I've been a fan of anime for years, with shows such as Star Blazers, Battle of the Planets and Robotech. These days it's rare for me to get into a whole new anime series, with the exceptions being Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop and With Hunter Robin. I've always found that one can usually get the best read from a new series by looking at either the first episodes of a series, which usually lay the groundwork and establish the characters/premise, or the last episodes, which show a culmination of the storyline/character arcs and are generally the most emotionally charged. The latter definitely holds true for Saiyuki - New World Order (Vol. 12), which is a series I wasn't familiar with prior to watching this DVD, and much like reading the last chapter of a book first, I can see the appeal that this series holds for its fans.

Saiyuki is a 50 episode anime series inspired by the 16th Century Chinese story, Xiyouji, or Journey to the West. The series begins in Shangri-La, where mankind and powerful creatures, referred to as demons, live together in peace. A powerful evil is rising in the West which has caused an imbalance in the world. The demons are now openly at war with humanity and Genjo Sanzo, a monk and Guardian of the Sacred Scrolls of Heaven and Earth, is given the task to find and destroy the cause of this demonic rebellion. Genjo is accompanied on his journey by three demons who remain loyal to humanity: Goku, a powerful Ape King with the appearance of a child and a bottomless appetite, Gojyo, a smoking, drinking and womanizing Water Sprite and finally Hakkai, a soft-spoken and intelligent Demon who always keeps his cool.

I was surprised to learn that Saiyuki is considered a Bishounen, or "Beautiful Boy" series, which is specifically aimed at Teen Girls with its good-looking Male characters. I guess this is only natural considering all of the series which feature anime girls in various states of undress, or what I hear typically called fan service. From my experience with those types of shows, often called Bishoujo meaning "Beautiful Girl", Saiyuki is far from gratuitous and to be honest I never even noticed until I began reading up on the series. As in most Bishounen, the premise is simple and rather formulaic, with the Good-Looking Good Guys fighting the equally Good-Looking Bad Guys over and over, ad nauseum.

The second half of Saiyuki's 50 episode run, beginning with episode 27, introduces a new Villain and storyline to the series. Homura, the Prince of War, is on a quest of his own to gain the Seiten and Maten Scriptures which will give him the power to erase both the Heavens and the Earth. Homura must track down Genjo Sanzo and his party as the Maten Scroll is under Sanzo's protection. As I am only familiar with the tail end of this second Story Arc, contained in Saiyuki - New World Order (Vol. 12), it seems to be much more plot driven than the first half and ultimately more satisfying. The last four episodes really delve into the hearts and minds of each of these characters, as well as, making Homura out to be a very well-rounded and quite tragic villain.

The episodes included on this disc are:

Episode 47: "Guilty or Not Guilty": Homura is close to realizing the completion of his plan, but still needs Goku to finish it. Sanzo and Goku confront Homura, but he incapacitates Sanzo with chains. Homura defeats Goku and removes his power control device.

Episode 48: "Absolutely Heaven": Homura removes Goku's control device to finish his plan and create a new world. Homura learns that his comrade, Shien, has been killed. Sanzo and Goku prepare to fight, but Sanzo tells Homura that he should wait for him and be "ready to die".

Episode 49: "Missing Desire": Goku and Sanzo fight each other and Sanzo manages to restore his power control device. Homura enters the world he has created and remembers his troubled past. Sanzo informs Goku that the Homura's new world will swallow up both Heaven and Earth when it is completed.

Episode 50: "Alone": Goku and Homura square off against one another and Homura notes that Goku's power has increased. Sanzo fires his gun at the creation point of the new world and a black void opens above it. Homura reveals that he is half-human/half-demon and that he created this new world because he wants a place to die.

The DVD:

Picture: Saiyuki is presented in a Full Screen 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The picture looks great with bright, bold colors and a crisp, clear picture. Audio: This DVD features an English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 audio track, which both sound pretty good. I must admit that I prefer to watch my anime in Japanese with English Subs when available, so I kind of passed on the English Dub, although what I heard sounded fine.

Extras: Included as extras on this DVD are the Saiyuki trailer, the Japanese opening and closing animations, cultural background notes, production sketches, additional ADV previews and a bonus poster insert.

Conclusion: While not on the same level as some of the shows I mentioned at the beginning of this review, Saiyuki - New World Order (Vol. 12) was a nice surprise. I think that anyone who is a fan of anime would be happy with this Story Arc contained in Volumes 7-12 released by ADV Films. This final volume, Saiyuki - New World Order (Vol. 12), in particular was able to incorporate some very deep and touching character moments with a ton of action. If you are still on the fence about this series or found yourself left wanting with the previous 16 episodes, then rent Volume 7 and see if this Series is for you.