An animated version of Minekura Kazuya's manga adaptation of the Chinese novel The Journey to the West, Saiyuki scored a big hit in 2000, and was followed by the sequels Reload (2003) and Gunlock (2004). Sanjo Genjo and his squabbling half-demon companions Sha Goyjo, Cho Hakkai, and Son Goku have made remarkably little progress toward their destination in India over the years. In episode 1, someone remarks, "it may seem like they do nothing but take one detour after another." But Saiyuki fans love those detours, and Gunlock delivers plenty of them. The mismatched quartet continues their picaresque adventure, aiding the weak and bickering among themselves. They also find the time to kill plenty of nasty demons, although the animation of the fights is extremely limited. A serious threat arises when sinister Ni Jenyi turns Sanzo's respected foe Kougaiji into a soulless killing machine, but that subplot will play out over time.

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