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Saiyuki: Requiem

Saiyuki: Requiem (Japanese: 幻想魔伝 最遊記 Requiem 選ばれざる者への鎮魂歌, Hepburn: Gensōmaden Saiyūki: Requiem - Erabarezaru Mono e no Chinkonka, lit. "Gensou Maden Saiyuuki - The Movie - Requiem") is the first animated film adaptation of the anime and manga series Saiyuki, produced by Pierrot.[2][3] The events of the film take place after the first series. On the way west, the priest Genjo Sanzo and his three demonic companions, Son Goku, Sha Gojyo, and Cho Hakkai, save a girl who is being chased by a giant bird. Out of gratitude, she invites them to her house and provides them with food and shelter. Once there, strange things began to happen.

Saiyuki: Requiem
Japanese theatrical poster
Japanese name
Kanji幻想魔伝 最遊記 Requiem 選ばれざる者への鎮魂歌
Transcriptions
Revised HepburnGensōmaden Saiyūki: Requiem - Erabarezaru Mono e no Chinkonka
Directed by
Written byKatsuyuki Sumisawa
Based onSaiyuki
by Kazuya Minekura
Produced by
  • Ken Hagino
  • Tetsuya Watanabe
  • Tomoko Gushima
Starring
CinematographyAtsuho Matsumoto
Music byMotoi Sakuraba
Production
company
Distributed byShochiku
Release date
  • August 18, 2001 (2001-08-18)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
Box office$2 million[1]

The film is directed by Hayato Date, written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa, and composed by Motoi Sakuraba. The film was first released in Japanese theaters on August 18, 2001. In July 2004, ADV Films licensed Saiyuki: Requiem in North America, which was released on DVD in January 2005. In Australasia, a DVD called Saiyuki: Requiem - The Movie was released on May 17, 2006, by Madman Entertainment. The movie is licensed in France by Kazé, which released two DVDs in June 2005 and January 2006.

The ending theme performed by Tetsu 69 is "Tightrope".

Plot

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The rebellious priest Genjo Sanzo, the hyperactive Monkey King Son Goku, the seductive Sha Gojyo, the cool, calm Cho Hakkai, and his dragon, which can transform into a jeep, are on the move again. After an exhausting but simple battle, the four are on the road in search of a place to stay and a warm meal. On the street, they meet a girl who runs towards them and warns them to get away from here as quickly as possible. But it's already too late. The big monster has already reached their car. While everyone tries to put the monster away and come to the girl's aid, Sanzo once again seems to be calm himself. He uses his weapon with complete confidence, but he doesn't destroy the monster; he just sends it fleeing. The girl is very grateful and would like to show her gratitude to her rescuers. However, since she has no money, she offers them her master's house for an overnight stay and supper. The four accept their offer. A decision that will prove to be a mistake in the coming hours because it turns out to be a trap. Some of the gang members are already starting to feel uneasy, but Sanzo knows from the start. Nevertheless, he decides against staying in the same room with his friends. Little by little, they are pitted against each other, and no one knows who the real one is anymore – except Sanzo. He remains the calm one with perspective.

Voice cast

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Character Japanese Voice actor English Voice actor
Genjo Sanzo Toshihiko Seki David Matranga
Son Goku Sōichirō Hoshi Greg Ayres
Sha Gojyo Hiroaki Hirata Illich Guardiola
Cho Hakkai Akira Ishida Braden Hunt
Houran Akiko Yajima Kelli Cousins
Go Dougan Ryōtarō Okiayu Andy McAvin
Dokugakuji Dai Matsumoto Mike MacRae
Lirin Kaoru Morota Hilary Haag
Kanan Michiko Neya Sasha Paysinger
Kougaiji Takeshi Kusao Vic Mignogna
Yaone Yūko Minaguchi Shelley Calene-Black

Reception

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Animetion gave it three stars out of five. The action scenes are described as stylish and well-designed. They felt that the quality and breadth of the film were evident from start to finish and that there was a real cinematic feel throughout the film. The animation, music, and design perfectly surround the film and draw the viewer in.[4] Red XIII of Anime UK News gave an average score to the film and described the plot as quite predictable, saying, "Saiyuki Requiem is a fairly standard entry in the list of movies based on the series, a predictable outing that conforms to all the usual clichés with almost boring precision."[5]

Dennis A. Amith of Nt2009.com gave it a B grade and found Saiyuki: Requiem an enjoyable film, but considered the quality of the animation to be average, feeling that the film was like TV episodes put together. He described the characters as very attractive and cool and considers this movie a good starting point for Saiyuki.[6] DVD Talk's Don Houston said that the film correctly brings polar opposite characters together to achieve a goal and moves the film's story forward in a default and orderly manner, but, as an independent film, he found the film flawed due to the seemingly endless details of the characters.[7] Dan Mancin of DVD Verdict considered the film to be structurally chaotic, and its central story is atmospheric and makes good use of non-linear storytelling without stepping over the line into pretension.[8] Andrew Garner of DVDvisionjapan called Saiyuki: Requiem like a long TV series that proceeds with a plot that stands alone and praised its English dubbing.[9]

Release

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In July 2004, ADV Films licensed Saiyuki: Requiem, and the DVD was released in North America on January 18, 2005.[10][11][12][13] On May 19, 2009, the movie was released alongside Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince of Darkness on a double-pack DVD.[14] In Australasia, a DVD called Saiyuki: Requiem - The Movie was released on May 17, 2006, by Madman Entertainment.[15] The movie is licensed in France by Kazé, which released the DVD on June 29, 2005, and a new edition on January 18, 2006.[16][17] The movie is licensed in Sweden by Kaze Sweden;[18] and in Spain by Jonu Media.[19]

Shochiku released the movie on DVD in 4 periods: January 21, 2002, September 21, 2002, December 3, 2005, and January 27, 2007, respectively,[20][21][22][23] the same company released a Blu-ray on July 10, 2024.[24]

Gensomaden Saiyuki: Kibou no Zaika

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Gensomaden Saiyuki: Kibou no Zaika (OAV) or Gensoumaden Saiyuki: The Crime of Hope (幻想魔伝 最遊記 ―希望の罪過) was produced by Pierrot, Group TAC, Dentsu, and Enix and distributed by Geneon on September 19, 2002.[25][26]

"Kibou no zaika" was originally an interactive game. The company that released the DVD extracted only the anime scenes to the DVD, which caused a little pause between every scene change.[27]

Other media

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The light novel adaptation of the film was published by G-Fantasy / Square Enix on October 1, 2001.[28][29]

Gensomaden Saiyuki: Requiem Original Soundtrack was published in 1-Disc alongside a special album on August 18, 2001 by Nippon Columbia.[30][31]

Track listing

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All tracks are composed, arranged and produced by Akira Senju.[31][32]

Gensomaden Saiyuki: Requiem - Original Soundtrack track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Gensomaden" (幻想魔伝, Gensomaden)2:39
2."Sorrowful Houran" (哀しみの朋蘭, Kanashimi no Houran )2:15
3."Goku and His Nyoibou" (悟空と如意棒, Goku to Nyoi Bou)1:50
4."Into the Dark" (闇の中へ, Yami no Nake E )1:03
5."Silent Rage" (静かな怒り, Shizuka Na Ikari )1:12
6."Lurking Evil" (待ち構える邪悪, Machikamaeru Jaaku)2:06
7."Twisted Love" (屈折した愛, Kussetsu Shita Ai)1:05
8."Dark Plot" (暗闇の陰謀, Kurayami no Inbou)1:34
9."Dougan's Fang" (道雁の牙, Michi Kari no Kiba)1:15
10."Suring Zombie" (押し寄せるゾンビ, Oshiyoseru Zombie)1:04
11."Genmaoh" (幻夢王, Genmuou)0:42
12."Sunny Table" (ひだまりの食卓, Hidarami no Shokutaka )1:07
13."Paper Airplane" (紙飛行機, Kami Hikouki)2:37
14."Brokenhearted Dogan" (傷心の道雁, Shoshin no Michikari )4:56
15."Imminent Danger" (迫り来る危険, Semari Kuru Kiken)1:55
16."Hakuryu and Kougaiji" (白竜と紅孩児, Hakuryu to Kougaiji)1:55
17."Houran's Secret" (朋蘭の秘密, Houran no Himitsu)1:57
18."Breathtaking Tension" (息詰まる緊張, Ikizumaru Kinchou)1:45
19."Time for the Final Battle" (決戦の時, Kessen no Toki)2:09
20."Twist of Fate" (運命の屈折, Unmei no Kussetsu)2:30
21."The End and the Beginning" (終りと始まり, Owari to Hajimari)2:19
22."To a New Journey" (新たな旅へ, Arata na tabi e)2:25
23."Saiyuki" (最遊記, Saiyūki)3:24
Total length:45:44

References

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  1. ^ "Is Anime as Big as Live Action in Japan?". AnimeNation. September 27, 2001. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "Movie version of Genso Maden Saiyuki coming". Anime News Network. January 18, 2001. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  3. ^ "Saiyuki Movie in Production". AnimeNation. January 18, 2001. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Saiyuki Requiem - The Motion Picture Review". Animetion. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  5. ^ XIII, Red (October 3, 2006). "Anime Review Saiyuki: Requiem". Anime UK News. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  6. ^ A. Amith, Dennis (February 22, 2005). "SAIYUKI REQUIEM: THE MOTION PICTURE" (PDF). Nt2009.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 3, 2005. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  7. ^ A. Amith, Dennis (March 4, 2005). "Saiyuki: Requiem: The Movie". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  8. ^ Mancin, Dan (October 6, 2005). "Saiyuki: Requiem: The Motion Picture". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Garner, Andrew. "Saiyuki: Requiem Review". DVDvisionjapan. Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  10. ^ "ADV Films Licenses". Anime News Network. July 3, 2004. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "Anime Expo - A.D. Vision Inc". Anime News Network. July 19, 2004. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  12. ^ "Releases". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  13. ^ "New ADV Releases". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  14. ^ "Saiyuki: Requiem / Nadesico: Prince of Darkness [Double Pack] (DVD)". Anime News Network. May 19, 2009. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Saiyuki: Requiem - The Movie". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "Saiyuki Requiem - Erabarezarumono e no chinkonka". Manga News (in French). Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Saiyuki Requiem - Film". Manga News (in French). Archived from the original on August 19, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  18. ^ "Saiyuki Requiem". Kaze (in Swedish). Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "Saiyuki tendrá un nuevo arco animado". RamenParaDos (in Spanish). November 1, 2021. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  20. ^ "劇場版 幻想魔伝西遊記 メモリアルDVD2002年01月21日". Oricon. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023.
  21. ^ "劇場版 幻想魔伝最遊記2002年09月21日". Oricon. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023.
  22. ^ "劇場版 幻想魔伝最遊記2005年12月03日". Oricon. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023.
  23. ^ "劇場版 幻想魔伝 最遊記2007年01月27日". Oricon. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023.
  24. ^ 「最遊記」初の劇場作品がBlu-ray化、峰倉かずやが懐かしみつつ三蔵を描き下ろし. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 5, 2024. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  25. ^ "Gensomaden Saiyuki: Kibou no zaika (OAV)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  26. ^ "DVDインタラクティブアニメーション 幻想魔伝最遊記-希望の罪過-". Oricon. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "Gensomaden Saiyuki: Kibou no zaika (OAV)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  28. ^ "劇場版 幻想魔伝最遊記―選ばれざる者への鎮魂歌(レクイエム)(著)向坂氷緒/(原作)峰倉かずや". Oricon. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023.
  29. ^ 劇場版 幻想魔伝最遊記―選ばれざる者への鎮魂歌(レクイエム). Enix. October 1, 2001. ASIN 475750554X.
  30. ^ "劇場版 幻想魔伝 最遊記 Requiem 選ばれざる者への鎮魂歌～オリジナルサウンドトラック～". Oricon. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "「劇場版 幻想魔伝最遊記 廉価版DVD／VHS 取り扱い店（アニメイト）一覧". pierrot.jp (Japanese). Archived from the original on June 20, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  32. ^ "Gensomaden Saiyuki: Requiem Original Soundtrack". vgmdb.net. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
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