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The Monkey King
The Monkey King Volume 1
Based on the 16th century Chinese fantasy adventure classic, Journey to the West (also the inspiration for Dragon Ball!) Katsuya Terada's take on the legend of the Monkey King in a savage, lusty saga that The Portland Tribune calls "a Buddhist version of Conan the Barbarian." He raised holy hell as the baddest ape in Ancient China... until the Lord Buddha himself dropped a mountain on him! Now the Monkey King will get his parole with one condition - he must escort a Buddhist nun through the demon-haunted wastes of the Silk Road on an impossible reach India and bring back a collection of sacred scrolls!
136 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 13, 2025
WARNING: this is an extremely violent graphic retelling of Journey to the West! It is also extremely sexually graphic; I can't stress this enough! The art is amazing; but it is very hard to describe - John Bolton/Richard Corbin comes closest to someone I would say I could see a comparison too. Try to preview the art before you get the book!
December 10, 2013
First of all, the art in Katsuya Terada's The Monkey King is the reason that I pursued the graphic novel in the first place, and in that respect, it did not disappoint. The lusty, gruesome depictions of the Monkey King's adventures was definitely a spectacle that is worth seeing. But from a literary perspective, the novel left much to be wanted. Terada attempts to truncate a multitude of the King's adventures into five to ten pages each, with little explanation for the transitions and context between. As such, the story felt really convoluded and messy. I felt like each individual chapter of the novel had enough content to have filled out an entire novel on its own, and a lot of potential storyelling was simply lost. I mean, come on; if Journey to the West was an epic of over two thousand pages, a graphic novel trying to represent it should feel a little bit more substantial. At times, I felt like something was simply lost in translation, but of that I can't be sure.
Regardless, I still don't regret my purchase, if only for the fantastic visual style. I still have to read the afterword and other information offered at the end of the novel, but I would recommend it to those whose stomachs don't get upset easily.
Regardless, I still don't regret my purchase, if only for the fantastic visual style. I still have to read the afterword and other information offered at the end of the novel, but I would recommend it to those whose stomachs don't get upset easily.
July 12, 2014
From early Chinese literature and animation, to Masaaki Sakai and Masako Natsume on Japanese television, to Stephen Chow in Hong Kong film, to Tsai Chih Chung's comics; Journey to the West has inspired some amazing flights of fancy. This version ranks with the best. Sexed-up and ultra-violent, Terada's dark interpretation contrasts well with the hilarity of Chinese Odyssey and the whimsy of Monkey Magic. It's a welcome addition to what continues to be a living myth.
In fact, these stories feel like a logical extension of their more innocent predecessors into a world that is at the same time more emotionally relevant and wildly exotic. Terada has taken the familiar building blocks of the story; transported them to a dangerous, seedy neighbourhood; and used them to construct a seductive piece of architecture. There's an opium den in the basement where they play Dirty Harry movies on a big-screen TV, but there's also a chapel in there somewhere.
Unfortunately, the congregation seems to be broke and is forced to perform degrading acts in order to pay the rent :(
In fact, these stories feel like a logical extension of their more innocent predecessors into a world that is at the same time more emotionally relevant and wildly exotic. Terada has taken the familiar building blocks of the story; transported them to a dangerous, seedy neighbourhood; and used them to construct a seductive piece of architecture. There's an opium den in the basement where they play Dirty Harry movies on a big-screen TV, but there's also a chapel in there somewhere.
Unfortunately, the congregation seems to be broke and is forced to perform degrading acts in order to pay the rent :(
September 5, 2022
Este manga está inspirado en la leyenda china del rey Mono, una historia de 13 capítulos donde narra sus aventuras mientras viaja al Oeste junto a una monja budista y sus compañeros.
Tiene cosas buenas y malas. Las buenas, el arte. Es increíble y muy detallado, hace que la historia te entre por los ojos fácilmente. Lo malo es que el autor se cree que el término lujuria va ligado a las tetas. Aquí puedes ver más tetas que en Sin Tetas No Hay Paraíso, y ninguna despierta nada en el lector.
Me ha sorprendido descubrir las similitudes entre el rey Mono y Dragon Ball. El rey Mono se llama Goku, tiene una vara que se alarga bajo sus órdenes y una nube sobre la que vuela. La inspiración está ahí...
Tiene cosas buenas y malas. Las buenas, el arte. Es increíble y muy detallado, hace que la historia te entre por los ojos fácilmente. Lo malo es que el autor se cree que el término lujuria va ligado a las tetas. Aquí puedes ver más tetas que en Sin Tetas No Hay Paraíso, y ninguna despierta nada en el lector.
Me ha sorprendido descubrir las similitudes entre el rey Mono y Dragon Ball. El rey Mono se llama Goku, tiene una vara que se alarga bajo sus órdenes y una nube sobre la que vuela. La inspiración está ahí...
November 18, 2015
The art is amazing, but the story is quite lacking in my opinion. As for retellings of the tale, I much preferred Monkey King and Dragon Ball, Vol. 1: The Monkey King. I would not recommend this particular version of the story to anyone.
September 10, 2011
Started this, and in all honesty...I could not finish it. Too raunchy and scrambled for me. I found the plot slightly confusing, or at least not gripping. The artwork is amazing, I do love the style...it's just...poorly written?
I guess its a good graphic novel/comic, I didn't hate it. I don't recommend it though as a favorite...
I guess its a good graphic novel/comic, I didn't hate it. I don't recommend it though as a favorite...
May 18, 2018
Kekuatan komik ini adalah pada lukisannya yang detail dan cantik. Tapi jalan cerita sangat kelam kabut dan mengelirukan...
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March 24, 2019This is very well executed, just not for me.
It has a number of elements that I'm never a fan of, in addition to being a really warped retelling of one of my favorite childhood books.
The art is technically exquisite (i.e. the lines, coloring, etc).
It has a number of elements that I'm never a fan of, in addition to being a really warped retelling of one of my favorite childhood books.
The art is technically exquisite (i.e. the lines, coloring, etc).
March 26, 2021
https://lapommequirougit.com/2021/03/...
⚠ Pour un public averti, contient des scènes violentes ⚠
Je remercie les Éditions Pika pour l’envoi de cette lecture. Alors… Ce titre, je ne l’ai ni aimé, ni détesté. C’était vraiment quelque chose de particulier, qui me laisse encore perplexe.
Ici, nous allons découvrir la fameuse légende du Roi singe nommé Sun Wukong. Nous allons suivre son périple suite au fait qu’il sera libéré de ses entraves.
Comment vous dire… Lors de la première partie de ma lecture, j’étais complètement perdue, je ne comprenais vraiment pas où j’en étais, c’était flou et incompréhensible. Par la suite, cela s’est arrangé heureusement. Mais je pense que ce titre est fait pour être lu, sans pour autant vraiment réfléchir au sens de l’histoire, il faut savoir se laisser porter par ce que le titre nous propose.
C’est une histoire très sombre et emplie de violence, donc clairement, il ne sera pas fait pour tout le monde. Je pense que je ne m’attendais pas à un titre de ce genre en le lisant, pas à ce point en tout cas. C’est sans doute lié à cela, si je n’ai pas pu apprécier ce titre à sa juste valeur.
Par contre, il faut saluer une chose, le travail fait sur chaque page, sur les dessins. En effet, c’est 320 pages, entièrement en couleur, avec un travail graphique de qualité, on ne peut pas le nier. Toute personne qui arriverait à se laisser porter par l’histoire, vivrait forcément une superbe expérience.
En bref, c’est un titre qui pour ma part, ne m’a pas accroché, mais qui je pense pourra plaire à bon nombre d’entre vous. Si l’ambiance sombre et très violente de ce dernier ne vous dérange pas, je vous recommande de tenter l’expérience ! 😉
⚠ Pour un public averti, contient des scènes violentes ⚠
Je remercie les Éditions Pika pour l’envoi de cette lecture. Alors… Ce titre, je ne l’ai ni aimé, ni détesté. C’était vraiment quelque chose de particulier, qui me laisse encore perplexe.
Ici, nous allons découvrir la fameuse légende du Roi singe nommé Sun Wukong. Nous allons suivre son périple suite au fait qu’il sera libéré de ses entraves.
Comment vous dire… Lors de la première partie de ma lecture, j’étais complètement perdue, je ne comprenais vraiment pas où j’en étais, c’était flou et incompréhensible. Par la suite, cela s’est arrangé heureusement. Mais je pense que ce titre est fait pour être lu, sans pour autant vraiment réfléchir au sens de l’histoire, il faut savoir se laisser porter par ce que le titre nous propose.
C’est une histoire très sombre et emplie de violence, donc clairement, il ne sera pas fait pour tout le monde. Je pense que je ne m’attendais pas à un titre de ce genre en le lisant, pas à ce point en tout cas. C’est sans doute lié à cela, si je n’ai pas pu apprécier ce titre à sa juste valeur.
Par contre, il faut saluer une chose, le travail fait sur chaque page, sur les dessins. En effet, c’est 320 pages, entièrement en couleur, avec un travail graphique de qualité, on ne peut pas le nier. Toute personne qui arriverait à se laisser porter par l’histoire, vivrait forcément une superbe expérience.
En bref, c’est un titre qui pour ma part, ne m’a pas accroché, mais qui je pense pourra plaire à bon nombre d’entre vous. Si l’ambiance sombre et très violente de ce dernier ne vous dérange pas, je vous recommande de tenter l’expérience ! 😉
July 26, 2025
As an American I have very little knowledge of Buddhism - it has not culturally seeped into my everyday life like Christianity. My ideas about the religion all come from (as the afterword says) a minimalist POV. Lots of little bits sprinkled into the culture - it all appears very calm and enlightening. It is as if you only learned what Jesus said and had no idea what Christian’s have done in his name.
This manga is insane- so much nipple licking! Enough Heads exploding to make Ari Aster smile. Violence and sex just rip through the cosmos as a monkey king tries to reach Tenjiku (I later learned that is India). This whole mission was lost on me because I don’t have that cultural knowledge- I wish I had read the afterword first!
This is really violent and the art really slaps you in the face (and feels a wee bit gross).
This manga is insane- so much nipple licking! Enough Heads exploding to make Ari Aster smile. Violence and sex just rip through the cosmos as a monkey king tries to reach Tenjiku (I later learned that is India). This whole mission was lost on me because I don’t have that cultural knowledge- I wish I had read the afterword first!
This is really violent and the art really slaps you in the face (and feels a wee bit gross).
August 21, 2019
Aunque visualmente es una joya del manga o del cómic en general, la obra peca un poco de dar por sentado que el lector sabe qué historia está leyendo, como si uno tuviera que saber la historia original para poder interpretar cada detalle de esta nueva adaptación. Y aunque personalmente la conozco bien no deja de incomodarme un poco ciertas libertades que el autor se toma con la historia, principalmente al descuidar elementos básicos de una narrativa tan épica.
January 1, 2021
Really amazing art, kind of would have liked to have read it in a larger, coffee table format, but as it was it was still very good. My familiarity with The Monkey King/Journey to the West is pretty shoddy, so I was happy for the afterwards that gave a lot more context. If you are bothered by violence, sex/nudity or swearing, this is not the book for you. It's fairly extreme and unapologetic.
February 22, 2023
I know the story and have read variations on it and I still struggled to even understand what I was reading and seeing. It's choppy and poorly paced. A little like that weird boat ride in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory except no Gene Wilder so definitely not worth it!
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December 24, 2023Dnfed it at page 45 for this was not the story, if you can call this a story at all, that I was expecting. Sure,at first, the art looked amazing but then it wentt everywhere, it started to feel unsettling and it was not for me. Well, I'm a bit disappointed.
June 25, 2017
The artwork is amazing, as expected, but unless someone knows the tale beforehand, there are things nigh on impossible to understand in the narrative.
January 3, 2019
I loved the artwork, but the storyline was incoherent and almost non-existent. It was rated mature for a reason, the images were graphic and disturbing.
September 2, 2019
not for kids
incredible art rendition of the Monkey tale, heavy use of BDSM
incredible art rendition of the Monkey tale, heavy use of BDSM
October 9, 2021
A really cool find at my used bookstore. Art is amazing, but that's pretty much it. You're not really getting a story on this one.
October 10, 2022
Amazing. Gorgeous. I don't have the superlatives to do it justice. An absolute must have for any graphic novel fans.
January 25, 2023
Nice illustrations but poor panel to panel storytelling.
March 7, 2013
Reading through the many comments about how "scrambled" this story is, I wanted to try to clarify what the mangaka has done here.
This book is a gallery of short stories; illustrated & re-imagined excerpts or events from the original "Journey To The West" (JTTW) story. The early chapters particularly, seem to have been done as one-shots, with something maybe approximating a back story or plot only appearing in the second half of the book. Volume 2 has more of a plot (and goes off on some pretty weird tangents), but volume 1 is like a collection of random bible stories.
The original JTTW is full of political(?) allegory, but basically goes like this. Buddhism in China has splintered into numerous sects because the original teachings have become corrupted. A (holy) monk is given the task of traveling to the source (India), to obtain a "pure" copy of scripture. He has to travel through demon infested badlands so Buddha gives him a pig-demon, a sand-demon and the Monkey King (terror of the heavens) as bodyguards. Monkey gets a reduction in his prison sentence and a band around his head that causes excruciating pain, which the monk can control.
All kinds of tricky demons try to capture the monk, apparently for delicious human flesh. You can see how this story can get kinky and sensational really fast!
Katsuya Terada's retelling of the story subversively pits the Monkey King, as an agent of Anarchy, against the Buddha's embodiment of Law and Order. So Monkey and Buddha are enemies. The monk is some kind of vessel for a power that is outside the control of Law and Order (so possibly also Buddha's enemy). Not only that, each story is drawn in excruciatingly violent detail as the Monkey King *ahem* fucks and murders his way through demon territory. (Buddhism is pacifist, regardless of Shaolin fighting monks and whatnot)
A insanely fascinating book, not just for the art, but also because I can't imagine any other nominally "religious" stories being twisted like this without some serious lynching/book-burning taking place.
This book is a gallery of short stories; illustrated & re-imagined excerpts or events from the original "Journey To The West" (JTTW) story. The early chapters particularly, seem to have been done as one-shots, with something maybe approximating a back story or plot only appearing in the second half of the book. Volume 2 has more of a plot (and goes off on some pretty weird tangents), but volume 1 is like a collection of random bible stories.
The original JTTW is full of political(?) allegory, but basically goes like this. Buddhism in China has splintered into numerous sects because the original teachings have become corrupted. A (holy) monk is given the task of traveling to the source (India), to obtain a "pure" copy of scripture. He has to travel through demon infested badlands so Buddha gives him a pig-demon, a sand-demon and the Monkey King (terror of the heavens) as bodyguards. Monkey gets a reduction in his prison sentence and a band around his head that causes excruciating pain, which the monk can control.
All kinds of tricky demons try to capture the monk, apparently for delicious human flesh. You can see how this story can get kinky and sensational really fast!
Katsuya Terada's retelling of the story subversively pits the Monkey King, as an agent of Anarchy, against the Buddha's embodiment of Law and Order. So Monkey and Buddha are enemies. The monk is some kind of vessel for a power that is outside the control of Law and Order (so possibly also Buddha's enemy). Not only that, each story is drawn in excruciatingly violent detail as the Monkey King *ahem* fucks and murders his way through demon territory. (Buddhism is pacifist, regardless of Shaolin fighting monks and whatnot)
A insanely fascinating book, not just for the art, but also because I can't imagine any other nominally "religious" stories being twisted like this without some serious lynching/book-burning taking place.
March 1, 2013
Üppig, barock und brutal
"Die Reise nach Westen" hat schon viele Adaptionen gesehen (zuletzt im Film "Forbidden Kingdom"), und als Fan der Buchvorlage bin ich immer begierig darauf, neue Interpretationen dieses wunderbaren Werks zu rezipieren. Hier liegt nun eine Version vor, die den Affenkönig von einer ungewohnten Seite zeigt. Wird er meist als charismatisch, witzig und clever beschrieben, tauchen hier seine dunklen Seiten auf: Aggressivität, Launenhaftigkeit und Gewalttätigkeit. Schon durch die Darstellung Sun Wukongs als monströse Gorilla-ähnliche Bestie zeigt, was wir hier zu erwarten haben: Eine Orgie von Lust und Gewalt. Gelungen und schon sehr barock sind die Charakterisierungen der Kumpane: Wuneng als sabberndes Hängeohrschwein, Wujing als abgeschlagener Kopf mit Eigenleben und vor allem die Darstellung Sanzangs als Bondage-Nonne sind sehr kreativ und bringen viel Schwung in die bekannte Geschichte.
Insgesamt ist der Zeichenstil extrem üppig und unterstreicht die Kämpfe des Affenkönigs, der hier richtig mal die Sau rauslassen kann. Der geneigte Leser wird viele "WOW"-Momente finden.
Deutlich negativ aufgefallen ist mir (und das verhindert den fünften Stern) die Bindung. Normalerweise bin ich von Dark Horse da viel besseres gewohnt - hier fällt das Buch bereits beim ersten Lesen fast auseinander. Ansonsten ist die Präsentation sehr gelungen - dickes Papier, satter Farbdruck, sehr schöne Covergestaltung, ein ausführliches Nachwort und Anmerkungen zu den Kanji.
"Die Reise nach Westen" hat schon viele Adaptionen gesehen (zuletzt im Film "Forbidden Kingdom"), und als Fan der Buchvorlage bin ich immer begierig darauf, neue Interpretationen dieses wunderbaren Werks zu rezipieren. Hier liegt nun eine Version vor, die den Affenkönig von einer ungewohnten Seite zeigt. Wird er meist als charismatisch, witzig und clever beschrieben, tauchen hier seine dunklen Seiten auf: Aggressivität, Launenhaftigkeit und Gewalttätigkeit. Schon durch die Darstellung Sun Wukongs als monströse Gorilla-ähnliche Bestie zeigt, was wir hier zu erwarten haben: Eine Orgie von Lust und Gewalt. Gelungen und schon sehr barock sind die Charakterisierungen der Kumpane: Wuneng als sabberndes Hängeohrschwein, Wujing als abgeschlagener Kopf mit Eigenleben und vor allem die Darstellung Sanzangs als Bondage-Nonne sind sehr kreativ und bringen viel Schwung in die bekannte Geschichte.
Insgesamt ist der Zeichenstil extrem üppig und unterstreicht die Kämpfe des Affenkönigs, der hier richtig mal die Sau rauslassen kann. Der geneigte Leser wird viele "WOW"-Momente finden.
Deutlich negativ aufgefallen ist mir (und das verhindert den fünften Stern) die Bindung. Normalerweise bin ich von Dark Horse da viel besseres gewohnt - hier fällt das Buch bereits beim ersten Lesen fast auseinander. Ansonsten ist die Präsentation sehr gelungen - dickes Papier, satter Farbdruck, sehr schöne Covergestaltung, ein ausführliches Nachwort und Anmerkungen zu den Kanji.
March 2, 2014
This graphic novel is one of those that has a marmite effect. If you pick it up simply as a graphic novel with no knowledge of its source material you'll be confused and possibly offended. If however, you know the legend of Monkey well and have an open mind you'll see the genius in what this has done.
What we have are a series of non chronological scenes from "journey to the west" reimagined in graphic form with lashings of sex, gore and kink thrown in. We have bondage nuns, nude babes turning into demon insects, head munching, tentacles, wombs and a depiction of Buddha that would make many Buddhists weep. It's irreverent, its freaky weird and yet its also deeply philosophical and true to its source material.
It reminded me a lot of the stories serialized in Heavy Metal magazine. Fans with an open mind who like things like Bizarro fiction are not going to want to miss this, but it certainly does deserve its parental advisory sticker.
It doesn't make a whole lot of sense and is very disjointed, but the artwork is stunning!
What we have are a series of non chronological scenes from "journey to the west" reimagined in graphic form with lashings of sex, gore and kink thrown in. We have bondage nuns, nude babes turning into demon insects, head munching, tentacles, wombs and a depiction of Buddha that would make many Buddhists weep. It's irreverent, its freaky weird and yet its also deeply philosophical and true to its source material.
It reminded me a lot of the stories serialized in Heavy Metal magazine. Fans with an open mind who like things like Bizarro fiction are not going to want to miss this, but it certainly does deserve its parental advisory sticker.
It doesn't make a whole lot of sense and is very disjointed, but the artwork is stunning!
January 23, 2017
Definitely not the Masaaki Sakai version from my youth! Amazing art meets chaotic storytelling, storytelling which does start to make sense some 70 or so pages in. I am familiar with both Wu Cheng'en's classic Chinese work "Journey to the West" and with the stories of Buddhism in general but I have to admit I was lost for the first half of this; the odd page coalesced and made me think "ah, here we go" only for the story to zoom away from me again. The art however spurred me on, it's amazing and reminded me of the sort of stuff Clive Barker could produce before his work was neutered by spirituality. A good job too because the story does come together by the end and left me excited for volume 2. I sympathize if you are coming to this cold and wondering what the hell is going on; maybe read up on the sources and give it another go - it is, after all, a very quick read and is worth the effort.
October 2, 2011
Be-a-u-ti-ful artwork. I picked this up mostly because of how amazing it looks. I think it's a prequel of sorts to "Journey To The West," albeit more graphic and violent. Which is great, in my mind.
You'll notice I said "I think" it's a prequel. Honestly, the plot was so scattered and just not well explained that I'm not really sure what this book's about. Most scenes are just amazing eye candy, regardless of whether or not they make sense.
All that being said, it's a sexy bunch of art and great writing, marred by an incomprehensible plot though it is, it merits a read on good looks alone.
You'll notice I said "I think" it's a prequel. Honestly, the plot was so scattered and just not well explained that I'm not really sure what this book's about. Most scenes are just amazing eye candy, regardless of whether or not they make sense.
All that being said, it's a sexy bunch of art and great writing, marred by an incomprehensible plot though it is, it merits a read on good looks alone.
April 28, 2013
Journey To The West Meets Conan The Barbarian meets Berserk with a twist of S&M weirdness and like, Buddhism and stuff. And general depravity.
I really liked it in other words. Its like, twice the price of normal manga, but then, it is full colour and the jaw-dropping artwork is gorgeously grotesque throughout.
I really liked it in other words. Its like, twice the price of normal manga, but then, it is full colour and the jaw-dropping artwork is gorgeously grotesque throughout.
October 8, 2014
I got this one for the art and I'm glad I did; the story itself is... for a lack of better word, confusing, until you read the afterword; but even then, the story comes from a 2 thousand something pages book, the manga should have been extended in order to tell a more compelling story.
September 23, 2014
The artwork is very good but the storylines are fairly confusing to me. I could hardly tell what was happening through the story cells half the time since they were so small & compacted. The writing was so calligrafied I was barely able to read it half the time.
August 28, 2007
Amazing. Gorgeous. I don't have the superlatives to do it justice. An absolute must have for any graphic novel fans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews