Customer Reviews

Saiyuki - Trouble in Paradise (Vol. 10)

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As is often the case when a series is shifted to DVD, this set contains an odd mix of story lines, although there is overlap. The most important thread is the relationship between the priest Sanzo and little Goku, the Monkey God. Their story, which dates back to Sanzo's original freeing of Goku from 500 years of imprisonment, is a stormy one. One in which Sanzo, peace loving and mildly egotistical must come to grips with Goku, who is deeply attached to Sanzo, but is the cause of much of the chaos that upsets Sanzo.

Such is the case in the first episode, in which we find Sanzo deeply depressed, apparently due to a long period of rain. While Sanzo retreats deeper within himself, Goku's reaction to the rain is fidgets and worry over the priest's state of mind. Finally they clash, and Goku, feeling unwanted and left out runs away directly into the hands of Lord Homura's minions. Gojyo and Hakkai to the rescue, of course.

Then the scene shifts completely in the next two episodes which take place in Heaven 500 years in the past. Sanjo appears as Lord konzen, and with little work the viewer will sport Gojyo and Hakkai as well. Goku is present as himself, once again recently rescued and brought to the palace by Konzen. What we are going to learn in these episodes is a great deal of the story behind the story - who the four companions really are, and some insight into the reasons behind both Homura's invasion of the mundane world and the conflict with the descendents of Gyumaoh who was slain by the war god Nataku who had become Goku's only friend.

The final episode switches back to the present, with our adventurers preparing to celebrate 'god' day in a rural village. They are surprised to find that the god in question is Shien, one of Homura's friends, and Nataku's cohort in the previous episodes. Things grow complicated as Lillin, Gyumaoh's daughter, appears on the scene, in the mood for revenge, and the episode builds to an all out battle. One in which there are epiphanies for both Hakkai and Shien.

It's a bit late in the series to talk about pivotal episodes, but this shift to the underlying thematic lines is a signal that things are beginning to reach a climax. The episodes cover a wide range of the emotional spectrum and we are to discover that both the Japanese and American casts are capable of some very strong acting. Once again, make a point of seeing the subtitles even if you prefer the dubbing, the differences in translation can be illuminating.

In the words of the Merciful Goddess, "Things that don't change are so lame," which is why eternal bliss could get a little boring. But 500 years ago, the Sanzo Party's alter egos were just the imperfection heaven needed to liven up the place. Trouble starts when an upper level bureaucrat named Konzen takes in a heretic monkey, whose curiosity is not always so welcome inside the pearly gates. Fortunately, Field Marshal Tenpou and General Kenren have rebellious streaks of their own. So at least one thing's for sure: eternity will never be the same!