Saiyuki Gaiden Explained

Ja Kanji:最遊記外伝
Ja Romaji:Saiyūki Gaiden
Type:manga
Author:Kazuya Minekura
Demographic:,,
First:May 1999
Last:May 16, 2009
Volumes:4
Volume List:List of Saiyuki volumes
Type:ova
Director:Naoyuki Kuzuya
Music:Hiroyuki Nagashima
First:March 25, 2011
Last:April 26, 2013
Runtime:30 minutes per episode
Episodes:4
Episode List:List of Saiyuki episodes#Saiyuki Gaiden (2011-13)

is a Japanese manga series that serves as a prequel to the Saiyuki series Kazuya Minekura wrote and illustrated. Saiyuki Gaiden began serialization in Square Enix's manga magazine Monthly GFantasy from May 1999 to February 2003 and continued serialization in Ichijinsha's manga magazine Monthly Comic Zero Sum from November 2003, and was then transferred to the publisher's manga Comic Zero Sum WARD. Serialization finished in May 2009, with its chapters collected in four volumes. The manga tells a story that occurs 500 years before the main story.

Sentai Filmworks licensed a three-part original video animation (OVA) adaptation that aired from March to November 2011. A special edition titled Saiyuki Gaiden: Kouga no Shou was released in April 2013. Sentai Filmworks released in North America a "Complete Collection" Blu-ray edition that compiled the series into a two-hour feature-length motion picture in September 2022.

Plot

Heaven, where the gods live, is a world where death does not exist, Konzen Douji spent his days bored but his life begins to change with the introduction of a golden-eyed boy at Kanzeon Bosatsu's side, who is said to have been born of a Lower World stone. Konzen is charged with looking after the boy and begins to sense a change in his life, although he is irritated at being toyed with. Konzen names the boy Goku, who becomes close to Tenpou Gensui and Kenren Taisho of Heaven's Western Army, and makes his first friend.

Goku is shocked when his friend dies and unleashes the power of the Seiten Taisei that is bound by his golden diadem, and with thuis overwhealming power, he massacres those in the area. Kanzeon Bosatsu knocks out the Seiten Taisei, but Konzen Douji stops her from finishing the job. Because they are protecting Goku, Konzen Douji, Kenren Taisho, and Tenpou Gensui are made enemies of heaven. They take hostage the Dragon King of the Western Ocean, Gojun, and attempt to flee to the Lower World.

Media

Manga

Saiyuki Gaiden, written and illustrated by Kazuya Minekura, first was serialized in Square Enix's manga magazine Monthly GFantasy. Its first installment started in the magazine's June 1999 issue, which was published in May, and ran in the magazine until February 2003 issue. Due to the change of manga publisher, it continued serialization in Ichijinsha's manga magazine Monthly Comic Zero Sum[1] from November 2003 issue. The manga was put on hold for one year in 2004,[2] and was then transferred to the publisher's manga Comic Zero Sum WARD.[3] [4] [5] The series finished its final installment in the July issue of Comic Zero Sum WARD, published on May 16, 2009. Ichijinsha collected its chapters in four volumes, released from December 2005 to July 2009.[6] [7]

A special edition titled "Saiyuki Gaiden memorial" was released on July 16, 2009.[8] [9] On January 25, 2011, Ichijinsha published two new-edition volumes of Saiyuki Gaiden.[10] In September 2012, a new, one-shot story titled Saiyuki Gaiden Heavenly Ants was released.[11] Ichijinsha released a book titled Saiyuki Gaiden Anthology on July 31, 2017.[12]

In Italy, the manga is licensed by Dynit;[13] and Tong Li Publishing licensed the Chinese translation, which it published from July to October 2011.[14] [15] In April 2023, on the occasion of Saiyuki's 25th anniversary, a new design book box edition of Saiyuki Gaiden was published in Taiwan by Tong Li Publishing.[16]

Anime

See also: List of Saiyuki episodes.

Production and release

In November 2009, it was announced an OVA titled Saiyuki Gaiden had been green-lit.[17] [18] The first of three volumes was released in Japan on March 25, 2011.[19] The second of the three OVA volumes was released in Japan on June 24, 2011, and the third volume on September 22, 2011, after being delayed two months.[20] [21] [22]

A special edition (4th episode) under the title, was released in Japan on April 26, 2013,[23] Sentai Filmworks released a DVD called Saiyuki Gaiden Complete DVD containing OVA episodes 1–3 on January 22, 2013,[24] and later a "Complete Collection" Blu-ray edition that compiled the series into a two-hour feature-length motion picture was released in North America on September 13, 2022.[25] [26] [27] [28] Section23 Films is the home-video distributor of Saiyuki Gaiden.[29] On September 28, 2018, Frontier Works released all four OVA volumes of "Saiyuki Gaiden" in a Blu-ray box set containing a new, HD digital remastering of the show.[30] [31]

Reception

Manga

The Saiyuki Gaiden manga remained in the top weekly Japanese ranking chart whenever a manga volume debuted.[32] The fourth volume ranked fourth of the top-selling manga in Japan from July 27 to August 2, 2009, selling 89,565 copies and a total of 135,913 copies.[33] and ranked twenty-second during August 3 to 9 2009, selling 32,366 copies and a total of 167,971 copies.[34] In addition to the volumes, a DVD box set titled The Monkey Perm 2 DVD-Box Deluxe Edition Gaiden ranked twelfth during the week of December 22 to 28 2014, selling 1,653 copies.[35] and The Monkey Perm 3 DVD-Box Deluxe Edition Gaiden ranked third during the week of February 1 to 7 2016, selling 1,123 copies.[36]

Anime

In his review of the anime DVD, Chris Beveridge of The Fandom Post describes the story as very simple and straightforward, saying Saiyuki Gaiden is a very entertaining miniseries that plays it seriously. He said there are moments of levity that fit the situation, calling the story enjoyable, and the animation and character design lovely.[37] In his review of anime Blu-ray, Beveridge praised the OVA series, said the style used in the anime is relatively good, and stated "Saiyuki Gaiden fully reveals the events that took place in Heaven, which in turn created bonds that eventually shook its pillars so strongly"; he also compares the moments of the anime to a lightness and softness that fits with the situation.[38]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lo sapevate che? Curiosità e aneddoti su anime e manga (gennaio 2022). AnimeClick. January 29, 2022. March 5, 2024. it. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20231208065241/https://www.animeclick.it/news/93528-lo-sapevate-che-curiosita-e-aneddoti-su-anime-e-manga-gennaio-2022. December 8, 2023.
  2. Web site: Saiyuki Gaiden Returns. April 1, 2005. Anime News Network. July 18, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126114648/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-06-07/saiyuki-gaiden-returns. January 26, 2021.
  3. Web site: https://www.nepic.net/shop/product_image.php?products_id=51387. nepic.net. June 15, 2024. ja:月刊Comic ZERO SUM 2006年 1月 增刊 WARD vol.10. ja. June 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240615073933/https://www.nepic.net/shop/product_image.php?products_id=51387. live.
  4. Web site: https://www.nepic.net/shop/product_image.php?products_id=54740. nepic.net. June 15, 2024. ja:月刊Comic ZERO SUM 2006年 4月 增刊 WARD. ja. June 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240615075916/https://www.nepic.net/shop/product_image.php?products_id=54740. live.
  5. Web site: https://www.nepic.net/shop/product_image.php?products_id=61981. nepic.net. June 15, 2024. ja:月刊Comic ZERO SUM 2006年 10月 增刊 WARD. ja. June 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240615075940/https://www.nepic.net/shop/product_image.php?products_id=61981. live.
  6. Web site: ja:最遊記外伝 (1). https://data.ichijinsha.co.jp/detail/75805203. Ichijinsha. July 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719012251/https://data.ichijinsha.co.jp/detail/75805203. July 19, 2022. ja. December 28, 2005. live.
  7. Web site: ja:最遊記外伝 (4). https://data.ichijinsha.co.jp/detail/75805427. Ichijinsha. July 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719013246/https://data.ichijinsha.co.jp/detail/75805427. July 19, 2022. ja. July 25, 2009. live.
  8. Web site: ja:ゼロサムWARD No. 010は「最遊記外伝」特製小冊子付き. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/18798. Comic Natalie. July 17, 2022. Natasha, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717031857/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/18798. July 17, 2022. ja. July 16, 2009. live.
  9. Web site: ja:最遊記シリーズ情報そのイチ。. https://nitroblog.exblog.jp/11509804/. World is 峰-mine-. July 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20210926005939/https://nitroblog.exblog.jp/11509804/. September 26, 2021. ja. July 12, 2009. live.
  10. Web site: ja:【1月25日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/43828. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. July 20, 2022. ja. January 25, 2011. July 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220720031325/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/43828. live.
  11. Web site: ja:峰倉かずや「最遊記外伝」新シリーズ「天上の蟻」読切で. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/76612. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. July 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220717165440/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/76612. July 17, 2022. ja. September 16, 2012. live.
  12. Web site: ja:【7月31日付】本日発売の単行本リスト. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/242458. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. July 19, 2022. ja. July 31, 2017. July 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220719024326/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/242458. live.
  13. Web site: Dynit annuncia Inuyasha: The Final Act e altre novità. AnimeClick. October 30, 2009. March 5, 2024. it. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210425060501/https://www.animeclick.it/news/23466-dynit-annuncia-inuyasha-the-final-act-e-altre-novita. April 25, 2021.
  14. Web site: 最遊記外傳第1集. Tong Li Publishing. November 22, 2023. November 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231122063707/https://www.tongli.com.tw/BooksDetail.aspx?Bd=BM0041001. live. zh.
  15. Web site: 最遊記外傳第4集. Tong Li Publishing. November 22, 2023. November 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231122064026/https://www.tongli.com.tw/BooksDetail.aspx?BD=BM0041004. live. zh.
  16. Web site: 最遊記外傳紀念版(25週年書盒版 II). Tong Li Publishing. November 23, 2023. May 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230521130626/https://www.tongli.com.tw/BooksDetail.aspx?Bd=BM0426001A. live. zh.
  17. Web site: Saiyuki Gaiden Manga Gets OVA Green-Lit . November 2, 2009. Anime News Network. June 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221209071007/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-11-02/saiyuki-gaiden-manga-gets-ova-green-lit. December 9, 2022.
  18. Web site: 漫畫《最遊記外傳》將推出 OVA 作品. November 3, 2009. GNN Gamer. November 23, 2023. zh. https://web.archive.org/web/20231123102321/https://gnn.gamer.com.tw/detail.php?sn=40308. November 23, 2023.
  19. Web site: Saiyuki Gaiden, Live-Action Priest Promos Streamed. Anime News Network. January 11, 2011. August 13, 2022. August 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220812235439/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-01-11/saiyuki-gaiden-live-action-priest-promos-streamed. live.
  20. Web site: Saiyuki Gaiden Volume 3's Promotional Video Streamed . August 29, 2011. Anime News Network. October 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203044409/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-08-29/saiyuki-gaiden-volume-3-promotional-video-streamed. February 3, 2023.
  21. Web site: OVA「最遊記外伝」ジャケット公開!2011年3月より発売. natalie. Nov 26, 2010. August 15, 2022. August 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815141437/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/41203. live.
  22. Web site: Towa no Quon, Saiyuki Gaiden Promos Streamed. Anime News Network. January 11, 2011. August 13, 2022. August 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220812235439/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-05-26/towa-no-quon-saiyuki-gaiden-promos-streamed. live.
  23. Web site: 最遊記外伝OVA「香花の章」発売、「天上の蟻」無料配信も. natalie. Apr 26, 2013. August 15, 2022. August 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815141439/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/89556. live.
  24. Web site: Sentai Filmworks Sets January Anime Slate With 'Bodacious Space Pirates' & More. October 10, 2012. The Fandom Post. October 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231021030738/https://www.fandompost.com/2012/10/10/sentai-filmworks-sets-january-anime-slate-with-bodacious-space-pirates-more/. October 21, 2023.
  25. Web site: Sentai Filmworks Sets September 2022 Blu-ray Anime Release Slate. June 28, 2022. The Fandom Post. October 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231021024912/https://www.fandompost.com/2022/06/28/sentai-filmworks-sets-september-2022-blu-ray-anime-release-slate/. October 21, 2023.
  26. Web site: Saiyuki Gaiden Complete Collection. https://web.archive.org/web/20230605045036/https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/products/816726023458-saiyuki-gaiden-complete-collection-blu-ray. June 5, 2023. Sentai Filmworks. live.
  27. Web site: Saiyuki Gaiden Video Anime Gets Special Edition. March 25, 2012. Anime News Network. June 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220617223006/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/all/2012-03-25. June 17, 2022.
  28. Web site: Kazuya Minekura : Le plein d'informations. manga-news.com. March 25, 2012. August 13, 2022. August 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220812233956/https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/actus/2012/03/25/Kazuya-Minekura-:-Le-plein-dinformations. live.
  29. Web site: Section23 Films Announces September Slate. Anime News Network. July 1, 2022. August 13, 2022. August 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220812235439/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2022-06-30/section23-films-announces-september-slate/.187248. live.
  30. Web site: OVA「最遊記外伝」Blu-ray BOX . September 28, 2018 . saiyuki-gaiden.com . July 13, 2022 . November 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201101055755/http://saiyuki-gaiden.com/ . live .
  31. Web site: アニメ「最遊記外伝」BD-BOX発売、峰倉かずやの描き下ろし特典など . June 29, 2018 . natalie . July 22, 2022 . July 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220722023211/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/288876 . live .
  32. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, July 24–30 . August 1, 2007. Anime News Network. October 21, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20231005064604/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-08-01/japanese-comic-ranking-july-24-30. October 5, 2023.
  33. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, July 27-August 2 . August 5, 2009. Anime News Network. October 21, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20231005064617/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-05/japanese-comic-ranking-july-27-august-2. October 5, 2023.
  34. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, August 3–9 . August 12, 2009. Anime News Network. October 21, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230414234107/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-08-12/japanese-comic-ranking-august-3-9. April 14, 2023.
  35. Web site: Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, December 22–28 . December 30, 2014. Anime News Network. October 21, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230225100442/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-12-30/japan-animation-dvd-ranking-december-22-28/.82754. February 25, 2023.
  36. Web site: Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, February 1–7 . February 9, 2016. Anime News Network. October 21, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230320193437/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-02-09/japan-animation-dvd-ranking-february-1-7/.98494. March 20, 2023.
  37. Web site: beveridge. Chris. Saiyuki Gaiden Complete Collection Anime DVD Review. The Fandom Post. October 21, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901121049/https://www.fandompost.com/2013/01/16/saiyuki-gaiden-complete-collection-anime-dvd-review/. September 1, 2021. January 16, 2013.
  38. Web site: beveridge. Chris. Saiyuki Gaiden Complete Collection Anime Blu-ray Review. The Fandom Post. September 16, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230916104301/https://www.fandompost.com/2022/09/02/saiyuki-gaiden-complete-collection-anime-blu-ray-review/. September 16, 2023. September 2, 2022.