【Coupling Column】Vol.47 Saiyuki!

2022-03-16

※ This Coupling Column is written under the author’s preference. We know all the Couplings in the world have full of freedom and love, and anybody has his/her own preference.

Genjo Sanzo x Goku

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The relationship of the two: A guardian and a pet? But how’s their background......?

Who Is Genjo Sanzo?

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Genjo Sanzo, 24-year-old, is one of the top five priests/monks in Sangri-la (Tougenkyou).

While he is a priest/monk, he has a very short temper and a sharp tongue. He is a little childish, easily responding to a provocation, however, he is usually calm with good judgment. He seems a bad person as I mentioned above, unlike how he looks, he is very kind and also has weakness. He is depended upon by the other three.

Who Is Goku?

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He, born centuries ago, is a being, neither a human nor a God nor a monster.

He carries tremendous power hidden in himself, sealed by the gold diadem but still...... his combat ability is the highest of the four. He looks more mature than he really is. He is playful and eats a lot. He treats others very kindly and gets excited about fighting against something strong.

This Saiyuki is being serialized not only in manga’s main story’s arc but also in the past story arc and a special edition’s arc! Genjo Sanzo and Goku cherish each other ever since one incident occurred in the past.

The whole story of their encounter is depicted in anime, ‘RELOAD BLAST’. It’s a little complicated but in summary, Sanzo and Goku is a benefactor to each other ever since Sanzo released Goku after he had been sealed for over 500 years, and Goku shared a lot of time with Sanzo, talking to him after Sanzo’s loved one passed away.

Their relationship seems simple but especially for Sanzo, Goku is a very important person. Sanzo hadn’t been able to be confident about himself since his loved one passed away because Sanzo had thought that his weakness caused this loss. Then after a while, Sanzo started to think that he wanted ‘someone who he doesn’t need to protect.’ There, he encountered Goku who ‘will be strong even if he can’t protect but still be by his side’.

By the way, even the writer, Minekura Kazuya-Sensei, has once expressed that ‘they both will die if either one dies.’ You see Sanzo’s strong feeling to Goku in Episode 7 of ZEROIN......

Sha Gojyo (Sha Wujing) x Cho Hakkai (Zhu Bajie)

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The relationship of the two: Best friends and benefactors. Both have sad background about the monsters.

Who Is Sha Gojyo (Sha Wujing)?

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Sha Gojyo (Sha Wujing) is half a monster and a human.

It’s prohibited for a demon and a human to create the babies in this world and the combination of red hair and eyes is the sign of half of a monster and a human. That’s why he has gone through hardship but he is the most thoughtful person of the four. He loves women and a little sloppy but he is actually a very kind person.

Who Is Cho Hakkai (Zhu Bajie)?

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Cho Hakkai (Zhu Bajie) is a monster who used to be a human.

He is the most gentle and calm one of the four but he is the one who gets scariest of the four when he is pissed off. He is also their healer. His kikou jutsu (chi manipulation/Qigong) comes in handy in battle in the form of ki blasts and protective barriers. He can also release the power that the monster originally holds when he takes his cufflinks that he puts on his ear off.

The thing in common between the two is that they got destined to have a tough life ever since they got involved with the ‘monsters.’ They tend to be thoughtful to others, which is because of their background.

Hakkai used to have a girlfriend (I’m trying to avoid giving you a spoiler here) but the girlfriend got killed by the monster right in front of him. Due to his strong hatred towards the monsters, he transformed into a monster and got fainted. Then Gojyo saved him.

And Gojyo’s parents committed a suicide because they were half monsters and humans. He was about to be killed, being abused in the new place he lived in. Exhausted and struggled, he met Hakkai. So, for him, he met Hakkai when he had the lowest point of his life.

So for Hakkai, Gojyo is his lifesaver and for Gojyo, Hakkai is more like his family member. They understand well each other.

Sha Gojyo (Sha Wujing) x Genjo Sanzo

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The relationship of the two: Basically, they hate each other except......

They quarrel most among the four. They argue over suuuuuch small things...... It doesn’t seem that Sanzo bullies Gojyo but more like Sanzo doesn’t seem to care about Gojyo much......

But...... in Episode 7 of ZEROIN, ‘nature’ of their relationship was depicted. As mentioned above, in this episode, the true relationship of the four was revealed after a huge pinch came along. I felt painful seeing them...... Especially, what Gojyo said at the end the episode was too cold, rather than their conversation itself...... We would understand how Sanzo acted if we knew the background of Sanzo. And we would also understand how Gojyo acted was correct. But still...... it was painful......

So! You can enjoy their relationship from all the episodes that have been airing now. However, if we know more about their past, we can sympathize their sadness or pleasure! So, everyone! Go check the past anime too after watching ZEROIN!!