CREATOR

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Minekura Kazuya

PlOTLINE

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[Saiyuki Reload] is the sequel to the first series [Gensoumaden Saiyuki]. Basically in the first series, our four travellers to the West had to contend with Kougaiji and Co., and also Homura and Co. If you have absolutely no idea what I've been babbling about so far, you need to watch the first series. ^_~ And now in [Saiyuki Reload], the guys are back at what they had been doing right from the start. Fixing the trouble stirring in the West, and stopping the revival of Gyumao. And of course standing in their way are STILL Kougaiji and his followers. Towards the end of [Reload], a new character Kami-Sama poses the biggest obstacle to our men in all their adventures so far.

COMMENTS

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There is a marked difference between the first series, and this one, and it's mostly with the colouring of the characters, the style and the music. I think [Reload] is somewhat of an experimentation of sorts since the creators deviated from the original framework. You might like it, or hate it, depending. ^^;;

MAIN CHARACTERS

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Our four men, and Kami-Sama himself. If anyone needs to know who Kougaiji and Co. are, just go read my review of [Gensoumaden Saiyuki]. ^_~

GENJYO SANZO. The monk and leader of the group. Ignoring the fact that he has hair (and golden, no less), smokes,curses, and is generally quite a grouch, he's actually a very level-headed and capable leader. A special 'spirit' gun is his weapon, his Sutra, plus a huge paper fan that miraculously appears when he needs to discipline the others. ^^;;

SHA GOJYO. Red hair and red eyes are the characteristics of his half-human/half-youkai heritage, being the product of a human mother and a youkai father. Has a playboy and too-slick exterior, but really is a softie at heart, and will do anything for his friends. Carries the jakujou (a staff with a crescent-shaped blade attached at the end with chains).

CHO HAKKAI. A human-turned-youkai, and the peacemaker of the group. Has an amiable and courteous demeanour, but has a biting way with words that he isn't afraid to use. Often gives too much and takes too little for himself, and is good friends with Gojyo. His weapon is actually a burst of energy he unleashes from his hands.

SON GOKU. The little monkey-boy. ^^ His main concerns revolve around food, fighting, and Sanzo - who is more or less his master (or pet-owner as Gojyo puts it nicely). His physical potential is currently limitless. Goku also plays a big part in the group dynamics as he sees things SO simply. Wields the Nyoibou, his staff.

KAMI-SAMA. Another Sanzo monk like Genjyo Sanzo, except without the quintessential feature that makes him a true Sanzo monk - the Sutra. Basically, this angelic-looking Kami-Sama is a child in an adult's body. Everything to him is a game, and he plays Sanzo and Co. around as he tries to get the Sutra from Sanzo.

MANGA DETAILS

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Number of volumes : 4
Status : Ongoing

Admittedly it's a little difficult for me to appreciate the sequel for none other than the lame reason that I love the first series too much. And because there're only 4 volumes out so far, I'm not *quite* getting into the story yet. However, the essential Saiyuki ingredients are all still there - the angst, the group camaderie. ^^

SAMPLE 1 (3 pics)

ANIME DETAILS

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Director : Endo Tetsuya
Character Design : Otake Noriko
Music : Ikeda Daisuke
Episodes : 25
Status :Complete
Sequel : Saiyuki Gunlock

ANIMATION

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A hell lot better than the first series, I feel. [Reload] is probably made on a bigger budget since it doesn't use as many stills as the first series. The colours are a tad more muted, but the action is smoother and in general, everything is so much clearer, and cleaner-looking. Some differences in the colouring of several characters' hair/eyes from the first series, but you'd get used to it eventually. A few inconsistency problems, but in general, animation is still good. Lastly, it's important to note that the manga and the anime do not progress at the same pace. For example, Kami-sama appears in the [Gensoumaden Saiyuki] manga, but in the anime, he shows up only in [Reload].

SCREENCAPS

VOICE-ACTING

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Four key seiyuu aside, I thought Namikawa Daisuke did a pretty good job (although brief as it is) as Kami-Sama, with that singsong tenor.

MUSIC

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For some reason the music is a point of contention for some fans. ^^;; IMO, I think the music's great. It's different from the first series, a little less conventional, I think. That said, there certainly are some rather strange background tracks that sound like, Twilight Zone or something, but there're also some background tracks that I really enjoy. Some recommendations:

• Wild Rock (OP)
• I.D (ED 1)
• Fukisusabu Kaze no Naka de (ED 2)

RESOURCES

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NARUTO INFO (excellent information guide)

SAIYUKI.COM (Fan Site)

GENSOUMADEN SAIYUKI (Fan site)