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Saiyuki Manga 001

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
Chapter 01 - First Game
Chapter 02 - Even
Chapter 03 - Get Square
Chapter 04 - His God
Chapter 05 - My God






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
Chapter 07 - Crimson
Chapter 08 - Drug and Booze
Chapter 09 - Charismatic
Chapter 10 - Rain
Chapter 11 - Shower of Bullets






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
Chapter 13 - Faith in Mind
Chapter 14 - Good Night
Chapter 15 - Drop a Bomb
Chapter 16 - Confrontation
Chapter 17 - Overlap Each Other
Extra - Calling





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
Chapter 19 - Misty
Chapter 20 - Wandering Destiny
Chapter 21 - Dead
Chapter 22 - Alive
Chapter 23 - Survive






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
Chapter 25 - Be There 2
Chapter 26 - Be There 3
Chapter 27 - Be There 4
Chapter 28 - Sandstorm
Chapter 29 - A Fatal Dose






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
Chapter 31 - Pride
Chapter 32 - Thicker Than Blood
Chapter 33 - Devastation
Chapter 34 - Always
Chapter 35 - Opposite
Chapter 36 - Wish





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
Chapter 38 - Branches
Chapter 39 - Critical Day
Chapter 40 - Blind Faith
Chapter 41 - Farewell
Chapter 42 - 10 Years Ago






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
Chapter 44 - Rabbits
Chapter 45 - Chase
Chapter 46 - Don't Cry
Chapter 47 - Recreation
Chapter 48 - Lose
Chapter 49 - Take To Flight





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
Chapter 51 - Dawn
Chapter 52 - Go Ahead
Chapter 53 - Bet
Chapter 54 - Nothing To Give
Chapter 55 - Falling. Rising.






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.


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