Having been assigned by the human elders the mission of stopping a mystical plague that has afflicted the Youkai with madness, Genjyo Sanzo assembles his team of Youkai warriors, desperately hoping that the disease will not affect them. He sets up qualifying tests that will help him determine the loyalty and worth of Cho Hakkai, Son Goku and Sha Gojyo. The team then journeys west to rid the land of madness.

Genjyo Sanzo
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.

Son Goku
Our cheerful little Monkey Boy. Born from a stone and imprisoned by the gods for 500 years, Goku's past is shrouded in mystery. That he committed a crime to invoke his imprisonment is without question, however, what that crime actually was is anybody's guess. He enjoys eating, playing, and thinking happy thoughts. Because of his optimistic personality, he's become the mascot of the group. At a rather arbitrary 18 years of age, our centuries-old monkey is made fun of by Gojyo, yelled at by Sanzo, and watched over by Hakkai. He stands at a whopping 162 cm tall (approx. 5'4") and wields the Nyoi-Bou as his weapon, which can extend and morph in all sorts of nifty ways.

Sha Gojyo
Gojyo is a flirtatious, sly, and flat-out horny rogue. His behavior may seem rough and vulgar at first (and it is), but to the friends who know him he's the dependable older brother. He's best friends with Hakkai, sparring partners with Goku ... and has a very strained relationship with Sanzo. Although his love for the ladies sometimes leads to problems, he seems to be searching for someone in particular, and it's not necessarily a woman. He doesn't need a power limiter to blend in with humans because of his unusual heritage. His favorite weapon is his shakujou staff which requires a chain to control its blade -- a messy piece in battle to be sure. He's 184 cm tall (approx. 6'0"), has scarlet hair and eyes, and, at 22, smokes like a chimney with a burning lust for cancer.

Cho Hakkai
A rather perplexing young man. Hakkai is usually quite pleasant and polite and is known for his smile, but he can be so off-putting it's hard to tell when he's serious ... there's a chance he's the straight man, but that's up to debate. His occasionally sharp gaze -- in contrast to his warm expressions -- is symbolic of his dark, closed past. As Jeep belongs to him, he often drives when the group is riding. He uses chi (or life spirit) manipulation as his weapon in battle. He, like Gojyo, is 22 years old, but stands at a slightly shorter 181 cm tall (approx. 5'11"). His eyes are deep green and his right is nearly blind. The cuffs he wears on his left ear are Yokai power limiters, but they can also be appreciated as an ancient Chinese fashion statement.

Hakuryu
Although playful and unassuming this little dragon is an important part of Sanzo's team. He has the ability to turn into a jeep and as such, is the Sanzo gang's primary method of transportation.

Gyumaoh
The great Youkai buried by the war god, Crown Prince Nataku, five hundred years ago at Houtou Castle in India. Gyumaoh remains in stasis, while a plot to revive him develops apace. It's this plot that is responsible for unleashing the Minus Wave that corrupted the Youkai.

Kougaiji
The son of Gyumaoh and Rasetsunyo (an evil female demon), Kougaiji inspires great loyalty in those who serve him. As for Kougaiji's loyalties, they lie with his parents ... his real parents, and while Gyokumen would like Kougaiji to view her as his mother, she isn't, and Kougaiji is not about to forget that.

Kanzeon Bosatsu
The Merciful Goddess, also known as Kannon or Kuan Yin. The goddess Kanzeon is usually portrayed as female, but in our tale she's also a he. Although she looks pretty feminine, Kanzeon Bosatsu is a hermaphrodite. Whimsical and quirky, Kanzeon Bosatsu views the world as her playground, and although her intentions are good, isn't above causing a little mischief every now and then.

Kazuya Minekura
Although she is best known for her first hit, the 1997 series Gensomaden Saiyuki, Kazuya Minekura has published many other manga such as Stigma and Wild Adapter before and during Saiyuki's run. Her current project is Saiyuki Reload, the continuing adventures of Genjo and his motley tribe of misfits.