Genjyo Sanzo
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Genjyo Sanzo (玄奘三蔵 Genjō Sanzō) is one of the four main characters in the manga and anime series Saiyuki (Known as Gensomaden Saiyuki in Japan). His name is spelled Genjo Sanzo in the English anime and the Singapore English manga while in the North American English manga, it is Genjyo Sanzo.
The name Sanzo, meaning Tripitaka in Sanskrit, is the formal term for a Buddhist canon of scriptures, and is also the title of a high-ranking Buddhist monk, hence, Genjo Sanzo (even though he doesn't seem like one) is also a high ranking monk.
His character is loosely based on that of the monk Sanzang, from the Chinese novel Journey to the West upon which the manga is based. In the manga, Sanzo is featured with blond hair and amethyst eyes. Having lost his father figure (Koumyou Sanzo) to demons, he is a rough character who carries a gun (Smith and Wesson), excessively smokes (Marlboros), drinks (anything alcoholic), often abusing his traveling companions physically and verbally. He bears little resemblance to the holy man in the original novel. He definitely isn't a conventional priest, as he doesn't even preach his religion.
Genyjo found Goku before the story started and has been with him ever since. Though he acts like he doesn't care, he really is attached to the little monkey and gets angry when Goku is in danger. In the origional story, Goku was supposed to be Sanzo's servent.
Genyjo was promoted to his rank as Sanzo when he was only 13, given the title by his teacher Koumyou Sanzo. He left his monastery in which he was raised to search for the Sutra that was stolen the night his teacher was killed.