Saiyuki Gaiden

Original Run: 2005 - present
Serialization: Zero Sum Ward (quarterly)
Status: 3 volumes - ongoing
Publisher: Enix

Description: Saiyuki Gaiden is the prequel to the main Saiyuki series and was published after a few years after its completion, telling the story of the past lives of the 4 main characters. It takes place 500 years ago in Heaven when the Merciful Goddess, Kanzeon Bosatsu, leaves a golden-eyed child born from the Earth in care of her nephew, Konzen Douji. This heretic child, given the name Goku, soon befriends two other minor gods, Tenpou Gensui (Marshall) and Kenren Taishou (General). However, Heaven is not kind to heretics, putting the innocent Goku in a dangerous position. Furthermore, through their affiliation with Goku, Konzen, Tenpou, and Kenren soon find themselves caught up in the center of a dangerous rebellion to seize the throne of Heaven.

Saiyuki

Original Run: 1997 - 2002
Serialization: GFantasy (monthly)
Status: 9 volumes - complete
Publisher: Enix

Description: Saiyuki is the sequel to Saiyuki Gaiden even though it debuted and completed even before Gaiden was released. Based loosely on the Chinese novel Journey to the West, Saiyuki revolves around the reincarnated forms of Konzen, Tenpou, and Kenren from Saiyuki Gaiden - as well as Goku (as himself 500 years later). Far west, forbidden experiments using a mixture of science and magic are being performed in an attempt to ressurrect Gyumaoh, the Bull Demon King. Side effects of these experiments have spawned the Minus Wave, infecting most demons with madness and destroying the once peaceful co-existence between humans and demons. Summoned to find the source of the problem and resolve it, a Buddhist priest by the name of Genjyo Sanzo heads west with 3 companions who have demon blood running through their veins - Son Goku, Cho Hakkai, and Sha Gojyo.

Saiyuki Reload

Original Run: 2002 - present
Serialization: Comic Zero Sum (monthly)
Status: 8 volumes - ongoing
Publisher: Issaisha

Description: Saiyuki Reload is the sequel to Saiyuki and continues with Genjyo Sanzo, Son Goku, Cho Hakkai, and Sha Gojyo heading west to surpress the ressurrection of Gyumaoh. However, they face increasing difficulties in their travels - both of external and internal nature. Due to their reputation as the infamous Sanzo-ikkou, they frequently encounter endless demon assassins. Also, they must deal with the collapsing dynamics and heightening tensions within their own party that threaten to break them apart as they are faced with a powerful enemy.