Saiyuki Reload 3 thoughts

[louiselux]

Just a few quick thoughts on Reload 3, specifically the last chapters of Against the Stream and the Sanzo ikkou-as-team:

I've been rereading these two scenes over and over in the past few days, where the ikkou are fighting Kougaiji. desdenova's post about structure chimed in with something I noticed: the scene on page 24-25 : Gojyo, Sanzo and Hakkai move completely instinctively as a fighting team, without even discussing what they're going to do: Hakkai defends and Gojyo and Sanzo flank with a double attack, setting up Gojyo's further attack. Goku and Gojyo attack together later on, too.

It's a very clear development for them, from vol 9 when Hakkai first suggests they attack as a team and Goku has to ask what 'teamwork' means. I'm pretty sure Sanzo would never think to utter the word.

There are other things I like about that scene: Gojyo stepping forward to fight Kougaiji-- but it's Doku he tells that he won't hold back. Is this the first time Gojyo has fought Kougaiji one to one?

Gojyo must be more than a little resentful and jealous of how Kougaiji has replaced Gojyo in Doku's loyalties and this is only highlighted by Doku watching them fight and making those comparisons between the two. Gojyo taunts Kougaiji, which the others don't do (Prince Stupid). In fact, their fight turns into fisticuffs and wrestling, which I like because I can imagine Gojyo just itching to pop him one on the nose. Also, some of Yaone's thoughts about Kougaiji in that scene: 'kinder than anyone' could easily mean Gojyo too.

Also, I love how Yaone and Doku quite openly adore their leader, and Sanzo's annoyance when Gojyo points this out: 'No one asked you!"

Comments

[kintail.livejournal.com]

Mmm, I just recently acquired that volume, but hadn't taken the time to read it through yet -- although I did pick up Vol 2 again to start from the beginning of AtS again.

However, I was also looking through Vol 2 (first series) this past week for a reference, and stopped to look through the scene where they first meet Kougaiji's whole team, ie, when Gojyo and Doku first meet after 10ish years. And the mostly-unspoken exchange ends up with telling each other they've chosen their sides and don't regret it, so "I won't hold back." I'm thinking that point you noticed in Vol 3 is a conscious and deliberate echo on Gojyo's part -- definitely it is on Minekura's.

Things like that, and other things described in desdenova's awesome post, are really giving me a new appreciation of how the whole story thus far hangs together. I spend far too much time appreciating individual moments and not enough stepping back and admiring the forest as well as the trees.

Thanks!

[louiselux.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes! Another example of Minekura repeating herself in the best way. I'm sure it must be something to do with the serial nature of the story that distracts you from seeing the whole. I've found that too and in fact don't think I've read the whole thing through from start to finish non stop.