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Journey To The West - The Beginning
The legend of Sun Wu Kong, the mythical Monkey King, begins here!
One of the most popular and beloved Chinese novels of all time, Journey to the West, is reinvented as a full color action-adventure Manga Classic® for all ages!
Following the Buddha's instructions, diligent monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples set forth on a mission to retrieve important Buddhist scriptures from India. But the journey becomes far more than they ever could have imagined as they encounter mysterious magic, mighty monsters, strange spirits, and so much more!
One of the most popular and beloved Chinese novels of all time, Journey to the West, is reinvented as a full color action-adventure Manga Classic® for all ages!
Following the Buddha's instructions, diligent monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples set forth on a mission to retrieve important Buddhist scriptures from India. But the journey becomes far more than they ever could have imagined as they encounter mysterious magic, mighty monsters, strange spirits, and so much more!
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Udon Entertainment for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the retelling of a classic Ming Dynasty Chinese novel loosely based on the real-life pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang. It tells the story of monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples Sun Wu Kong, Bai Long-Ma, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing’s journey from Chang’an to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India. Along the way they face demons, spirits, and overcome many challenges.
The art was nice, though not to my personal tastes, and it was fully colored. Some of the characters looked a bit odd, but I think their designs worked well to convey what they were and their personalities.
The manga is very fast paced and action packed, but it does take the time to slow down and explain the many Daoist and Buddhist terms that come up. It is presented in a way that makes it approachable to Western readers with little to no knowledge of the original story and can be enjoyed by most manga readers - especially those who enjoy action and adventure.
This is the retelling of a classic Ming Dynasty Chinese novel loosely based on the real-life pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang. It tells the story of monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples Sun Wu Kong, Bai Long-Ma, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing’s journey from Chang’an to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India. Along the way they face demons, spirits, and overcome many challenges.
The art was nice, though not to my personal tastes, and it was fully colored. Some of the characters looked a bit odd, but I think their designs worked well to convey what they were and their personalities.
The manga is very fast paced and action packed, but it does take the time to slow down and explain the many Daoist and Buddhist terms that come up. It is presented in a way that makes it approachable to Western readers with little to no knowledge of the original story and can be enjoyed by most manga readers - especially those who enjoy action and adventure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a very fun retelling of a classic Chinese tale. A great way to bring this to a Western audience. The art is gorgeous, the story is easy to follow. Much of the cultural aspects are explained. Just a great manga that will hopefully be a great introduction to Journey to the West. I read this book through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve tried to read comics in e-book form before, but the experience wasn’t a pleasant one, as I had to zoom in and out a lot and it was difficult to turn the pages properly. E-galley (ARC) versions were even worse, as those were often incomplete in some way and it felt weird overall. This is why when I saw the manga version of
Journey to the West
as one of the options for the Camp NetGalley badge, I was reluctant to download it at first, even though I really wanted to see how one of my favorite childhood stories would be adapted in manga form. Ultimately, due to my lack of interest in the other options available for the badge, I decided to go ahead and give this one a shot and ended up being pleasantly surprised by the experience. When I saw that the book was only available to download and read using the NetGalley Shelf, I thought this was a bit odd, as I’ve never used this platform before (I usually read e-books via Kindle or Kobo) and didn’t know what to expect, but this turned out to be the right choice, as using NetGalley’s own application to read this felt very similar to reading a physical version -- especially critical given that the manga was vividly rendered in full color. I also appreciated the tutorial that was provided, which clearly explained the proper way to read manga (from right to left) – though I already knew this, the reminder was still tremendously helpful, since I don’t read manga all that often so it can be easy to forget that the format is opposite that of a regular book.
Content-wise, this first book mostly introduces the characters – the Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang and his 4 disciples Bai Longma (White Dragon Horse), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Sha Wujing (Sandy) and the infamous Monkey King Sun Wukong -- and explains their mission westward to retrieve the Buddha’s sutras, as well as covers the story of the Bull Demon and Princess Iron Fan. The manga itself seems to be geared toward a middle grade audience, though of course, anyone who loves manga, regardless of age, will also probably enjoy this.
Given its status as one of the great Chinese classical works of literature, Journey to the West is more than familiar to those of us who grew up in the Chinese culture. Though I’ve never read the epic work in its entirety (it’s near impossible to find a complete, unabridged version out there, whether in Chinese or English), I’m familiar enough with the original story to appreciate the fact that adapting such a complex epic into manga form for a young audience is no easy feat. This version does a good job providing an overview of the mission and a few of the famous adventures that the group gets involved in, though inevitably (and unsurprisingly), much of the focus character-wise is on the mischievous troublemaker Sun Wukong and his backstory, with his brothers taking more of a backseat in terms of the action. In terms of the comedy / humor that is an important element of the original story, I think the anime format naturally emphasizes this aspect of the story, with the exaggerated expressions visually showing the characters’ various emotions.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and definitely a fun way for young readers to engage with such an iconic classic. With that said, my only complaint would be that the language used is a little too Westernized and kind of slangy (words such as “bro,” “‘cause,” “gonna,” “yer,” etc…I even saw “freakin” in there a few times), to the point that it felt jarring at times for those of us who are used to the original version of the story usually told in the classical language (it was originally written in the 16th century, after all). For kids, it probably won’t be much of a problem, but adults reading this might be put off a bit by the language. That aside, I think anyone reading this manga will be sufficiently entertained.
Received ARC from Manga Classics via NetGalley.
Content-wise, this first book mostly introduces the characters – the Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang and his 4 disciples Bai Longma (White Dragon Horse), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Sha Wujing (Sandy) and the infamous Monkey King Sun Wukong -- and explains their mission westward to retrieve the Buddha’s sutras, as well as covers the story of the Bull Demon and Princess Iron Fan. The manga itself seems to be geared toward a middle grade audience, though of course, anyone who loves manga, regardless of age, will also probably enjoy this.
Given its status as one of the great Chinese classical works of literature, Journey to the West is more than familiar to those of us who grew up in the Chinese culture. Though I’ve never read the epic work in its entirety (it’s near impossible to find a complete, unabridged version out there, whether in Chinese or English), I’m familiar enough with the original story to appreciate the fact that adapting such a complex epic into manga form for a young audience is no easy feat. This version does a good job providing an overview of the mission and a few of the famous adventures that the group gets involved in, though inevitably (and unsurprisingly), much of the focus character-wise is on the mischievous troublemaker Sun Wukong and his backstory, with his brothers taking more of a backseat in terms of the action. In terms of the comedy / humor that is an important element of the original story, I think the anime format naturally emphasizes this aspect of the story, with the exaggerated expressions visually showing the characters’ various emotions.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and definitely a fun way for young readers to engage with such an iconic classic. With that said, my only complaint would be that the language used is a little too Westernized and kind of slangy (words such as “bro,” “‘cause,” “gonna,” “yer,” etc…I even saw “freakin” in there a few times), to the point that it felt jarring at times for those of us who are used to the original version of the story usually told in the classical language (it was originally written in the 16th century, after all). For kids, it probably won’t be much of a problem, but adults reading this might be put off a bit by the language. That aside, I think anyone reading this manga will be sufficiently entertained.
Received ARC from Manga Classics via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this manga in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 Stars)
This was a "Read Now" manga on NetGalley, Journey to the West: The Beginning. I requested it because I've never heard of this before, and seeing the monkey on the cover had me thinking this could be fun.
When I started reading this, I did look up more history about it because it says it's a manga classic that has been around for quite a while, showing that I am very new to the field of manga.
I am really glad I picked this up because it has been highly enjoyable.
Since this is the beginning of a much larger story, it has given me the curiosity to continue with it to see what happens and how long it really is. It introduces the world at a steady pace and gives you enough to understand what's going on without feeling overwhelmed, while also introducing characters that I've started to like.
The artwork is lovely done and ended up being one of my favourite parts. I also enjoyed the journey being taken and the people who he meets along the way.Reading it made me realise just how many modern stories have taken inspiration from Journey to the West. Since I have liked quite a few films and other media that were inspired by this, it gave me a bit of comfort due to that familiarity.
The story has a good balance of adventure, humour, and mystery, and it does a great job of keeping your attention. There were moments that made me smile, especially when he helped the boy in the first story in such a sweet and strong way. It shows that helping doesn't always require fighting, but understanding and seeing beyond the toxic environment caused by people's fears and dread.
The characters aren't introduced all at once, but rather at a steady pace, giving breathing space for you to enjoy each one and take in what each character is portraying.
This made it easier to become invested emotionally as well as mentally.As someone who is new to these manga classics, I thought this was a really enjoyable introduction and it made me want to look into others.
Overall, I had a good time reading Journey to the West: The Beginning. Whether you're already familiar with the story or, like me, you're experiencing it for the first time, I think this manga is an easy start since it is full of action and stories that hold some good messages if you see a little beyond the page.
I have a tendency to read a story and see deeper than the words on the page.
#JourneyToTheWest #JourneyToTheWestTheBeginning #Manga #MangaReview #MangaClassic #ClassicManga #NetGalley #BookReview #GraphicNovel #Bookstagram #MangaCollector #MangaReader #ReadMoreManga #FantasyManga #AdventureManga #MonkeyKing #SunWukong
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 Stars)
This was a "Read Now" manga on NetGalley, Journey to the West: The Beginning. I requested it because I've never heard of this before, and seeing the monkey on the cover had me thinking this could be fun.
When I started reading this, I did look up more history about it because it says it's a manga classic that has been around for quite a while, showing that I am very new to the field of manga.
I am really glad I picked this up because it has been highly enjoyable.
Since this is the beginning of a much larger story, it has given me the curiosity to continue with it to see what happens and how long it really is. It introduces the world at a steady pace and gives you enough to understand what's going on without feeling overwhelmed, while also introducing characters that I've started to like.
The artwork is lovely done and ended up being one of my favourite parts. I also enjoyed the journey being taken and the people who he meets along the way.Reading it made me realise just how many modern stories have taken inspiration from Journey to the West. Since I have liked quite a few films and other media that were inspired by this, it gave me a bit of comfort due to that familiarity.
The story has a good balance of adventure, humour, and mystery, and it does a great job of keeping your attention. There were moments that made me smile, especially when he helped the boy in the first story in such a sweet and strong way. It shows that helping doesn't always require fighting, but understanding and seeing beyond the toxic environment caused by people's fears and dread.
The characters aren't introduced all at once, but rather at a steady pace, giving breathing space for you to enjoy each one and take in what each character is portraying.
This made it easier to become invested emotionally as well as mentally.As someone who is new to these manga classics, I thought this was a really enjoyable introduction and it made me want to look into others.
Overall, I had a good time reading Journey to the West: The Beginning. Whether you're already familiar with the story or, like me, you're experiencing it for the first time, I think this manga is an easy start since it is full of action and stories that hold some good messages if you see a little beyond the page.
I have a tendency to read a story and see deeper than the words on the page.
#JourneyToTheWest #JourneyToTheWestTheBeginning #Manga #MangaReview #MangaClassic #ClassicManga #NetGalley #BookReview #GraphicNovel #Bookstagram #MangaCollector #MangaReader #ReadMoreManga #FantasyManga #AdventureManga #MonkeyKing #SunWukong
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Journey to the West – The Beginning is a fast-paced, jam-packed adventure manga with plenty to enjoy. The story starts with Tang San-Zang, a Buddhist monk tasked by the Buddha himself to retrieve special scrolls of Buddha’s knowledge from the vast West.
Tang San-Zang is given four companions to travel with: Shah Wu-jing, an oni and a sand monk; Zhu Ba-Jie, a pig who is also a monk; Bai Long-Ma, a white horse; and the most powerful and unpredictable of all, Sun Wu-Kong, the monkey king. (We are told with the exception of Sun Wu-Kong that the other companions are not always what they seem to be, suggesting transformation or disguises).
The first stop is a town down on its luck–Sweetwell, which is dealing with a drought and famine, where the well at the center of town is completely dried up. The town blames a young boy who was born on the day the troubles started, calling him Bad Luck Boy, but the Monkey King knows better–something bigger and magical is behind all of it.
.
There is some investigation and while they don’t find all the answers they seek, Sun Ku-Wong calls on the assistance of the white horse Bai Long-Ma, who is actual a water dragon prince in disguise. He uses his water magic to fill the well again, and the town is saved.
The next place they journey to is a desolate, fiery mountain called the Inferno Mountain, where they are attacked by fire-beasts but fight them off.
Amid the hot, lonely mountain is a small paradise with grapes being harvested for an incredible-tasting wine, complete with its own palace. Sun Ku-Wong reunites with an old friend he treats like a brother, Wu-Zhen, a sort of man-bull with incredible powers.
I’m going to stop with the plot summary here, but trust me when I say that a ton more things happen, we are introduced to more characters, and it turns out that everything tends to be inter-connected. It also turns out that Sun Ku-Wong has a powerful dark side that can’t be held at bay unless he wears a special circlet that subdues his powers and makes him a little bit more agreeable.
The Journey to the West is one of China’s greatest and most beloved epic stories, and the epicness translates to the pages of the manga well. So much happened in this single volume, and it feels like we traversed lands far and wide along with the characters.
The note from the publisher says this book is meant for teens, but that it’s suitable for middle-grade readers, too. I think older readers, like adults, would find something here to enjoy as well, so I’m going to recommend it to manga fans overall and those curious about Chinese myth. It’s been a fun ride and I look forward to the next volume.
Tang San-Zang is given four companions to travel with: Shah Wu-jing, an oni and a sand monk; Zhu Ba-Jie, a pig who is also a monk; Bai Long-Ma, a white horse; and the most powerful and unpredictable of all, Sun Wu-Kong, the monkey king. (We are told with the exception of Sun Wu-Kong that the other companions are not always what they seem to be, suggesting transformation or disguises).
The first stop is a town down on its luck–Sweetwell, which is dealing with a drought and famine, where the well at the center of town is completely dried up. The town blames a young boy who was born on the day the troubles started, calling him Bad Luck Boy, but the Monkey King knows better–something bigger and magical is behind all of it.
.
There is some investigation and while they don’t find all the answers they seek, Sun Ku-Wong calls on the assistance of the white horse Bai Long-Ma, who is actual a water dragon prince in disguise. He uses his water magic to fill the well again, and the town is saved.
The next place they journey to is a desolate, fiery mountain called the Inferno Mountain, where they are attacked by fire-beasts but fight them off.
Amid the hot, lonely mountain is a small paradise with grapes being harvested for an incredible-tasting wine, complete with its own palace. Sun Ku-Wong reunites with an old friend he treats like a brother, Wu-Zhen, a sort of man-bull with incredible powers.
I’m going to stop with the plot summary here, but trust me when I say that a ton more things happen, we are introduced to more characters, and it turns out that everything tends to be inter-connected. It also turns out that Sun Ku-Wong has a powerful dark side that can’t be held at bay unless he wears a special circlet that subdues his powers and makes him a little bit more agreeable.
The Journey to the West is one of China’s greatest and most beloved epic stories, and the epicness translates to the pages of the manga well. So much happened in this single volume, and it feels like we traversed lands far and wide along with the characters.
The note from the publisher says this book is meant for teens, but that it’s suitable for middle-grade readers, too. I think older readers, like adults, would find something here to enjoy as well, so I’m going to recommend it to manga fans overall and those curious about Chinese myth. It’s been a fun ride and I look forward to the next volume.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for an ARC of this manga.
While this manga’s audience is more so teen/young adult, I absolutely love Asian fantasy stories. I rate this manga a 3 out of 5 stars for a few reasons.
1. Most good stories start in the middle of the action to get the reader hooked. This does start pretty much at some point in the journey that the 5 main characters undertake but after even the half way point, it felt too far ahead in the action and it felt like the adaptors expected the reader to basically know the characters well jumping right in. There were very brief explanations of the main part members (“used to not be a pig” type of explanation) and you do learn about part of Sun WuKong’s background.
2. Up until I saw a character say “damn right” it felt that this manga was more for 9-12 age group rather than teens. And also, most of the women being well endowed in the chest was another questioning moment of who this manga is for.* The narrator of the story at one point, explains that someone left a main character’s question unanswered. It feels like teens should be able to get that without it being pointed out to them, especially when a fight ends much quicker than you expect due to plot twists you find out later and yet there’s no force feeding you of the point.
3. The translation at points feels a little off. There was one speech bubble that I couldn’t understand well because it felt like the words were in the wrong order. There is also a lot of use of “my bro” which I get could be trying to relate to the younger generation but it was repeated so often that it felt like the translator was trying too hard.
Overall the artwork is cool and the story is there. I think it needs a more polish but then again, I know at times I can be picky. Teenagers are probably going to like it and it’s a nice short read.
*yes I understand that well endowed women, sometimes scantily clad, are a normal part of anime and manga. I went into this thinking it was for a younger age group than teens and that’s why it struck me as being weird.
While this manga’s audience is more so teen/young adult, I absolutely love Asian fantasy stories. I rate this manga a 3 out of 5 stars for a few reasons.
1. Most good stories start in the middle of the action to get the reader hooked. This does start pretty much at some point in the journey that the 5 main characters undertake but after even the half way point, it felt too far ahead in the action and it felt like the adaptors expected the reader to basically know the characters well jumping right in. There were very brief explanations of the main part members (“used to not be a pig” type of explanation) and you do learn about part of Sun WuKong’s background.
2. Up until I saw a character say “damn right” it felt that this manga was more for 9-12 age group rather than teens. And also, most of the women being well endowed in the chest was another questioning moment of who this manga is for.* The narrator of the story at one point, explains that someone left a main character’s question unanswered. It feels like teens should be able to get that without it being pointed out to them, especially when a fight ends much quicker than you expect due to plot twists you find out later and yet there’s no force feeding you of the point.
3. The translation at points feels a little off. There was one speech bubble that I couldn’t understand well because it felt like the words were in the wrong order. There is also a lot of use of “my bro” which I get could be trying to relate to the younger generation but it was repeated so often that it felt like the translator was trying too hard.
Overall the artwork is cool and the story is there. I think it needs a more polish but then again, I know at times I can be picky. Teenagers are probably going to like it and it’s a nice short read.
*yes I understand that well endowed women, sometimes scantily clad, are a normal part of anime and manga. I went into this thinking it was for a younger age group than teens and that’s why it struck me as being weird.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A special thanks to NetGalley and UDON Entertainment for the ARC to review.
Taking a brief break from the pixel-filled world of video games—a medium famously obsessed with the Monkey King—I’m reviewing the legend itself: Wu Cheng’en’s Journey to the West, adapted by Udon Entertainment for their Manga Classics line.
Yes, you heard it right! One of the most beloved Chinese novels of all time, Journey to the West, has been reinvented as a full color action-adventure Manga Classic for all ages!
Following the Buddha’s instructions, the diligent monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples set forth on a mission to retrieve important Buddhist scriptures from India. But the journey becomes far more than they ever could have imagined as they encounter mysterious magic, mighty monsters, strange spirits, and so much more! The adaptation handled by Char A, Jim Zub handling the English Script, and artist Julien Choy handling the illustrative work.
The story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, has been adapted for a younger audience, giving it a fresh facelift for a new generation of readers. Adapting a classic like Journey to the West is no easy task, but the Manga Classics line handles the source material with care. The narrative stays faithful to the original, capturing its core themes, character dynamics, and tone without taking unnecessary liberties.
The artwork is reminiscent of classic manga, with exaggerated expressions, well-detailed action sequences, and distinctive character designs. Julien Choy’s illustrations are impressive, and the book’s vibrant colors make the pages leap out, instantly grabbing the attention of both younger and older readers. Another strength of this book is how well manga serves between classic folklore and modern storytelling, I can see why other readers who have recommended this story have described what is the best thing about Manga: it can serve as a bridge between old and new memories, and between classic folklore and modern storytelling.
Taking a brief break from the pixel-filled world of video games—a medium famously obsessed with the Monkey King—I’m reviewing the legend itself: Wu Cheng’en’s Journey to the West, adapted by Udon Entertainment for their Manga Classics line.
Yes, you heard it right! One of the most beloved Chinese novels of all time, Journey to the West, has been reinvented as a full color action-adventure Manga Classic for all ages!
Following the Buddha’s instructions, the diligent monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples set forth on a mission to retrieve important Buddhist scriptures from India. But the journey becomes far more than they ever could have imagined as they encounter mysterious magic, mighty monsters, strange spirits, and so much more! The adaptation handled by Char A, Jim Zub handling the English Script, and artist Julien Choy handling the illustrative work.
The story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, has been adapted for a younger audience, giving it a fresh facelift for a new generation of readers. Adapting a classic like Journey to the West is no easy task, but the Manga Classics line handles the source material with care. The narrative stays faithful to the original, capturing its core themes, character dynamics, and tone without taking unnecessary liberties.
The artwork is reminiscent of classic manga, with exaggerated expressions, well-detailed action sequences, and distinctive character designs. Julien Choy’s illustrations are impressive, and the book’s vibrant colors make the pages leap out, instantly grabbing the attention of both younger and older readers. Another strength of this book is how well manga serves between classic folklore and modern storytelling, I can see why other readers who have recommended this story have described what is the best thing about Manga: it can serve as a bridge between old and new memories, and between classic folklore and modern storytelling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sharing Journey to the West has been one of those quiet joys threaded through my life. I first met the Monkey King as a child, and his adventures stayed with me through bedtime stories, movie nights, and years of retelling the tale to my own children. It’s a story I’ve carried from childhood into motherhood and now into grandparenthood, always finding new meaning as each new little traveler discovers it for themselves. Seeing it reimagined in full‑color manga feels like opening the adventure all over again — a lively, fresh doorway into a legend that has followed me across generations.
This adaptation captures the heart of the legend beautifully. The familiar characters — Tang San‑Zang, Sun Wu Kong, and the rest of the traveling band — step onto the page with energy, humor, and reverence for the original tale. The artwork is lively and inviting, making the story accessible for younger readers while still offering plenty for adults who’ve loved the myth for years.
And then there’s that quote:
“Every journey changes the traveler in ways they cannot know until their voyage is complete.”
That line struck me deeply. It’s the spirit of Journey to the West, but it’s also the spirit of parenting, grandparenting, and sharing stories across generations. Every time I revisit this tale, I’m a slightly different traveler — and now I get to watch new little travelers begin their own adventure with it.
This manga feels like a bridge: between old memories and new ones, between classic folklore and modern storytelling, between who I was when I first met the Monkey King and who I am now, handing the book to a child with the same spark of excitement.
It’s fun, heartfelt, and full of motion — a wonderful introduction for middle grade readers, and a nostalgic delight for adults. I’m beyond excited for the full release this fall.
This adaptation captures the heart of the legend beautifully. The familiar characters — Tang San‑Zang, Sun Wu Kong, and the rest of the traveling band — step onto the page with energy, humor, and reverence for the original tale. The artwork is lively and inviting, making the story accessible for younger readers while still offering plenty for adults who’ve loved the myth for years.
And then there’s that quote:
“Every journey changes the traveler in ways they cannot know until their voyage is complete.”
That line struck me deeply. It’s the spirit of Journey to the West, but it’s also the spirit of parenting, grandparenting, and sharing stories across generations. Every time I revisit this tale, I’m a slightly different traveler — and now I get to watch new little travelers begin their own adventure with it.
This manga feels like a bridge: between old memories and new ones, between classic folklore and modern storytelling, between who I was when I first met the Monkey King and who I am now, handing the book to a child with the same spark of excitement.
It’s fun, heartfelt, and full of motion — a wonderful introduction for middle grade readers, and a nostalgic delight for adults. I’m beyond excited for the full release this fall.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
8/10
"Journey to the West" is one of those literary canons that has seen numerous adaptations and interpretations (including comics) around the world.
"Journey to the West - The Beginning" approaches the source material quite faithfully, while simultaneously tweaking the style for the comic book. The original had plenty of humor and action, but here everything is slightly exaggerated for the (most likely) younger audience. Importantly, the message is retained, along with a significant dose of heart and moral; the theological foundations are presented in a surprisingly clear and accessible way, considering such a challenging subject matter, although the main plot point is, of course, the Monkey King's antics. Due to the length of the original work, this volume covers only a fragment of the colorful company's pilgrimage, and the story ends at a point that begs for a sequel... and I intend tolook for it :)
The art style is rather "old-school" manga, so readers accustomed to the more "realistic" graphics of modern titles may have a negative reaction to it. Personally, I approached it with a certain amount of nostalgia, but something else bothered me... the colors.
Black and white raster graphics are a style I know and love in manga, and while the palette was truly aesthetically pleasing, and the vibrant colors perfectly captured the character and world, I personally could have done without it... But that's just nitpicking ;)
"Journey to the West" is one of those literary canons that has seen numerous adaptations and interpretations (including comics) around the world.
"Journey to the West - The Beginning" approaches the source material quite faithfully, while simultaneously tweaking the style for the comic book. The original had plenty of humor and action, but here everything is slightly exaggerated for the (most likely) younger audience. Importantly, the message is retained, along with a significant dose of heart and moral; the theological foundations are presented in a surprisingly clear and accessible way, considering such a challenging subject matter, although the main plot point is, of course, the Monkey King's antics. Due to the length of the original work, this volume covers only a fragment of the colorful company's pilgrimage, and the story ends at a point that begs for a sequel... and I intend tolook for it :)
The art style is rather "old-school" manga, so readers accustomed to the more "realistic" graphics of modern titles may have a negative reaction to it. Personally, I approached it with a certain amount of nostalgia, but something else bothered me... the colors.
Black and white raster graphics are a style I know and love in manga, and while the palette was truly aesthetically pleasing, and the vibrant colors perfectly captured the character and world, I personally could have done without it... But that's just nitpicking ;)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This manga feels like a warm Saturday morning adventure in the best possible way :)
I picked this up expecting a lighthearted fantasy adventure, but what I found was an imaginative journey filled with vibrant characters, exciting magic, and a surprising amount of heart. It was consistently entertaining and impossible not to read with a smile.
What I loved:
♡ Color. This manga is bursting with color. Every page feels vibrant, and the artwork is gorgeous from beginning to end.
♡ Elemental magic. Fire, earth, water, air... the elemental abilities made every battle feel dynamic and exciting.
♡ Buddhism. I really enjoyed the underlying themes of morality, shadow and karma. They were presented in a simple, accessible way that added meaning without ever feeling heavy-handed.
In conclusion:
This is a joyful adventure that balances action, humor, and thoughtful themes. It's the kind of story that's easy to recommend because it's simply fun to experience.
Recommended for:
Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender! While it's a different story, it captures that same sense of adventure, colorful worldbuilding, and elemental magic that made Avatar so memorable. I'd also recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventure stories with lighthearted humor.
Vibe check:
✱ Adventure
✱ Elemental magic
✱ Vivid
✱ Anthropomorphic
I picked this up expecting a lighthearted fantasy adventure, but what I found was an imaginative journey filled with vibrant characters, exciting magic, and a surprising amount of heart. It was consistently entertaining and impossible not to read with a smile.
What I loved:
♡ Color. This manga is bursting with color. Every page feels vibrant, and the artwork is gorgeous from beginning to end.
♡ Elemental magic. Fire, earth, water, air... the elemental abilities made every battle feel dynamic and exciting.
♡ Buddhism. I really enjoyed the underlying themes of morality, shadow and karma. They were presented in a simple, accessible way that added meaning without ever feeling heavy-handed.
In conclusion:
This is a joyful adventure that balances action, humor, and thoughtful themes. It's the kind of story that's easy to recommend because it's simply fun to experience.
Recommended for:
Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender! While it's a different story, it captures that same sense of adventure, colorful worldbuilding, and elemental magic that made Avatar so memorable. I'd also recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventure stories with lighthearted humor.
Vibe check:
✱ Adventure
✱ Elemental magic
✱ Vivid
✱ Anthropomorphic
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another NetGalley Camp read reviewed! This manga is part of the manga classics collection, a reinterpretation of the genre designed to bring these stories to a younger audience. I’d previously read *Romeo and Juliet* from this collection and had enjoyed it quite a lot, so I decided to give this one a go.
It tells the story of Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King, a powerful character who accompanies Tang San-Zhang, a monk, on a quest to find some sacred scriptures on the Buddha’s orders, alongside three other disciples. During their journey, they come across villages ravaged by drought, where Wu-Zhen, his best friend, appears to be involved…
This isn’t my first time reading this story, so I was able to pick up the thread easily, but it’s a bit confusing to start from this part of the story, as there are lots of flashbacks needed to explain certain plot points. That said, there’s plenty of action and lots of funny moments, making for an entertaining and enjoyable read.
It’s the first classic to be published in full colour, which brings the work to life, enhancing the artwork and character design.
I hope it’s well received, and that we won’t have to wait too long for the next volume ^^
Thanks to NetGalley, Udon Entertainment, and Manga Classics Inc for the eARC.
It tells the story of Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King, a powerful character who accompanies Tang San-Zhang, a monk, on a quest to find some sacred scriptures on the Buddha’s orders, alongside three other disciples. During their journey, they come across villages ravaged by drought, where Wu-Zhen, his best friend, appears to be involved…
This isn’t my first time reading this story, so I was able to pick up the thread easily, but it’s a bit confusing to start from this part of the story, as there are lots of flashbacks needed to explain certain plot points. That said, there’s plenty of action and lots of funny moments, making for an entertaining and enjoyable read.
It’s the first classic to be published in full colour, which brings the work to life, enhancing the artwork and character design.
I hope it’s well received, and that we won’t have to wait too long for the next volume ^^
Thanks to NetGalley, Udon Entertainment, and Manga Classics Inc for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received an e-ARC through NetGalley.
I have not interacted with the source material outside of hearing it mentioned before, so I can only review this as someone who has never engaged with the story, not as an adaptation.
Overall, I can see why this is loved by children. It seems to have a lot of fun characters with lots of action and fighting. I don't know if I missed something or not, but I found that none of the characters besides the monk were given any reason to be on the quest in the first place. Additionally, the monkey seems to join them out of nowhere, which starts to feel strange when he's the only one who gets any development and backstory. The title having "The Beginning" could indicate that they plan on doing more of these and focusing on other characters as the story progresses.
The story itself is fairly episodic, with the travellers getting engaged in different adventures and fights. Oddly, I found this manga incredibly slow to read. I don't think that there are an abnormal amount of words, but I did not speed through this one the way I have in others.
The art is expressive, colourful, and is reminiscent of cartoons I watched as a child. I see this manga being a hit with its target demographic.
I have not interacted with the source material outside of hearing it mentioned before, so I can only review this as someone who has never engaged with the story, not as an adaptation.
Overall, I can see why this is loved by children. It seems to have a lot of fun characters with lots of action and fighting. I don't know if I missed something or not, but I found that none of the characters besides the monk were given any reason to be on the quest in the first place. Additionally, the monkey seems to join them out of nowhere, which starts to feel strange when he's the only one who gets any development and backstory. The title having "The Beginning" could indicate that they plan on doing more of these and focusing on other characters as the story progresses.
The story itself is fairly episodic, with the travellers getting engaged in different adventures and fights. Oddly, I found this manga incredibly slow to read. I don't think that there are an abnormal amount of words, but I did not speed through this one the way I have in others.
The art is expressive, colourful, and is reminiscent of cartoons I watched as a child. I see this manga being a hit with its target demographic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first volume of a manga adaptation of the classic 16th-century Chinese Buddhist fantasy adventure Journey to the West. It is recommended for middle-grade readers and up. In it, a monk and his magical companions journey on a quest to retrieve sacred Buddhist scriptures, encountering many obstacles along the way.
I think this just wasn't for me. I love comics and graphic novels, but I'm generally not a big manga reader, mostly because of the style and formatting. I thought the artwork in this manga was well done, and I enjoyed seeing this adaptation of the classic novel. There was also plenty of action and fun fight scenes. That said, the action was a little too over the top for my personal taste, and I wasn't a fan of how some of the female characters were sexualized and depicted. I also found parts of the plot a little difficult to follow, so some readers may find it confusing at times.
Overall, it's an interesting adaptation with beautiful artwork and plenty of action, but it wasn't quite to my taste.
Art: 4.5/5
Plot: 4/5
My Enjoyment: 3.5/5
*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I think this just wasn't for me. I love comics and graphic novels, but I'm generally not a big manga reader, mostly because of the style and formatting. I thought the artwork in this manga was well done, and I enjoyed seeing this adaptation of the classic novel. There was also plenty of action and fun fight scenes. That said, the action was a little too over the top for my personal taste, and I wasn't a fan of how some of the female characters were sexualized and depicted. I also found parts of the plot a little difficult to follow, so some readers may find it confusing at times.
Overall, it's an interesting adaptation with beautiful artwork and plenty of action, but it wasn't quite to my taste.
Art: 4.5/5
Plot: 4/5
My Enjoyment: 3.5/5
*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Although I'm not super familiar with the story of the Journey to the West, having only seen a few episodes of the 1980's television series, I enjoyed reading this manga, though I think it was geared toward more of a teenage audience. This was one of my first real experiences with the story, and I thought it was told well, overall. I thought it struck a nice balance between introducing the world and keeping the story engaging for a modern audience.
Sun Wukong is undoubtedly the star of the show, but I appreciated that the supporting cast also had opportunities to stand out. Rather than existing solely to support Wukong, they each had moments that made them feel like meaningful parts of the adventure, excepting Sha Wujing, who was mostly just along for the ride. The character designs were a little over-the-top at times, but the artwork as a whole really is beautiful. The use of color really helped bring the world to life, and you could tell there was a lot of care put into the settings and layout.
Overall, I thought this was an enjoyable adaptation and a good introduction to a piece of the classic story. Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for the ARC.
Sun Wukong is undoubtedly the star of the show, but I appreciated that the supporting cast also had opportunities to stand out. Rather than existing solely to support Wukong, they each had moments that made them feel like meaningful parts of the adventure, excepting Sha Wujing, who was mostly just along for the ride. The character designs were a little over-the-top at times, but the artwork as a whole really is beautiful. The use of color really helped bring the world to life, and you could tell there was a lot of care put into the settings and layout.
Overall, I thought this was an enjoyable adaptation and a good introduction to a piece of the classic story. Thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fun graphic take on the classic Journey to the West story!
Monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples go on a mission to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India. Although the way, they encounter magic, monsters, and mysteries. This story is a new take on the classic Chinese tale.
I really enjoyed this artistic representation of the well-known tale. It's fun to read it in this very fast-paced format and the art is beautiful. There are descriptions throughout to help readers not already familiar with this world.
I think the biggest challenge is the story-within-a-story structure of the classic Journey to the West tale. it's a little hard to follow at times in the manga format. You definitely benefit as a reader from having familiarity with the story already.
Overall, if you enjoy the Journey to the West story, or want to share it with your children, this manga is a great way to do that. It's a fun, quick read and you get a chance to start to learn the personalities of the key characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples go on a mission to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India. Although the way, they encounter magic, monsters, and mysteries. This story is a new take on the classic Chinese tale.
I really enjoyed this artistic representation of the well-known tale. It's fun to read it in this very fast-paced format and the art is beautiful. There are descriptions throughout to help readers not already familiar with this world.
I think the biggest challenge is the story-within-a-story structure of the classic Journey to the West tale. it's a little hard to follow at times in the manga format. You definitely benefit as a reader from having familiarity with the story already.
Overall, if you enjoy the Journey to the West story, or want to share it with your children, this manga is a great way to do that. It's a fun, quick read and you get a chance to start to learn the personalities of the key characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This introduction version of Journey To The West is beautifully illustrated with funny dialogue. There are a LOT of stories about Monkey King Wukong to choose from. This one glosses over his calamitous visit to the Celestial Court and chooses to introduce the characters as they travel with Tang Sanzang. It also gives a brief, but satisfying explanation about the differences between Buddhism and Daoism.
My personal journey with Journey To The West has spanned decades of reading. My father gifted me an English copy of the whole series in high school and while I admittedly have not finished it (in over 20 years), I have always thirsted for more renditions of the monkey king's antics.
The classics retelling is a good introduction that conveys each characters strengths and flaws. It hits all the right beats blending action and explanation and modernizes the language and dialect from the original story.
*** Many thanks to NETGALLEY and UDON ENTERTAINMENT for providing a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***
#MangaClassicsJourneyToTheWestTheBeginning #NetGalley
My personal journey with Journey To The West has spanned decades of reading. My father gifted me an English copy of the whole series in high school and while I admittedly have not finished it (in over 20 years), I have always thirsted for more renditions of the monkey king's antics.
The classics retelling is a good introduction that conveys each characters strengths and flaws. It hits all the right beats blending action and explanation and modernizes the language and dialect from the original story.
*** Many thanks to NETGALLEY and UDON ENTERTAINMENT for providing a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ***
#MangaClassicsJourneyToTheWestTheBeginning #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read the advanced digital copy of this manga.
I wanted to read this comic because my husband loves the story of the Monkey King. He’s Chinese and during his childhood he really fell in love with the tale. I tried to read the myth before, but I felt a manga would be much easier for me to digest the tale.
I’ll be honest, the beginning of the manga didn’t fully grab my attention but—toward’s the middle—the plot started to pick up (for me) and I couldn’t stop reading.
Princess Iron Fan and Wu-Zhen are my favorite characters and their story really captured my attention. Iron Fan’s desperation to save her child was understandable.
The art-style reminded me of a cross between One Piece and Rave Master; cartoon-like with big mouths and oddly proportioned bodies. It screams SHOUNEN.
This is a perfect read for people who like adventurous, reimagined classics. Especially if like enjoy manga. I’ll definitely show this to my husband.💕
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars
I wanted to read this comic because my husband loves the story of the Monkey King. He’s Chinese and during his childhood he really fell in love with the tale. I tried to read the myth before, but I felt a manga would be much easier for me to digest the tale.
I’ll be honest, the beginning of the manga didn’t fully grab my attention but—toward’s the middle—the plot started to pick up (for me) and I couldn’t stop reading.
Princess Iron Fan and Wu-Zhen are my favorite characters and their story really captured my attention. Iron Fan’s desperation to save her child was understandable.
The art-style reminded me of a cross between One Piece and Rave Master; cartoon-like with big mouths and oddly proportioned bodies. It screams SHOUNEN.
This is a perfect read for people who like adventurous, reimagined classics. Especially if like enjoy manga. I’ll definitely show this to my husband.💕
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I immediately saw this title, I was excited since I loved watching the movie Journey to the West (it's been a while since I saw it thus I kind of forgot the storyline). As I read the manga, I felt the story adaptation has taken a more modernization due to the language that was used when the characters communicated amongst one another and was geared towards a younger audience (not a bad thing). I truly enjoyed the art style of the characters and storyline. My favorite part would have to be towards the end when Wukong experiences his crashout. I won't spoil it but it was definitely a memorable and epic battle. For the pacing of the story, I absolutely loved the flashbacks to allow readers to understand the history/back story when characters encounter specific events and overall the sequence did not feel rushed or cut short. Overall, I would recommend younger readers if they would like to start reading a manga this would be it!
Thank you NetGalley and Cheng'en Wu for the opportunity to read this manga!
Thank you NetGalley and Cheng'en Wu for the opportunity to read this manga!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 stars.
I picked this up on Netgalley as a fan of the original work and this was just a pass for me.
As someone familiar with the source material, I think this isn't the most beginner friendly entrypoint for newcomers who know nothing about it. Despite the subtitle "The Beginning", it drops you right into the middle of the journey with the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan arc, with flashbacks used to give the audience more context.
On a positive note, I appreciated how the author distinguished between the elements/characters of Buddhism and Daoism. Wukong’s impulsive nature was captured well, and Dark Wukong’s character design looked great! Also, kudos to the author for including Long Ma and his dragon form in.
However, the plot and details do stray from the original story, altering key details like why Wukong steals the fan and Red Boy's birth. Also, this is a me-problem, but I am personally not a fan of the art style. Not sure what the thought behind Sha Wujing's super derpy visuals was.
I picked this up on Netgalley as a fan of the original work and this was just a pass for me.
As someone familiar with the source material, I think this isn't the most beginner friendly entrypoint for newcomers who know nothing about it. Despite the subtitle "The Beginning", it drops you right into the middle of the journey with the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan arc, with flashbacks used to give the audience more context.
On a positive note, I appreciated how the author distinguished between the elements/characters of Buddhism and Daoism. Wukong’s impulsive nature was captured well, and Dark Wukong’s character design looked great! Also, kudos to the author for including Long Ma and his dragon form in.
However, the plot and details do stray from the original story, altering key details like why Wukong steals the fan and Red Boy's birth. Also, this is a me-problem, but I am personally not a fan of the art style. Not sure what the thought behind Sha Wujing's super derpy visuals was.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Monk Tang San-Zang is accompanied by four disciples and is set on a journey to to retrieve important Buddhist scriptures from India.
This is a lovely introduction on a reimagined version of a classic Chinese myth. The art itself is vibrant and dynamic and draws the reader right into the story. The language and slang used is modernized quite a bit making this a story that is very readable for a younger audience ( middle grade ).
The story telling is well paced and concise. The story is driven mainly by our main crew of characters, This first part of the story is very driven by the Monkey King and his back story as well as how he fits into the group of disciples and how his past plays apart into what the future holds.
Overall this is a wonderful introduction to a classic Chinese myth. Id recommend this for the middle grade reader. The Manga classics have become a favorite in our home when exploring classic stories with our middle schooler. They are easy to read, inviting, and encourage a whole new group of readers to discover and fall inlove with the classics.
This is a lovely introduction on a reimagined version of a classic Chinese myth. The art itself is vibrant and dynamic and draws the reader right into the story. The language and slang used is modernized quite a bit making this a story that is very readable for a younger audience ( middle grade ).
The story telling is well paced and concise. The story is driven mainly by our main crew of characters, This first part of the story is very driven by the Monkey King and his back story as well as how he fits into the group of disciples and how his past plays apart into what the future holds.
Overall this is a wonderful introduction to a classic Chinese myth. Id recommend this for the middle grade reader. The Manga classics have become a favorite in our home when exploring classic stories with our middle schooler. They are easy to read, inviting, and encourage a whole new group of readers to discover and fall inlove with the classics.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, a huge thank you to NetGallery and the autor for providing me with an early copy of [Manga Title] in exchange for an honest review.
Having studied Chinese language and literature during my bachelor's degree, I was instantly drawn to this release. The original story is a literary classic I loved deeply during university, so I was eager—and naturally curious—to see how such a rich narrative would translate into a visual medium.
Adapting a foundational classic is never an easy feat, but this manga handles the source material with impressive care. The narrative remains remarkably faithful to the original text, capturing the core themes, character dynamics, and tone without taking unnecessary liberties. Seeing scenes I had previously only read and analyzed in prose brought to life through such expressive art and pacing was an absolute delight.
For anyone already familiar with the original work, this adaptation is a respectful and satisfying homage; for newcomers, it serves as an accessible and engaging entry point into a timeless classic. Highly recommended!
Having studied Chinese language and literature during my bachelor's degree, I was instantly drawn to this release. The original story is a literary classic I loved deeply during university, so I was eager—and naturally curious—to see how such a rich narrative would translate into a visual medium.
Adapting a foundational classic is never an easy feat, but this manga handles the source material with impressive care. The narrative remains remarkably faithful to the original text, capturing the core themes, character dynamics, and tone without taking unnecessary liberties. Seeing scenes I had previously only read and analyzed in prose brought to life through such expressive art and pacing was an absolute delight.
For anyone already familiar with the original work, this adaptation is a respectful and satisfying homage; for newcomers, it serves as an accessible and engaging entry point into a timeless classic. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Master San-Zang and his four apprentices must travel the ancient lands in search of the scrolls containing the wisdom of the Buddha. Each of the apprentices was hand-selected to test not only San-Zang but themselves, for each has to redeem themselves for past sins. Chief among them is Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King, whose legendary temper and proclivity for violence constantly land him in hot water. This entry into the Manga Classics line adapts a beloved story from Chinese mythology and provides vibrant full-color art and kinetic paneling that liven every page. Readers who appreciate mythology stories will dive into this series and enjoy learning about a story that has been the inspiration for so many others
This review was made possible with a digital reader copy from the publisher.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 6-12
Master San-Zang and his four apprentices must travel the ancient lands in search of the scrolls containing the wisdom of the Buddha. Each of the apprentices was hand-selected to test not only San-Zang but themselves, for each has to redeem themselves for past sins. Chief among them is Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King, whose legendary temper and proclivity for violence constantly land him in hot water. This entry into the Manga Classics line adapts a beloved story from Chinese mythology and provides vibrant full-color art and kinetic paneling that liven every page. Readers who appreciate mythology stories will dive into this series and enjoy learning about a story that has been the inspiration for so many others
This review was made possible with a digital reader copy from the publisher.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 6-12
July 16, 2026
Thank you to Udon Entertainment and NetGalley for this digital manga for review.
In 2024 I purchased the four volume of The Journey to the West translated by Anthony C. Yu. It was recommended to me by a fellow book lover as a Chinese classic not to be missed. Although I’m eager to start this classic, I’ve put many other must reads ahead of it. When I saw that NetGalley was offering the opportunity to read and review the manga I was thrilled.
I must admit that fantasy isn’t a genre that I enjoy reading. I often feel lost and overwhelmed with the characters and the worlds. The Journey to the West manga is beautifully drawn with vivid colors. It is written in a way that is digestible. In the first third of the book, I indeed, was lost. I pushed through and I found myself feeling a bit more confident. However, for me, it was not my cup of tea.
In 2024 I purchased the four volume of The Journey to the West translated by Anthony C. Yu. It was recommended to me by a fellow book lover as a Chinese classic not to be missed. Although I’m eager to start this classic, I’ve put many other must reads ahead of it. When I saw that NetGalley was offering the opportunity to read and review the manga I was thrilled.
I must admit that fantasy isn’t a genre that I enjoy reading. I often feel lost and overwhelmed with the characters and the worlds. The Journey to the West manga is beautifully drawn with vivid colors. It is written in a way that is digestible. In the first third of the book, I indeed, was lost. I pushed through and I found myself feeling a bit more confident. However, for me, it was not my cup of tea.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is actually the first Manga Classics I've read and omg it was so much fun! The Journey West is one of my favorite stories of all times and I absolutely love the different retellings that have come down throughout the years, but honestly this may be my favorite. I mean like I marginally like it more than A Korean Odyssey, which is my very favorite remake. The art is absolutely amazing here and the action is nonstop. I think what makes this so well done though is the fact that it is in manga form. For those who may not be into reading the original story this is a perfect alternative. It's also perfect for the middle grade and higher readers out there.
Highly recommend this one and I will definitely be following this series!
As always thanks to Netgalley and Udon Entertainment for the eArc!
Highly recommend this one and I will definitely be following this series!
As always thanks to Netgalley and Udon Entertainment for the eArc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*I received an electronic advanced reader copy (eARC) via Netgalley in exchange for my fair and honest review*
Translating a work in to another medium is always a challenge; add to that the difficulty of actually translating it from one language to another and gearing it for a younger audience, and this work just barely manages to scrape by being decently good. The art style is fun and very colorful, which draws your eye in and keeps you engaged. It reminds me of One Piece and Fairytale. I do feel like the way the manga begins feels very abrupt and I would have liked more of an introduction to the characters and a slightly slower lead up to the journeying bit. I also felt like the overall tone was more juvenile (except for some cursing) than a book geared for teenagers should be. Overall, it was an okay read, but not necessarily something I would buy or recommend.
Translating a work in to another medium is always a challenge; add to that the difficulty of actually translating it from one language to another and gearing it for a younger audience, and this work just barely manages to scrape by being decently good. The art style is fun and very colorful, which draws your eye in and keeps you engaged. It reminds me of One Piece and Fairytale. I do feel like the way the manga begins feels very abrupt and I would have liked more of an introduction to the characters and a slightly slower lead up to the journeying bit. I also felt like the overall tone was more juvenile (except for some cursing) than a book geared for teenagers should be. Overall, it was an okay read, but not necessarily something I would buy or recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed the book. Thank you for the chance to read a preview of the book as an eARC.
The story is a Chinese classic adapted to manga. This version picks up the story in the third part, where Tang Sanzang and his disciples begin their pilgrimage along with Sun Wukong. The artwork was excellent, particularly for the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. Being new to manga, I appreciated the introduction for understanding the reading order of the panes.
The book covers the trials that Tang Sanzang and his fellow travelers endure from the beginning of their journey and covering Sun Wukong’s impulsive adventure.
I recommend that the reader understand that the original story is more complex, but this is an excellent treatment of the story to a manga form. Entertaining read
The story is a Chinese classic adapted to manga. This version picks up the story in the third part, where Tang Sanzang and his disciples begin their pilgrimage along with Sun Wukong. The artwork was excellent, particularly for the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. Being new to manga, I appreciated the introduction for understanding the reading order of the panes.
The book covers the trials that Tang Sanzang and his fellow travelers endure from the beginning of their journey and covering Sun Wukong’s impulsive adventure.
I recommend that the reader understand that the original story is more complex, but this is an excellent treatment of the story to a manga form. Entertaining read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have always wanted to read Journey to west but was intimidate by the size of the books but reading this manga adaptation of the famous classic gives you a fascinating glimspe into the famous story of Monkey King.
This volume introduces us to the main characters – the Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang and his 4 disciples Bai Longma (White Dragon Horse), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Sha Wujing (Sandy) and the Monkey King Sun Wukong.
While this is middle grade, translation choices like "my bro and damn right" constantly took me out of the story and i wish they kept the original tone instead of trying to appeal to the younger generation.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This volume introduces us to the main characters – the Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang and his 4 disciples Bai Longma (White Dragon Horse), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Sha Wujing (Sandy) and the Monkey King Sun Wukong.
While this is middle grade, translation choices like "my bro and damn right" constantly took me out of the story and i wish they kept the original tone instead of trying to appeal to the younger generation.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Manga Classics has adapted part of the epic Journey to the West. This volume features stories set near Jilei Mountain. Monk Tang San-Zang and his four disciples come upon a land that is burning up. As they bring water to drought-ridden areas and meet Monkey King’s sworn brother, the group seek the cause of the disasters.
The art style is dynamic, detailed, and lends to the story telling. Flashbacks and stories told with in the main story were easy to follow through the color changes.
Note for parents to determine if this is a good fit for your child- there is some mild cursing- hell, damn, bastard; and the character of Princess Iron Fan is drawn in a more sexualized manner than the other characters.
The art style is dynamic, detailed, and lends to the story telling. Flashbacks and stories told with in the main story were easy to follow through the color changes.
Note for parents to determine if this is a good fit for your child- there is some mild cursing- hell, damn, bastard; and the character of Princess Iron Fan is drawn in a more sexualized manner than the other characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this Arc!
It was a fun an quick read. The story is packed with action and adventures. These group of different people (or not so people) is travelling and helping others on the way. It was really fun and if you liked the story you'll get interested in reading a continuation, as it happened to me.
The artstyle reminds me slightly of One piece, so if you liked it you'll like this too. Cartoonish and fun designs. Suits the plot very well.
In the very begining they even explain to you how to read the comic right if you've never read mangas or anything similar before. Which is very mindful.
It's perfect for teens and older people. Also, there are many references to mythology, so if you like something like that you'll enjoy.
It was a fun an quick read. The story is packed with action and adventures. These group of different people (or not so people) is travelling and helping others on the way. It was really fun and if you liked the story you'll get interested in reading a continuation, as it happened to me.
The artstyle reminds me slightly of One piece, so if you liked it you'll like this too. Cartoonish and fun designs. Suits the plot very well.
In the very begining they even explain to you how to read the comic right if you've never read mangas or anything similar before. Which is very mindful.
It's perfect for teens and older people. Also, there are many references to mythology, so if you like something like that you'll enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The full color for this manga was such a treat! I loved the art style and am a big fan of consuming a classic story in this format. I think a lot of classics can be really important but reading a 16th century epic isn't always the most fun experience so this manga was the best of both worlds in that regard.
I didn't know too much about the story itself but I had a great time with it and really enjoyed all the characters and different tales.
It did throw me off having to turn the pages to the right instead of left like I typically do for a manga (even on Kindle) but I'm assuming that's a NetGalley issue and that the published pages will turn the correct way.
Overall it was an interesting story with unique characters.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy!
I didn't know too much about the story itself but I had a great time with it and really enjoyed all the characters and different tales.
It did throw me off having to turn the pages to the right instead of left like I typically do for a manga (even on Kindle) but I'm assuming that's a NetGalley issue and that the published pages will turn the correct way.
Overall it was an interesting story with unique characters.
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews