Disclaimer: This review will be based on my memories as a child when I was watching the Chinese dub version of the show. Also, I watched this without any English subtitles and I did not watch an English dubbed version. Considering this was an adaptation to one of the four greatest Chinese literature (Journey to the West) it did an outstanding job to make it accessible for a young audience (i.e. children) to watch and enjoy the show. I remember watching this and always enjoyed the fight scenes and the magic (fa shu) used by the characters in the animation. Story-wise I believe most of the charactersare present (if you exclude the main gang: Sun Wu Kong (monkey), Zhu Ba Jie (Pigsy), Sha He Shang (Sandy), and Tang San Zang (Tripitaka)) to give a coherent story from beginning to end on how the Journey to the West came about. Although considering the style of the show has the "monster of the week" trope and there are 52 episodes altogether it might not add up to the total tribulations that Tripitaka has to overcome. However, it is enough to keep you entertained in terms of character development and the dynamic between the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Underworld. I will add that there is some simplicity in the story where you can say "Isn't it just good guys beat bad guys?" and I will say yes it does feel like that but for a young audience it does make sense. If you are interested in each of these "monsters" and want to understand why they became the way they are then it may be better to read the original literature and read from there.

Art and Sound are impressive considering it was from the late 90's that it was produced. Of course, it will not compare to current animation production but at the time it was good enough to get you hooked into the series especially the many fight scenes present.

Characters are very enjoyable and unique in their own way - though, considering the tribulations had to be unique it makes sense. There is the repeat of saving the monk or helping a stranger since their close friend/relative was kidnapped scenarios but the way the characters resolve each one and the reasons why these mishaps happened are unique in their own way. Moreover, the series does it quite well to show the impacts of one character's actions (in one episode) do have consequences, in the long run (like 5 episodes or more), where it will come back to bite them.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable show that simplifies the story of Journey to the West in a well and understood story. A simple beginning, middle and end with little to no complications that could confuse the story. (I might be biased here considering that I am doing it from memory rather than actually rewatching the whole thing).

SIDE NOTE: Remember this was meant for a young audience to watch so the language used will be very basic with little complications. Therefore, they will not go into too much world-building nor would they try to explain all the mechanics for using magic (fa shu) that the characters used. So if you were hoping for a deeper, in-lore about the ancient gods and the reason why they act as they do then you may need to do a little bit of research yourself (or watch some Chinese tv dramas) to get this information.