Saiyuki is the anime adaptation of the comic essay Kazuya Minekura and is the result of the adaptation of the Legend journey to the West that is very popular in China.
Kazuya did blow in the versions with different main characters display with its predecessor. Priest Sanzo described as being easy emotions, adept at wearing a gun and does not hesitate to shoot all that made him upset.
Then the Monkey King is strong and cunning that is Goku a teenager described as plain and likes to eat. While behaving like thugs Sanjusangendo who likes to smoke, flirtatious with women and loves to fuss with Sanzo.
Hakkai last shown as a man who is patient and always trying to be the man in the Middle when the third friend were fighting.
The relationship between teacher and student is the core of the original legend, there is absolutely no and Kazuya precisely describe them as a group of friends who travel together. This is where the charm that makes the series Saiyuki.