Summary
Journey to the Westis a medieval Chinese novel that dates from the 16th Century but is set in the 7th Century, and features characters and places drawn from history and ancient Chinese legend. Written by Wu Cheng’en, it’s one of the most popular books in the world and has inspired countless modern adaptations in the form of movies, books, comics, andanime. The video gameBlack Myth: Wukong, which is currently making a big impact in the entertainment world, is yet another example of this story’s continuing popularity.
Plenty of anime use some of the elements fromJourney to the Westas part of their setting, storyline, or heroes. There’s a wide range of genres and types of anime based on this novel, with some only making references to it while others are intended to be full adaptations.
7Gokū no Daibōken
Comedy, Fantasy, And Demons
Gokū no Daibōkenis notable for several reasons, starting with its historic place as one of the earliest Japanese animated shows to make it overseas, although the localizations were confined to Europe as opposed to North America. The anime follows the same basic storyline as the novel and includes Goku as one of the guardians intended to guide the monk Xuanzang to India.
The show is also entitledAdventures of the Monkey KingandGoku’s Great Adventures, depending on the localization. Although it never made it Stateside back in the day, the show is currently available for those interested in classic and vintage anime.
6Sci-Fi West Saga Starzinger
A Creative Futuristic Adaptation
Instead of a historical adaptation of the novel, a popular method of interpretingJourney To the Westis througha futuristic or fantasy lens. Known asSpaceketeersin the United States, this series included the same character dynamics and search for a sacred MacGuffin, but takes place in a far-distant future time.
Instead of a monk, the main character is a princess, and her three guardians are based on the ones from the novel. Themost powerful of the three, and the story’s protagonist, is Jan Kugo, who is heavily based on The Monkey King.
5Monkey Typhoon
A Mixed Media Project That Combines Fantasy, Action, And Comedy
Based on the original manga by Jōji Arimori, the saga ofMonkey Typhoonalso consists of 52 animated episodes and can also be found under the original Japanese name,Assobot Robot Goku. The series involves a futuristic setting that includes robots, making theoriginal title more descriptivethan the English translation.
Instead of searching for Buddhist scriptures, the main character, Goku, who happens to be a first-gen “assobot” with certain specific powers and monkey-like features, is tasked with searching for the 49 Keys of the Apocalypse. Being a trickster, his real goal is the treasure that’s hidden in the same place as the keys.
4Alakazam The Great
A Vintage Adaptation From Early Toei
One of the first full-length animated movies to make it to the United States from Japan,Alakazam the Greatis an interpretation of the novel that makes Goku the hero and leaves out the details regarding the Buddhist relics. Instead, it follows Goku’s rise to the kingship of the Monkey Tribe and how he becomes arrogant, and even tyrannical, only to learn some important lessons and change his ways.
Goku is never really a villain, but a mischief-maker and playful thief, which is how he’s depicted in most Chinese mythology and the novelJourney To the West. The Monkey King uses his cleverness and ingenuity to defeat demons, escape his bondage, and return to his subjects.
3Shinzo
The Human Race Is The Relic That Must Be Saved
For those anime fanswho like elaborate storieswith immersive lore and complex settings,Shinzois an ideal choice. In Japanese, the show is known as Mushrambo, but the English version of the show is named after a mysterious sanctuary, hidden somewhere on Earth, a location that is the key to restoring the planet’s original inhabitants, human beings.
It’s a clever twist to switch out the ancient Buddhist texts with human beings, but that’s not the only similarity. The character of Mushra, one of the three figures that guards and guides the main character, isn’t a monkey, but retains the features of a staff as a weapon and the distinctive golden headband.
2Gensomaden Saiyuki
A Unique Dystopian Interpretation
“Go Into The West” is the name of the very first episode of this anime series, so it’s clear they aren’t exactly being subtle about usingJourney to the Westas their source material. The setting is the fantasy paradise of Shangri-La, which has been disturbed by a wave of negative energy, rising evil spirits, and vicious monsters. A Priest named Sanzo is ordered by the Celestial Heavens to travel to India and discover what has happened and how to fix it.
Sanzo is obviously intended to be the Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang, and naturally, he’s joined as usual by three companions, one of which is Son Goku. The show was popular enough to prompt a full-length movie and a remake,Saiyuki Reloaded.
The full name of the Monkey King inJourney to the Westis Sun Wukong. In Japanese, the pronunciation is Son Goku, and thus we havethe name of our iconic protagonistinDragon Ball. Goku also has a tail, uses a staff, and flies around on a cloud, all powers that Sun Wukong also has.
The plot ofJourney to the Westis about a Buddhist monk who is charged with finding ancient religious texts in India and taking their knowledge back to China. The initial season ofDragon Ballis about Goku and his friends seeking out the magical Dragon Balls. Not as many fans are familiar with the first season of this popular series, which is a science-fiction and fantasy comedy as opposed to the action anime that it evolved into for its second season.
