Review of Saiyuki Reload: Volume 2

Introduction

Do you remember Monkey? Loads of kung fu action, flying clouds, an infinitely extendable pole, fnar, and a Buddhist monk of indeterminate gender, all topped off with the most comical dub you will ever hear. In its native Japan it`s called Saiyuki, and is one of countless adaptations of the Journey To The West legend. The four heroes were on an endless journey, battling the forces of evil each week, only to have to start afresh at their next stop off point in the following episode. It`s nice, routine, formulaic storytelling that television used to love once upon a time, where continuity isn`t a problem, and episodes can be inserted into the schedules when convenient.

Saiyuki is no stranger to anime, and with this Saiyuki Reload series from MVM, we join the travellers 50 episodes and 1 movie into their journey. Since the main plot can be recited in 30 seconds at the start of each episode, we apparently haven`t missed much. There has been an update of course, with the characters and story moved to the present day. It appears that someone has been trying to resurrect the demon Gyumaoh, which causes no end of mischief in the demon world. Naturally, that impacts on the human world and of course someone has to do something to restore the balance. Step forward the priest, Genjyo Sanzo and his supernatural companions, Son Goku, Sha Gojyo and Cho Hakkai. Together they travel west to India (in a magic jeep named Hakuryu) to deal with the menace.

The next four episodes can be found on this shiny silver platter.

5. Slumbering Memories
Stumbling across a strangely peaceful village, the Sanzo party are surprised to meet a benevolent demon adored by the villagers. Lady Suika is more than hospitable, which makes Sanzo suspicious. But Lady Suika puts their fears to rest, and charms them with her beguiling song. All except Son Goku who appears to be immune to her lilting voice.

6. Rescue
Sanzo, Gojyo and Hakkai are all under the spell of Lady Suika, and it`s down to Goku to rescue them. First he has to penetrate the magical barrier the villagers have erected around their village. But even if he can get through, his enchanted friends won`t want to leave.

7. Little Partner
Sanzo`s group finally find that their fearless leader has a weakness; he`s allergic to cats. It`s a major problem when a little kitten adopts Sanzo. Can the cat and Sanzo get through the night without killing each other?

8. Tasty Cooking
Goku`s hungry again, there`s no village in sight and Hakuryu is knackered. They`re saved from a welcoming party of demons by some lethal buns. It`s fortunate that their rescuer can`t cook to save her life. Her food is so bad that anyone eating it is in for a long period of bed rest. But Kourei`s love life is suffering, so Hakkai offers to teach her how to cook.

A Saiyuki Extra comedy skit follows each episode.

Video

Saiyuki Reload is presented on a single layer disc with a 4:3 regular transfer. There are a few compression artefacts, but it doesn`t really hurt the animation that much. It`s a simple, no frills anime, it really only comes alive for the action sequences, otherwise it`s comparatively static. The character designs are generic but effective, and the demons have those characteristic pointed, stick out ears common of the Japanese supernatural. More generic is the world design, the succession of villages all look identical, and there is nothing really striking or unique about any of it.

Audio

You get a choice of DD 2.0 English and Japanese, complemented by English subtitles and signs. Aside from the annoying theme tune, the dialogue is clear throughout. As usual the Japanese track was my choice, but what I sampled of the English dub was reasonable enough, if unspectacular.

Features

You get the creditless closing, as well as the original Japanese closing. Other than that there are trailers for Ikki Tousen and Samurai Champloo.

Conclusion

This second volume of Saiyuki Reload turns out to be significantly more satisfying than the first. For while the first concentrated more on reintroducing the characters, and getting a fair amount of the staple action across, this volume`s four episodes really play to the characters` strengths, and infuse the proceedings with a healthy amount of humour. There is also a slight departure from the formula, with the disc starting off with a two-part story. I must admit I was surprised to see a remake of Star Trek V in anime form, which I guess is what predisposed me to this disc.

Lady Suika is the misguided demon who erases people`s painful memories so they can live an eternity of bliss, and while the others succumb to her charms, it is the Captain Kirk like stubbornness of Goku that saves the day. The frivolity continues in the next episode with Sanzo face to face with his worst enemy, a kitten. With his three demon companions going gaga over the cute feline, he`s the odd one out who can`t stand the thing. It doesn`t add anything to the overall storyline, other than confirming that Sanzo may be a mean gun-toting mutha of a priest, but he has a heart of gold deep down. Finally there is the ridiculous premise of a woman`s cooking being so bad that it is lethal to demons, and none too pleasant for humans either. There`s plenty of slapstick to go around in this episode.

A Saiyuki Extra skit follows each episode and continues the dry humour, and this volume asks the logical question; why not travel to India by train?

Saiyuki Reload may be formulaic and clichéd, but this volume shows that it has a vast potential for humour, and I found that I enjoyed this disc to a far greater degree. It`s not the be all and end all of anime, but you also need bread to make a sandwich. Saiyuki is the sort of show you can enjoy with your brain in idle.