Journey to the West

This is China's 1986 TV-series version of the Journey to the West, featuring the four characters of Monkey King, Pigsy, Sandy and Tripitaka. The four journeys to the West to fetch the scriptures of Buddha to bring back to China so that the land will learn of Buddha's teachings.

Along the journey, the three disciples protect Tripitaka from a host of elves, witches and demons. What results are special effects galore of magic and spells, which is OK for the 1980s, but is dated by today's standards.

The music score is magnificent, very catchy and harmonic. Just about each episode is full of fun adventures and action, and doses of humor mixed in as well.

With such a large cast of characters, from the heavenly deities to the human characters, it's the ultimate adaptation of the Monkey King story. Highly recommended.

Grade A

The 86 edition journey to the west is the crystallization of Chinese traditional culture, which moves generations with its simple artistic style. Many people think that classics can't be broken through, and remaking is just in vain, but I don't think so. The reason why classics become classics is that this play, based on the idea of art concept from the beginning, presents us a good play with limited capital and limited technology under such tough conditions. It's a matter of attitude. It took four years to shoot the 86 version of journey to the West. It's hard for today's crew to do it on the spot in most of China. 86 version brings us a simple artistic style, rather than a strong visual stimulation through computer design. Never before, I hope there will be someone coming.

This is a classic TV series, is the adaptation of Chinese classical classics, the myth of the world is very exciting

What if a pilgrimage for sacred scriptures became a mirror reflecting the struggles of human nature, discipline, and redemption? Journey to the West (1986), adapted from Wu Cheng'en's celebrated novel, remains one of the most iconic Chinese television series, combining mythological wonder with moral allegory.

The story follows the monk Tang Sanzang and his disciples-the mischievous Monkey King Sun Wukong, the loyal yet flawed Zhu Bajie, and the steadfast Sha Wujing-on their quest to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India. Each character embodies virtues and vices, turning the journey into more than an adventure: it becomes a spiritual exploration of patience, restraint, and perseverance. Themes of loyalty, faith, and the eternal struggle between temptation and enlightenment are interwoven throughout, offering timeless lessons beneath the fantasy.

Analytically, the 1986 series stands out for its imaginative special effects-primitive by modern standards yet remarkably creative for its time. Its costumes, makeup, and choreography bring mythical figures vividly to life, while the musical score enhances the epic's otherworldly atmosphere. What truly sustains its legacy, however, is the balance between spectacle and morality: each episode carries a lesson, ensuring the narrative resonates across generations. While the pacing can be uneven and some visual elements dated, the sincerity of its storytelling and the charisma of the characters ensure enduring appeal.

Rating: 8/10 - Journey to the West (1986) is a landmark adaptation, blending mythology, humor, and moral depth. It continues to captivate audiences, proving that timeless stories transcend both culture and era.

Although the special effect of the 86 edition journey to the west is simple, it tells a good story. It avoids the horrible and dark things in the original work and focuses on the encounter and difficulties of the four masters and apprentices on the way. It can cut off the demons and remove the demons, and it is difficult to obtain the Scriptures after ninety-one. The plot is suitable for all ages. It's worth watching. Up to now, it's still the most reruns of TV series in winter and summer vacation. It's still a classic that can't be surpassed.