Saiyuki Reload -Zeroin-
Movies
Alternate Title
最遊記RELOAD -ZEROIN-
Synopsis
In a world of science and magic where demons and humans coexist, there exists a continent of disorder and peace: Shangri-La. However, due to the effects of experiments to revive the Ox-demon Gyumaoh, demons around the world suddenly go berserk and the balance of the world is shattered. Genjo Sanzo, who has been ordered by Bodhisattva Kanzeon Bosatsu to stop the experiments, heads west together with Son Goku, Sha Gojyo, and Cho Hakkai. Along the way, Genjo and the others have a chance encounter with Hazel Grouse, who has the ability to bring dead people back to life, and his follower Gat. He claims to come from the west, but what are his true intentions?
Background
The Saiyuki series began as a manga written and illustrated by Kazuya Minekura that was serialized in Monthly G-Fantasy from 1997 to 2002 and was published in nine collected tankobon volumes. A sequel manga titled Saiyuki Gaiden was serialized in Monthly G-Fantasy from June 1999 to February 2003. In November of that year it was transferred to Comic Zero-Sum Zoukan Ward where its serialization continued until July 2009. It was later released in four tankobon volumes. The third series, Saiyuki Reload, was serialized in Comic Zero-Sum from May 2002 to October 2009 and was released by Zero-Sum Comics in 10 tankobon volumes. A fourth series titled Saiyuki Ibun has been serialized in Comic Zero-Sum Zoukan Ward since September 2009, and shortly thereafter, a fifth series titled Saiyuki Reload Blast began serialization in Comic Zero-Sum in December of that year, where it is currently still in serialization.
Saiyuki Reload -Zeroin- is the latest TV anime adaptation in the series. It is being produced by LIDEN FILMS and features Misato Takada as director, with Aya Matsui and Michiko Yokote handling series composition, Noriko Ogura credited as character designer, prop designer, and chief animation director, and Yusuke Shirato who is composing the music. The anime’s opening theme song is "Kamino Hotokemo" by GRANRODEO, and the ending theme song is “Ruten” by Shugo Nakamura. The anime will premiere in Japan on Jan. 6, 2022 on AT-X, Tokyo MX, BS11, and MBS.
Characters
Genjo Sanzo (Voiced by: Toshihiko Seki)
The 31st Sanzo Priest of the Tang Dynasty and the holder of one of the five scriptures of the Founding Scriptures of Heaven and Earth, the Maten. Though a Buddhist, contrary to devout followers, he enjoys drinking, smoking, and gambling. He has a keen sense of discernment and a charismatic personality, but he usually always has a rough and tumble attitude.
Son Goku (Voiced by: Soichiro Hoshi)
Born from the rock atop Mount Kakayama, the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, where the energy of the earth is concentrated. He is neither human, a demon, nor a god, but rather a heretic. After committing a grave sin in the past, he was locked away in a rock dungeon for 500 years, but was rescued by Genjo. His official title is the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. He wears a gold diadem on his forehead that keeps his powers in check. He has a bright and cheerful personality and is usually always hungry.
Sha Gojyo (Voiced by: Hiroaki Hirata)
A half-breed born from a demon and a human, which is forbidden in Shangri-La. He is a smoothtalker and likes to pick up women. However, despite his appearance, he is a caring, good-natured person who tends to get the short end of the stick. He regularly has childish fights with Goku and calls him strange nicknames like “Ero Kappa” and “Cockroach Kappa.”
Cho Hakkai (Voiced by: Akira Ishida)
A former human who became a demon after killing 1,000 demons and bathing in their blood. He generally hates conflict and has a calm and friendly personality. However, when he gets angry, he becomes terrifying and is feared by those around him.
Hazel Grouse (Voiced by: Kouichi Toochika)
A foreigner from across the sea who comes to Shangri-La from a continent to the far west. He is refined, soft-spoken, and speaks with a distinctive intonation. He is quite confident in himself and often says or does things that rub others the wrong way. He uses a special revival technique to bring dead people back to life using the souls of demons.
Gatti "Gat" Nenehawk (Voiced by: Rikiya Koyama)
A dead man who was brought back to life by Hazel’s revival technique and who now works together with him as his follower. He is taciturn and follows Hazel’s orders to the letter. He has a strong muscular body and is also agile and quick-witted. He uses two pistols as his weapons.
Ni Jianyi (Voiced by: Houchu Ohtsuka)
The sole human working at Houtou Castle. He is involved in the experiments to revive Gyumaoh, but his true identity is Ukoku Sanzo, one of the Sanzo Priests who holds the Muten scripture. His words and actions conceal his true intentions, making much of him a mystery.
Koumyo Sanzo (Voiced by: Mitsuru Miyamoto)
Genjo’s master and guardian who raised him, and a former Sanzo Priest. He took in Genjo when he washed up on the bank of a river and called him “Kouryu.” He has an aloof and elusive personality and was the holder of two scriptures, the Seiten and the Maten. However, he was attacked and killed by a demon while protecting the still young Genjo.
Music
Opening Theme Song: "Kamino Hotokemo" by GRANRODEO
Ending Theme Song: “Ruten” by Shugo Nakamura
Official Links
Staff
- Original Creator: Kazuya Minekura
- Director: Misato Takada
- Series Composition: Aya Matsui, Michiko Yokote
- Character Design/Prop Design/Chief Animation Director: Noriko Ogura
- Art Director: Erika Fukai
- Art Setting: Tomoyuki Aoki, Yukie Inose
- Color Design: Hironori Nochi
- CG Director: Yoshimasa Yamazaki
- Director of Photography: Haruka Goto
- Editing: Tomomi Umetsu
- Sound Director: Hajime Takakuwa
- Music: Yusuke Shirato
- Music Production: Lantis
- Animation Producer: Hirokazu Shiba
- Animation Production: LIDEN FILMS