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

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Lots of interesting stuff there.

Isn't there some mention in Gaiden that Tenpou and Konzen had known each other for some time before Kenren ever showed up? Or am I hallucinating that?

I think Gojyo has a strong, but indirect and semi-resentful connection to Sanzo, which is that after Gojyo had gone as far as he could with Gonou-- physically put him back together and gave him a reason to kill the last remaining Centipede Youkai-- Sanzo was the one who went the rest of the distance, went after him when he ran off, put him back together mentally and emotionally, gave him a new name and a new life, and then cut him loose so he could show up again at Gojyo's door.

It was probably the best thing anyone ever did for Gojyo since his brother (who I also have issues with) saved his life and left him holding the bag, but I bet it burns Gojyo up that someone else was the one to save Hakkai when he couldn't-- and I don't think he could have.

[jamjar.livejournal.com]

I think you're rightabout Gaiden. I'm pretty sure Konzen and Tenpou knew each other quite well, before Goku and Kenren moved in.

I think Gojyo's connection is pretty strong as well, but it's indirect, and it mostly exists because Sanzo tells him he does, because Sanzo orders him to be connected, to do this work, this contribution. I think that Gojyo does it because not to do it would be to break the connection between them, between Hakkai and himself, between him and Sanzo, him and Gojyo. By doing it, he puts himself with them.

It's also possible that he does it to repay for Hakkai, which is another self-inflicted bond. He doesn't have to do this, since Hakkai is nothing to him, but conversely, if he does, then that means Hakkai is something to him, somebody for him...

Or to put it another way, Gojyo doesn't owe Sanzo anything for himself, but only for others, and then only if he... well preyends/accepts that as the case. He's only obligated if these people matter to him, they only matter f they're connected, they're only connected if they share some kind of obligation or purpose...