Japanese

Critical response

Sage Ashford of Comic Book Resources wrote that the series look brand new even after two decades and provides a new spin on the journey to the west.^[25] Enoch Lau of THEM Anime Reviews gave the series a three-out-of-five-star review, describing the series as a low-budget presentation that is entertaining and fun, which mixes mythology and religion beyond recognition.^[3] theOtaku.com rated the series 9.5 out of 10, praised the English dubbing and called the voice actors superb, stating the series is full of morals and life lessons and explains one of the reasons for its popularity. they described the visual effects as excellent, the episodes full of seriousness and heart-felt emotion, mixing a great variety of humor and the only problem is "filler" episode that neither advances the story nor shows the strengths of the characters.^[2] Manga News wrote that the series suffers from several flaws, especially in the beginning But they appreciates the initiative of including the Gaiden part in the series.^[26] Zac Bertschy of Anime News Network criticized the anime series but gave an above-average score to DVD 7: The Gods of War praised the art, described the show with a brightly-colored, well-designed world, admires its cinematic moments and fight scenes, and considers the character design to be the best. compares the improvement of the series to Rurouni Kenshin, which is becoming a great show over time.^[27][28] Darius Washington of considers the anime to be completely pedestrian. he felt it like Ninja Scroll with a Weiß Kreuz complex But he criticizes the English dubbing.^[29]

Layla Lawlor and Barb Lien-Cooper of Sequential Tart give an above-average score to Saiyuki Volume 1: The Journey Begins.^[30][31] Fellow ST reviewer Sheena McNeil gave a 9-out-of-10 grade to first volume, praised the art and animation, which has new styles of overlapping frames and the use of static such as shading. considers its story excellent with a new twist on the relationship between humans and demons who coexist peacefully, and also tries to combine the quest with a "good vs. evil" battle, calls the themes and characters as "fascinating."^[32] Later volumes of anime were also praised; ST's Sheena McNeil praised the art style, gave a high score to Saiyuki Volume 3: Confronting Their Demons, loves that the main characters have dark pasts and aren't entirely "good guys", and stating that the art techniques used for the background, flashbacks, are seen differently from other anime^[33] Fellow ST reviewer Barb Lien-Cooper, reviewing Saiyuki Volume 6: Demon Rising, graded 8 out of 10, said that the plot is interesting with varying tones, some unexpected twists and turns, and the characters, the audience can see the depths of the characters and understand them. it interprets the themes of the anime completely allegorically and in a kind of enlightening "good choice."^[34]

Sandra Dozier of DVD Verdict said that Saiyuki sort of resembles a very pretty, stylistic Dragon Ball Z. called the eighth volume as very enjoyable, it's stories a little exciting with a nice, calm drama that allows the stories to unfold without rushing. The fight scenes are great and attractive, but very little in this particular volume.^[35] In her reviewing of the ninth volume, she sees a good collection of episodes that dealt with the childhood memories of the four main characters. said that the past censorship as very harsh and pessimistic. it's interesting to see some of the past events for these characters and to see the very vulnerable side of Gojyo.^[36] In her reviewing of the tenth volume, she cited its animation in a shiny and gorgeous way and the fight scenes are very advanced, but in this episode, she found it difficult to connect with the main characters^[37]