Saiyuki, Vol. 4

Saiyuki universe #4

by Kazuya Minekura

Relates the adventures of Genjyo Sanzo and his team of Yokai warriors as they journey west trying to stop a mystical plague.

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

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 1999

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]

This is probably more of a 3.5 but I still just can't really round it up. I find that I often like the flashback-heavy volumes more than the ones that take place in the present day [the whole reason I started reading it was because I could never keep all the side characters / villains straight in the anime, although honestly it's not helping a lot] buuuuut on the other hand Hakkai's entire backstory is focused around his girlfriend that got raped and committed suicide and if it wasn't for the last chapter she would have been literally the ONLY woman in the entire volume so I feel like I just have to round this down to 3 stars even though it also has like THE most popular line from the whole series in it as well:



This series is honestly a bit of a struggle and also all the fanfiction is horrible so I don't entirely know why I bother buuuuut I still do lol

[Jody Mena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saiyuki is thrilling as ever! At last Hakkai's mysterious and tragic past, and his connection to Chin Yisou, finally came together and unfolded. It was great how he was able to forgive himself a little bit in the end, I liked how he said, 'no matter how red your hands are stained, blood can always be washed off'; rather than being callous, its rather like as Oscar Wilde put it: 'every saint has a past, every sinner has a future.' - it has a very very hopeful feeling of redemption. Now if only they would explain Nataku's connection to Goku, we'd be getting somewhere! I am still so fascinated by the characters in this story, and their determination to be selfish and live only for themselves. I have never heard the line Sanzo quoted, I don't know if it is an actual Buddhist saying, or if it is just part of the fiction, but it has a lot of wisdom to it either way - even though it sounds very callous, it is all in how you view things, I guess. I also just love how Sanzo continues to threaten everyone with his deadpan expression. In fact, I just like Sanzo all the way around, he is my favorite character, and that's saying something, since I adore all of four of these crazy degenerates ♥ Can't wait for the next volume! In fact, I think I'll go look for it right now!

[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.

[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.

[Leila Anani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was a dark episode! Chin Yisou steps up his attack on Hakkai and we finally learn the enigmatic hero's back story which includes a tale of incest, rape, murder and a demon centipede king. Yisou is one of my favourite villains of the series. The little doll he sends out is seriously creepy! Again stunning artwork and marvelous interactions between the characters - I love how Sanzo instantly knows that Yisou's doll is not the real Goku. As well as the main arc we get subtle hints of further developments meeting the shady villains behind the minus wave and Nataku - the dormant god in the heavens - I see exciting things ahead!

[Sparrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something about this volume makes it great. I think maybe the execution of revealing Hakkai's past was what did it. It was wonderfully paced and not too overly dramatic. The dabble into the world of the gods was ever intriguing, always slow and teasing. I am ever anxious to continue this series...

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one starts out with Hakkai having a flashback which turns into a nightmare. His lover becomes a corpse right before his eyes. His lover that we later find out is his sister...
This series does have a lot of incest doesn't it!

Hakkai wanders off in the middle of the night. Gojyo follows him (they both might say they're straight but it feels otherwise...). A mechanical doll appears, sent by Chin Yisou. It threatens Hakkai and Gojyo destroys it. When Gojyo's back is turned it fires a seed into his chest. It starts growing at squeezing his heart Sanzo and Goku appear, Sanzo saves Gojyo by shooting the exact spot next to Gojyo's heart where the seed was growing.

Goku gets separated from the others and ends up with a broken leg on a ledge. Jeep (Hakkai's pet dragon who can turn into a Jeep) comes to save and help Goku.
Chin Yisou pretends to be Goku and goes back to the group. They can tell immediately that he isn't the real Goku because he doesn't automatically ask for food.

Hakkai's backstory is told in flashbacks. His sister/lover Kanan is given up to demons in order to keep the village safe. Hakkai goes to rescue her, killing every demon in the castle on the way. When he finds her, she kills herself because the head yokai raped her and she is pregnant with his child.

Chin Yisou subdues the others and targets Hakkai. He reveals himself to be to son of the demon who raped Kanan. Sanzo and Gojyo break free and attack him. His limbs come off easily and its revealed that he is actually dead... but they dont know what kind of dead thing can still be living and doing magic.

Goku comes back. Sanzo and Hakkai chase after Chin. Goku and Gojyo get left behind because they are still injured.

Hakkai remembers killing Chin. It is also revealed here that Hakkai is a demon because he bathed in the blood of a thousand youkai (killed them), with Chin being lucky number 1,000

Hakkai and Sanzo catch up to Chin. Chin uses his powers to get into Hakkai's mind and makes him attack Sanzo. It looks like he has killed Sanzo (by strangulation) when Goku and Gojyo finally catch up. Hakkai then turns to fight Gojyo and Goku as he is still under Chin's control.
However, this was all a ruse and Sanzo distracts Chin while Hakkai puts his fist through Chin's heart and rips out the Mahjong tile where he kept his spirit.


I loved this arc! Learning more about Hakkai's past and how he was once a human who because demon because he killed so many youkai.
The whole incest part was a bit weird though. I don't know why they couldn't have just been lovers rather than lover and siblings...

[Luana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume interamente dedicato ad Hakkai, al suo passato e al rapporto che lo lega con gli altri compagni di viaggio. Il veggente Chin'iso ha preso di mira il povero Hakkai, facendo leva sulle sue insicurezze, tirando in ballo i crimini di cui il poverino si è macchiato in passato, ovvero il massacro dei demoni al servizio di Hyakuganmao che avevano rapito Kanan (il grande amore di Hakkai, che aveva poi deciso di uccidersi una volta scoperto di essere rimasta incinta del mostro).
Inizia così un gioco di guerra psicologica, che mostra perfettamente come - a dispetto di litigi continui e di minacce di morte varie - il nostro quartetto di disadattati sia veramente unito: nessuno si sogna di lasciare Hakkai solo e sono tutti pronti ad affrontare il pericolo pur di proteggere l'amico (bellissimi sentimenti espressi sempre in maniera molto edificante da Sanzo e Gojyo). Hakkai stesso, nonostante la grande sofferenza, sembra aver trovato una ragione per continuare a vivere. E così il "veggente" fa la fine che si merita e i nostri possono continuare il loro viaggio verso ovest. A proposito di ovest, nel castello di Hoto, gira gente piuttosto inquietante e disturbata. Quindi, mi immagino che anche per il principe Kogaiji ci siano guai in vista.

[Brooke Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always forget how dark the Chin Yisou arc is. And, though I still get a bit confused on the true relationship between Hakkai and Kanan, their bond is both beautiful and tragic. So sad and twisted what happens to her too!

I still love the art style, the dramatics, the humor, and of course the Sanzo Party themselves. Their personalities and relationships with each other is so entertaining and wonderful.

Between the anime to manga comparison, I do like the phrasing of the anime a little better in some places (but I also have to remind myself at times that the English version has been translated so that could be all it is).

Chin Yisou is an interesting antagonist. I like Kazuya’s inclusion of shikigami in the Saiyuki series as well as Mahjong tiles with Yisou specifically. (And his dubbed voice actor is perfect for this character!) This arc is one of the most disturbing in Saiyuki, in my opinion, so I hoping to get through it a little quicker. However, props to Kazuya Minekura for making me squirm!

[*NOTE: I didn’t realize until I looked at the cover after reading the volume but it has a Parental Advisory warning lol…and for good reason!]

[Anshin · Rating 5 out of 5]

«Conosci l'espressione "non avere nulla"? È un insegnamento zen.
"Se incontri un Budda, uccidilo.
Se incontri un tuo antenato, uccidilo.
Non avere legami, non essere schiavo di nessuno.
Vivi semplicemente per la tua vita."»

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy-ass puppet.

[Andrea Aguas · Rating 5 out of 5]

They seriously have a "ride or die" type of friendship. I want this kind of friendship, damn.

[Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chin Yisou is on of my favorite Saiyuki villains he's so diabolical.

[Marie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hakkai getting with his sister is a little funky, but I’ll let it slide since he kinda fine

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gentle demon has always been one of my favorite monikers.

[Omar Villafane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your past will always haunt you if you don’t come to peace with it.

[MissAnnThrope · Rating 4 out of 5]

23 May 2013

Saiyuki, Volume 4 delves into Cho Hakkai's dark and twisted history. Whoddathunkit that the sweetest member of this group would have the most sinister past? Creepy Chin Yisou unleashes psychological warfare against Hakkai, tormenting him with his painful past and torturing those closest to him. As Chin Yisou tries to break Hakkai, he unveils some of Hakkai's unsettling secrets.

Chin Yisou reveals the tragic, incestuous love affair that drove Hakkai to murder a thousand yôkai to avenge his lost love. Hakkai annihilated their entire village, including the yôkai responsible for Hakkai's own yôkai beginnings - Chin Yisou's father.

This is one seriously tormented story, but with the strength and support from his friends, Hakkai is able to survive. But with a crazy best friend like Gojyo, how could anyone stay sad for long?

I get such a kick out of how crass Gojyo is.



I think this volume should have ended at Chapter 22 because it was a very poignant moment and a good stopping point. Chapter 23 doesn't flow well with the rest of the story and makes the ending feel choppy. However, I am looking forward to learning the connection between Nataku and Goku.

Although this series is full of exciting action and hilarious moments, what leaves the biggest impact is the tough brotherly love, loyalty, and friendship that is shared between the Sanzo Ikkou. I love how Goku and Gojyo are like siblings, how Goku softens the stand-offish Sanzo, and how Hakkai and Gojyo share a special bond. These characters are so damn endearing that you can't help but love them, especially Goku and his love for food!

[Tifa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd forgotten just how much I loved this manga series until I started to re-read it this week. It's been a few years since I last read it, and I think I appreciate it now more than ever. Ms. Minekura is a genius at making characters who are flawed and sometimes quite nasty but make you relate to them and want to cheer them on. At this point in the story, she finally starts giving readers a glimpse of more backstories, especially Hakkai's. She knows how to dole it out in pieces, leaving the reader wanting more and very curious about how the characters we love became who they are at this point in the story. Ms. Minekura is fabulous at pacing out this story, something that I didn't realize when I read this right after watching the anime. The anime has to expand on things, of course, and make her short arcs more fleshed out to fill time. But, her original work is so crisp and beautiful, I find myself wanting to look over panels of action to get to the next bit of dialogue. Then I slow down and look at each panel because she doesn't waste space -- ever. This isn't like a weekly manga that has to fill pages. Ms. Minekura makes each bit, each background, full of meaning and mood. I'm loving this manga more than ever.

[Francine · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 April 2017: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hakkai is my favourite and this volume is all about his past.


14 September 2022: 🌟🌟🌟

I still really like Hakkai (him and Goku are my faves) ☄ but I'm not a big fan of Chin Yisou. He's just kinda boring.

In this re-read, the biggest thing I've been noticing is how none of the female characters are written well. Kanan is another example of this: she only exists to give Hakkai a tragic backstory, she's like a puppet. There's no depth to the tragedy from her perspective. It's all very cliché.

Another thing I might mention is that scientist guy, Ni Jianyi, who's only been in a handful of pages so far, as a side side side character. I remember this man's design and demeanour so vividly - what is it about him that I like(d)?? Maybe it's just the mangaka's love shining through, idk. I'll have to keep reading and find out what's up with that.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

All right, I'll grant you a four-star for this one, Saiyuki. Jolly good show. Very heavy on the Cho Hakkai this volume, which is totally not a backhanded compliment at all. A lot of back story brings some much needed depth of character to the quietest member of the bunch. Plus, it only further cements the relationship he has with the various members of his team. And there was some actual relevant info about the 'baddies' of the series this time around! Next volume looks to be good, as it shows how this rag-tag bunch formed in the first place. For some reason, I can't remember the next volume that well; hopefully that isn't a mark of an inconsequential book.

[Lyn Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This vol. deals w/ Hakkai's sins and how he became a youkai (demon), a punishment for his sins. From what I've found about the original "Saiyuki" (the ancient Chinese classic), this character bears little to no resemblance to the original Chinese character. This story is more like "Straw Dogs" but it doesn't really bear much resemblance to that film either (which is based on a 20th-cent. book which may be based on a Scottish legend or crime). I doubt Minekura came up with the entire deviation from the original on her own. Chances are she was drawing from a Japanese variation on the original, and was freely adapting from that.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love of my life on the cover! So sexy!!

The rest of the sexy chapter covers!

[Emily G · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this volume we find out what happened to Hakkai before he became youkai and took the name Hakkai, when he was human and in love, through the mysterious fortune teller that is hunting his friends to try to make him suffer.

Again, we see the affection that the Sanzo party have for each other through their actions rather than their words! And how it ultimately makes them all stronger.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il volume in cui la maggior parte dello spazio e della narrazione lo prende lo scontro con Chin Iso, che personalmente, non amo molto.
Ma la scena migliore in assoluto è sicuramente quella della linea della vita di Hakkai. Goku, pur sembrando un ragazzino, con un semplice pennarello e una riga ha trasformato questo momento.

[Oyceter · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://oyceter.livejournal.com/371851...

[Asha Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I love Hakkai. I love Saiyuki. One of the best manga series IMO.
Nuff said,ne?

[Nura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do sympathize with Hakkai, but I prefer if they are not blood related. and the end chapter give a glimpse of goku's past. I have a feeling that my heart is gonna break, sooner than later.

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a wonder that the suggestion of incest gets a "parental guidance" warning on the cover versus the graphic violence in the other volumes.

[keereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read

[Ariel Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! ^ _ ^