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devannm's review
3.0
This is probably more of a 3.5 but I still just can't really round it up. I find that I often like the flashback-heavy volumes more than the ones that take place in the present day [the whole reason I started reading it was because I could never keep all the side characters / villains straight in the anime, although honestly it's not helping a lot] buuuuut on the other hand Hakkai's entire backstory is focused around his girlfriend that got raped and committed suicide and if it wasn't for the last chapter she would have been literally the ONLY woman in the entire volume so I feel like I just have to round this down to 3 stars even though it also has like THE most popular line from the whole series in it as well:
This series is honestly a bit of a struggle and also all the fanfiction is horrible so I don't entirely know why I bother buuuuut I still do lol
This series is honestly a bit of a struggle and also all the fanfiction is horrible so I don't entirely know why I bother buuuuut I still do lol
mizusensei's review
5.0
They seriously have a "ride or die" type of friendship. I want this kind of friendship, damn.
theseventhl's review
4.0
All right, I'll grant you a four-star for this one, Saiyuki. Jolly good show. Very heavy on the Cho Hakkai this volume, which is totally not a backhanded compliment at all. A lot of back story brings some much needed depth of character to the quietest member of the bunch. Plus, it only further cements the relationship he has with the various members of his team. And there was some actual relevant info about the 'baddies' of the series this time around! Next volume looks to be good, as it shows how this rag-tag bunch formed in the first place. For some reason, I can't remember the next volume that well; hopefully that isn't a mark of an inconsequential book.
siria's review
4.0
Who was it told me that this was a series that would really dig its claws into you in the fourth volume? Because good lord, were they ever right. The more I read of Hakkai's backstory, the more I gaped at the page. It was really not something I would have ever predicted for him, either in regards to his relationship with his sister (which had me slackjawed for, oh, a good five minutes or so) or in regards to how exactly it is that he became a youkai. Though in fairness, I did not know that such a thing was possible - is that something which Minekura came up with herself, or is that a feature of the legend surrounding the original story?
I'm really loving the slowly developing accretion of layers upon layers of character interaction and dynamic. Even small little things are feeding into that, like how Sanzo was able to recognize almost immediately that Goku was an imposter, let alone Sanzo's line about how Hakkai would rather have died than kill him. I'm looking forward to the next volume immensely.
I'm really loving the slowly developing accretion of layers upon layers of character interaction and dynamic. Even small little things are feeding into that, like how Sanzo was able to recognize almost immediately that Goku was an imposter, let alone Sanzo's line about how Hakkai would rather have died than kill him. I'm looking forward to the next volume immensely.
brookeisbusyreading's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I always forget how dark the Chin Yisou arc is. And, though I still get a bit confused on the true relationship between Hakkai and Kanan, their bond is both beautiful and tragic. So sad and twisted what happens to her too!
I still love the art style, the dramatics, the humor, and of course the Sanzo Party themselves. Their personalities and relationships with each other is so entertaining and wonderful.
Between the anime to manga comparison, I do like the phrasing of the anime a little better in some places (but I also have to remind myself at times that the English version has been translated so that could be all it is).
Chin Yisou is an interesting antagonist. I like Kazuya’s inclusion of shikigami in the Saiyuki series as well as Mahjong tiles with Yisou specifically. (And his dubbed voice actor is perfect for this character!) This arc is one of the most disturbing in Saiyuki, in my opinion, so I hoping to get through it a little quicker. However, props to Kazuya Minekura for making me squirm!
[*NOTE: I didn’t realize until I looked at the cover after reading the volume but it has a Parental Advisory warning lol…and for good reason!]
I still love the art style, the dramatics, the humor, and of course the Sanzo Party themselves. Their personalities and relationships with each other is so entertaining and wonderful.
Between the anime to manga comparison, I do like the phrasing of the anime a little better in some places (but I also have to remind myself at times that the English version has been translated so that could be all it is).
Chin Yisou is an interesting antagonist. I like Kazuya’s inclusion of shikigami in the Saiyuki series as well as Mahjong tiles with Yisou specifically. (And his dubbed voice actor is perfect for this character!) This arc is one of the most disturbing in Saiyuki, in my opinion, so I hoping to get through it a little quicker. However, props to Kazuya Minekura for making me squirm!
[*NOTE: I didn’t realize until I looked at the cover after reading the volume but it has a Parental Advisory warning lol…and for good reason!]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Minor: Rape and Suicide
flowhella's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5