# Saiyuki Watch Order Also known as: Gensomaden Saiyuki, Gensoumaden Saiyuuki, Saiyuki Reload, Saiyuki Reload Gunlock, Saiyuki Reload Blast, Saiyuki Reload Zeroin, Saiyuki Gaiden Source: https://www.animechrono.com/franchise/saiyuki Last updated: 2026-11-02 Last checked against current sources: 2026-11-02 AnimeChrono watch orders put every season, movie, OVA, ONA and special in chronological story order, mark optional entries, say where to start, and are maintained by signed-in fans with versioned edits that can be reverted (9 entries in this order). Where to start Saiyuki: on a first watch, begin with Gensomaden Saiyuki, episode 1 (2000), then Reload and Gunlock, and save the prequel OVAs for after. For the story in order, start with the Saiyuki Gaiden OVAs. This Saiyuki watch order is in story order, which is very different from release order. Saiyuki Gaiden (2011) and Kouge no Shou (2013) are set in Heaven 500 years before the journey, and Reload: Burial (2007) covers Sanzo's past, so they come first. Then the journey west: Gensomaden Saiyuki (Episodes 1-50), Reload (Episodes 1-25) and Gunlock (Episodes 1-26). Reload: Zeroin (2022) re-adapts the manga arc that Gunlock's second half ended with an anime-original finale, and it leads straight into Reload Blast (2017), so Zeroin comes before Blast even though it aired five years later. ## Recommended first watch First watch: Gensomaden Saiyuki (50 episodes), Reload (25), Gunlock (26), Zeroin (13), then Reload Blast (12). The prequel OVAs (Gaiden, Kouge no Shou and Burial) come first in story order, but they hit harder after Gunlock. Zeroin comes before Blast, even though Blast aired first. Requiem is optional. ## Start here Start with Saiyuki Gaiden. 1 entry is optional: Saiyuki Requiem. The story still tracks without them. Filler and skip notes: - **Episodes 1-26 (Saiyuki Reload Gunlock)** — Gunlock (26 episodes, 2004). - **Saiyuki Requiem** — Optional original film (2001), set during the Gensomaden journey. ## The chronological order 1. Saiyuki Gaiden (OVA) 2. Saiyuki Gaiden: Saiyuuki Gaiden: Kouge no Shou (OVA) 3. Saiyuki Reload: Burial (OVA) 4. Gensomaden Saiyuki: Episodes 1-50 5. Saiyuki Requiem (movie) — optional 6. Saiyuki Reload: Episodes 1-25 7. Saiyuki Reload Gunlock: Episodes 1-26 8. Saiyuki Reload: Zeroin: Episodes 1-13 9. Saiyuki Reload Blast: Episodes 1-12 ## Release order Sorted by air date. This follows when each entry aired, which may differ from the chronological watch order. 1. Gensomaden Saiyuki: Episodes 1-50 — aired 2000-04-04 2. Saiyuki Requiem (movie) — optional — aired 2001-08-18 3. Saiyuki Reload: Episodes 1-25 — aired 2003-10-02 4. Saiyuki Reload Gunlock: Episodes 1-26 — aired 2004-04-02 5. Saiyuki Reload: Burial (OVA) — aired 2007-04-28 6. Saiyuki Gaiden (OVA) — aired 2011-03-25 7. Saiyuki Gaiden: Saiyuuki Gaiden: Kouge no Shou (OVA) — aired 2013-04-26 8. Saiyuki Reload Blast: Episodes 1-12 — aired 2017-07-05 9. Saiyuki Reload: Zeroin: Episodes 1-13 — aired 2022-01-06 ## Side branches Part of Saiyuki, but outside the chronological order above. - **Saiyuki (1999 OVA)** (OVA · 1999): An earlier two-episode adaptation of the manga's opening with a different cast and staff. Optional; Gensomaden covers the same ground. - **Saiyuki Interactive** (OVA · 2002): A short interactive DVD extra. Skip it. - **Saiyuki Reload Urasai** (Shorts · 2003): 24 comedy shorts from the Reload DVDs. Any time. ## FAQ **What order should I watch Saiyuki in?** First watch: Gensomaden Saiyuki (50 episodes), Reload (25), Gunlock (26), Zeroin (13), then Reload Blast (12). The prequel OVAs (Gaiden, Kouge no Shou and Burial) come first in story order, but they hit harder after Gunlock. Zeroin comes before Blast, even though Blast aired first. Requiem is optional. **Where should I start Saiyuki?** Start with Gensomaden Saiyuki, episode 1 (2000), on a first watch. Saiyuki Gaiden is the story's earliest point, but it is easier to follow once you know the four leads. **Should I watch Saiyuki Reload Zeroin before Reload Blast?** Yes. Zeroin (2022) re-adapts the manga's Even a Worm arc, which Gunlock covered with an anime-original ending, and Blast (2017) continues from that arc. **When should I watch Saiyuki Gaiden and Burial?** They are prequels: Gaiden is set 500 years earlier, Burial covers Sanzo's past. Watch them first for strict story order, or after Gunlock so their reveals land. **What is the chronological order of Saiyuki?** Start with Saiyuki Gaiden, then continue with Saiyuuki Gaiden: Kouge no Shou (Saiyuki Gaiden), Saiyuki Reload: Burial, Episodes 1-50 (Gensomaden Saiyuki), Saiyuki Requiem, and Episodes 1-25 (Saiyuki Reload), followed by 3 more entries. The full Saiyuki watch order on this page has 9 entries across 8 series, listed in chronological viewing order. **What is the release order of Saiyuki?** In the order they aired, start with Episodes 1-50 (Gensomaden Saiyuki), then Saiyuki Requiem, Episodes 1-25 (Saiyuki Reload), Episodes 1-26 (Saiyuki Reload Gunlock), Saiyuki Reload: Burial, and Saiyuki Gaiden, followed by 3 more entries. Release order follows air dates and is not the recommended chronological order. **How many episodes is Saiyuki?** Saiyuki has 126 TV episodes in this order, plus 1 movie and 3 OVAs. **Where do the Saiyuki movies fit in the watch order?** Saiyuki Requiem comes right after Episodes 1-50 (Gensomaden Saiyuki). **Can I skip anything in Saiyuki?** Yes. 1 entry is marked optional: Saiyuki Requiem. Everything else is part of the main story. **Is Saiyuki finished?** Yes. Saiyuki has finished airing, and this order covers everything released so far in chronological viewing order. --- Something wrong or out of date? Anyone can edit this order at https://www.animechrono.com/franchise/saiyuki. Every change is versioned.