Gensomaden Saiyuki Singles Collection (Anime Music Review)

This hub is all about the music album called Gensomaden Saiyuki Singles Collection. Expect to see the track list from this album as well as information on the songs and even some song samples. This hub will also mention some things about the Saiyuki series in general as well as some details about the four main characters of the series.

If you want to know more about the anime Gensomaden Saiyuki such as seeing a short summary about it, look at this.

If you want to see some information on the four main characters of the Saiyuki series as well as an overview about each of the anime in the Saiyuki series, then look at this.

The Saiyuki series has an extensive song collection with numerous music albums, all filled with exquisite music, high quality songs and meaningful lyrics.

You might even end up singing along to the songs especially since, for some songs, there are words that are sung in English.

But, regardless of whether you understood the lyrics or not or even whether you can speak Japanese or not, you might still find yourself singing along to these songs anyway as they are catchy with great beats and tunes. The same can be said of the music album Gensomaden Saiyuki Singles Collection.

This music albums contains 20 tracks. There are a lot of instrumental versions for these songs.

You get the full version of these songs as well as the TV size version because these songs actually appear as the opening and ending themes of the Gensomaden Saiyuki anime.

Here is the track list for this album:

1. For Real - this is the full song
2. For Real - this is the TV size version
3. For Real - this is the instrumental Piano Version
4. For Real - this is the instrumental Guitar Version
5. For Real - this is the instrumental version
6. Tightrope - this is the full song
7. Tightrope - this is the TV size version
8. Tightrope - this is the instrumental Medieval Version
9. Tightrope - this is the instrumental version
10. Tightrope - this is the song from the Gensomaden Saiyuki Requiem Movie
11. Open Up Your Mind - this is the full song
12. Open Up Your Mind - this is the instrumental Remix Version
13. Open Up Your Mind - this is the instrumental Karaoke Version
14. Still Time - this is the full song
15. Still Time - this is the instrumental version
16. Still Time - this is the instrumental Piano Version
17. Alone - this is the full song
18. Alone - this is the TV size version
19. Alone - this is the instrumental version
20. Alone - this is the instrumental Piano Version

This was sung by Tokuyama Hidenori. This song is actually the first opening theme of the anime Gensomaden Saiyuki. It has a very nice and catchy theme.

It even sounds a bit like rock and roll or something like those tunes that make you sway to the beat of the song and feel like dancing and even singing along.

The translated lyrics has good meaning with words and phrases like 'listening to the voice of your heart', and 'still holding the blue moon'.

The mention of the voice from the heart seems to be referring to Genjo Sanzo who was told the very same words by the Sanbutsushin (Three Aspects). The song also mentions the night and moon themes, which the Saiyuki series touches on. In fact, you can also see this in the images that accompany this opening theme.

This was sung by Charcoal Filter. This is the ending song of the anime Gensomaden Saiyuki.

There's a bit of an instrumental before the song starts and it gives you the impression of being fast-paced because the beat starts off really fast.

But then it sort of slows down before maintaining a more normal beat.

There's a lot of parts sung in English. In fact, there's a whole stanza sung in English and it is wonderfully quotable.

Look at some of the lyrics: 'the sun sets and a new day comes', 'Your nerve and soul to the limit. Go forward now'. The words 'you must fight against yourself' and 'I must fight against myself' are also sung in English.

The translated lyrics has as much meaning as the words and phrases sung in English.

This song seems to be speaking of the Sanzo-ikkou. Each of them have their own dark and tragic pasts, which have shaped the way they are now.

They have their own issues and demons that haunt them and that they have to deal with so they do have to fight against themselves, with their perceived weaknesses and insecurities and regrets.

This was sung by Mirai. This song also appears in Gensomaden Saiyuki Image Album Volume 1.

This appears as a background song in some of the episodes of Gensomaden Saiyuki, particularly when something moving happens like in the episode where the Sanzo-ikkou met before they journeyed to the west.

This song has a nice, light tone to it that's really amazing. There are a lot of words sung in English and that's a reflection of just how meaningful and inspirational this song is.

Look at these lyrics: 'So open up your mind and close your eyes. Take another look from the other side'.

This song seems to speak of the Sanzo-ikkou who have all had to face much hardship and suffering in their lives. You can even say that they were all alone before they met each other.

Their friendship is unique and their group dynamics are different and sometimes you might even wonder how they manage to travel together with their arguments and disagreements but if you look at their interactions closely, you'll see that they really are good and loyal friends to each other.

This was sung by Tokuyama Hidenori. This is the second opening song of Gensomaden Saiyuki.

This is a rather fast-paced song with a fast beat and a very lively tune.

The singing is also rather fast. The words 'make a treasure' is sung in English.

The translated lyrics has good meaning with words and phrases like 'future is worn off from spending it all', and 'I believe that you are waiting for me inside the light'.

This song seems to be speaking about each of the Sanzo-ikkou individually.

For instance, Goku perceives Sanzo as his sun and light. Saiyuki also has a lot of imagery and themes such as about light and the future.

This was sung by Shimokawa Mikuni.

This is the second ending song of the anime Gensomaden Saiyuki.

This song has a very solemn and serious tone to it.

It really sounds as melancholy as its title and the voice of Shimokawa just adds more feeling to the song.

The translated lyrics has good meaning though it is rather sad and sorrowful.

Here are some of the words and phrases that appear in this song: 'I've searched for pieces of myself, counting the endless nights all the while' and 'even though I tried to yell, my voice didn't come and the tears poured out'.

This song seems to be speaking of the Sanzo-ikkou and their own misery, loneliness and problems as caused by their dark and tragic pasts.

Before they met each other, they were pretty much alone though they might be surrounded by lots of people.

They are alone in the sense that no one understands them and that they're not really close friends with anyone else.

This was sung by Tetsu69. This might have the same title as the aforementioned song that was the first ending theme to Gensomaden Saiyuki but this particular song is very much different from that song.

This song is actually the ending theme of the Gensomaden Saiyuki Requiem Movie.

This song has a rather strange tone to it. It does take a while to get used to.

It might sound kind of weird actually like a mixture of a serious and yet not-so-serious tune to it.

But the translated lyrics does have good meaning to it with words and phrases like 'even if everything breaks down, my heart is in disorder', 'should I be far away from you? I can't part with you' and 'I know it's selfish, but I can't stop it'.

This song seems to be speaking of Dougan, a character from Gensomaden Saiyuki Requiem Movie. You might say he's a little unhinged since he seems to have an unhealthy obsession with Sanzo.

Gensomaden Saiyuki Singles Collection has wonderful songs with meaningful lyrics and melodious tunes.

If you've watched the Gensomaden Saiyuki anime and the Gensomaden Saiyuki Requiem Movie, then you'll definitely be reminded of those when listening to these songs. Even if you don't know anything about the Saiyuki series, these songs are still surely great to listen to.

Pic credits: The images are enlarged pics of the products from Amazon.com

Sources:

• holdthelight.net/Pages/SaiyukiSongs via waybackmachine (for references to the translated lyrics of tightrope movie version)
• cylist.com (for the singles collection track list)
• animelyrics.com (for references to the translated lyrics)

Saiyuki and all things related to it is copyright to Kazuya Minekura.