elaby | Saiyuki OMG

I got Saiyuki Reload vol. 9 today (it's probably been out awhile... and I keep forgetting which volumes I already have since it's been so damn long since the last one came out) and OMG.

Ukoku is the scariest, most awesomest villain I think there ever was. Okay, maybe not ever, but he's definitely up there with my favorites.

Smiley and laid back during all situations? Check.
Biting, sarcastic-cutsie dialogue interspersed with obscure philosophy? Check.
A presence in just about every significant past event, revealed at stunning intervals? Check.
Ability to, without breaking a sweat, beat the everloving crap out of the only character who has gone the entire previous series plus nine more volumes virtually untouched? Double fucking check, ow.

I <3 you, Ukoku. I really do. And I hope the one person your salvation depends on leaves you alone at Ohtori Academy with your omnipotence broken into itty bitty pieces.

And speaking of Utena references, there was this delightful bit with hands and reaching, where Ukoku was erasing Sanzo's existence by erasing his memories of other people, and (of course) the last one, the significant one, the one that made Sanzo finally freak, was his memory of Goku. They showed the picture they always show, of Sanzo reaching for Goku's hand when he rescues Goku from the cage on the mountain, and then the next second it's Goku's hand grabbing Sanzo's and pulling him from the edge of oblivion. And then throwing him into a tree XD Boy don't know his own strength!

I love how every horrible thing that happens in this manga is only an excuse for the boys to defiantly tell other people how very attached they are to each other. <3

Also? Hazel FTW. He's such an annoying jerk, but I love him XD Probably because he spent his first few volumes implicitly coming onto Sanzo. And because he's having Teh Crisis of Faith right now. MAN, I love how every character in this series has their own personal philosophy about life, and every one of them is well-established and skillfully played out in the continuity. Bweeeeee. Manga wot makes me think = win.

I need some better Saiyuki icons, because all the ones I make seem to suck :\

Oh, also! While I'm making random observations! The English adaptation for this manga is the best I've ever read. Especially with the four main characters, but even to some extent with side characters, you can read dialogue bubbles and know who's talking based solely on their speech patterns, and not only that, it's consistent. Also, Gojyo's swearing is the most creative ever XD