Saiyuki Reload Vol.1 (DVD)

.../>
This is Saiyuki Reload, the sequel to the anime Gensomaden Saiyuki and it carries on from there.

Saiyuki is an action-packed often comedic series that I am incredibly fond of. The four main characters are instantly likable whether it's the cool playboy half-breed Gojyo, the perpetually-hungry nuclear warhead Goku, the always-smiling hardass Hakkai or the pissy, drinking, smoking gun-toting monk Sanzo it covers all the bases.
...as demons.

Saiyuki Reload has caused trouble with fans having started a new style of animation and introduced a new english voice cast from the Gensomaden Saiyuki series. On the negative side, the animation is choppier and less polished, indicating a lower budget possibly. However, the new animation makes it more comedic in nature and the rock-style soundtrack gives it appeal. Equally the new dub voices, despite being different, do ... more

In the land of Shangri-La demons have started to go berserk and it's up to a bunch of four misfits each with their own pain and powers to stop the madness and bring the world to order.

This is Saiyuki Reload, the sequel to the anime Gensomaden Saiyuki and it carries on from there.

Saiyuki is an action-packed often comedic series that I am incredibly fond of. The four main characters are instantly likable whether it's the cool playboy half-breed Gojyo, the perpetually-hungry nuclear warhead Goku, the always-smiling hardass Hakkai or the pissy, drinking, smoking gun-toting monk Sanzo it covers all the bases.

The first dvd covers four standalone episodes each with their own contained storylines, which sets you up nicely if you haven't seen the other series, as it does explain the story. The stories tend to deal with the conflicts ongoing on the journey such as demons that haven't gone insane and humans that are just as bad as demons.

Saiyuki Reload has caused trouble with fans having started a new style of animation and introduced a new english voice cast from the Gensomaden Saiyuki series. On the negative side, the animation is choppier and less polished, indicating a lower budget possibly. However, the new animation makes it more comedic in nature and the rock-style soundtrack gives it appeal. Equally the new dub voices, despite being different, do not lose the one-liners and wit.

The extra features are pretty standard for an anime dvd meaning that there isn't much. The american version of the dvd possibly has more features but this is a standard thing with UK anime dvds in that they scale down the extra features. Once again, as it's an mvm production the chance of the dvd dropping in price is also high.

Saiyuki is one of those series you either like and want to watch more or watch the first disc and think "meh". Personally I love it, I like the balance between comedy, action and angst which is evenly spread out over the episodes. I also like that the focus isn't always on Sanzo, all the characters in Saiyuki are extremely well-developed with pasts, presents and futures. Definately worth a look. 

...less