#saiyuuki

So yeah, I’m rewatching Saiyuuki Zeroin, because yeah, it’s Even a Worm and that’s awesome and I will *never* get tired of it existing finally in anime form.

But rewatching the scene where the gang face off to Ukoku and picked up on the banter between them, with Gojou (and then Gokuu) describing Sanzou as a battered up dustcloth. (boro-zoukin)…

This may seem like a very random and weird thing to get caught up on, but it’s one of the things I love about this series. That even though it’s been going on for such a long time, there are little moments where a scene nods back to another scene. Of course, in real-time, both Burial and Even a Worm come from the Reload manga, so they weren’t actually written as far apart as they were animated. But still, it’s a nice little touch all the same.

In the Burialarc, which tracks the group back in the early days of their acquaintance, long before the minus wave and their journey West, Sanzou tries to get Gojou and Hakkai to sort out a bunch of temple thieves for him. Both refuse - Gojou saying he doesn’t want to do Sanzou’s dirty work and Hakkai saying he wants to live a quiet life now he has his new identity. Sanzou gets annoyed with them and tells them that ‘dirty dustcloths have jobs they’re suited for’. 

The dustcloths, of course, are Gojou and Hakkai, who, in dealing with the aftermath of one of Gojou’s unfriends getting him in trouble, accidentally end up dealing with the problem anyway. When Sanzou asks what changed their mind, Hakkai tells him that ‘dirty dustcloths have their own uses’, or something along those lines.

So back to the Even a Worm (Zeroin) arc, the Ukoku confrontation, and Gojou calling Sanzou a battered up dustcloth. When Sanzou objects at this label, Hakkai asks him what exactly is wrong with a dustcloth getting battered about, anyway? 

 Sanzou, having had almost his own words thrown back at him, gets the point.

This moment when they’re reunited, four dirty dustcloths on the road of life…is just a nice touch. Those little details that underpin the bond between these four on their journey is something that I really like to see.

It’s not about the destination, but the journey. But most of all, the bonds along the way. 

I guess if he says get in, then it’s about time to go.

(Insert Mr. Burns with Sanzou’s gun telling them to “hop in.”)

Time to shut up because Sanzou’s had enough.

Seems like this is all a pain in the ass now and Sanzou’s ready to call it quits.

What? We’d never be dissatisfied with this Sanzou, but time’s about to run out.

Another of my favorite quotes. I like the sun rising and the dramatic music as Sanzou tells this bastard to go to hell.

Aww, their first fight. Although, my favorite part is when Gojou gets him back and Sanzou has a classic korosu in response.

I hate Ukoku with a passion. He doesn’t deserve to say Koumyou’s name. The latter was my second favorite in the whole series.

I just love when Gojou gets him pissed off.

When he smiles like that, you gotta be grateful he’s not purposely a bad guy. We all know what happens when there’s evil Sanzous afoot.

The moon and Sanzou. What could be a better combo?

How much more agitated would he be if he didn’t smoke at all?

Purple and the suit look good on him.

Enter his room at your own risk.

Yeah, how can you be a Sanzou without a damn sutra?? Drop.

Sanzou leaping toward ya.

One of my favorite quotes and the quote I use for non-business email signatures and the quote found on my unlock screen. Telling people I’ll kill them if they ask me something stupid is my dream (plus it stops a lot of nonsense questions).

Ready your guns for some Sanzou fun.

There’s only one original Genjou Sanzou. 誕生日おめでとう！