Saiyûki

Like so many other reviewers on here, my memories of this show are universally warm. In fact, so fond are said cherished memories, that I recently purchased the DVD box set in order to revisit that happy and carefree period of childhood, whereby I used to sit utterly mesmerised, as I watched the ongoing quest of Monkey, Pigsy, Sandy, Tripitaka and later Yu Lung a horse/dragon/man (you'll really need to watch it to understand), when the much loved show initially aired on BBC 2 on Friday evenings, as I recall.

Well, I'm pleased to say that even after all these years and now viewing this with adult i.e. more cynical(!) eyes, the show has lost none of its inimitable charm.

Simply wonderful entertainment, from the magical characters and their comical interactions with one another to the perhaps not so special effects (which actually serve to heighten the fun) and of course, not forgetting the hugely memorable opening title sequence from the first season, the passing of time has not in any way, shape or form diminished any of Monkey's spellbinding charm.

As Monkey himself would probably say, 'Oi! You there! Go out and grab yourself some nostalgic fun.'

This show was the best! I used to love the craziness of it.

I remember the pilot episode( i have it on video somewhere) where monkey went to heaven to "kick off" with the Jade emperor was a hoot!

especially when monkey meets the dragon kings daughter to claim his weapon (the magic wishing staff).

Dragon kings daughter calls monkey a "passionate Primate" and tells monkey to make his stick "grow Big!".

An absolute classic. A must see!.

What are you reading this for?

Get out there and grab a copy now!

You wont be disappointed!.

Monkey Magic is just the best childrens(?) series in the world. I remember watching it on Children's Tv when I was 5 or 6 years old - despite the time gap, I could still vividly remember the music, Monkey's kung-fu fights and his magic staff. As soon as the videos came out, I was determined to buy a copy..... and I was not disappointed! The fact is, Monkey is an oaf who wants it all (he's still likeable just because of his effrontery - challenging Buddha, what chutzpah!), but as he sets on his mission with Tripitaka you can see that he does have plenty of good qualities. Pigsy is amusing because of his lustful nature, Sandy is a bit earnest and Tripitaka is just untouchable. The soundtrack is funky man! The dated nature of the fx just add to the appeal of Monkey and the fights are still wicked. You do learn a bit about Buddhism as well. Buy the videos and have a good night in with your friends.

How can this be faulted. The great dubbing!! the fight scenes!! the monkey magic!!

I am not joking, this is just full of magic, the charicters, Pigsey, Monster, Monkey. And the indeterminable sex of the master.

And the excellent storylines, you almost felt you had become buddist after watching an episode.

9/10

Before there was humans on the earth, there was just monkeys and demons. Saiyuki (monkey) was the king of the monkeys, loud, rude and aggressive he demands the gods that he be made powerful, because he defeats the demons. After a trip to heaven he gets all the magic and power he wants, but he annoys in the gods and he manages to urinate on the finger of the Buddha.

So he is banished to earth thousands of years later with the task of protecting a young Buddhist preist Tripitaka. Along with a Pigmonster called Pigsy and a Fishdemon called Sandy he gets in too all sorts of kung fu fights while protecting Tripitaka.

Monkey can rides on his own cloud, make himself small, change into animals, stuff like that.

Very entertaining, with a funky soundtrack, and hilarious English dubbing. Ahhhhhhh Monkey!!!

9 out of ten