In a world that reminds me of a cross between Trigun and Saber Marrionette, humans and demons co-exsist rather harmoniously. However, a power-hungry, and quite sadistic, demon is combining the power of technology with magic to resurrect her husband, a dangerous demon king who had been sealed away years ago. The taboo method has caused demons throughout the country to grow wild, causing the slaughter of numerous humans. In hopes of ceasing this havoc, four protagonists (I hesitate to use the word 'hero') are sent west to stop the revival of this demon. It is, of course, more complicated than that. There's reincarnation, deity stuff, conspiracies, etc. A good one to watch for people who like seeing their heroes suffer as well as the villains.

As many of you may already know, this series is loosely based on the old Chinese tale concerning a Buddhist monk, the monkey king, a general turned swine, and a water spirit. But you've got to love the kind of mind that takes something as traditional as 'Journey to the West' and turns the preist, Sanzo, into a hard drinking, smoking, gun toting SOB and the monkey king, Son Goku, into a seemingly brainless yet child-like glutton. Although quite funny at times, this story does give off the impression that it's angsty. The characters each have another past, most of them tragic, that gets revealed slowly.

The story's mix of ancient and modern concepts, like the tiny dragon that turns into a jeep, and Sanzo's exorcism gun, and the blending of scientific and mystical principles make this anime one of a kind and absolutely addicting. The art, although maybe not to everyone's taste, did grow on me. It's a matter of personal taste whether this style appeals to you.

In regaurds to the voice cast, all I need say is Seki Toshihiko.

As to be expected with an anime like Saiyuki, the music is mostly rock orientated. The opening and ending songs compliment the feel of the whole show nicely and the background music, and image songs also help to add to the drama of the whole anime.

One of the big appeals of this series for me, aside from the high amount of bishounen, is there's also enough tension between the characters to keep it interesting. This is not a happy bunny story. It's often violent and the little bits of humour are necessary. There's probably a few elements that might squick people, the incest between Hakkai and his sister for example.

It's definitely a lesser known series, but it is getting more well-known. At 50 episodes and a third season in the works, it's definitely an epic journey.