Saiyuki Burial OVA 1

[louiselux]

I got to watch part one of the Saiyuki Burial OVA the other day, and I have many tiny pink hearts for Koumyou Sanzo. Note the lovely icon by moshesque.

Also, the animation is pretty! Far more pretty than any other Saiyuki animation I've seen. Well, apart from that bit with Gojyo in the shower in Requiem. Where was I? Oh yeah ...

One of the things I love most about Ukoku's Burial arc is the feeling of destiny when Koumyou and Kenyuu meet, and that Koumyou twigs almost straight away why Goudai asked him to visit.

Koumyou is a special sanzo, even among sanzos. He seems very of the moment, reacting to things as they happen, moving from amusement to confusion to calculation as the world around him changes, while he seems to stay still. Except when he has to step in and display his awesome arse-kicking strength. I do love that contrast very much.

He doesn't step in to stop Kenyuu attacking Goudai until it's obvious that Goudai can't do it himself and he treats Kenyuu like the novice he is, challenging his basic assumptions about himself. Kenyuu genuinely doesn't see why a devious, lonely, angry and secretive person like himself shouldn't inherit one of the most powerful scriptures in the world. ♥

Koumyou doesn't have enough time to change Kenyuu's mind, even though he tries. He doesn't try to stop Kenyuu attacking Goudai for the final time though, and I've always found that interesting. Maybe he sees it as necessary, or it's pointless to stop Kenyuu trying.

Also, the fact that Genjyo Sanzo's beloved master was such a fruitcake just makes me happy.

Comments

[kispexi2.livejournal.com]

Whilst I think that on the psychological/metaphorical level, the monsters/villains the ikkou encounter symbolize their own fears and inadequacies, I think you're right about Kami-Sama also being an imitation of Koumyou. It's all part of that game Koumyou and Ukoku seem to have been playing since they first met. Ukoku couldn't pervert Koumyou, so he takes what satisfaction there is to be had in perverting look-alikes - and Sanzo is obviously the one he'd most like to turn to the dark side. I get the feeling we're heading for a climatic confrontation between the two of them, probably for Goku's soul. The question is, will history repeat itself? Will Sanzo die protecting his monkey or will he find another way? Eee, sorry. Getting carried away here!