Sun Wukong is everywhere. You’ve seen him as a spiky-haired Saiyan, a high-schooler with a magic staff, or a literal monkey king beating up gods in high-definition 4K. It’s honestly kind of wild how one 16th-century Chinese novel basically gift-wrapped the blueprint for modern action media. If you grew up watching anime, you’ve been watching Journey to the West anime adaptations your entire life, even if you didn't realize it at the time.
The story is simple on paper. A monk named Tang Sanzang heads west to fetch sacred Buddhist sutras. He’s joined by a reformed monkey king, a pig demon, and a sandy water sprite. They fight eighty-one tribulations. That’s it. But that "simple" loop of traveling and fighting created the "monster of the week" trope that sustains half of the industry today.
The Dragon Ball Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about Akira Toriyama. When people search for Journey to the West anime, they are usually looking for the roots of Dragon Ball. In 1984, Toriyama didn't just take inspiration from the novel; he essentially parodied it. Son Goku is the literal Japanese translation of Sun Wukong. The Nimbus cloud? That's the Jindou Yun. The power-extending pole? That's the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
Early Dragon Ball was a gag-heavy adventure that mirrored the novel's irreverent tone. However, Toriyama eventually pivoted. He swapped the magical journey for alien invasions and power levels. This shift changed everything. It took the DNA of the Chinese classic and grafted it onto the shonen battle genre. Without that specific Journey to the West anime influence, the concept of a "tournament arc" or the "ever-escalating villain" might not exist in the way we know it.
The 1978 Cult Classic and the 60s Masterpiece
Before Goku, there was Alakazam the Great (1960). Produced by Toei Animation, this was one of the first anime films ever to reach the West. It’s a fascinating relic. Osamu Tezuka—the "God of Manga"—worked on it. It feels bouncy, Disney-esque, and a little frantic. It’s the starting point for the Monkey King’s animated life in Japan.
Then came the 70s. While not technically an "anime" in the traditional hand-drawn sense, the 1978 Japanese live-action show Monkey (Saiyuki) was so influential on later anime creators that it’s impossible to ignore. It was dubbed by the BBC and became a massive cult hit in the UK and Australia. The chemistry between the cast—especially Masako Natsume playing the male monk Tripitaka—set a precedent for the gender-fluidity often seen in later Journey to the West anime adaptations.
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Why We Keep Reclaiming the Monkey
Why do studios keep going back to this well? It’s not just nostalgia. It’s the archetypes. You have the impulsive hero (Wukong), the cynical glutton (Zhu Bajie), and the stoic pacifist (Sanzang). It’s the perfect team dynamic.
Take Saiyuki by Kazuya Minekura. This wasn't your grandpa’s version. It featured four handsome, chain-smoking, gun-toting outlaws driving a jeep across a demon-infested wasteland. It was gritty. It was "cool." It proved that the Journey to the West anime framework could handle heavy themes like trauma, religious hypocrisy, and existential dread without losing the core identity of the source material.
Then you have The God of High School. Technically a manhwa adaptation, but produced by MAPPA (the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen). It reveals that its protagonist, Jin Mori, is the Monkey King in a modern martial arts setting. The spectacle is massive. It shows that even in 2020 and beyond, the image of a staff growing to the size of a skyscraper still gets people hyped.
The Problem With Modern Adaptations
Honestly, some of them are just bad. There’s a tendency to lean too hard into the "superhero" aspect of Wukong and forget the "pilgrimage" aspect of the story. The novel is actually a biting satire of bureaucracy. Heaven is run like a boring, corrupt government office. When an anime loses that wit and just becomes a series of laser beams, it feels hollow.
We’re also seeing a massive surge in Chinese animation (donghua) reclaiming the narrative. Monkey King: Hero is Back and the various Nezha crossovers are pushing the visual envelope. These aren't just "anime-style" shows; they are big-budget cinematic experiences that treat the source material with a mix of reverence and modern blockbuster energy.
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The Evolution of the Monk
One of the most interesting shifts in Journey to the West anime history is the portrayal of the monk, Tang Sanzang. In the original text, he’s often a bit of a crybaby. He’s physically weak and constantly gets kidnapped.
- In Dragon Ball, he becomes Bulma (the one leading the quest).
- In Shinzo, he’s a young girl named Yakumo.
- In Monkey Typhoon, it’s a steampunk reimagining.
Anime loves to flip the script on the "damsel in distress" role. By changing the monk, you change the entire motivation of the Monkey King. Is he a bodyguard? A servant? A friend? A romantic interest? This flexibility is why the story doesn't get old. It’s a modular narrative. You can swap the pieces and it still works.
Acknowledging the Cultural Weight
It’s worth noting that while Japan loves this story, the relationship is sometimes complicated. Scholars like Anthony C. Yu, who provided the definitive English translation of the novel, have noted how the spiritual themes of Buddhism and Taoism are often stripped away in favor of action. That’s the nature of pop media, I guess.
But even a "shallow" adaptation keeps the flame alive. When a kid watches Starzinger (a sci-fi take on the myth) or Gensomaden Saiyuki, they are engaging with a lineage of storytelling that stretches back hundreds of years. It’s a bridge between ancient oral traditions and modern digital streaming.
Finding the Best Versions Today
If you want to actually watch a Journey to the West anime that captures the spirit of the book, you have options.
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- The 1964 "Uproar in Heaven": It’s a Chinese film, but its influence on the aesthetic of early Japanese animation is undeniable. The colors are incredible.
- Saiyuki (1999/2000): This is the one for people who like 90s aesthetic and character-driven drama.
- The Daily Life of the Immortal King: A more recent, comedic take on the tropes.
- Monkey Typhoon (Asobotto Senki Goku): If you want something that feels like Power Rangers mixed with Mad Max.
Actionable Steps for the Curious Viewer
If you’re looking to dive into this sub-genre, don't just start with the biggest hits. The "best" version depends on what you value in a story.
Track the evolution. Watch the first five episodes of the original Dragon Ball. Then, watch the first episode of Gensomaden Saiyuki. The difference in how they treat the same characters is a masterclass in adaptation.
Check out the Donghua. China is currently outproducing everyone when it comes to Wukong content. Look for The King’s Avatar or Soul Land creators' work; they often weave in these myths in ways that feel fresh compared to the standard Japanese tropes.
Read a summary of the "Real" story. You don't have to read all four volumes of the novel (though you should, it's hilarious). Just knowing that Wukong once erased his name from the Book of the Dead to become immortal makes his anime power-ups feel more grounded in the actual lore.
Look for the symbols. Once you know what to look for—the circlet around the head, the peach of immortality, the gourd—you’ll start seeing the Journey to the West anime influence in everything from One Piece to Naruto to Black Myth: Wukong. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Go find a version that resonates with you. Whether it’s a sci-fi space opera or a gritty 90s drama, the Monkey King is waiting to be rediscovered.