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

Re: IMHO

[viridian5.livejournal.com]

Probably, but I can't help remembering how he left Sanzo's group in the desert to drag their injured selves to town in exhausted Jeep or die even after Kou said that if Goku could defeat him he could use the dragon to get them to town to save the poisoned Sanzo's life. Saving Gojyo from Zakuro gives him some points from me, though he did it by punching Gojyo in the gut.

I do have more feeling toward him in the anime because it had the brotherhood episode. In the manga he tends to really tick me off.

Re: IMHO

[kalium-kx.livejournal.com]

Yeah I would say so..But I think he's sort of taken to his path and will follow it through no matter how stupid that sounds..but the bottom line is..he's still gojyo's bro..

...tho' it makes me wonder if Kougaiji is for some reason forced or actually just orders Doku to kill Gojyo..would he go ahead and do it? Pretend to try his best against Gojyo? Or actually turn on Kou? Or even flee the team due to indecisiveness?...I think that's when we;ll know his true colors..tho' as unlikely as that'd happen..

Re: IMHO

[viridian5.livejournal.com]

He's very fortunate that Kou has never forced the issue. I'm not sure what Doku would do if ordered outright to kill his half-brother... and I don't think he knows himself what he'd do until he got to that point.

Re: IMHO

[kalium-kx.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's true..for some reason his blind loyalty seems stronger than his love for his bro but it comes to the nub../=
It's interesting open up the character's psyche

Just noticed this place is old..and I get the feeling i've been here before..cept' for some reason i can't recall did'nt comment

Re: IMHO

[viridian5.livejournal.com]

I was surprised to get a ping for my comment on this way-back entry, but I enjoyed talking to you. *g*

Re: IMHO

[kalium-kx.livejournal.com]

Boku mo! Ja mata na?