List of Saiyuki characters
This article lists the main characters from Saiyuki. Saiyuki is a manga written by Kazuya Minekura and published from 1997 to 2002. The manga saw an animated anime television series adaption which ran from 2000 to 2001 and had a total of 50 episodes. A movie based on the manga was produced and released in 2001. The series also inspired a live action musical and a video game. The main characters are Genjyo Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo and Hakkai, who face a number of different antagonists throughout the manga series.
Main characters
Genjyo Sanzo
One of the main characters and a priest, he is the one who brought the group together to travel to the west under the command from the Sanbutsushin and from Kanzeon Botatsu, the Goddess of Mercy. He is also the one who released Goku from his 500-year prison and who now looks after him like a father. He carries the Maten scripture that some are after but uses his gun as his main weapon. Some demons come after him because they believe that eating a priest would make them immortal, but that was soon proved wrong. Ill-tempered and cynical, Sanzo is frequently smacking Goku on the head with his fan whenever he does or says something annoying and constantly shoots at both him and Gojyo whenever they start arguing. Despite the fact that he refuses to openly acknowledge the other members of his group as friends, Sanzo deeply cares for his teammates and will do whatever it takes to protect them. Sanzo's real name is Koryu, which he was named by the senior monks of the temple he was raised at as a way to make fun of him. The only people who Sanzo openly recognized and respected were his predecessor and mentor: Koumyou Sanzo, who was killed by demons one night after bestowing the young Koryu the title of Sanzo, and Rikudo, formerly named Shuei, the clerk abbot who was the only other survivor of the attack, and whom Sanzo was later forced to kill out of mercy after using a curse known as "Araya". Sanzo is voiced by Toshihiko Seki in Japanese, with the exception in the original OVA in which he is voiced by Wataru Takagi. In the English dub, he is voiced by David Matranga in the original series, Requiem and Blast, while in Reload and Gunlock he is voiced by Lex Lang. As a child, Sanzo is voiced by Yuko Kobayashi in Japanese of the original series and by Kahoru Sasajima in Reload. In the English dub he is voiced by Kevin Corn in the first two seasons, by Mona Marshall at the start of Reload and Gunlock and by Mela Lee in the later episodes of Reload.Goku
Son Goku is the cheerful "Monkey King" who uses a staff, known as the Nyoi-Bo, as his primary weapon. There is no explanation given in the anime as to the origin of Goku's weapon; in the manga, it is revealed that the Nyoi-bo was sealed in a canister in the temple, which he and Gojyo shattered whilst goofing off. He is the Seiten Taisei, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, and whose true self and powers are released when his diadem is removed. As the Seiten Taisei he is very destructive and cruel, and nearly invincible. He's even able to take in the Earth's energy and regenerate because he was spawned from the sheer energy of the earth itself. During Saiyuki Gaiden, Goku was made a ward of Konzen and befriends both Tenpou and Kenren. When his diadem was removed, Goku killed many celestial beings in his craze. Konzen, Tenpou, and Kenren work to protect Goku, but all four became banished from Heaven. Goku was locked in cage high in the mountains and lost his memories. Goku is found by Sanzo and freed from his imprisonment, and Sanzo becomes something like a foster father to Goku. Goku accompanies Sanzo on his mission to track down Hakkai, and helps to prevent Hakkai from killing himself, and Hakkai later becomes his teacher. Goku joins Sanzo, Hakkai, and Gojyo to stop the resurrection of Gyumaoh, during which he discovered that he was Seiten Taisei, having previously been aware of it. Goku is voiced by Sōichirō Hoshi in Japanese, with the exception of when he was voiced by Kōsuke Okano in the first OVA series. He is voiced in English by Greg Ayres in the original series, Requiem, and Blast, while Yuri Lowenthal voiced him in Reload and Gunlock.Gojyo
Sha Gojyo is a hanyou, a cross between a yokai and a human, and uses the Shakugetsujou, a metal weapon staff with a sickle and chain, as his primary weapon. In the anime it is revealed that Gojyo can hold his breath for prolonged periods of time while submerged, possibly an inheritance from his demon father, who may have been a water demon. His eyes and hair are blood-red, which expresses his status as a half-blood. Due to this, he is labeled as taboo and unclean by general society. As a child, he was perpetually being either ignored or beaten by his stepmother, who had been devastated to learn that her husband had an affair with a human woman. In the manga, Gojyo's father and his human mother commit suicide; there is no explanation of their deaths given in the anime. After the deaths of his father and mother Gojyo was given to his father's youkai wife. He was very close to his older brother, Jien, who constantly pacified his mother whenever she became violent toward Gojyo, especially whenever he tried to cheer her up as she was in a permanent state of depression over her husband's infidelity and death. Eventually, their mother goes insane and attempts to kill Gojyo. Jien kills his mother to save Gojyo's life, but not before she carves two deep scratches into the side of Gojyo's face. Torn with shame and guilt over the tragedy, Jien abandons Gojyo, and the brothers only meet again years later on opposite sides of their current conflict. Gojyo smokes, gambles, and flirts with nearly every woman he meets. He and Goku are also prone to fighting, like brothers will, and are often scolded by Sanzo as a result. Gojyo is quick to defend others and holds particular sympathy towards threatened children. Gojyo is voiced by Hiroaki Hirata in Japanese, with the exception of the first OVA series, in which he was voiced by Kōichi Yamadera. He is voiced by Illich Guardiola in English for the original series and Requiem, by Tony Oliver for Reload and Gunlock and by Ian Sinclair in Blast. The child Gojyo in the Japanese version is voiced by Kayu Suzuki in the first series and by Masayo Hosono in Reload and in the English version he is voiced by Sam Foster in the original series and by Julie Ann Taylor in Reload.Hakkai
Cho Hakkai is the mild, polite and level-headed member of the group who always looks out for their day to day well-being. Hakkai rarely displays anger, but when he does even Gojyo and Goku are afraid of him. He also is able to manipulate chi, allowing him to heal others, and create blasts of chi and make protective barriers. Hakkai also owns a pet dragon, named Hakuryuu. Formerly, Cho Hakkai had been known as Cho Gonou and worked as a school teacher. He was romantically involved with his elder sister, Kanan, though they hadn't originally known this as they had grown up in separate orphanages. Kanan was later raped by a youkai noble, Hyakugen Maoh, while Gonou was away at work, and despite being rescued, she committed suicide, not wanting to bear the child. Originally human, Hakkai had changed into a youkai after massacring 1000 youkai, consisting of his neighbouring villagers, a tribe of crow demons who were blackmailed into sacrificing Kanan in order to save themselves, as well as Hyakugen Maoh himself and the rest of his clan/household. Hakkai is found by Gojyo near-death, and is later tracked down by Sanzo and Goku. He tries to run away, but is confronted by the last surviving member of the crow tribe he massacred who tells Hakkai he ripped out the eyes of his dead brother. To atone, Hakkai proceeds to rip out his own right eye. He is about to tear out his left eye as well but is stopped by Goku. Hakkai then kills the demon, stating that he wants to keep living. In penance for his crime, Cho Gonou was metaphorically killed and reborn as Cho Hakkai. To control his youkai powers, Hakkai wears a set of 3 power limiters, in the form of ear cuffs on his left ear, and he rarely removes them, only doing so when absolutely necessary. As a youkai, although much stronger, he becomes susceptible to the minus waves. Hakkai is voiced by Akira Ishida in Japanese. In English, he is voiced by Braden Hunt for the original series and Requiem, Steve Cannon for Reload and Gunlock, and by Micah Solusod in Blast. As a child Hakkai is voiced by Saori Higashi in the Japanese version and by Nyl Stewart in the English dub.Antagonists
Kougaiji
Kougaiji: Based on Gyumaoh's Son, Kåfēise Dalu Hai Er the Bull Moose Prince, Kougaiji is Gyumaoh's son, and the Sanzo party's most frequently faced enemy. He reluctantly takes part in Ni Jianyi and Koushou's plan in order to restore his mother Rasetsu-nyo, who was turned to stone by a curse. He has no animosity towards the Sanzo party but makes no effort to hide that he loathes Ni Jianyi and Koushou. He deeply cares for other yōkai, but has never displayed any ill feelings toward humans. Despite that he's willing to let countless humans and yōkai die if it means bringing his mother back. A notable aspect that's added in the anime is that Kougaiji's sense of pride is greatly exaggerated at points. He often passes up chances where he could easily defeat the Sanzo part when they've been weakened in some way, desiring to defeat them when they're at full strength, and once attempted to singlehandly fight Goku when his power limiter was removed, despite nearly dying when he last fought him in that state. Of everyone he's been around, he's been shown to care for Lirin the most and often attempts to keep her out of battles. He wields power over fire and the ability to summon powerful fiends. He's also a highly skilled hand-to-hand fighter. He generally serves as Goku's opponent. In the Japanese version he is voiced by Takeshi Kusao. In the English version, he is voiced by Vic Mignogna in the original series and Blast. In Reload and Gunlock, he is voiced by Terrence Stone.Lirin
Lirin: Kougaiji's half-sister and Gyokumen Koushou's daughter. She deeply admires Kougaiji, and overall is like a female Son Goku in personality, though she's far more naive than even him. Although she likes fighting, she's also extremely friendly. Lirin is highly skilled hand-to-hand fighter, but she isn't very smart and as running gag Sanzo "defeats" her just by tossing her a meat bun which she focuses on instead of fighting. Kougaiji is also used to this tactic, diverting her from her assistance by promising to bring her back food from his trip. When Kougaiji's group fights Sanzo's group, she's usually seen on Sanzo's shoulders. Sanzo views her as another monkey, like Son Goku. In the Japanese versions, she is portrayed by Kaoru Morota in the original series and by Tomoko Kawakami in Reload and Gunlock. In the English versions, she is voiced by Hilary Haag in the original series, by M.A. Lovestedt in Reload and by Cindy Robinson in Gunlock.Dokugakuji
Dokugakuji: : Gojyo's full-yōkai half-brother, formerly known as Sha Jien. When he was younger he was very close to his little brother, and attempted to protect him from his violently unstable mother by having an incestuous affair with her. She attempted to kill Gojyo anyway, and Jien was forced to kill his mother to keep her from killing Gojyo; after this he left his home and brother, eventually pledging himself to Kougaiji's service. He's extremely loyal to Kougaiji, Dokugakuji himself believes he may have become attached to Kougaiji in this way for his vague resemblance of Gojyo, though he still seems to love his baby brother. He fights with a large sword which he is able to summon at will. He generally serves as Gojyo's opponent. In the Japanese versions, he was voiced by Dai Matsumoto in the first series, Jurota Kosugi in Reload and Gunlock and Jin Yamanoi in Blast. In the English version, his voice is done by Jason Miesse in episodes 5-18 and later by Mike MacRae in episodes 20-50 of the original series and by Paul St. Peter in Reload and Gunlock.Yaone
Yaone: An apothecary, alchemist, skilled fighter, and Lirin's "babysitter". She is deeply devoted to Kougaiji, who saved her from being sacrificed to the Centipede Demon, and has rashly taken on dangerous missions to prove her loyalty to him. As a trained chemist, she also serves as the group's healer. She seems to be friendly enemies with Hakkai; she always addresses him with great respect, and on occasions they work together. Hakkai regards her as a fellow-healer and colleague. In the Japanese version, she is voiced by Yuko Minaguchi. In the English version, she is voiced by Shelley Calene-Black in the original series and by Mela Lee in Reload and Gunlock.Gyokumen Koushou
Gyokumen Koushou: Gyumaoh's concubine and the mastermind of the plan to revive him. She's extremely cruel and selfish, and has shown to be willing to sacrifice anything to get what she wants, and is shown to enjoy her cruel acts. Has told Kougaiji that she'll only restore his mother to life if he helps her obtain the Five Sacred Scriptures. Despite being Lirin's biological mother she cares nothing about her own daughter and only sees her and Kougaiji as tools. She is voiced by Shinobu Sato in the Japanese version and in the English version she is voiced by Kaytha Coker in the original series and by Wendee Lee in Reload and Gunlock.Ni Jianyi
Dr. Ni Jianyi: A wild card, mystery man, mad scientist, and Koushou's human lover. He owns a plush rabbit that he carries with him as his pet. He was also once a Sanzo priest and was considered a heretic because he fought and killed his master to attain his title instead of inheriting his chakra from the gods along with the Muten sutra. During his time before becoming a priest he easily mastered all material arts and spiritual powers, growing strong enough that he could literally kill others with a wave of his arm. His pupil, a man whose name is never revealed and is known simply as "God", appears in Reload anime, as someone that Ni gave all the power he gained to since he no longer had any use for it, though at some points Ni is hinted to retain his power. Although he's extremely eccentric, he's also intelligent and ruthless. His reasons for aiding in reviving Gyumaoh are a mystery. Mysteriously, he knows of Sanzo's origins. He was also called Ken'yuu before attaining the title of Sanzo. In the original Japanese version, he is voiced by Hochu Ohtsuka and in the English versions by Tommy Drake in the original series and Kirk Thornton in Reload and Gunlock.Hazel
Hazel Grouse: A bishop from the West with a hatred for youkai, he, like Sanzo, was taken in at a young age by a master who was killed by a youkai. He has sworn to wipe all youkai off of the planet and create a peaceful world for humans alone and has even stated that the lives of 1000 youkai are not worth one human life to him. He makes no exceptions when it comes to the youkai he kills: he sees them all as mindless beasts, berserk or sane, adult or child. He typically relies on his companion, Gat, to fight, but has proven himself as an exorcist able to fell many youkai at once. The pendant he wears around his neck is able to store up to 13 souls, taken from dead or dying youkai, that he then transfers into dead humans, thus reviving them. The revived humans have yellow eyes and can be used as golems of a sort by Hazel to help him kill youkai. He is shown in a flashback as being a great student and devoted to his master, as his parents are dead. Hazel's behavior and affections could be interpreted as homosexual in nature. Hazel struggles with his suppressed youkai nature and eventually must face his demon head on, while in an encounter with Ukoku.In the Reload Gunlock anime, Hazel has a different origin. He would often kill youkai, and was eventually punished for it by being turned into one himself, which resulted in him killing the priest who raised him. He continued killing youkai but was eventually killed by Gat, under the orders of the Great Spirit. However, Gat feels sorry for Hazel, so he then chooses to revive him by sharing his own life energy, which also gives Hazel's necklace the power to revive dead humans with youkai souls. However, Hazel's memories become altered to make him believe that he was the one who killed and revived Gato instead. In the finale of the series, Hazel attempts to kill Sanzo and revive him, in order to get Sanzo to join him in wiping out all demons, but Gojyo, Hakkai and Goku intervene and Gat is fatally injured in the ensuing battle. Before dying, he reveals the truth to Hazel, resulting in Hazel regaining his own true memories. Hazel is then defeated in his youkai form by the Sanzo party, and feeling that he has wasted his life, then asks Sanzo to kill him. Sanzo complies with his request, though before shooting Hazel he comforts him somewhat by telling him that nobody wastes their life. His voice is done by Koichi Tochika and as a child he is voiced by Shinobu Sato in the Japanese version. In the English version he is voiced by Patrick Seitz while his younger self is voiced by Yuri Lowenthal.
Gato
Gatti "Gat" Nenehawk: Hazel's large bodyguard/traveling companion, he wields two Rugar.45s. He fights recklessly for Hazel because he can be instantly brought back to life or healed as long as Hazel has a soul stored in his pendant or there is a corpse nearby to take a soul from. His past is largely unknown except that he met Hazel several years before, was injured by him, but spared. He believes that being with and protecting Hazel is his destiny. He appears to be of Native American descent, and doesn't require sleep or food. He is said by Ukoku Sanzo to have been a young man of a tribe that worships nature and uses firearms. When the demons they had forged peace with attacked, Hazel tried to help. Gato originally opposed him and became the first human Hazel had ever mistakenly killed. He immediately was brought back, but his tribe saw him as an abomination against nature and shunned him. He is cut in half by Ukoku in Reload Volume 10, but not before asking Sanzo to take care of Hazel. There are undertones in Saiyuki which suggest a relationship between Hazel and Gato.In the Reload Gunlock anime, Gato's origin is different. He lived in a native tribe that worshiped a being they called the Great Spirit. A group of hunters eventually came and started killing a large amount of the wildlife. Gato and his tribe tried to stop the hunters but were powerless against their guns. Gato, fatally wounded by a bullet, is revived by the Great Spirit and kills the hunters. He is then taken to Europe where Hazel is killing numerous demons and under the Great Spirit's orders reluctantly kills him. Guilty of his actions, Gato asks the Great Spirit to revive Hazel with his life, which the Great Spirit does so, giving Hazel's necklace the ability to revive humans with youkai souls. Gato willing goes along with the charade the Great Spirit created until the finale of the series, where he decides to fight the Sanzo party without Hazel using any souls to revive him. As a result, they kill Gato, but before he dies he reveals the truth about Hazel's memories being altered. In the Japanese version, he is voiced by Rikiya Koyama while in the English version he is voiced by Beau Billingslea.