CREATOR

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Minekura Kazuya

PlOTLINE

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Our four loveable guys are traipsing along on their little excursion - okay, Journey to the West - when they get attacked by youkai. As usual. Except these youkai prove to be more challenging than usual, and what do you know, they even have to save this girl from them! Said girl then invites them back to her place (which turns out to be this sprawling mansion o.o) so as to repay the favour. At the mansion, strange things start happening one after another...and they realise that there IS a mastermind behind them. Now, the questions are : WHAT exactly does this mastermind have in store for them, and WHY is he doing all these? (And WHAT kind of a connection does he have with our beloved Sanzo?!)

COMMENTS

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In general, I find the colouring in the movie to be much more aesthetically pleasing than the series itself. Also, like, anime movies, the standard of quality is higher. The plot of the movie however, leaves much to be desired. The damsel-in-distress-but-actually-being-controlled device is very weak, the story progression too rushed and the ending predictable. The saving graces are the music, the Saiyuki men themselves, and the tragedy that is Go Dougan.

MAIN CHARACTERS

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Our four Saiyuki men, and two new characters that only appear in this movie.

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.

HOURAN. She's the kinda Mary Sue with the tragic past. I mean, she meets the guys, she lures them back to the mansion, she has secrets she can't say, she's under the control of the mastermind. BUT, she has one saving grace - and that is her bravery. It will reveal itself at the end.

GO DOUGAN. He's The Mastermind. There, I said it! I'm not sure what kind of villain he is, but he's really obsessed and crazed. There's something really sad about him - probably the way he obsesses and obsesses over things that simply aren't what he thinks them to be.

ANIME DETAILS

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Director : Date Hayato
Character Design : Moriyama Yuji
Music : Sakuraba Motoi

ANIMATION

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Better than the original series, for one thing. I mean, this IS a movie. The creators would have spend much more effort on the animation, and yes, it shows. The guys never looked better! ^___^ And OH, watch out for Gojyo's bathing scenes! He's freakin' HOT!!! I have one complaint though. The lighting is always so dark. -.-

SCREENCAPS

VOICE-ACTING

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We've been through this. The fourseiyuu who does the four main protagonists are excellent. I'm O.O that Go Dougan is done by Okiayu Ryoutarou! I mean, is this guy everywhere or what?! Ah well, he does a great job - as usual! ^__^

MUSIC

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When I first watched this, the music didn't really strike me until the last fifteen minutes. The background music is just beautiful. Some recommendations:

• BGM 1 (Instru)
• BGM 2 (Instru)
• BGM 3 (Instru)

RESOURCES

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SAIYUKI.COM (Fan Site)