Genjo Sanzo

{{for|the Journey to the West character known as Genjo Sanzo in Japanese|Tang Sanzang}}

{{Infobox character

| name = Genjo Sanzo

| series = Saiyuki

| image = Genjo Sanzo.jpg

| caption = Genjo Sanzo as drawn by Minekura Kazuya

| first = Saiyuki Vol #1 (1997)

| voice = Wataru Takagi (Japanese, OVA)
Toshihiko Seki (Japanese, original series)
David Matranga (English)
Lex Lang (English, Reload and Gunlock)

| nickname =

| alias = Konzen Douji
Kouryu (the river drifter)

| title = Genjo Sanzo, the 31st of China

| species = Human

| gender = Male

| relatives = {{ubl|Rin Toku - father|Kouran - mother| Koumyou Sanzo - adoptive father/guardian|Son Goku - ward}}

| occupation = {{ubl|Expert martial artist|Expert marksmen}}

| weapon = {{hlist|Maten Sutra|S&W M36|S&W M36}}

}}

{{nihongo|Genjo Sanzo|玄奘三蔵|Genjō Sanzō|lead=yes}} or Genjyo Sanzo is a fictional character in the manga and anime series Saiyuki. He is one of the four protagonists, loosely based on (or inspired by) the character Tang Sanzang.

Background

"Konzen Douji" was the first incarnation of Genjo Sanzo. Additionally he wore a god-forged golden coronet, a power limiter, to curb more than just his brute strength.{{Cite book|title=Saiyuki Gaiden|author1=Kazuya Minekura|publisher=Ichijinsha|year=1998|isbn=978-4-87025-406-0|volume=3|chapter=14|author1-link=Kazuya Minekura}} He shows the personality traits of someone who is quick to explode into fits of temper when bothered and also a surprising father-like gentleness and kindness with Goku that no one would have expected.{{Cite book|title=Saiyuki Gaiden|author1=Kazuya Minekura|publisher=Ichijinsha|isbn=978-4-75805-203-0|volume=1|chapter=|date=December 2005 |author1-link=Kazuya Minekura}}

When "Dr. Ni Jianyi" tell him his father was a government official named Rin Tokou, a political activist who was exiled to Oujyouin in Rishyu, the northern-most town of "Togenkyo". He was 51 years old when he met Sanzo's mother, a woman named "Kouran". She was 17 years of age and the daughter of a shop peddler. After he was conceived, his father went missing and his mother went off into the wilderness to bear the child alone. She died shortly after.{{Cite book|title=Saiyuki Reload|author1=Kazuya Minekura|publisher=Ichijinsha|isbn=978-4-75805-445-4|volume=9|chapter=Chapter 42|date=October 2009 |author1-link=Kazuya Minekura}}

Personality

A very brutal, worldly priest. He drinks, smokes, gambles, and carries a gun, which is pushing it even for normal people (let alone Buddhist monks). He's searching for the stolen Sutra of his mentor and father figure Priest Koumyou Sanzo, who was killed in Sanzo's youth by a mob of murderous Yokai. Sanzo is egotistical, haughty, and can be very cruel, yet our 23-year-old hero also has calm judgment, unwavering intensity, and surprising charisma. His favorite phrases, incidentally, are 'Die,' and 'I'll kill you.' His weapons of choice are the magical Maten Sutra, a handgun, and a paper fan for idiots. He's 177 cm tall (approx. 5'10") and is often noted for his good looks and drooping purple eyes.{{cite web |url=http://www.tokyopop.com/dbpage.php?propertycode=SAI&categorycode=BMG&page=characterinfo |title=Saiyuki CHARACTER INFO |publisher=tokyopop |archivedate=March 8, 2005 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308111034/http://www.tokyopop.com/dbpage.php?propertycode=SAI&categorycode=BMG&page=characterinfo}} He is "the 31st of China". He is one of the five highest priests in "Tougenkyo", but he has no intention of devoting himself to Buddhism, and is a corrupt monk who enjoys drinking, smoking, and gambling. Although he has a sharp eye and charisma to see things through, he also has a competitive and selfish side. His favorite phrases are "die" and "I'll kill you".{{cite web |url=http://saiyuki-rb.jp/character/ |title=玄奘三蔵cv.関俊彦 |last= |first= |date= |website=Anime News - Tumblr |publisher= |access-date=July 31, 2022 |quote= |archive-date=March 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328130108/http://saiyuki-rb.jp/character/ |url-status=live }}

He is the current holder of the Sanzo title and the wielder of very powerful sutras, though he is usually content to keep those stored away and shoot people immediately. He met his trio of party members through various traumatic adventures and brought them together, offering them a chance to start over. Despite his grouchy exterior, he is revealed to be a good person at heart.{{cite web |url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2017/07/06/an-introduction-to-the-saiyuki-anime |title=An Introduction to the "SAIYUKI" Anime |last= |first= |date= |website= |publisher=Crunchyroll |access-date=July 31, 2022 |quote= |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802163117/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-feature/2017/07/06/an-introduction-to-the-saiyuki-anime |url-status=live }}

Reception

In 2000, Genjo Sanzo won the Best Male Character award at the 23rd Anime Grand Prix.{{cite web |url=http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_2001.html |title=第23回アニメグランプリ　［2001年6月号］ |publisher=Tokuma Shoten |archivedate=October 19, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019174803/http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_2001.html}} In August 2001, issue of Newtype Magazine listed their top to anime titles. Gensōmaden Saiyuki was ranked ninth, and Genjo Sanzo, in the top ten male characters, was ranked sixth.{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-08-12/newtype-top-10-anime |title=Newtype Magazine lists their top 10 Anime titles, top ten male characters and top ten female characters |last= |first= |date=August 12, 2001 |website= |publisher= |access-date=July 31, 2022 |quote= |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104202441/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-08-12/newtype-top-10-anime |url-status=live }} In June 2004, on the 26th Anime Grand Prix Award, Saiyuki Reload was in the top ten Anime titles, It was ranked fourth, Meanwhile Genjo Sanzo was ranked seventh at the top ten Best Male Characters.{{cite web |url=http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_2004.html |title=第26回アニメグランプリ［2004年6月号］|publisher=Tokuma Shoten |archivedate=October 19, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019172052/http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_2004.html}}{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-05-12/animage-awards |title=Animage Awards 2004 |last= |first= |date=May 12, 2004 |website=Anime News Network |publisher= |access-date=August 9, 2022 |quote= |archive-date=May 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514225017/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-05-12/animage-awards |url-status=live }} in 2005, on 27th Anime Grand Prix Award, Genjo Sanzo was the top of twenty best Male Character. It was ranked thirteenth.{{cite web |url=http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_2005.html |title=第27回アニメグランプリ［2005年6月号］ |publisher=Tokuma Shoten |archivedate=October 19, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019123259/http://animage.jp/old/gp/gp_2005.html}} In August 2011, Genjo Sanzo character ranked fifth on Sina website's poll of top 10 favorite characters "who smoke" collected 754 votes from total of 8865 votes.{{cite web|url=http://comic.sina.com.cn/n/2011-08-17/09251891.shtml?from=wap|title=日本动漫"吸烟很帅的角色"投票top10|date=August 17, 2011|publisher=comic.sina.com.cn|access-date=November 23, 2023|language=zh|url-status=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123095808/http://comic.sina.com.cn/n/2011-08-17/09251891.shtml?from=wap|archive-date=November 23, 2023}}

In 2013, he was ranked 36th on ComicsAlliance's 50 Sexiest Male Characters in Comics list.{{cite web |url=https://comicsalliance.com/comics-sexiest-male-characters |title=ComicsAlliance Presents The 50 Sexiest Male Characters in Comics Andrew Wheeler Andrew Wheeler |last= |first= |date=February 14, 2013 |website=ComicsAlliance |publisher= |access-date=July 31, 2022 |quote= |archive-date=July 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707170329/https://comicsalliance.com/comics-sexiest-male-characters/ |url-status=live }} In January 2020, Genjo Sanzo character ranked eighth on AnimeAnime website's poll of top 10 favorite characters "that look good with cigarettes".{{cite web|script-title=ja:タバコが似合うアニメキャラといえば？20年版 3位「ワンピース」サンジ、2位「銀魂」土方十四郎、1位は…|url=https://s.animeanime.jp/article/2020/01/13/50870.html|website=AnimeAnime|access-date=June 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514170412/https://s.animeanime.jp/article/2020/01/13/50870.html|archive-date=May 14, 2021|language=ja|date=January 13, 2020}} In June 2022, "nijimen" anime news site, ranking top 10 popular characters played by Toshihiko Seki, Genjo Sanzo character was ranked second.{{cite web |url=https://nijimen.net/topics/312977 |title=みんなが選ぶ！関俊彦さんが演じる人気キャラランキングTOP10【2022年版】 |date=11 June 2022 |publisher=nijimen.net |archivedate=September 2, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902140258/https://nijimen.net/topics/312977}} In September 2022, "nlab.itmedia" ranking top 30 popular TV anime characters played by voice actor "Toshihiko Seki", The first place is decided by Saiyuki's "Genjo Sanzo" collected 473 votes from total of 3176 votes.{{cite web |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/913208/ |title=声優「関俊彦」が演じたテレビアニメキャラクター人気ランキングTOP30！第1位は最遊記の「玄奘三蔵」に決定！【2022年最新投票結果】 |date=10 September 2022 |publisher=nlab.itmedia.co.jp |archivedate=October 12, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012020216/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/913208/}}{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/itm_nlab/status/1568541040084402176 |title=声優「関俊彦」が演じたテレビアニメキャラクター人気ランキングTOP30！第1位は最遊記の「玄奘三蔵」に決定！【2022年最新投票結果】 |last= |first= |date=September 10, 2022 |website=Twitter |publisher= |access-date=December 11, 2022 |quote= |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212080412/https://twitter.com/itm_nlab/status/1568541040084402176 |url-status=live }} In January 2023, Genjo Sanzo character ranked third on Anime! Anime! website's poll of top 20 favorite "monk" characters.{{cite web|script-title=ja:“僧侶”キャラといえば？ 3位「最遊記」玄奘三蔵、2位「東方Project」聖白蓮、1位は…|url=https://s.animeanime.jp/article/2023/01/30/75161.html|website=Anime! Anime!|access-date=June 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430002954/https://s.animeanime.jp/article/2023/01/30/75161.html|archive-date=April 30, 2023|language=ja|date=January 30, 2023}}

=Critical=

Eduardo M. Chavez of Anime on DVD stating "the fact that sanzo could accept going into battle with someone who was once close to him shows responsibility to his mission and to himself. He could have waited and risked his friends getting caught up in the violence. Instead, he took on the challenge, as difficult as it was, and faced it aware that he will always have the memories of a better time and that nothing will be able to take them away".{{cite web|last=Chavez|first=Eduardo M.|title=Saiyuki Vol. #3|url=http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/manga/manga.php?manga_view=262|website=AnimeOnDVD|access-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209124617/http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/manga/manga.php?manga_view=262|archive-date=February 9, 2005|date=August 26, 2004}} Sarah of Anime UK News finds in the character of Sanzo an irresistible charm and described the deep sense of camaraderie between the heroes convincingly and truly affecting.{{cite web|last=|first=|title= Manga Review Saiyuki The Original Series Resurrected Edition Volume 1|url=https://animeuknews.net/2020/05/saiyuki-the-original-series-resurrected-edition-volume-1/|website=Anime UK News|access-date=September 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901173841/https://animeuknews.net/2020/05/saiyuki-the-original-series-resurrected-edition-volume-1/|archive-date=September 1, 2022|date=May 24, 2020}} Aestheticism.com states that Sanzo is clearly a problematic character who preaches non-attachment to the past. they described the character as a cold loner, selfish, grumpy, an emotional mess, and a visionary leader and charismatic personality who draws others to him.{{cite web|url=http://www.aestheticism.com/visitors/manga/saiyuuki_summary/sanzou.htm|title=Genjou Sanzou|publisher=Aestheticism.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070805212947/http://www.aestheticism.com/visitors/manga/saiyuuki_summary/sanzou.htm|archive-date=August 5, 2007|url-status=dead}}

File:Saiyuki_Creator_Draws_New_Illustration_for_Character_Genjo_Sanzo's_Birthday.jpg|right| Kazuya Minekura Draws New Illustration for Character Genjo Sanzo's Birthday in (Nov 29, 2018).{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/kaz_minekura/status/1068136815532507139 |title=【本日11月29日】ウチの玄奘三蔵の誕生日をお祝いして下さった皆様、いつも本当にありがとうございます。リーダーにはまだまだ身体張って頑張って貰う予定ですので、西の果てまでどうぞこれからも看守ってやって下さい。] |last= |first= |date=Nov 29, 2018 |website=Twitter |publisher= |access-date=June 18, 2022 |quote= |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618003433/https://twitter.com/kaz_minekura/status/1068136815532507139 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-12-01/saiyuki-creator-draws-new-illustration-for-character-genjo-sanzo-birthday/.140205 |title=Saiyuki Creator Draws New Illustration for Character Genjo Sanzo's Birthday |last= |first= |date=December 1, 2018 |website=Anime News Network |publisher= |access-date=June 18, 2022 |quote= |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618000652/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-12-01/saiyuki-creator-draws-new-illustration-for-character-genjo-sanzo-birthday/.140205 |url-status=live }}

File:"Konzen Douji" was the first incarnation of Genjo Sanzo.jpg|Cover of the Third issue of the manga Saiyuki Gaiden, "Konzen Douji" was the first incarnation of Genjo Sanzo

References

External links

[http://pierrot.jp/archives/tv_list_2000/tv_050.html Official Studio Pierrot Gensomaden Saiyuki website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416075440/http://pierrot.jp/archives/tv_list_2000/tv_050.html |date=2014-04-16 }} {{in lang|ja}}
[http://pierrot.jp/archives/mov_list_21th/mov_018.html Official Studio Pierrot Gensomaden Saiyuki: Requiem For the One Not Chosen website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330155308/http://pierrot.jp/archives/mov_list_21th/mov_018.html |date=2014-03-30 }} {{in lang|ja}}
[http://pierrot.jp/archives/tv_list_2000/tv_064.html Official Studio Pierrot Saiyuki Reload website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416075456/http://pierrot.jp/archives/tv_list_2000/tv_064.html |date=2014-04-16 }} {{in lang|ja}}
[http://pierrot.jp/archives/tv_list_2000/tv_066.html Official Studio Pierrot Saiyuki Reload Gunlock website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416074221/http://pierrot.jp/archives/tv_list_2000/tv_066.html |date=2014-04-16 }} {{in lang|ja}}
[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/saiyuki/ Official TV Tokyo Gensomaden Saiyuki website] {{in lang|ja}}
[http://saiyuki-cd.com/ Official/ "Saiyuki" CD official website] {{in lang|ja}}
[https://nitroblog.exblog.jp/ "World is Mine -mine- website] {{in lang|ja}}
[http://saiyuki-rb.jp/ "Saiyuki RELOAD BLAST website] {{in lang|ja}}
[http://minekura.net/ "Minekura.net website] {{in lang|ja}}

Category:Fictional Buddhist monks

Category:Fantasy anime and manga characters

Category:Male characters in anime and manga

Category:Anime and manga characters introduced in 1997