woa! nt *actually* does something!
Title: Saiyuki
Author/Artist: Kazuya Minekura
Publisher/Translator: Tokyopop
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theme: Going to the West(?)
Finished: No
Anime: Three seasons
Summary: Genjyo Sanzo, one of the five high-ranking buddhist prists, has been ordered to journey to the west to stop the ressurection of the youkai lord Gyu Mao. In addition to this, he must stop the minus wave (a side-effect of the ressurection), which has caused all the youkai to go insane. He is to take three companions (who are all partial youkai) with him- Son Goku (the monkey king), Sha Gojyo (friar sand), and Cho Hakkai (the lecherous pig). Small detail: Minekura reversed all their personalities. Sanzo is atheist, Goku is a little kid, Gojyo is a lady killer, and Hakkai just kinda smiles nicely all the time.
NT thoughts: I love this series... (so yes, this is a bit biased!)
NT favorite character: Son Goku
OVERALL GRADE
CatagoryPointsCommentsArt7/10I have only one reason why our dear lord and god Minekura doesn't get a full 10 on this one. It's the first volume. The art kinda sucked back then, seeing as Goku's hair was bigger than his face and Sanzo's nose looked like it was bent in half the first time we see him. In subesquent volumes, her art becomes the most beautiful thing, but i'm not judging that. Please don't hurt me?Male Leads10/10There's a guy for everyone in this book. We've got your angsty ones, cute ones, slick ones, insane ones, girly ones, complex ones, polite ones, depressed ones, hopeless ones, obnoxious ones, nice ones, old ones, optimistic ones, and bad ones. All of which are hawt (or good looking, at their peak). Of course, the main four do a wonderful job, just on their own (interestingly enough, they cover most of those catagories... hmmm).Supporting Cast8/10Everyone from Jeep to Konzen's assistant (I always forget his name) to the old man at the inn, they've got character. Often enough, they steal the scene with naught but breaking the fourth wall just a tiny bit or being cute/useful. Minekura also makes sure that they have enough development to support the time they appear in the story. Without these unsung heroes, our main four wouldn't have gotten far at all.Animal Sidekick9/10Jeep! Yes, the animal sidekick in this series is a jeep. Actually, he is a little white dragon that can turn into a jeep, so everyone calls him "Jeep" (though his name it Ryukuu, i think). Jeep is the boy's main mode of transportation on their journey, so he gets obvious props for doing that. Sadly, he doesn't talk. He just makes chirpping noises (even in jeep form). He does understand what is said around him, though.Fan Service8/10Minekura is a woman writing and drawing a bunch of men. Sooner or later, there was going to be something kind of fan service-y, and it does show up, even for the guys out there. People run around shirtless fairly often, for example. Even the way the main four kick butt is just... hawt.Sub Total42/50not too bad...Percent84/100mmm... sounds like we need some bonus points!
BONUS POINTS
ItemPointsCommentsOld Men5Yes, I stole this from Sleep Is For The Weak. But thats only because I think they're awesome.Gender Confusion2Thank you Konzen (s/he is a hermaphrodite).Irresponsible Use of Religeon + Gods5Did you know that some Asian countries refuse to have Saiyuki published there because it is found to be extremely offensive to buddhists.Chibis2Well, they're less chibi and more Minekura being lazy... but they're still cute!Super Powers5Sanzo: I'm going to chant at you so you die!Clothing4The outfits... I'm sorry, Goku has claws on his shoulder pads. Just too funny for words... And there's the fact that Sanzo has a problem with keeping all his clothing on.Monicals2Yes, Hakkai does rock like that.Backstory3Well, if I told you, I'd give the whole thing away!Siblings2Gojyo and Hakkai have family issues...Teachers1Go Hakkai!Food5Goku and his food... sometimes an important plot point!Dragons5Jeep anyone?Bishies5umm... isn't this whole thing about bishies?Magical Transformation3Jeep counts, right?Fights5They just never end! (though sadly, the "boss fights" don't really happen... well, not in the 1st volume.)Total54I think I added that right...
GRAND TOTAL: 138/100
GENERAL CONCENSUS: You should read this.
NT AWARD: Longest roadtrip ever. Why am I not going?
i really hope that makes sense to you guys! if you see something that needs tweaking, let me know!
i think next time i'll include some images... but that's next time.
nt out
Author/Artist: Kazuya Minekura
Publisher/Translator: Tokyopop
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theme: Going to the West(?)
Finished: No
Anime: Three seasons
Summary: Genjyo Sanzo, one of the five high-ranking buddhist prists, has been ordered to journey to the west to stop the ressurection of the youkai lord Gyu Mao. In addition to this, he must stop the minus wave (a side-effect of the ressurection), which has caused all the youkai to go insane. He is to take three companions (who are all partial youkai) with him- Son Goku (the monkey king), Sha Gojyo (friar sand), and Cho Hakkai (the lecherous pig). Small detail: Minekura reversed all their personalities. Sanzo is atheist, Goku is a little kid, Gojyo is a lady killer, and Hakkai just kinda smiles nicely all the time.
NT thoughts: I love this series... (so yes, this is a bit biased!)
NT favorite character: Son Goku
OVERALL GRADE
CatagoryPointsCommentsArt7/10I have only one reason why our dear lord and god Minekura doesn't get a full 10 on this one. It's the first volume. The art kinda sucked back then, seeing as Goku's hair was bigger than his face and Sanzo's nose looked like it was bent in half the first time we see him. In subesquent volumes, her art becomes the most beautiful thing, but i'm not judging that. Please don't hurt me?Male Leads10/10There's a guy for everyone in this book. We've got your angsty ones, cute ones, slick ones, insane ones, girly ones, complex ones, polite ones, depressed ones, hopeless ones, obnoxious ones, nice ones, old ones, optimistic ones, and bad ones. All of which are hawt (or good looking, at their peak). Of course, the main four do a wonderful job, just on their own (interestingly enough, they cover most of those catagories... hmmm).Supporting Cast8/10Everyone from Jeep to Konzen's assistant (I always forget his name) to the old man at the inn, they've got character. Often enough, they steal the scene with naught but breaking the fourth wall just a tiny bit or being cute/useful. Minekura also makes sure that they have enough development to support the time they appear in the story. Without these unsung heroes, our main four wouldn't have gotten far at all.Animal Sidekick9/10Jeep! Yes, the animal sidekick in this series is a jeep. Actually, he is a little white dragon that can turn into a jeep, so everyone calls him "Jeep" (though his name it Ryukuu, i think). Jeep is the boy's main mode of transportation on their journey, so he gets obvious props for doing that. Sadly, he doesn't talk. He just makes chirpping noises (even in jeep form). He does understand what is said around him, though.Fan Service8/10Minekura is a woman writing and drawing a bunch of men. Sooner or later, there was going to be something kind of fan service-y, and it does show up, even for the guys out there. People run around shirtless fairly often, for example. Even the way the main four kick butt is just... hawt.Sub Total42/50not too bad...Percent84/100mmm... sounds like we need some bonus points!
BONUS POINTS
ItemPointsCommentsOld Men5Yes, I stole this from Sleep Is For The Weak. But thats only because I think they're awesome.Gender Confusion2Thank you Konzen (s/he is a hermaphrodite).Irresponsible Use of Religeon + Gods5Did you know that some Asian countries refuse to have Saiyuki published there because it is found to be extremely offensive to buddhists.Chibis2Well, they're less chibi and more Minekura being lazy... but they're still cute!Super Powers5Sanzo: I'm going to chant at you so you die!Clothing4The outfits... I'm sorry, Goku has claws on his shoulder pads. Just too funny for words... And there's the fact that Sanzo has a problem with keeping all his clothing on.Monicals2Yes, Hakkai does rock like that.Backstory3Well, if I told you, I'd give the whole thing away!Siblings2Gojyo and Hakkai have family issues...Teachers1Go Hakkai!Food5Goku and his food... sometimes an important plot point!Dragons5Jeep anyone?Bishies5umm... isn't this whole thing about bishies?Magical Transformation3Jeep counts, right?Fights5They just never end! (though sadly, the "boss fights" don't really happen... well, not in the 1st volume.)Total54I think I added that right...
GRAND TOTAL: 138/100
GENERAL CONCENSUS: You should read this.
NT AWARD: Longest roadtrip ever. Why am I not going?
i really hope that makes sense to you guys! if you see something that needs tweaking, let me know!
i think next time i'll include some images... but that's next time.
nt out