Saiyuki: The Original Series Resurrected Edition 2

by Kazuya Minekura

Genjyo Sanzo is a Buddhist priest in the city of Shangri-La, which is being ravaged by yokai spirits that have fallen out of balance with the natural order. His superiors send him on a journey far to the west to discover why this is happening and how to stop it. His companions are three yokai with human souls. But this is no day trip -- the four will encounter many discoveries and horrors on the way, and on the road, Sanzo will wonder... can he really trust his supernatural companions?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy

400 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2020

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

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sanzo's battle from the previous volume concludes, and the gang continues their journey. Lirin decides to track down them down on her own, which means the rest of Kougaiji's squad is not far behind. The eight of them end up defeating a common foe together and parting on decent "we'll beat you up next time" terms. The monster they fought was a shinigami, a construct summoned by an old foe of Hakkai's, and during the ensuing battle with him, much of Hakkai's past is revealed.

I like Minekura's distinctive art, and the bickering loyalty between the members of Sanzo's team. Much of the rest of it, I can take or leave. Every main character has a ridiculously dark past, and Hakkai's has more than a hint of incest to it. That's not a favorite, to say the least. The story's too prone to fridging its female characters (in the case of Kougaiji's mother, it's all but literal, even if it will be possible to revive her), and aside from its basic setup that I described in the review for v.1 , the story seems rather episodic and directionless.

I hate the "relentless, sociopathic villain who constantly wears a cheerful smile" trope, too. Funnily enough, Minekura says in her supplementary material that lots of her Japanese readers hated Chin Yisou, too. It's kind of cool when a character has a strong effect like that, even if it's to dislike them.

Despite all these complaints, I'm giving this one a good score because I'm having a good time reading it, and because of its unique aesthetic and mood. Minekura took an old, old tale and put a cool contemporary (to the '90s) spin on it, so it's a window into manga's past as well as just being a fun story.

[Cindee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series as always it never disappoints I like reading more about the characters the story is also so very well written. The characters all are very interesting I like both the Sanzo party as well as Kougaiji's many interesting characters to read about. I loved learning more about Hakkai and how he became a Yokai its a bit disturbing but very interesting to read about. I also like members of Kougaiji's group like Lirin she is a lot like Goku very excitable she likes to bug Sanzo she is a fun character to read about. I loved the story it starts where the last volume ended with Sanzo injured and Goku going out of control so he is stopped they later meet the other group and more is learnt about Hakkai it makes for a sad yet interesting part of the story I just love reading about these characters.

[Chase Guard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize the resurrected editions are 2 volumes in 1!! This one contained both volumes 3 and 4 and I was pleasantly surprised by both! At the very end the author took several pages to go and explain more in-depth parts of the world that saiyuki takes place in! The art throughout the volumes were awesome and had this early 2000’s look to it while still masterly approaching line work and shading to where every panel would pop at you. The story even got deeper as we actually learned the back story for Hakkai as it began to show it’s importance for the plot! All around a fantastic book throughout with nothing but lovable characters!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kazuya Minekura is such a curiosity to me. Saiyuki has strong themes of loyalty and devotion yet lines like “It doesn’t matter how red my hands get. I can always wash the blood off.” (pg. 344) or “If you meet the Buddha on the road kill him. If you meet your ancestor on the road kill him. Constrained by nothing, bound by nothing. Live your life exactly as it is...It’s the only teaching my predecessor passed on to me.” (Pg. 241). It seems to me that this story of four companions on a mission for heaven are working towards their goal sideways from my traditional point of view. These are clearly friends who care for each other but vocally deny it. What they say and what they are do are contradicting which makes the story fresh and unexpected. I find myself placing my own moralities on Sanzo especially. I just can’t accept the heartless things he says about the others. Goku seems to be the voice that speaks of me. I am always asking myself how did Kazuya Minekura come up with such an unconventional expansive tale.

[Viktoriia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still awesome

I’ve first read Sayuki in a fan translation about 20 years ago. I have been waiting for new chapters since, and although I don’t think there is much hope anymore because if Minekura dono’s health, I won’t give it up.

This story is cheeky and deep and gorish, and plays with topics of death, love, sex and self destruction while somehow remaining fun to read. A legend, really.

[S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still really enjoying the Kodansha translations! I don't know if I'll finish my reread of the base series + Tokyopop's reload volumes before Zeroin drops, but I'll at least make an effort. :'D

[Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saiyuki is one of my favorite series. I love the new reprints and my best boy is on this volumes cover.❤ This volume also had some of my favorite story lines like the great villain Chin Yisou.

[Tor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read <3!