List of media adaptations of Journey to the West
Encyclopedia
Journey to the West
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
of Chinese literature, was written in the 16th century but remains popular today, and has been adapted many times in modern media, including film, television, stage, and other media.
Journey to the West
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. This was one title used for a popular, abridged translation by Arthur Waley...
, one of the Four Great Classical Novels
Four Great Classical Novels
The Four Great Classical Novels, or the Four Major Classical Novels of Chinese literature, are the four novels commonly regarded by scholars to be the greatest and most influential of pre-modern Chinese fiction. Dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, they are well known to most Chinese readers...
of Chinese literature, was written in the 16th century but remains popular today, and has been adapted many times in modern media, including film, television, stage, and other media.
Paintings
- Japanese artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi published a series of prints in 1865 titled Tsûzoku saiyûki (A Modern Journey to the West).
Stage plays
- Journey to the West: The Musical - a stage musical that received its world premiere at the New York Musical Theatre FestivalNew York Musical Theatre FestivalThe New York Musical Theatre Festival is an annual three-week fall Festival which presents more than thirty new musicals at venues in New York City's midtown theater district...
on September 25, 2006.
- Monkey: Journey to the WestMonkey: Journey to the WestMonkey: Journey to the West is a stage adaptation of the 16th Century Chinese novel Journey to the West, by Wu Cheng'en. It was conceived and created by the Chinese actor and director Chen Shi-zheng with the British musician Damon Albarn and British artist Jamie Hewlett.-Development:In 2004,...
- a stage musical version created by Chen Shi-ZhengChen Shi-zhengChen Shi-Zheng 陳士爭 born in 1963 in Changsha, Hunan, China) is a New York-based theater director.Having earned a BA from the Hunan Art School in Traditional Opera, he received his MA from the Tisch School of Art at New York University...
, Damon AlbarnDamon AlbarnDamon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
and Jamie HewlettJamie HewlettJamie Christopher Hewlett is an English comic book artist and designer. He is known for being the co-creator of the comic Tank Girl and co-creator of the virtual band Gorillaz.-Biography:...
. It premiered as part of the 2007 Manchester International FestivalManchester International FestivalThe Manchester International Festival is an international cultural festival of original new work, held in the English city of Manchester. It is a biennial event, first taking place in June–July 2007, and subsequently recurring in the summers of 2009 and 2011...
at the Palace Theatre on June 28.
- The Monkey King - a production by the Children's Theater Company in Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinnesotaMinnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in 2005.
- The Monkey Sun (Opičák Sun) – a production adapting several chapters from the novel by the Theatre Esence in PraguePraguePrague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in 1984.
Films
- Princess Iron FanPrincess Iron Fan (1941 film)Princess Iron Fan , is the first Chinese animated feature film. It was directed in Shanghai under difficult conditions in the thick of World War II by Wan Guchan and Wan Laiming and was released on January 1, 1941.-Plot:...
(1941) – a liberal adapted of a short sequence from Journey to the West; the first Chinese animated feature film. - Havoc in HeavenHavoc in HeavenHavoc in Heaven , also known as Uproar in Heaven, is a Chinese animated feature film directed by Wan Laiming and produced by all four of the Wan brothers. The film was created at the height of the Chinese animation industry in the 1960s, and received numerous awards...
(1961) – also known as Uproar in Heaven, is a Chinese animated feature film directed by Wan Laiming and produced by all four of the Wan brothers. - Shaw Brothers StudioShaw Brothers StudioThe Shaw Brothers Studio , owned by Shaw Brothers Ltd., was the foremost and the largest movie production company of Hong Kong movies.From their distribution base in Singapore where they founded parent company Shaw Organization in 1924, and as a strategic development of their movie distribution...
film series directed by Ho Meng-hua:- Monkey Goes West (1966)
- Princess Iron FanPrincess Iron Fan (1966 film)Princess Iron Fan is a Hong Kong film, the second in a series of four Shaw Brothers productions based on the Chinese novel Journey to the West. It was directed by Ho Meng Hua.-External links:**...
(1966) – adapting two chapters from the novel. - Cave of the Silken Web (1967)
- The Land of Many Perfumes (1968)
- A Chinese OdysseyA Chinese OdysseyA Chinese Odyssey is a pair of 1994 films, directed by Jeffrey Lau and starring Stephen Chow, Karen Mok, Ng Man Tat, and Athena Chu. The first movie in the duology is A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora's Box and the second is A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella...
(1995) – a comedy film loosely based on the novel, starring Stephen ChowStephen ChowStephen Chow Sing-Chi is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, screenwriter, film director and producer.- Professional career :Stephen Chow began as a temporary actor for TVB. He entered TVB in early 1980s, and was trained there, although he had few opportunities to appear in films. Chow graduated from...
. - Heavenly Legend (1998) – a film by Tai Seng Entertainment that is partially based on the novel, starring Jimmy Lin and Ashton ChenAshton ChenAshton Chen , is a Mainland Chinese actor and martial artist. He has been a disciple of Shi Yongxin, the current abbot of the Shaolin Temple, since he was two years old. Originally known as "Chen Xiao-long" , Ashton was given a Dharma name-- "Shi Xiao-long" by the abbot...
. - A Chinese Tall StoryA Chinese Tall StoryA Chinese Tall Story is a 2005 Hong Kong fantasy adventure film, written and directed by Jeffrey Lau.-Synopsis:It is a twisted story about the monk Tripitaka and his three disciples who are journeying west to acquire Buddhist scriptures. While stopping in Shache City , they come under attack by...
(2005) – a comedy film loosely based on the novel, starring Nicholas TseNicholas TseNicholas Tse is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, actor and musician, and son of actor Patrick Tse. He is a member of the Emperor Entertainment Group...
. - The Fire Ball (2005) – an animated feature film directed by Wong Tung
- The Adventures of Super Monkey (2007) – a film featuring Shingo Katori as the Monkey King focusing on one adventure with the team fighting the Gold and Silver Horn deamons.
- The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) – a fantasy-adventure martial arts film featuring Jet LiJet LiThe fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
as the Monkey King. - The Monkey KingThe Monkey King (film)The Monkey King is an upcoming Hong Kong film directed by Cheang Pou-soi and starring Donnie Yen as the titular protagonist. Yen also serves as the film's action director...
(2012) – starring Donnie YenDonnie YenDonnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
and Chow Yun-fatChow Yun-FatChow Yun-fat, SBS is an actor from Hong Kong. He is best known in Asia for his collaboration with filmmaker John Woo in heroic bloodshed genre films A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Hard Boiled; and to the West for his role as Li Mu-bai in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon... - Journey to the West (TBA) – starring Stephen ChowStephen ChowStephen Chow Sing-Chi is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, screenwriter, film director and producer.- Professional career :Stephen Chow began as a temporary actor for TVB. He entered TVB in early 1980s, and was trained there, although he had few opportunities to appear in films. Chow graduated from...
and Zhang YuqiZhang YuqiKitty Zhang Yuqi is a Chinese actress. Her first major role was in Stephen Chow's 2007 Hong Kong film CJ7, which brought her media attention and kickstarted her acting career.-Biography:Zhang was born in Shandong province...
Television series
- Saiyūki (Monkey)Monkey (TV series)Monkey is the dubbed English language version of the Japanese television series , based on the classic sixteenth century Chinese novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. It was originally produced by Nippon Television and International Television Films in association with NHK.The series ran for...
(1978–1980)- a 1970s Japanese television series based on Journey to the West translated into English by BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
.
- Science Fiction Saiyuki StarzingerStarzingeris an anime series aired in Japan from 1978 to 1979. It translates literally to "Science Fiction Journey to the West Starzinger". In the United States it is referred to as Spaceketeers and is part of Jim Terry's Force Five series...
(1978-1979) - a 1970s Japanese anime series that is a science-fiction / space opera reimaginating of the story, produced by Toei AnimationToei AnimationToei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
.
- Journey to the West (1986 and 1999) - a two season television series produced by CCTVChina Central TelevisionChina Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
. Noted for its faithfulness to the original novel, this series is still considered by many as a classic. Liu Xiao Ling TongLiu Xiao Ling TongLiu Xiao Ling Tong is the stage name of Zhang Jinlai , a famous Chinese actor who was known for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Sun Wukong in the 1986 Journey to the West TV series.-Biography:...
played the Monkey King in both seasons.
- Journey to the West (1994) - Nippon TV produced another television series, based on the Journey to the West story, titled New Monkey, it ran for only one season. The series when released was considered a special effects achievement.
- Journey to the WestJourney to the West (1996 TV series)Journey to the West is a 1996 Hong Kong TV series produced by TVB, based on the classic Chinese novel of the same name.The series was very popular during its original run on TVB Jade, mostly because of Dicky Cheung's performance as the Monkey King Sun Wukong.A sequel, Journey to the West II, was...
(1996) - produced by Hong Kong's TVBTelevision Broadcasts LimitedTelevision Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
, starring Dicky CheungDicky Cheung-Career:He entered show business in the early 1980s, signing a contract with television station TVB. He won the 3rd annual New Talent Singing Awards in 1984. Up until the mid 90's, Dicky struggled for many years working as a low-paid actor, singer, and appeared occasionally in films...
as the Monkey King.
- Journey to the West II (1998) - the sequel to the 1996 TVB version of Journey to the West, starring Benny Chan as the Monkey King.
- The Monkey King (2001) - Sci Fi ChannelSci Fi Channel (United States)Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
's television adaptation of this legend, also called The Lost Empire.
- The Monkey King: Quest for the SutraThe Monkey King: Quest for the SutraThe Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra is a 2002 Hong Kong/Taiwanese TV series based on the classic Chinese novel: Journey to the West. It is also a remake of the 90's TVB version....
(2002) - a loose adaptation of the novel, starring Dicky Cheung as the Monkey King.
- Saiyūki (2006) - Japan's Fuji TelevisionFuji Televisionis a Japanese television station based in Daiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan, also known as or CX, based on the station's callsign "JOCX-DTV". It is the flagship station of the Fuji News Network and the ....
produced (yet) another television series, based on the Journey to the West story, titled Saiyūki. The lead character of Son Goku (Monkey King) was given to Shingo KatoriShingo Katoriis the youngest member of SMAP, a popular Japanese idol group from the agency Johnny & Associates, and he is from Yokohama, Japan. Shingo Katori has acted in several dramas such as Three Peace, and has appeared as a voice actor in such anime series as Akazukin Chacha, in which he voiced the part of...
, a member of the pop group SMAPSMAPSMAP is a Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates. While originally consisting of six members, the current group members are Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori...
. This latest remake has been so successful as to break viewing records with one in three Japanese viewers watching each episode of the series. Companies from South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Malaysia and the United Kingdom are trying to secure rights to broadcast this series. In lieu of a second season, Fuji TV and TohoTohois a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
are producing a feature film version, to be released in Japan on July 14, .
- Wu Cheng'en and Journey to the West (2010) - features the story of Wu Cheng'enWu Cheng'enWu Cheng'en , courtesy name Ruzhong , pen name "Sheyang Hermit," was a Chinese novelist and poet of the Ming Dynasty, best known for being the attributed author of one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Journey to the West.-Biography:Wu was born in Lianshui, in Jiangsu...
, author of Journey to the West, and his inspiration for writing the novel. The main cast from the CCTV version reprised their roles in this series, with Liu Xiao Ling TongLiu Xiao Ling TongLiu Xiao Ling Tong is the stage name of Zhang Jinlai , a famous Chinese actor who was known for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Sun Wukong in the 1986 Journey to the West TV series.-Biography:...
simultaneously playing both Wu Cheng'en and the Monkey King.
- Journey to the West (2010) - directed by Cheng Lidong. The series is called "ZhejiangZhejiangZhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
version", as it was first aired on Zhejiang Satellite TV in China.
- Journey to the West (2011) - produced by Zhang Jizhong. The series is scheduled to be broadcast on CCTVChina Central TelevisionChina Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
in 2011.
Comics, manga and anime
- Alakazam the GreatAlakazam the Greatis a 1960 Japanese anime film, based on the Chinese novel Journey to the West, and was one of the earliest anime films to be released in the United States. Based on the manga by Osamu Tezuka, he was named as a director of the film by Toei Company. However, Tezuka later stated that the only time he...
: One of the first anime films produced by Toei AnimationToei AnimationToei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
, a retelling of first part of the story based on the characters designed by Osamu TezukaOsamu Tezukawas a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
.
- Gokū no DaibōkenGoku no Daibokenis a Japanese anime series that was directed by Gisaburō Sugii. Made by Mushi Productions, the anime's 39 episodes were broadcast on Fuji TV between January 7, 1967 and September 30, 1967. The anime is based on the Chinese epic Journey to the West....
- BBC Beijing Olympics titles: A two-minute long introduction produced in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics by BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. The animation and music were specially produced by Jamie HewlettJamie HewlettJamie Christopher Hewlett is an English comic book artist and designer. He is known for being the co-creator of the comic Tank Girl and co-creator of the virtual band Gorillaz.-Biography:...
and Damon AlbarnDamon AlbarnDamon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/monkey/default.stm
- Dragon Ball: Started off based on Journey to the West, but later deviated from it. Sun Wukong becomes Son Goku, a humanoid alien with an elongating staff weapon and the ability to change into a giant ape. The object of sutras are replaced by the 7 wish-granting Dragon Balls.
- Saiyūki: manga and anime series inspired by the legend. Follow-up series include Saiyuki Gaiden, Saiyuki Ibun and Saiyuki Reload Blast, continuation of the manga.
- Patalliro SaiyukiPatalliro!is a long-running manga series written and illustrated by Mineo Maya, one of the few known male manga artist for shōnen-ai manga. Patalliro! is the first anime series to present shōnen-ai themes on television.- Plot :...
: A shōnen-ai series in both anime and manga formats with the Patalliro!Patalliro!is a long-running manga series written and illustrated by Mineo Maya, one of the few known male manga artist for shōnen-ai manga. Patalliro! is the first anime series to present shōnen-ai themes on television.- Plot :...
cast playing out the Zaiyuji storyline with a BLBL-Arts and entertainment:* ECW Barely Legal, an ECW PPV* BL Publishing, the publishing division of the wargames manufacturing, Games Workshop* Bionicle Legends, a series of science-fiction novels based on Lego toys-Computing:...
twist.
- Havoc in HeavenHavoc in HeavenHavoc in Heaven , also known as Uproar in Heaven, is a Chinese animated feature film directed by Wan Laiming and produced by all four of the Wan brothers. The film was created at the height of the Chinese animation industry in the 1960s, and received numerous awards...
(also known as Uproar in Heaven): Original animation from China, by Shanghai Animation Film Studio.
- Ginseng Fruit(also known as Stealing the Ginseng Fruit): Original animation from China, by Shanghai Animation Film Studio.
- Iyashite Agerun Saiyūki: A 2007 adult anime
- Monkey Magic: An animated retelling of the legend.
- Monkey TyphoonMonkey Typhoonis a Japanese manga written by Tadashi Agi and illustrated by Romu Aoi. It was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine between 2001 and 2002....
: A manga and anime series based on the Journey to the West saga, following a futuristic steampunk -retelling of the legend.
- SaintSaint (manhua)Saint is the manhua of Hong Kong comics artist Khoo Fuk Lung. This manhua is about the life of Sun Wukong, the monkey god from novel Xi You Ji of novelist Wu Cheng'en...
: A manhua created by Hong Kong manhua artist Khoo Fuk-lung, based on the Journey to the West but adding many interesting facts.
- StarzingerStarzingeris an anime series aired in Japan from 1978 to 1979. It translates literally to "Science Fiction Journey to the West Starzinger". In the United States it is referred to as Spaceketeers and is part of Jim Terry's Force Five series...
: An animated science fiction version of the story.
- The Journey West: A series of illustrated ebooks available for the Kindle and Nook that retell Journey to the West using rhyming verses vaguely reminiscent of Dr. SeussDr. SeussTheodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
. Book One: The Monkey King was released in 2011.
- The Monkey KingThe Monkey King (manga), also known as Katsuya Terada's The Monkey King, is a dark fantasy manga series, written and illustrated in full color by Katsuya Terada.- Story :...
: A dark sword and sorcery manga inspired by the tale.
- Xi You Ji: A 1999 Chinese cartoon based on the book that ran for 52 episodes and was broadcast on CCTV. The whole series was later released on a 26 disc VCD set. The show was later dubbed into English and edited by CinarÇinarÇınar is a district of Diyarbakır Province of Turkey and also the name of downtown of Denizli city of Denizli Province of Turkey....
(now known as Cookie Jar EntertainmentCookie Jar EntertainmentThe Cookie Jar Group is an American and Canadian producer of children’s entertainment, consumer products and educational materials...
) and was entitled Journey to the West - Legends of the Monkey KingJourney to the West - Legends of the Monkey KingJourney to the West - Legends of the Monkey King is a 1999 Chinese cartoon show produced by China Central Television. It is based from Chinese novel, Journey to the West. The English Language version of the show was produced by Cinar...
. It first aired on TeletoonTélétoon (Canadian TV channel)Télétoon is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel that specializes in animation programming. Télétoon is owned by Teletoon Canada Inc; a 50/50 partnership between Astral Media and Corus Entertainment...
in Canada and was originally shown on the Cookie Jar ToonsCookie Jar ToonsCookie Jar Toons is a daily children's programming block on the This TV digital broadcast network. The block is programmed by Toronto based Cookie Jar Entertainment...
block on This TVThis TVThis TV is a United States general entertainment television network, with a large emphasis in its programming on movies....
in the United States from 2009 to 2010.
- The Ape: by Milo Manara and Silverio Pisu. Graphic novel published 1986 by Catalan Communications. Previously serialized in Heavy Metal magazine in 1983. This is a more adult adaptation of 'Journey to the West' with a preface by Renata Pisu. ISBN 978-0874160192
- In Read or Die OVA, one of the I-jin characters, Genjo Sanzo, is loosely based on Son Goku. He has a staff that he can control the length of and he rides a cloud.
Works referencing the novel
- American Born ChineseAmerican Born ChineseAmerican Born Chinese is a graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang. Released in 2006 by First Second Books, it was a finalist for the 2006 National Book Awards in the category of Young People's Literature. It won the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award and the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: New. It...
: An American graphic novel by Gene Yang. Nominated for the National Book Award (2006).
- DoraemonDoraemonis a Japanese manga series created by Fujiko F. Fujio which later became an anime series and an Asian franchise...
: A special tells the story of Journey To The West casting the Doraemon characters as the characters of the legend.
- Eyeshield 21Eyeshield 21is a manga about American football written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata. It has been adapted into an anime movie in 2004 , an anime television series in 2005, several video games and a trading card game from Konami. The manga is serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump...
: Three of the players for the Shinryuji Nagas are referred to as the Saiyuki Trio based upon their appearances and personalities.
- Gag Manga Biyori: The 2005 sketch comedy style anime featured one episode in its first season that portrayed the Journey to the West as a race, casting Sanzou Houshi (XuanzangXuanzang (fictional character)The fictional character Xuanzang is a central character of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.For most of the novel he is known as Táng-sānzàng, the title Sānzàng referring to his mission to seek the Sānzàngjīng, the "Three Collections of Scriptures"...
), Son Goku (Sun WukongSun WukongSun Wukong , also known as the Monkey King is a main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West . In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices...
), and Sa Gojo (Sha WujingSha WujingShā Wùjìng is one of the three disciples of Xuánzàng in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, although versions of his character predate the Ming novel. In the novels, his background is the least developed of the pilgrims and he contributes the least to their efforts...
) as three racers.
- GoGo Sentai BoukengerGoGo Sentai Boukengeris the 30th series in Toei's Super Sentai series, a franchise of Japanese tokusatsu television series. It is the first installment to be broadcast in HDTV. It premiered on February 19, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. on TV Asahi...
: The 2006 Super SentaiSuper SentaiThe is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
series, where its final episode involved the Rúyì-jīngū-bàng
- InuYashaInuYasha, also known as , is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. It premiered in Weekly Shōnen Sunday on November 13, 1996 and concluded on June 18, 2008...
: The characters meet descendants of three of the main characters of the Journey to the West in one episode and main character, Kagome Higurashi, says a few lines about the whole book and story. Also, several plot elements in InuYasha vaguely resemble Journey to the West such as the quest (the search for jewel shards in place of scrolls), a weapon which changes in shape and size (InuYasha's Tetsusaiga), and InuYasha's necklace, which allows Kagome to punish him at will, which is probably based on Sun Wukong's headband.
- Juken Sentai GekirangerJuken Sentai Gekirangeris Toei Company's thirty-first entry in the Super Sentai franchise. Production began on September 29, 2006 with principal photography beginning on October 6, 2006. It premiered on TV Asahi on February 18, 2007, and concluded its airing on February 10, 2008...
: The 2007 Super SentaiSuper SentaiThe is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
series, where one of its villains fighting style is homage to Sun Wukong.
- Kaleido StarKaleido Staris an anime series produced by Japanese studio Gonzo Digimation Holding. The series was created by Junichi Sato, who also directed the first season, and written by Reiko Yoshida...
: The cast performs Saiyuki on stage a few times in the beginning of the second half of the series.
- Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger: The 1992 Super SentaiSuper SentaiThe is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
series, the monster in the thirty-seventh episode is based on Gold-Horn from chapters 32-35.
- Love HinaLove Hinais a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ken Akamatsu. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine by Kodansha from October 21, 1998 to October 31, 2001 and was published in 14 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. The series tells the story of Keitaro Urashima and his attempts to...
: The characters put on a play based on the story in anime episode 16 and manga chapter 37.
- NarutoNarutois an ongoing Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and aspires to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of...
: Temari, a character from Naruto, is based on Princess Iron FanPrincess Iron FanPrincess Iron Fan is a fictional character from the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. She is the wife of the Bull King and mother of Red Boy. She is a beautiful goddess living in an underground cave awaiting her husband's return, but also angry at him for his affair with a foxy vixen...
from the legend. Enma is a summoned monkey who bears resemblance to Sun Wukong. He has the ability to transform into a staff similar to the rúyì-jīngū-bàng, which can alter its size at will. Kinkaku and Ginkaku appear as enemy ninja wielding the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
- Ninja Sentai KakurangerNinja Sentai Kakurangerwas TOEI Company Limited's eighteenth production of the Super Sentai television series. The name given to this series by Toei for international distribution is Ninja Rangers....
: The 1994 Super SentaiSuper SentaiThe is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
series, where each of the main characters are inspired by the main characters of Journey to the West
- Paprika (2006 film) references the classic Chinese fable when the main character, Paprika, transforms into something resembling the Monkey King, with a staff, tiger-skin clothing, and riding a cloud.
- Princess Iron FanPrincess Iron Fan (1941 film)Princess Iron Fan , is the first Chinese animated feature film. It was directed in Shanghai under difficult conditions in the thick of World War II by Wan Guchan and Wan Laiming and was released on January 1, 1941.-Plot:...
(1941): First Chinese animated feature, based on the Iron Fan episode.
- Ranma 1/2: Pastiches of the characters appear throughout the manga and movies.
- Read or Die (OVA)Read or Die (OVA)The OVA based on the Read or Die manga series created by Hideyuki Kurata was created by Studio Deen in early 2001 and distributed outside Japan by Manga Entertainment in 2003. The series, directed by Koji Masunari, features the main characters of the original manga such as Yomiko Readman and Joker...
: One of the villains is a clone of Xuanzang, who seems to have the powers of Sun Wukong and Xuanzang.
- Read or DreamRead or DreamRead or Dream is a manga written by Hideyuki Kurata and drawn by Ran Ayanaga. It was published in Japan in four trade paperback volumes by Shueisha in 2002...
: In the manga, Anita gets hit on the forehead with a baseball and is knocked out. She has a dream based on the Wizard of Oz, but one of the other characters notes that he is in the wrong story because he is the Monkey King.
- Sakura WarsSakura Warsis a Japanese media franchise created by Ouji Hiroi, and is developed and owned by Sega and licensed by Red Entertainment and Sega. The franchise centers on a series of dramatic fantasy and science-fantasy tactical role-playing adventure video games, which consist of tactical wargame and dating sim...
: The Imperial Flower Troupe Performs the play of Journey to the West.
- 1978-1979 anime of a science fiction / space opera retelling of Journey to the West by Toei AnimationToei AnimationToei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
.
- ShinzoShinzoShinzo, known as in Japan, is an anime based on an event where creatures known as Enterrans take over Earth and rename it in their own image: Enterra. Now three Enterrans have to protect the last human in order to restore the human race...
: An anime loosely based on Journey to the West.
- Sir Harold and the Monkey King (1992): Harold Shea and Reed Chalmers visit the setting of Journey to the West in this short story.
- The Monkey King's DaughterThe Monkey King's DaughterThe Monkey King's Daughter is a series of books by author Todd DeBonis for young readers, aged 8 to 12, about the adventures of Meilin Cheng, a 14-year old Asian-American high school girl who learns she is the daughter of the mythical Sun Wukong — The Monkey King. It is illustrated by John...
: An American adventure novel-series for young adults DVTVFilm.
- XINXin (comics)XIN, is a comic book created by Kevin Lau, published by Anarchy Studio. Xin also known as Monkey, is a fictional comic book character. Based on the character Sun Wukong from the mediaeval Chinese novel Journey to the West, XIN takes many facets of the ancient tale and twists them with a modern...
: An American comic mini-series produced by Anarchy Studio.
- Dark Heavens and Journey to Wudang series: a fantasy novel series by Kylie ChanKylie ChanKylie Chan is a bestselling Australian author, best known for The Dark Heavens trilogy, set in modern day Hong Kong.The first novel in the trilogy, White Tiger, was published in July 2006, followed by Red Phoenix in January 2007...
Games
- China Gate: A 1988 arcade game by Technos Japan Corp., based on the original story and characters. The Japanese version is titled
- Ether Saga OnlineEther Saga OnlineEther Saga Online , is a free to play MMORPG developed by Perfect World Entertainment. The International version has now been released worldwide in an English-language format. Ether Saga launched its closed beta February 2, 2009. The open beta began on March 17, 2009...
: A MMORPG based heavily on Journey to the West, developed by Beijing Perfect World.
- Enslaved: Odyssey to the West: A multi-platform game developed by Ninja TheoryNinja TheoryNinja Theory, Ltd. is a video game developer based in Cambridge, England. Originally founded as Just Add Monsters in March 2000, the company was purchased by former Argonaut Games CEO Jez San in November 2004...
based on a futuristic take on the fable.
- Fuun Gokuu Ninden: An action game for PlayStation. The characters of the game are based on the characters of Journey to the West.
- Journey to the West: An unlicensed FamicomNintendo Entertainment SystemThe Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
game by Taiwanese developer TXC Corp, 1994.
- League of LegendsLeague of LegendsThe BetFred League of Legends was a darts tournament featuring some of the legends of the game of darts which commenced in May 2008. The tournament is broadcast on Setanta Sports in the United Kingdom....
: An action real time strategy video game developed and published by Riot Games for Microsoft Windows. A playable character in the game is a direct reference to the Monkey King.
- Mega Man: The Wily WarsMega Man: The Wily WarsMega Man: The Wily Wars, released in Japan as is a video game compilation by Capcom for the Sega Mega Drive. The game features remakes of the first three Mega Man games that were originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Wily Wars was released in cartridge format in Japan and...
: An enhanced remake of the first three Mega ManMega Man (video game)Mega Man, known as in Japan, is a video game developed and published by Capcom for the Nintendo Entertainment System . It is the first game in the original Mega Man series and the entire Mega Man franchise...
games, featuring three new bosses based on the characters of Journey to the West.
- The Monkey King: The Legend Begins: A side scrolling shooting game on the Nintendo Wii made in 2007 by UFO Interactive Games Inc. The player will play as either Wu Kung or a girl named Mei Mei.
- Monkey MagicMonkey Magic (PlayStation game)Monkey Magic was a game developed by the game production company Sunsoft around 1998. This game had been released on the original PlayStation gaming system.-General game information:...
: A video game for the PlayStation console.
- Oriental Legend: Arcade action game by IGSIGS- Computers/Video Games :*IGS Go server*iGamespot, former professional MLG Halo 2 team*Information Gateway Services, an Internet Service Provider*Information Global Service, video game company...
in 1997, based on the novel. This game was only released in China and Korea.
- Pokémon Diamond and PearlPokémon Diamond and Pearlare role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. With the enhanced remake Pokémon Platinum, the games comprise the fifth installment and fourth generation of the Pokémon series of RPGs...
: A video game and multiseries in which the PokémonPokémonis a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
creatures Chimchar, Monferno, and mainly Infernape are based on Sūn Wùkōng.
- Saiyuki: Journey WestSaiyuki: Journey WestSaiyuki: Journey West is a tactical role-playing video game released for the Sony PlayStation by Koei. It is based loosely on the Great Classical Novel Journey to the West...
: A tactical role-playing game for PlayStation developed by Koei.
- Saiyūki World: A Japan-exclusive NESNintendo Entertainment SystemThe Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
game by JalecoJalecois a Japanese video game publisher and developer established in 2006.The original Jaleco Ltd was founded in 1974. In 2006, it decided to become a pure holding company by renaming itself Jaleco Holding and splitting its video game operations into a newly created subsdiary that took its former name...
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- SonSonSonSonis a video game by Capcom. It is loosely based on the Chinese classic Journey to the West. The player assumes the role of a monkey boy and fights their way from one side to another, eventually reaching the statue of Buddha. One battles bats, rats, and mad bombers along the way with his stout...
: A video game and character of the same name created by CapcomCapcomis a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
whose title character is a caricature of Sūn Wùkōng. The granddaughter of SonSon (also named SonSon) appears in Marvel vs. Capcom 2.
- SonSon 2: Japan-exclusive sequel to SonSon.
- S.Y.K. Shinsetsu Saiyūki: an otome gameOtome gameAn is a video game that is targeted towards a female market, where one of the main goals, besides the plot goal, is to develop a romantic relationship between the female player character and one of several male characters. This genre is most established in Japan. The label includes both visual...
developed by Otomate
- Warriors Orochi 2Warriors Orochi 2is a video game developed by Koei and Omega Force for the Sony PlayStation 2. It is the sequel to Warriors Orochi, a crossover video game of the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series. The game was released on September 23 in North America and September 19 in Europe...
: Sūn Wùkōng appears as a playable character in this game.
- Westward JourneyWestward JourneyWestward Journey Online II is a MMORPG developed and run by NetEase. After its initial release it began experiencing serious technical problems and was closed for reworking, to be reopened several months later as "Westward Journey II". Another MMORPG, Fantasy Westward Journey, uses the same engine...
: A MMORPG.
- Whomp 'EmWhomp 'EmWhomp 'Em, known in Japan as , is a platform game released on the NES in March of 1991.Whomp 'Em is an action platformer, akin to many games at the time. It is notable for being one of the few video games to feature a Native American as the protagonist, though the Japanese version did not do so....
(known in Japan as Saiyūki World II): Sequel to Saiyūki World. An NES game whose Japanese version is based on the story (the American version features a Native American boy instead of Wukong).
- World Heroes PerfectWorld Heroes Perfectis a fighting arcade game developed and published by ADK with the assistance of SNK . It was originally released for the Neo Geo MVS arcade cabinet on May 25, 1995...
- A fighting game created by ADKADK (company), also known as , was a Japanese video game production company founded sometime in July of 1980. "ADK" is an acronym for Alpha, Denshi, and the Japanese term for "corporation", Kabushiki kaisha...
for the Neo-Geo and Sega SaturnSega SaturnThe is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
. Goku, one of the playable characters introduced in the game, is based on Sūn Wùkōng.
- YūyūkiYuyuki, often simply titled as , is a text-based adventure video game title developed by Nintendo EAD and Pax Softnica and published by Nintendo exclusively in Japan for the Family Computer Disk System...
: A video game for the Famicom Disk SystemFamicom Disk SystemThe was released on February 21, 1986 by Nintendo as a peripheral for the Family Computer console in Japan. It was a unit that used proprietary floppy disks for data storage. It was announced, but never released, for the North American Nintendo Entertainment System...
by NintendoNintendois a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
, based directly on the plot.