Saiyuki was the first manga installment of Saiyuki serialized in G-Fantasy from 1996 to 2002.
Saiyuki consists of nine volumes. The covers of each volume feature each of the characters in turn. The rotation starts with Genjo Sanzo on the first cover, Son Goku on the second, Sha Gojyo on the third, and Cho Hakkai on the fourth. The cycle is repeated again and on the ninth volume all four of them are featured on the cover.
The first English translation was published in graphic novel form in March 2004 by Tokyopop. In 2020, Kodansha US released new translation in 4 omnibus volumes, titled Saiyuki: The Original Series Resurrected Edition[1].
最遊記 (Saiyuki) translated as: "Journey to the Extreme" is a pun of 西遊記 (also pronounced Saiyuki) which translates as: "Journey to the West".
Synopsis[]
Renegade priest Genjo Sanzo is assigned by the Sanbutsushin the mission of stopping the Minus Wave , a mystical plague that has afflicted the youkai of Shangri-La with madness. He is ordered to assemble a team of his old companions, Son Goku , Cho Hakkai , and Sha Gojyo , all of whom are part youkai, to accompany him on his quest. Initially he feared that they might be susceptible to the plague as well, but after watching them in action, Sanzo is reminded that they are, after all, part human, and their wills are strong. His doubts dispelled, they begin their journey to the West.
List of Manga Volumes and Chapters[]
Volume 1[]
Volume 1 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
October 1, 1997 GF October 26, 2002 ZS |
4870255928 GF 4758050074 ZS |
March 2, 2004 | 1591826519 TP | ||
Chapters: Prologue - Go to the West | |||||
Summary: It was a time of chaos, when Heaven and Earth were as one, and humans and demons - the youkai - lived together in peace. The foundations of civilization and religion were raised in the land of Togenkyo, the paradise known as Shangri-La. But now a great evil threatens this harmony. Someone is trying to resurrect the youkai lord Gyumaoh and this forbidden practice as created a Minus Wave of negative energy that is spreading across Shangri-La. Hope lies in four legendary heroes: Genjyo Sanzo, Son Goku, Sha Gojyo and Cho Hakkai. |
Volume 2[]
Volume 2 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
April 1, 1998 GF November 26, 2002 ZS |
4870252872 GF 4758050082 ZS |
May 11, 2004 | 1591826527 TP | ||
Chapters: Chapter 06 - Cleaning Beauty | |||||
Summary: Continuing their journey west and leaving a trail of dead Youkai in their wake, Genjyo Sanzo and company come upon a young woman who has quite a tale to tell. She recounts the story of her long lost lover, a Youkai who succumbed to the madness. In spite of it all, she continues to wait faithfully for his return. |
Volume 3[]
Volume 3 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
November 1, 1998 GF December 26, 2002 ZS |
4870254069 GF 4758050120 ZS |
July 13, 2004 | 1591826535 TP | ||
Chapters: Chapter 12 - Metamorphoses | |||||
Summary: It was a time of chaos, when Heaven and Earth were as one, and humans and demons - the youkai - lived together in peace. But now a great evil threatens this harmony. Sanzo is down and possibly out for the count as he tries to protect Goku from an old friend-turned-foe. In the fight, Goku's youkai power limiter shatters, sending Goku into a violent rampage. |
Volume 4[]
Volume 4 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
April 1, 1999 GF January 27, 2003 ZS |
4870254883 GF 4758050155 ZS |
September 14, 2004 | 1591826543 TP | ||
Chapters: Chapter 18 - Tragedy in Revenge | |||||
Summary: The mysterious fortune-teller Chin Yisou takes great pleasure in pushing Hakkai's psychological boundaries, and Hakkai is frightened to find his bloody past nipping at his heels. When Chin Yisou starts targeting Sanzo and the others, our heroes find themselves not only fighting against him, but against each other. |
Volume 5[]
Volume 5 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
October 1, 1999 GF February 25, 2003 ZS |
4757500963 GF 4758050198 ZS |
November 9, 2004 | 1591826551 TP | ||
Chapters: Chapter 24 - Be There 1 | |||||
Summary: The story of how Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai originally met is revealed at last. Voilence drew the unlikely party close, but something far more powerful kept them together. Now with bonds formed in insecurity and despair, the group is trapped in an underground youkai den with a malicious female demon. Her interest lies with Sanzo, but her strength lies with her poison and her ability to make it linger. |
Volume 6[]
Volume 6 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
April 1, 2000 GF March 26, 2003 ZS |
4757502192 GF 4758050244 ZS |
January 11, 2005 | 1595324313 TP | ||
Chapters: Chapter 30 - Selfish | |||||
Summary: With poison coursing through his veins, Sanzo's life dwindles as Goku and the others fight to discover a way out of their desert prison. Although Kougaiji offers a solution, there's a catch - Goku must first defeat him in combat! Goku's desperation grows as Sanzo's health rapidly fails, but there's no divine intervention if Goku loses control this time. Will Goku put Sanzo's life above everything...and everyone? |
Volume 7[]
Volume 7 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
September 1, 2000 GF April 25, 2003 ZS |
4-7575-0318-0 GF 4758050279 ZS |
March 8, 2005 | 1595324321 TP | ||
Chapters: Chapter 37 - Out of Gear | |||||
Summary: A set of twins catches our heroes by surprise, trapping Goku and Hakkai in a magical gourd. Sanzo and Gojyo set off on a hunt to find and free their friends. But when they finally track down the duo, not everything is what it appears to be... |
Volume 8[]
Volume 8 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
August 01, 2001 GF May 26, 2003 ZS |
4757505027 GF 4758050309 ZS |
June 7, 2005 | 159532433X TP | ||
Chapters: Chapter 43 - Be Lacking | |||||
Summary: Sanzo, Goku and Hakkai are out to find "God"--and Gojyo. At the same time, Gojyo climbs a seemingly endless stairway to heaven and is assailed by a very maternal monster. The gang finally catches up to Gojyo, and as luck would have it, they've also found "God." But this dangerous deity is no ordinary opponent, and the quartet must get serious before they get crushed. |
Volume 9[]
Volume 9 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cover | Japanese | English | |||
Release date | ISBN | Release date | ISBN | ||
February 01, 2002 GF June 25, 2003 ZS |
4757506341 GF 4758050368 ZS |
July 12, 2005 | 1595324348 TP | ||
Chapters: Chapter 50 - Play Go | |||||
Summary: Defeated and crestfallen after losing round one versus "God," Sanzo and his crew turn to the only thing that can help boost their spirits - a game of mahjong. The fierce competition gets everyone back in the mood, and the gang decides to take another crack at the arrogant wannabe deity. This time, Goku and company are ready for a second helping of battle...and they've had enough of just playing around. |