~Submitted by Sad_kid~
In the land of Togenkyo, where humans and demons have co-existed peacefully, the balance is disturbed by someone seeking to resurrect the mighty demon Gyumao through a ritual that combines science and mysticism. The five gods who rule Heaven summon before them a monk and charge him with the tasks of finding and stopping the person responsible for the disruption of the natural order. The gods also assign three demons to travel with the monk, who is not too pleased with lack of say in the matter.
For a monk, Genjo Sanzo is not the virtuous type you'd normally associate as the main character, but he possesses a certain leadership quality that reveals itself only when the situation calls for it. Otherwise, you'd think he was just some pistol-toting punk pretending to be a monk. Sanzo's traveling companions don't seem like boy scouts either, even with their human appearances. Sha Gojyo resembles a womanizing chain-smoking biker, but he is actually a chain-smoking water demon who specializes in wielding a chijiriki (a spear with a chained weight at one end). Cho Hakkai is most likely of the three companions to pass for a human with his gentle manner, but his superficial nature leaves others wondering about his true intentions. Then there's Son Goku who is usually thinking either food or a good fight and he serves as the mascot of the group.
While the plot is based on the popular legend Journey To The West, Saiyuki twists the character and the plot to create a whole new legend of mythical proportions. The story is well thought out and the characters are unique. In their own way that is. While the story is based in a fantasy world, there are a few modern touches like Sanzo’s pistol, Hakkai's dragon/jeep, and the high-tech facility where Gyumao is being revived. In addition to the main quest, each character overcomes a problem which they have to face concerning their past, and they face challenges from demons and gods alike. This is an anime not to be missed. One cannot help but laugh when the motley gang beat up deranged demons while hurling verbal insults at both the demons and each other.
The soundtrack is awesome too, featuring songs such as tightrope and For Real which will have u hopping to the beat and songs such as Alone and Open Up Your Mind will have you near crying as the anime finishes. Almost all the main characters have their own theme in the anime so keep your ears peeled to the television! The battles and the humor are entertaining, but it is the character development and interaction that makes the show more interesting. This is probably one of the best anime I’ve seen so I seriously recommend it to you anime fans!