Saiyuki, Vol. 9

Saiyuki universe #9

by Kazuya Minekura

Defeated and crestfallen after losing round one versus "God," Sanzo and his crew turn to the only thing that can help boost their spiritsâ€"a game of mahjong. The fierce competition gets everyone back in the mood, and the gang decides to take another crack at the arrogant wannabe deity. This time, Goku and company are ready for a second helping of battle...and they've had enough of just playing around.The saga continues in Saiyuki Reload!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Adventure, Comics, Action, Fiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2002

About the author

Kazuya Minekura (峰倉かずや Minekura Kazuya, born March 23, 1975) is a Japanese manga artist most known for the Saiyuki series. Her other manga series include Wild Adapter, Shiritsu Araiso Koto Gakko Seitokai Shikkobu (Araiso Private School Student Council Executive Committee), and Stigma. Stigma is notable for being a full-color work, unusual as manga is generally drawn in black and white.

She had an illness that affected her writing from 2004–2007, which caused her to have a hysterectomy. On 28 September 2010, she went on Hiatus to undergo surgery for ameloblastoma on the right half of her upper jawbone. On 31 December 2010, she reported her surgery was successful after removing the tumor on her right upper jawbone and is currently resting and being fitted with artificial prosthetics to reconstruct the area where her bones were removed.

Reviews

[Dev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess this was a decent ending to this arc of the story. I didn't really care about the two entire issues where they played mahjong, but maybe that's just because I don't understand how it works lol. Also I'm kind of confused about the ...linear plot progression of this series I guess? What happened to those four people they were always fighting at the beginning of the series? Are they coming back in Reload? Because I thought Reload was like a 'reboot' kind of thing but I guess it's more of a continuation because these last few volumes here just dropped that plot point entirely... Honestly I have no idea what is going on half the time in this series, but I like the art and I like the characters even though the whole thing is very dated at this point.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was just a really good, solid volume and works really well as the conclusion to the first proper arc of the series. I'm looking forward to starting Reload sometime soon and seeing how it picks up all the plot threads set up by these first nine books.

[Luana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dopo essersi leccate le ferite (essersi presi a botte e aver giocato giusto qualche partita a mah-jong per schiarirsi le idee), i quattro disagiati in viaggio verso Ovest si preparano ad affrontare nuovamente il "Signore" nel suo strano castello: e questa volta non hanno alcuna intenzione di farsi prendere per i fondelli da questo tizio. La cosa più interessante è che lo stesso "Signore" è una semplice pedina nelle mani del suo maestro. E qui sorge la domanda spontanea: chi è veramente questo dottor Ni? (a quanto pare Sanzo l'aveva conosciuto con il nome di Sanzo Ukoku, un monaco eretico che possedeva una dei sacri sutra dell'origine celeste dell'universo...e ora è impegnato a fare esperimenti per resuscitare demoni e portare il caos nel mondo. Immagino che le serie successive ci aiuteranno a fare un po' di chiarezza a questo proposito, o almeno spero)
Beh, i nostri quattro disadattati sono sempre fantastici: la cosa che li rende tanto interessanti è proprio il fatto che non sono i classici eroi che si trovano in tante storie. Sono dei personaggi a volte al limite dello scorretto, con una bromance che non si manifesta con pacche sulle spalle e battutine goliardiche, ma con minacce di morte e insulti a tutto spiano. Insomma, quattro disagiati a cui è stato chiesto di salvare il mondo, Cosa potrà mai andare storto?

Un piccolo appunto all'edizione italiana: alcune pagine, soprattutto nel volume 8, erano praticamente senza inchiostro e quindi impossibili da leggere. Diciamo che Dynit dovrebbe fare un po' più di attenzione a queste cose.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good volume!

Team Sanzo has been really badly beaten by their enemy 'Kami' in the previous volume and they are all struggling with feelings of defeat. Sanzo's sutra was stolen by Kami as well, so he needs to get it back. He thinks he can do it alone, but they can all tell that it is a suicide mission.

Goku manages to bring them all back together during a game of Mahjong. Making them all, Sanzo included realise that there is nothing wrong with wanting to live.
The relationship between Goyjo, Hakkai, Sanzo and Goku gets even better! They may fight all the time (except Hakkai), but that is what makes them fit so well together.

They go back to fight against Kami. They outwit him and manage to defeat him. Once he has been defeated, the castle he was living in started to collapse around them. They try to take him with them to escape, rather than letting Kami be crushed to death, but he doesn't want that. All he wants is his master (a different Sanzo).
His master appears, but he doesn't help him, he just lets him get crushed to death, because Kami doesn't serve a purpose to him anymore.

The reveal at the end (to the reader and not to Team Sanzo) of who the other Sanzo monk is! I can't wait to see how it plays out in the next manga series 'Saiyuki Reload'!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warning: I am biased. This has been my favourite manga series for over a decade and I'm on my sixth (or so) reread. This is as good as I remember. Minekura has given us distinct characters, and even when the speech balloons aren't tied directly to anyone in the panel, you know exactly who is expressing which thought. The art is amazing, and sometimes I'll just stare at scenes trying to soak more in. And the drama/angst jumps in to contrast the humour so suddenly that I will need to stop reading just to process how much I love the moments/characters/everything. Or the humour bumps aside the drama, which is a delightful way to break the tension. In all, that's basically the theme of the whole story. Nothing matters so much you can't joke about it. Though at the same time, everything absolutely matters. Sweet and sour, baby.

My copies of this manga are all beat up, but I know I'll read them again. Everytime, it's a treat.

[Pauline (Kiriiti's Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bref, « Saiyuki » est une série qui me rend toujours autant nostalgique et qui me donne envie de revoir l’anime et de lire toutes les autres séries, même celles qui ne sont jamais sortis en France. Je suis très attachée aux personnages et à leur histoire. Néanmoins si je devais être juste, je dirais que le défaut principal de ce mangas est qu’il ne se suffit pas à lui-même. Malgré le fait que nous ayons un préambule aux petits oignons et que les personnages soient extrêmement bien développés, que chacun ait le droit à son heure de gloire, le dénouement nous laisse sur notre faim. Beaucoup de choses nous sont contés mais tout autant de mystère persiste. Rien est résolu, nous sentons clairement que nous sommes au début du périple et ça peut être très frustrant si la suite ne nous est pas accessible.

[NekonomeSA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Para ser un final de arco para pasar a su saga Reload me parece profundamente decepcionante que sea tanto relleno. No es que esté mal tener la batalla contra el monje Sanzo, aunque sinceramente que alguien te reviente y después de 5 días vuelves y te lo cargues es muy poco creíble (debería haber hecho que alguno usase su verdadera forma). Pero bueno, es lo normal en este tipo de mangas.

Por lo demás siempre me gustará el grupo de personajes y lo locos que están, espero que con Reload haya más avance.

[Veronica Pappolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dopo il settimo volume arrivare alla fine è stato come tirare un respiro. Vidi l'anime su mtv di questa serie e me ne innamorai. Nonostante avessi la serie completa da tempo non avevo mai avuto "il coraggio" di leggerlo fino ad adesso. Questa autrice mi ha davvero sorpreso! Tanti intrecci della trama non li avevo compresi. Vale davvero la pena! Peccato che la prima serie è inconcludente. Il loro viaggio ahimè non è che a metà. Devo recuperare la serie reload *-*

[Ruben Monteiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not very interested in the sidetracking, but still fun.

[Andrea Aguas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was a decent ending! Although I really have to follow through the sequel. The story's not quite finished yet, but this is praise worthy for having an action-packed scene page by page.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome end to this series, but it's not the end of their journey. Look for more of their adventures in Saiyuki Reloaded.

[Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way to end the orginal series with a big bang!

[Louel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series aged less like a fine wine and more like a bottle of Manischewitz left out in the sun for too long

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly, this is a story that focuses on comraderie more than plot so I can't complain about the bizarre plot turns.

[Omar Villafane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s play a game ♟️🎲

[Tifa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume always makes me sad, partly because it's the last of this part of the series (Saiyuki Reload takes a little different direction, but is great in its own right) and the plot with Kami-sama makes me feel so sorry for him. No spoilers, but the reveal of what happened to him and how he became what he is, makes me feel so terribly sad for him. That's the power of Ms. Minekura's storytelling abilities.

Ms. Minekura outdid herself in these chapters. The story introduces a new character but also delves a bit into more of the mysterious past and actually has a huge reveal of a true villain at the end. She also really develops Goku throughout this volume, and we see more of him maturing and growing. She's subtle in some ways as a writer and never more so here as she lets her art take center stage to show the characters' feelings and reactions.

The art here is simply stunning. There is one scene of the ikkou playing mahjong, but she drew it as though the table is transparent so it shows the game and the guys from a completely different point of view. It's so beautiful and unique. She uses the same beauty in Kami-sama's castle, repeating a gorgeous stained glass window as a background for several crucial scenes, and it took my breath away. I can't imagine how much work it took for her to draw these final chapters, but they're amazing. Even the way she tricks readers and teases them by not immediately revealing a villain's identity, using the speech bubbles and differing perspectives to hide the identity until she wants a big reveal, is superb. Also, to be the squeeing fangirl I am, Sanzo is incredibly beautiful in these chapters, particularly the way she has drawn his back repeatedly.

Overall this remains one of my favorite manga series ever, and every time I re-read it, I find more to love.

[Jody Mena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awsome book, a great ending to the series, (as well as a great setup for the sequal!) The artwork, as always, was decadently beautiful, the setting was enchanting, the characters were all as wonderful as ever - not just my favorite adorably degenerate heroes, but the villain was also deliciously deranged! The cliffhanger of seeing that Ni Jiyani was 'kami-sama's teacher and a former sanzo priest was quite shocking, that was the last thing I'd expected. I loved the mahjong sequence, who knew Goku could be that profound? The lesson Sanzo learned at the end was profound as well, that he was bound by the philosophy of casting off all bindings - it's so simple, yet such a difficult revelation for anyone to have. I wonder what happened to Kougaiji and his followers. I can't help but hope they get happy endings in the next series, since they were never really villains in by book. This was such a wonderful series, it was truly a pleasure to get to read it. I've got to scrounge up some money and buy it, because I know I'll read it again and again - it's one of those great stories that you can do that with, because its both profound, giving new insights with each reading, as well as irreverent, and the comedy and chemistry amongst the characters just never gets old! I simply cant' wait to see what they'll get up to in the next series! Only one way to find out!

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 5 out of 5]

My jaw was on the floor in the biggest reveal in Saiyuki history! Amazing end to the first part of the series. Seriously, Minekura-sensei is a bloody genius!

Update (October 10th, 2012)
Boy... this volume surely is amazing! There is just so much greatness going on! I love when they team up on Kami-sama and start kicking his ass and then when one falls, the next one is standing behind the fallen ready to kick Kami-sama's ass some more! So bad ass!! And Hakkai!! Oh my god, I couldn't love him more when he used himself as a shield so Sanzo could shoot Kami-sama!! I love that man so much!! (seriously, it borderlines crazy...)

I honestly cannot praise Saiyuki anymore! It is by far my favorite series with a spectacular cast of characters, insanely fantastic artwork, and a storyline that will keep you guessing and wanting more! Saiyuki will forever rain as my favorite manga and anime, plain and simple, because it is THAT amazing!!

One of my FAVORITE chapter title pages:

[Leila Anani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dispondant in their defeat it takes Goku's suggestion of a Mahjong marathon to rekindle the team's fighting spirit. They head up to the bogus Sanzo's castle to face off once and for all. This concludes the 'god' story arc and what a finish! We learn just who is behind the crazy Sanzo and manipulating behind the scenes.

What's interesting is major plot-wise we're exactly back where we started - the friends are united and ready to set out to investigate the minus wave one more. Kou has had his heart removed by Ni and has gone all evil - definitely spells trouble ahead! So the two teams are once again enemies.

Stunning artwork and a realy exciting finish to this arc make this volume not to be missed. Can't wait to start Saiyuki Reload!

[Illy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ADORE this series. I have never found anything like. I have watched all of the anime, read the series over multiple times, and lots of fanfiction. I can’t suggest this more. It is cute yet not lighthearted. The characters are great and I love them all so much (I ship Goku and Sanzo forever). If you like m/m then you will like this as the characters have plenty of “interesting” moments. If you simply like an adventure then you will like this. If you like retellings then you will like this. Overall, it’s really good and you need to pick it up.

[Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid ending. I liked seeing the gang defeated in the last volume, but it was neat seeing them rebound and attack again. I didn't mind the tangent, since it seemed to be a natural progression of adventure for them. I am intrigued by Dr. Nii's ultimate role in this story, and am interested to see what happens in Reload with him, as well as Kou.

[Nura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goku never cease to amaze me. thought he's just a simpleton bakazaru, but he's a gem inside. a nice ending for the arch, Sensei... can't wait to read Saiyuki reload. tapi abis ngintip sedikit malah pengen baca Gaiden duluan deh... masih kangen sama Goku.

[Emily G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion of the Kami-sama arc. The Sanzo party pull together to defeat the would-be God, and we find out the puppeteer behind the puppet...

Definitely not my favourite story of Saiyuki but it does give you more character insight, especially where Ni Jianyi is concerned.

[Anshin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meraviglioso!♥
Riconfermo: cinque stelle non bastano!♥
Nei nove volumi di questa "prima serie" c'è tutto: psicologia, filosofia, spiritualità, comicità, azione, avventura...davvero, non manca nulla. Meraviglioso!
Spero di posare presto gli occhi sui prossimi episodi!

[Ing]

want to read but can't find it in Thai version. It's still not be translated. T-T

[alfreeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sanzo and gang continue their journey west.

[Ariel Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! ^ _ ^

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile so I felt a smidge lost and had to retrace some things that had happened before, and I think I skipped a volume! But still enjoyable. I love Minekura's art style.

[Variaciones Enrojo]

Último tomo de la primera serie de Saiyuki.

[Usagi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each individual volume in the series is a three-- enjoyable, but not necessary stellar. Taken as a whole, however, volumes 1-9 are four star territory.