Saiyuki Reload (TV series)

Saiyuki Reload (最遊記ＲＥＬＯＡＤ) is a Japanese anime television series adapted from the manga of the same name by Kazuya Minekura. Produced by Studio Pierrot, the series is directed by Tetsuya Endo, written by Tetsuya Endo and composed by Daisuke Ikeda.

The series is the sequel of Gensomaden Saiyuki, premiered on TV Tokyo from October 2, 2003 to March 25, 2004. Saiyuki Reload was licensed by Geneon in North America, and consist of 25 episodes. In the Saiyuki Reload Priest Genjo Sanzo and companions Cho Hakkai, Sha Gojyo, and Son Goku maintain their westward journey to stop the resurrection of the demon Gyoumao. As the reputation of the Sanzo Ikkou precedes them, they continue to fight demon assassins at every turn, but they must also deal with increasing tensions within their group in order to defeat a powerful enemy.

Saiyuki Reload is faithful to the manga from the fourteenth episode and onward, having deviated from it for the first 13 episodes. A sequel titled Saiyuki Reload Gunlock was also created by the companies and aired on the same network. A new OVA has been released by Studio Pierrot, which covers the "Burial" arc of the Saiyuki Reload manga; it is called Saiyuki Reload: Burial. An anime television series adaptation of the Saiyuki Reload Blast manga series aired from July 5 to September 20, 2017, on Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, BS11, Sun TV. It ran for 12 episodes. Also a new anime series produced by Liden Films titled Saiyuki Reload: Zeroin has been announced on January 10, 2021. It aired from January 6 to March 31, 2022, on AT-X and other networks.

Saiyuki Reload premiered on the Starz/Encore Action channel in North America on November 8, 2006.

On February 18, 2021, Crunchyroll added the series for streaming.

On November 30, 2021, Discotek Media licensed the anime for a Blu-ray release in standard definition as it includes the original Japanese language, English subtitles and the English dub.

Three pieces of theme music are used for the episodes—one opening themes and two ending themes. The opening themes is "Wild Rock" by BUZZLIP. The two ending themes, "ID" by flow-war and "Fukisusabu Kaze no Naka de" by WAG.

Reception
In 2004, at the 26th Anime Grand Prix Awards, Saiyuki Reload was the fourth-most-popular Anime title, and Genjo Sanzo was ranked the seventh-best Male Character.

Critical response
Animetion praised the first volume of the series gave it four stars out of five, described its animation as great with a rock music that supports the excellent characters. an action-packed adventure with a mix of comedy and tons of drama and strong characters. finds the ending of the first volume more emotional and interesting, and Sanzo's fight with a doppelganger in the third episode feels very tense. Animetion graded the second volume 3 stars out of five, they described this volume as a fairly average sequel with a fairly clever, entertaining and mostly light story with a bit of drama and action, which doesn't move the story forward at all. Nargis of Anime UK News gave an above average score to first volume of the series, called it brazen, stating that "it’s attempts to be heartfelt comes across all wrong and what you get is a rather hilarious comedy. It’s a nice change to see heroes who aren’t perfect or noble. The anime is not intelligent but very funny." Katherine of The Escapist Magazine praised the story, dialogue and animation, and found the animation style impressive to the point where even the darkest scenes shine brightly. she described the series like Rainbows and Sunshine of the demon slaying genre.

Janet Crocker of Animefringe.com rated the third volume of the series 3-out-of-5, described the design of the characters of Sanzo and Gojyo as beautiful, the animation of the series as smooth, but she does not consider it revolutionary and finds the story of this volume very boring. John Sinnott of DVD Talk gave a 3-out-of-5 score to the Story content of third volume, felt that between the middle of the first act and the middle of the next episode, the story grew a little and he sees Saiyuki Reload as similar to the first series. Don Houston of DVD Talk in his review of volume six, described Sanzo's team as cantankerous as ever, which makes them vulnerable due to disrespect and inability to adapt to each other. Sarah of Anime UK News gave a 7-out-of-10 Grade to the sixth volume and 8 to volume Seven of the series, praised the original artwork, described Saiyuki Reload  as "a genuine dramatic tension", the last episode as unexpected and praises the English dubbing and calls the series, "a surprisingly satisfying and dramatic climax to an uneven series – which leaves many threads untied for the sequels 'Saiyuki Reload Gunlock'."