The Merciful Goddess, known as Kanzeon Bosatsu, is one of the five great Bodhisattvas who reside in heaven. She is a divine being who administers mercy and compassion, though her portrayal combines a lofty celestial role with an unconventional, vulgar, and irreverent personality. In terms of physical depiction, the manga presents her as a hermaphrodite, while the anime typically shows her as a woman. She is the one who orders the Sanzo party—Genjo Sanzo, Son Goku, Sha Gojyo, and Cho Hakkai—to journey west in order to stop the resurrection of the ancient evil demon Gyumaoh. Her motivations stem from a deep, long-standing concern for the fate of the world and for the individuals she sends on this mission. Despite often appearing amused by the trials she places before the group, she has watched over Son Goku and the others for five hundred years, investing genuine care in their lives. In the prequel story Saiyuki Gaiden, she is revealed as Konzen's aunt and the one who brought Goku to heaven after his birth from a rock. She also displays immense power, capable of subduing Goku even after he has transformed into the destructive Seiten Taisei. Throughout Saiyuki Reload Blast, she continues to act as a guiding force, though her direct involvement is limited; she remains a distant authority figure who sets events in motion and occasionally intervenes when necessary. Her notable abilities include the standard divine powers of a Bodhisattva, such as immense magical strength and the capacity to restore Goku's diadem (the headband that seals his true nature) when it breaks. She is also able to communicate with the Sanzo party from afar and command the respect of both gods and demons. Her development across the series is subtle: while she initially appears capricious, her underlying compassion and dedication to watching over the group become clearer over time, particularly in how she respects their choices and growth.