What do you think?
Rate this book
Saiyuki universe #7
Saiyuki, Vol. 7
A set of twins barge in our heroes, one which is transformed into a monster. While Goku and Hakkai are sucked into the twin's magical gourd, Sanzou and Gojyo set off a hunt for the twin. They find that the demon twins escaped from their village and were taken under the wing of "God", a mysterious figure who granted them whatever they wanted. However, as punishment for one of the twins, Ginkaku, wanted to run away, he transformed him into a monster and convinced his brother to kill "bad guys" in order to return him to normal. In the end, "God" appears to finish off the two of them, because he considers them "toys" which he free to do whatever he wants to them. Deeply disturbed by the murder of the two innocent boys, Gojyo runs off without the others the next morning. The last chapter of the volume gives a sneak peak into the past of our main characters from ten years ago. Goku trapped in his stone cage, Gojyo being ignored by his insane mother, a sullen Hakkai in an orphanage, and Sanzou with his first gun.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
148 people want to read
About the author
Kazuya Minekura
213 books190 followersKazuya 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 3, 2023
In the manga, as well as the anime, Hakkai has always been my favourite of the party but Gojyo has always been a very close second and so having this volume have a fairly heavy focus on Gojyo has been great.
Gojyo is often depicted as crude and a bit of a sleaze because, well, he is. But this volume adds further depth to his complexities. Gojyo, like the others, is a survivor of a deeply traumatic past. His childhood was full of abuse and pain, a deep sense of sadness, loneliness, fear, and a desperation for love that no child should be forced to experience. Because of this Gojyo is surprisingly empathetic. When it comes to the suffering of children, especially, Gojyo because very protective and emotional. Despite his determination to make people feel that he only cares about himself and beautiful women it is clear that he does have sensitive spots, certain people he truly feels a deep sense of protectiveness over, included in that are children and Hakkai. I adore seeing the vulnerability of characters like Gojyo explored as his attempts to appear conventionally macho are quite clearly a mask.
I also always enjoy moments where Gojyo and Sanzo and stuck without Hakkai and Goku because they are terrible without them. Without Hakkai especially they are constantly one sentence away from killing eachother and it's always hilarious to watch them try to take a minute away from threatening eachother to focus on the actual enemies.
The ending of this volume also dived into a bit more about why the four of them as so connected, though it was more of a hint rather than a full exploration. They are all survivors of deep traumas, they all suffered childhoods of loss, pain, loneliness, and fear. They are lost and hurting and they always have been. These things bind them, they know eachother in quite intimate ways because in so many ways they are all so similar. And that's why, even with all their bickering and bad mouthing of eachother, they are a family.
I've forgotten how much I love these idiots.
Gojyo is often depicted as crude and a bit of a sleaze because, well, he is. But this volume adds further depth to his complexities. Gojyo, like the others, is a survivor of a deeply traumatic past. His childhood was full of abuse and pain, a deep sense of sadness, loneliness, fear, and a desperation for love that no child should be forced to experience. Because of this Gojyo is surprisingly empathetic. When it comes to the suffering of children, especially, Gojyo because very protective and emotional. Despite his determination to make people feel that he only cares about himself and beautiful women it is clear that he does have sensitive spots, certain people he truly feels a deep sense of protectiveness over, included in that are children and Hakkai. I adore seeing the vulnerability of characters like Gojyo explored as his attempts to appear conventionally macho are quite clearly a mask.
I also always enjoy moments where Gojyo and Sanzo and stuck without Hakkai and Goku because they are terrible without them. Without Hakkai especially they are constantly one sentence away from killing eachother and it's always hilarious to watch them try to take a minute away from threatening eachother to focus on the actual enemies.
The ending of this volume also dived into a bit more about why the four of them as so connected, though it was more of a hint rather than a full exploration. They are all survivors of deep traumas, they all suffered childhoods of loss, pain, loneliness, and fear. They are lost and hurting and they always have been. These things bind them, they know eachother in quite intimate ways because in so many ways they are all so similar. And that's why, even with all their bickering and bad mouthing of eachother, they are a family.
I've forgotten how much I love these idiots.
April 10, 2020
Volume molto interessante che porta in scena un nuovo, pericoloso avversario, uno strano tizio che porta le stesse vesti di Sanzo. Un soggetto oggettivamente inquietante.
Ma andiamo con ordine: Gojyo salva il piccolo Kinkaku da alcuni bulletti, per tutta risposta il ragazzino pensa di fargli un favore: eliminare di torno le persone cattive che lo circondano - in effetti, Gojyo non parla in termini troppo lusinghieri dei compagni di viaggio...il problema è che il ragazzetto prende un po' troppo alla lettera la cosa, non conoscendo il tipo di rapporto che lega i quatto disagiati. E così, Goku e Hakkai, o meglio, le loro anime vengono spedite in un'altra dimensione: lì incontrano Ginkaku, il gemello di Kinkaku, che li mette in guardia contro questo fantomatico tizio che loro chiamano "il signore", tizio che li ha accolti quando sono rimasti orfani e che li ha trasformati di fatto in assassini per puro e semplice divertimento. Sanzo e Gojyo, tra un battibecco e l'altro, cercano un modo per salvare i compagni - tutto sembra andare per il meglio fino a quando non entra in scena il "signore", un incontro che segnerà molto tutti e quattro i protagonisti, ma soprattutto Gojyo, che deciderà di allontanarsi dal gruppo per poter affrontare di nuovo questo nemico.
Devo dire che i due gemelli mi hanno fatto una gran pena e questo fantomatico "Sanzo" deve prendere fracca di legnate. Però non so se quella di Gojyo sia stata la scelta migliore...
Ma andiamo con ordine: Gojyo salva il piccolo Kinkaku da alcuni bulletti, per tutta risposta il ragazzino pensa di fargli un favore: eliminare di torno le persone cattive che lo circondano - in effetti, Gojyo non parla in termini troppo lusinghieri dei compagni di viaggio...il problema è che il ragazzetto prende un po' troppo alla lettera la cosa, non conoscendo il tipo di rapporto che lega i quatto disagiati. E così, Goku e Hakkai, o meglio, le loro anime vengono spedite in un'altra dimensione: lì incontrano Ginkaku, il gemello di Kinkaku, che li mette in guardia contro questo fantomatico tizio che loro chiamano "il signore", tizio che li ha accolti quando sono rimasti orfani e che li ha trasformati di fatto in assassini per puro e semplice divertimento. Sanzo e Gojyo, tra un battibecco e l'altro, cercano un modo per salvare i compagni - tutto sembra andare per il meglio fino a quando non entra in scena il "signore", un incontro che segnerà molto tutti e quattro i protagonisti, ma soprattutto Gojyo, che deciderà di allontanarsi dal gruppo per poter affrontare di nuovo questo nemico.
Devo dire che i due gemelli mi hanno fatto una gran pena e questo fantomatico "Sanzo" deve prendere fracca di legnate. Però non so se quella di Gojyo sia stata la scelta migliore...
June 11, 2023
Oof. I always forget how dark this arc of the series is. I think the manga even dialed it up a bit compared to the anime. But that’s part of why I love this series so much! It’s got its light, funny parts as well as it’s dark, twisted ones. And when I say twisted, this arc definitely hammers that home.
The God arc is one of my favorites from the story because of how it focuses Gojyo and Sanzo. While Hakkai and Goku get their spotlights too, the inner turmoil from Gojyo and the suspicion from Sanzo mean the two will most certainly have to face painful, traumatic memories. And of course the final fight between the Sanzo Party and “God” is also one of my favorite antagonist scenes!
I’ve also been reading manga like crazy lately, yet this series is the one where I’m continuously in awe with every page. The art style is just beautiful. The use of black and white is incredible, particularly with the more detailed scenes! I can just imagine the artist painstakingly drawing each panel, which makes me appreciate the manga even more!
The God arc is one of my favorites from the story because of how it focuses Gojyo and Sanzo. While Hakkai and Goku get their spotlights too, the inner turmoil from Gojyo and the suspicion from Sanzo mean the two will most certainly have to face painful, traumatic memories. And of course the final fight between the Sanzo Party and “God” is also one of my favorite antagonist scenes!
I’ve also been reading manga like crazy lately, yet this series is the one where I’m continuously in awe with every page. The art style is just beautiful. The use of black and white is incredible, particularly with the more detailed scenes! I can just imagine the artist painstakingly drawing each panel, which makes me appreciate the manga even more!
December 18, 2018
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.
My copies of this manga are all beat up, but I know I'll read them again. Everytime, it's a treat.
August 26, 2018
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.
October 21, 2018
This was the weakest volume in the series so far for me. I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the mood for it or what but I was pretty bored and found my attention straying several times while reading it. Also it has literally nothing to do with the main plot [as far as I can tell at this point] so the whole thing seemed a bit like a pointless detour with only two volumes left. Seems like it could easily be skipped but maybe I will be proved wrong in the future.
August 1, 2017
A bit too much sidetrack, imo. But still fun.
January 11, 2020
There's too many broken translations since Volume 1 but I'm doing my best to understand their dialogues through context clues. I'm reading from MangaRock.
December 6, 2020
This is a wonder book series and I'm really enjoying it.
December 24, 2022
I love this story line but I could be biased because Gojyo has always been my favorite character.
October 21, 2023
I wish there was more explanation behind the "god" figure so we could understand his motive more.
March 20, 2024
Will power chronicles again 🥹
August 16, 2016
I love Saiyuki! This was a great book! It was refreshing to take a detour from the main story with these new villains. I also liked how the group was divided up this time. Goku and Hakkai were very cute together, since they're the more up beat members of the Sanzo party, and having Goku say that Hakkai is scary strong was really amusing. But even better was Sanzo and Gojyo trying to keep from killing each other long enough to search for Kinkaku and save the other two. Their friendship is wonderfully complex, yet very straightforward. I love their hostile banter, punctuated by taking turns saving each others lives. It was great when Sanzo lit Gojyo's cigarette for him, then kicked him in the head. Sanzo is still my favorite character, he's such a tough guy, nothing phases him, yet he seems quite shy about showing any emotion but hostility. Really quite adorable - if I was ever surprised that this action story was serialized in a shoujo magazine, I certainly understand it now! As always, the artwork and pacing or the story are excellent. I can't wait to start the next book - I have to find out where Gojyo disappeared to!
May 19, 2023
4 April 2017: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The focus is mostly on Gojyo this time. Even though my favourite characters Goku and Hakkai don't get a lot of screen-time in this arc (except for that off-screen bad-ass thing Hakkai does!), it's really nice to see Gojyo and Sanzo interacting more, because we hardly ever see these two together. The arc itself is a good excuse to talk more about Gojyo's backstory/motivation and Gojyo's reaction to the twins' death makes sense from a psychological standpoint. As I keep saying, Minekura-sensei is a master of understanding her characters' minds.
19 May 2023: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Is... is this series mediocre?? Do I have misplaced nostalgia for this series??) Guess I'm gonna have to keep reading to find out if it's truly mid, or if I'm Just Not In The Mood For It.
Anyway, I did appreciate the lil look into Gojyo's past and how his childhood trauma feeds into his feelings towards the twin brothers in this arc.
I didn't really like Gojyo and Sanzo's bickering, it got old fast; but Goku and Hakkai's banter made me very happy, I just love those lil dudes.
I think (hope) next volume will be a bit more interesting, storywise.
The focus is mostly on Gojyo this time. Even though my favourite characters Goku and Hakkai don't get a lot of screen-time in this arc (except for that off-screen bad-ass thing Hakkai does!), it's really nice to see Gojyo and Sanzo interacting more, because we hardly ever see these two together. The arc itself is a good excuse to talk more about Gojyo's backstory/motivation and Gojyo's reaction to the twins' death makes sense from a psychological standpoint. As I keep saying, Minekura-sensei is a master of understanding her characters' minds.
19 May 2023: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Is... is this series mediocre?? Do I have misplaced nostalgia for this series??) Guess I'm gonna have to keep reading to find out if it's truly mid, or if I'm Just Not In The Mood For It.
Anyway, I did appreciate the lil look into Gojyo's past and how his childhood trauma feeds into his feelings towards the twin brothers in this arc.
I didn't really like Gojyo and Sanzo's bickering, it got old fast; but Goku and Hakkai's banter made me very happy, I just love those lil dudes.
I think (hope) next volume will be a bit more interesting, storywise.
September 3, 2019
Holy intense! I nearly tore the pages out of my book turning the pages so quickly to see what was going to happen next!
And what is it about the 7th volumes of this awesome series... Hakkai is always so sexy in the 7th volumes! XD Well, I mean he's sexy in all of them but there is always something super sexy happening for him in the 7th volumes. I wonder if it'll be the same in Saiyuki Reload Blast.
And what is it about the 7th volumes of this awesome series... Hakkai is always so sexy in the 7th volumes! XD Well, I mean he's sexy in all of them but there is always something super sexy happening for him in the 7th volumes. I wonder if it'll be the same in Saiyuki Reload Blast.
March 21, 2013
Sanzo's will is so strong he manages to avoid getting his spirit trapped in the magic gourd. He has to help Gojyo resue Hakki and Goku from the alternate dimension and solve the mystery of the freaky twins. This leads us to another villain a sociopathic Sanzo no less. Oooh the plot thickens! Really nice afterword as well giving flashbacks of our characters 10 years previous.
Stunning artwork, intriguing mystery, larger than life characters, excellent stuff.
Stunning artwork, intriguing mystery, larger than life characters, excellent stuff.
January 17, 2016
This volume was surprisingly well rounded. One great, large story arc that was well paced and intriguing. I remember how great of a story this turns into from here and anticipate what comes next...
I am reminded here of how ridiculously dramatic Minekura likes to make her heroes (at the sake of understanding, ugh)...and it's getting really annoying that she can't draw eyes the same size, like, ever.
I am reminded here of how ridiculously dramatic Minekura likes to make her heroes (at the sake of understanding, ugh)...and it's getting really annoying that she can't draw eyes the same size, like, ever.
December 30, 2012
No good deed goes unpunished, as Gojyo finds out when he helps a boy about to be attacked by two men. In return the boy disposes of Gojyo's companions, believing them to be bad man from Gojyo's tales.
Sanzo escapes and grudgingly helps Gojyo try to rescue Hakkai and Goku. During their mission they find that the boy is being controlled by another Sanzo priest... But who is he?
Sanzo escapes and grudgingly helps Gojyo try to rescue Hakkai and Goku. During their mission they find that the boy is being controlled by another Sanzo priest... But who is he?
September 15, 2014
Another gorgeous volume that really digs deeper into Gojyo in particular and the one glimpse of Hakkai in youkai form, almost. I remember when that one tease drove all the fangirls crazy. The last chapter, the look back at all the characters 10 years before, makes me cry every time I read Goku's. Such a masterful flashback drawn so beautifully that tells entire tales with very little dialogue.
September 29, 2010
Loved it! ^ _ ^
August 3, 2012
Sanzo and Gojyo, what more can you want?
November 28, 2012
"Be careful of what you wish for 'cause you just might get it all and then there's some you don't want."
a heart-rending till the end... *kudu beli tisu kalo masih mau lanjut baca kayaknya*
a heart-rending till the end... *kudu beli tisu kalo masih mau lanjut baca kayaknya*
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews