/Hiroki Tochi・Prince Nataku/Kaho Koda・Kannon Bodhisattva/Rei Igarashi・Jiro God/Takao Ishii・Li Taten/Minoru Inaba

■ Main staff

・Original work: Kazuya Minekura, published by Ichijinsha, "Saiyuki Gaiden" (four volumes) ・Director: Naoyuki Kuzuya ・Series composition: Kazuya Minekura ・Screenplay: Hajime Yoyogi ・Character design and chief animation director: Minefumi Harada ・Sound director: Hajime Takakuwa ・Animation production: Anpro
Produced by: Saiyuki Gaiden Production Committee

■ Main Characters

・Konzen Doji
Nephew of Kannon Bodhisattva. Although he holds a high position as a celestial being, his job mainly consists of reading through documents, which bores him. However, after meeting Goku and being influenced by Tenpo and Kenren, he decides to break away from his old self and confront the powerful in order to protect what is important to him.
・Goku
Dongsheng Shenshu (Tosho Shinshu) Gouraikoku (Gourai Kingdom) Born from a huge rock at the top of Mount Kaga (Hanaguo) Mountain, he is a heretical being, neither a monster nor a human. He was brought to heaven because he possesses the Golden Eye, a symbol of disaster. He is a lively, cheerful and innocent boy who sleeps well, plays well and eats well. His purity has the power to move people.
・Great Saint Equal to Heaven (Seitentaisei)
This is Goku's true form after he was released from the seal of confinement. He is neither a god, a monster, nor a human, but a legendary being said to have the same power as the heavens. However, his personality is different from the usual Goku, he loves blood and slaughter, and is cruel and vicious.
・Kenren Taisho (the General of the Rolling Curtains)
General of the Western Army of Heaven. Although he is a famous military commander, he was demoted to the Western Army after he slept with his superior's wife, and became a subordinate of Tenpo. Although he has a manly personality, he is also caring and sensible, and is a good older brother figure, especially to his children and subordinates.
・Marshal Tenpo
Marshal of the Western Heavenly Army. He has an easygoing and elusive personality, and always does things at his own pace. He is known as an eccentric, but he has a cool head and excellent insight on the battlefield and combat skills, and is highly regarded by his superior, the Dragon King. He also has a surprisingly passionate side, and will bite anyone if he doesn't agree with something.
・Western Sea Dragon King Gojun
He is the head of the Western Heavenly Army and the superior officer of Tenpou and Kenren. As a soldier, he is strict with discipline and never questions Heavenly orders. He is a meticulous person who discards anything unnecessary. He becomes embroiled in a rebellion by Goku and the other three, and although he cannot understand their ideas, he is in a position to see how it turns out.
・Prince Nataku
He is Goku's first friend. He is a playful and cheerful boy, but he is the "God of Fighting Prince," the only person in Heaven allowed to kill. Because of this, he didn't open up to anyone until he met Goku. Because he believes in his father, Li Ta-ten, as an absolute being, he is torn between his father's orders and his friendship with Goku, and ends up making the worst possible choice.
・Kannon Bodhisattva
One of the five great bodhisattvas who live in heaven, he is the Buddha of mercy and love. However, in reality he is a bad-tempered and hermaphrodite sexy bodhisattva. He usually behaves as he pleases and is carefree. He entrusts Kinsemi with the care of Goku, who was brought from the mortal world.
・Jiroshin
He is the watchdog of the Bodhisattva Kannon. He is constantly at the mercy of the Bodhisattva's carefree behavior and is always plagued by gastritis.
・Li Ta Tian
Prince Nataku's father. His family used to hold high positions in heaven, but for some reason fell into ruin. He was hoping to make a comeback by making Prince Nataku the God of War. However, he was annoyed by the presence of Goku, who could also become a candidate for the God of War, and ordered Prince Nataku to eliminate him.
・Shou (rain shower)
A friend of Lee Ta-cheon.
・Gamo
A friend of Lee Ta-cheon. He manages the failed creations that almost became "Nataku".

■Subtitle

Volume 1: Sakura Clouds Volume 2: Falling Flowers Volume 3: Buds

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・"Under the Cherry Tree"
・Song: KOKIA
・ED1
・"Towards the light"
・Song: KOKIA

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Saiyuki Gaiden" is an OVA series based on the original work by Kazuya Minekura, and is characterized by its deep story and beautiful visuals. This work is set in the heavenly world and depicts an epic story that begins with the meeting of Kinzen Douji and Goku. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and recommended points of this work.

The appeal of the story

Although the story of "Saiyuki Gaiden" is set in the unrealistic world of Heaven, it depicts universal themes such as human relationships, friendship, and betrayal. The friendship between Goku and Prince Nataku in particular deeply touches the hearts of viewers. The scene in which Prince Nataku follows his father's orders but wavers between his friendship with Goku is extremely moving. Additionally, Kinzen-doji's opposition to Heaven in order to protect Goku also leaves a strong impression on viewers.

Character Appeal

Each character in this work is unique and fascinating. Kinzen Doji escapes from the boring life in heaven and is depicted growing through his encounter with Goku. Goku's purity and strength resonate with viewers. The characters of General Kenren and Marshal Tenpo also have humor and depth, enriching the story. In particular, Prince Nataku's struggles and growth are important elements that draw viewers in.

Visuals and Music

The visuals of "Saiyuki Gaiden" are characterized by beautiful colors and attention to detail. The fantastical scenery of the heavens and the detailed expressions of the characters are very visually satisfying. Furthermore, the opening theme "Under the Sakura Tree" and the ending theme "Towards the Light", sung by KOKIA, further enhance the atmosphere of the story. The fusion of music and visuals further enhances the appeal of this work.

Recommended points

"Saiyuki Gaiden" is a work that combines a deep story, attractive characters, beautiful visuals and music. It is especially recommended for those who are interested in themes such as friendship, betrayal and growth. Also, for fans of the original work, it is a work that allows you to understand the world view of the original work even more deeply. As it is a compact OVA format with a total of three episodes, it can be watched in a short period of time. Please experience this moving story.

Related works and recommendations

For those who enjoyed "Saiyuki Gaiden," we also recommend the "Saiyuki" series, also written by Kazuya Minekura. You can enjoy deep stories and fascinating characters throughout the series, such as "Saiyuki RELOAD BLAST" and "Saiyuki RELOAD." We also recommend the "Tenchi Muyo!" series, which is also set in the heavenly realm. This work also has unique characters and a spectacular story.

summary

"Saiyuki Gaiden" is a work that combines an epic story set in the heavens with charming characters, beautiful visuals and music. It deeply depicts themes such as friendship, betrayal and growth, and leaves a strong impression on the viewer. Please experience this moving story.