#journey to the west post

[the-monkey-ruler]

There are ancient “sequels” that straight up ignore wukong’s buddhahood and giving him oc kids? Did this author favor taoism too?

I am not too sure about that but I like to think that these are more like the first examples of media that are inspired by Wu Cheng’en's Sun Wukong. Just because there are media out there that has Wukong have children don't mean they are trying to deny Wukong's Buddhist ties or connection that he is the Victorious Flying Buddha, but rather... overlook the idea for the sake of their own narrative purposes. The Supplement can actually fit in “canon” as (spoilers) it is all a dream and Wukongs kids are just a figment of his and the demon's imagination that he accidentally knocked Iron Fan up when he jumped in her stomach. Also, the further that it was a dream was that Red Boy didn’t exist in the dream and Iron Fan only was with Wukong. The author usually explains the tomfoolery by saying “It’s a dream don’t think about it too hard.” Also in Journey to the West After, Sun Luzhen is a stone monkey as well and thus Wukong never went against his vows, simply adopting the stone monkey as his new disciple.

As for Journey to the South, it is more a story about the deity Huaguang dadi as Wukong only makes a guest cameo in the first chapter and the last chapter, the children only being mentioned in the last and even then only Yuebei Xing was the only one with lines and actions. Poor Jidu and Luohou don't even get anything outside of a name-drop. But otherwise, there is also no mention of a wife either. It is left in that territory of... ambiguity where they never really address Wukong having a wife let alone how Wukong got these kids, just that they were his. There is a chance they are adopted but considering he does separate them from his other subjects as he calls his monkey subjects grandchildren, there is a higher chance they are his bio kids. Wukong is addressed by his Great Sage title more often than not but they all acknowledge that he went on the journey is a Buddist disciple under Tang Sanzang as well. So while I do admit it is contradictory I also believe it is one of those cases of "What if"s that is more asking the audience to please give that detail a "suspension of disbelief" treatment rather than trying to make a statement.

I'm not saying that while it would make more sense to keep Wukong as his Buddha title as that is canon in the story, there are a lot of modern media where Wukong does have offspring of some kind for the sake of "what if" cases. Sometimes authors or directors take a lot of leeway with source material for the sake of their own creative ideas and while in most cases I do think that is more for the sake of their narrative purpose than just any religious animosity. I understand that it can be upsetting but Journey to the South does more side-step the idea of Wukong being in a relationship, rather more forced on the idea that Wukong is a father-figure which personally is more of a cute idea that trying to force a romance that is never explored either.

[loverofstufflof]

Exams are over so here’s something I’ve been thinking about a ton

[comfymoth]

chat, they put me in lao tzu’s crucible to smelt the elixir of long life out of me, am i cooked?

[lizardbraining]

canon monkey posting

[maxlovespigeons]

With the return of my hyperfixation, have some art I've drawn in the past I don't think I've ever posted to Tumblr

[1v31182m5]

[lotusloong]

CelestialMaiden!Reader (on the subject of Sun Wukong): "Listen, I don't think having a pretty little wife to suck his dick will 'fix him', but I do think he'd calm down a little."

The Jade Emperor: "..."

CelestialMaiden!Reader: "...Speaking of, if you're looking for a volunteer-"

The Jade Emperor: "How about we stop talking for a little while."

[ningadudexx]

canonically he is ugly but to me he is a beautiful princess ❤️

[maxmemer]

He didn't get cooked long enough back he goes.

[royaltea000]

[stress relief doodle] just wanted to let you guys know that he’s always had those stupid tassels dw

[artist-extraordinaire28]

"I will not get obsessed with a new show"

"I will not get obsessed with a new show"

"I-"

...

I got obsessed with a new show.

If yall haven't watched Lego Monkie Kid yet then you need to RIGHT NOW.

Istg Mei is so cool 😭 🤚

And no

I will not shut up about this

[karppie-art]

I had so much fun doing this ngl

[m1nsur0]

[JTTW OC: 智平] They never announced they were officially together during the journey, they just started to exclusively wear coordinated outfits and expected everyone else to get the hint.

(click for quality) (click this for wukong solo post!)

[fiannalover]

It's because you're always on that damn pilgrimage

[sketching-shark]

For as much as I've already gushed about how Journey to the West really stands out as a great work of literature, given the current state of popular "redemption arcs" it really can't be said enough how awesome it is that the og classic makes it impossible to ignore the various crimes of all the pilgrims and why they needed to go on a redemption journey in the first place.

Like it contrast to your typical broody jerks where the plot bends over backwards to pretend their various war crimes and all their victims don't matter, actually, just look at what JTTW gives us. You have a murder monkey who reminds us that he loves killing people every other chapter. You got a literal and metaphorical pig man who freely admits to eating a ton of people in addition to committing sexual harassment. You got a giant cannibal who also ate countless people and even wears a lot of their skulls as his own personal goth necklace. You got a dragon who may or may not have committed arson in addition to trying to eat at least one other guy. Even the holy monk went out of his way to get some guys tortured to death. They all explicitly suck in such fun and interesting ways even while trying their best, and THAT'S a good part of what makes their story so fun and satisfying to read.

[loverofstufflof]

“Black Myth: Wukong is like a Chinese Mythology Dragon Ball” Dude, you’re never gonna believe this—