The animated series “Journey to the West” was a significant part of my childhood experience, and it continues to captivate me even today. This show, adapted from the classic novel of the same name, offers an enduring blend of entertainment and cultural reference.
For a brief overview of the series: Tang Seng, a Buddhist monk, embarks on a perilous journey to the West, in search of sacred scriptures. He travels by foot, facing numerous dangers along the way, particularly from a myriad of demons seeking to consume him for the promise of immortality. Accompanying Tang Seng on this journey are three disciples, each with a backstory of their own:
- Sun Wukong: A lively and incredibly strong monkey, born from stone, who once defied the heavens and was punished by Buddha for his hubris.
- Zhu Bajie: A former celestial being condemned to live as a greedy, womanizing pig-monster due to his indulgent past.
- Sha Wujing: Relatively unremarkable compared to his companions, he is a water spirit who embodies a more subdued character.
There is also a white dragon that magically transforms into a horse for Tang Seng to ride. Though the plot may initially seem erratic, it is rich with references to Chinese mythology.
When my husband and I reminisced about the series, we both came to the surprising conclusion that Tang Seng often appears to be the antagonist. A common scenario unfolds repeatedly: Wukong, possessing the ability to transform as well as to see through illusions, outsmarts a demon disguised as a benign figure to win the trust of Tang Seng. However, Tang Seng’s pacifist nature, which usually guides his actions, leads him to react with outrage, initiating a familiar cycle of dialogue:
Tang Seng: “Wukong, I must ask you to leave. You’ve disappointed me deeply.”
Wukong: “Master! I beg your forgiveness. Please don’t cast me away!”
BaJie: “Brother! How could you let Teacher down like this?”
Tang Seng: “Wukong, I believed there was hope for you, but I was mistaken. Depart! I don’t wish to see you again!”
Wukong: (with tears) “I understand, Master. I will leave. Wishing you safety.”
Isn’t it frustrating?
In some instances, Tang Seng employs a spell that inflicts severe headaches on Wukong through the circlet he wears. For someone who refrains from causing harm, Tang Seng certainly responds quickly to punish one of his few allies!
Wukong, feeling desolate, flies off, and in the subsequent episodes, Tang Seng and his companions find themselves overwhelmed by demons, realizing too late that they drove Wukong away and are now essentially helpless without him. They plead once more:
Tang Seng and comrades: “Wukong, whatever it takes, save us!”
It’s incredible how the moral high ground suddenly feels inadequate.
Eventually, Wukong returns to rescue the group — whether by reverting foes to their true forms or rescuing them from absurdly oversized predicaments — only for the cycle of banishment and redemption to recur a few episodes later with each new disguised enemy. One might expect Tang Seng to learn from these experiences, but alas, he doesn’t. Despite Wukong providing logical reasoning and even tangible proof of his perspectives, it rarely suffices.
While the original novel likely presents a much deeper narrative, the portrayal in the animated version frustrated me as a child. I often found myself skipping episodes that depicted Tang Seng’s unjust treatment of Wukong, which occurred far too frequently. Though Tang Seng did rescue Wukong from eternal entrapment beneath a mountain, I still feel a sense of injustice for Wukong’s character. He deserves far better than what he received — let’s champion Wukong’s cause!
