It’s time to go back to a very different time as Shochiku has now scheduled a new Blu-ray release for the 2001 anime feature film Saiyuki: Requiem. The release is scheduled for a July 10th, 2024 street date priced at 7,300 yen and only on Blu-ray. The set comes with a booklet and an on-disc bonus of the original cast special message. This is the first time the film has been released on Blu-ray as it’s only had a DVD release before. While there are no subtitles, it will have both 5.1 and 2.0 Japanese language tracks.
The film saw a DVD release in the US through ADV Films while Madman Entertainment released it in Australia.
The film was directed by Hayato Date from the screenplay by Katsuyuki Sumisawa. Based on the manga by Kazuya Minekura, Yuji Moriyama handled the character designs with Studio Pierrot on the animation.
The Japanese cast includes:
- Akira Ishida as Cho Hakkai
- Hiroaki Hirata as Sha Gojyo
- Sōichiro Hoshi as Son Goku
- Toshihiko Seki as Genjo Sanzo
- Akiko Yajima as Houran
- Ryōtarō Okiayu as Go Dougan
The English dub, not included with this release, was directed by Steven Foster from the ADR script he wrote with Dylan Otto Kryder. It was recorded at Industrial Smoke & Mirrors.
The English cast includes:
- Braden Hunt as Cho Hakkai
- David Matranga as Genjo Sanzo
- Greg Ayres as Son Goku
- Illich Guardiola as Sha Gojyo
- Andy McAvin as Go Dougan
- Kelli Cousins as Hakuryu
Plot Concept: The gang is traveling along when they find a girl in need. Of course, they all can’t resist going after her. This girl isn’t all that she seems… her motive or her “humanity”…. and soon the whole gang has Sanzo’s past on their hands and one certain young boy who can keep a grudge for decades…
[Source: Sayuki Requiem]
