“Prequel to Journey to the West: four flawed gods defy Heaven to protect wild spirit Goku.”
Saiyuuki Gaiden
最遊記外伝
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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Prequel to Journey to the West: four flawed gods defy Heaven to protect wild spirit Goku.
Long before the legendary journey to the west, four extraordinary beings once walked the celestial realm as gods. Though divine in nature, they were far from perfect—each carrying human flaws and desires that set them apart from their ethereal peers. Among them, a wild and untamed spirit named Goku finds himself at the center of growing tensions in Heaven, his unpredictable nature and immense power drawing both fascination and fear from the other deities. When the heavenly authorities decide that Goku poses too great a threat to remain unchecked, three unlikely allies emerge from the ranks of Heaven itself. Konzen Douji, a noble with a rebellious streak; Field Marshal Tenpou, a brilliant strategist with hidden depths; and General Kenren, a fierce warrior with his own code of honor—each see something worth protecting in the young god. As the celestial hierarchy turns against them, these four kindred spirits must navigate the treacherous politics of Heaven while forging bonds that will transcend their divine origins. This prequel story explores the ancient past of familiar faces, revealing how the choices made in the celestial realm would echo through the centuries to come.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 3 sampled reviews
What 3 viewers settled on.
Mostly aligned
σ 1.25 · some divergence
—
Not enough recommend signal yet
↓ 0.33
Running avg · Apr 2012 → Feb 2019
- 9 “I have not come to give an analytical review. No, that is not why I’m here. This left me sobbing, I’ve genuinely never been such an emotional wreck before. The story is definitely my favorite in...”
- 8 “I highly recommend Saiyuki Gaiden. Story wise the Gaiden arc is amazing and definitely my favorite Saiyuki story. It's by far my favorite prequel and one of the best i've seen. It has a brilliantly...”
- 6 “Let me explain. ... No, it is too much. Let me sum up. Kazuya Minekura's Saiyuki is a fabulous manga, but due to publisher switches and long hiatuses, it has never quite made it to the world of...”
Watch Order & Related
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- Format 3 × 29′ eps × min
- Total runtime 1h 27m all episodes
- Aired Mar 2011 – Nov 2011
- Source Ova media type
- Rated R 17+ (violence & profanity)
- Ref. BS-5617 catalog
Produced by
- TV Tokyo Producer
- Dentsu Producer
- Frontier Works Producer
- Hakuhodo DY Media Partners Producer
Licensed by
- Sentai Filmworks Licensor