OVA
Description
Nii Jienyi, also known as Ukoku Sanzo, possesses a complex background marked by dual identities. Born to wealthy, academic professors, he exhibited exceptional intellect, earning a doctorate by age seventeen. Initially following his parents' path, he abruptly abandoned academia to become a Buddhist monk, driven by the desire for the Sanzo priest title. Training under Goudai Sanzo as Ken'yuu, he adopted a friendly, mischievous facade. Koumyou Sanzo saw through this disguise. Ken'yuu killed Goudai Sanzo in combat to claim the Sanzo title, succeeding him at nineteen as the youngest Sanzo priest. Koumyou Sanzo later named him "Ukoku." This violent succession method prevented him from receiving the gods' chakra, branding him a heretic. He received the Muten Sutra, a scripture administering "Death" and "Nothingness."
As Ukoku Sanzo, he presents a calm, philosophical demeanor often accompanied by an underlying malicious smile. After traveling with Koumyou Sanzo for a year, he journeyed alone. Ten years before the main Saiyuki events, following Koumyou Sanzo's death, Ukoku vanished. He resurfaced as Dr. Ni Jianyi, a scientist working for Gyokumen Koushu. In this role, he spearheaded efforts to revive the demon king Gyumaoh, merging human science and youkai magic to create the Minus Wave – the phenomenon corrupting youkai that triggered the Sanzo party's westward journey. He utilized the Seiten Sutra for experiments, overseeing researchers like Professor Hwang and a wired youkai assistant. Dr. Ni's appearance starkly contrasts his Sanzo identity: he wears a lab coat, pink bunny slippers, and square glasses, frequently carrying a stuffed rabbit named "Mr. Bunny" (Usa-chan), which secretly houses the Muten Sutra.
His personality combines detached intellect and concealed malice. He appears as an eccentric, overworked scientist – conversing with stuffed toys and wearing bunny slippers – yet displays high intelligence across Buddhism, martial arts, and human science. He treats life as a game, manipulating others like "guinea pigs" or chess pieces for amusement rather than material gain. A key motivator is his need for life-or-death situations to feel alive, a trait revealed during a conversation with Koumyou Sanzo in Saiyuki Reload: Burial. This thrill-seeking likely influenced his decision to aid Gyokumen Koushu. He remains emotionally cold and ruthless, though harbors a hatred for humiliation or losing, which can provoke uncharacteristic rage. Despite his calm exterior, he avoids direct combat unless necessary, preferring deals, escapes, or proxies. When fighting, he employs Buddhist powers without chanting mantras and wields the Muten Sutra to summon or banish souls or impose temporary mortality.
His relationships are transactional and manipulative. With Gyokumen Koushu, he acts as her right-hand man and lover, a dynamic disgusting subordinates like Professor Hwang. He views his disciple, Kami-sama – a boy he rescued from slavery – as a disposable "toy," spoiling him materially but abandoning him during his demise. His connection to Koumyou Sanzo is symbolically profound; he describes Koumyou as the "moon" to his "night," and they shared philosophical dialogues, including a bet about light's nature. He also interacts with Gyokumen's stepson, Kougaiji, who openly despises him for exploiting Kougaiji's mother.
His ultimate fate remains ambiguous. After his involvement in Gyumaoh's revival experiments at Houtou Castle, his whereabouts become unknown. His legacy endures through inventions like the Mandrake Plant and his manipulation of pivotal events, though his core motives for aiding Gyokumen Koushu are never fully clarified.
As Ukoku Sanzo, he presents a calm, philosophical demeanor often accompanied by an underlying malicious smile. After traveling with Koumyou Sanzo for a year, he journeyed alone. Ten years before the main Saiyuki events, following Koumyou Sanzo's death, Ukoku vanished. He resurfaced as Dr. Ni Jianyi, a scientist working for Gyokumen Koushu. In this role, he spearheaded efforts to revive the demon king Gyumaoh, merging human science and youkai magic to create the Minus Wave – the phenomenon corrupting youkai that triggered the Sanzo party's westward journey. He utilized the Seiten Sutra for experiments, overseeing researchers like Professor Hwang and a wired youkai assistant. Dr. Ni's appearance starkly contrasts his Sanzo identity: he wears a lab coat, pink bunny slippers, and square glasses, frequently carrying a stuffed rabbit named "Mr. Bunny" (Usa-chan), which secretly houses the Muten Sutra.
His personality combines detached intellect and concealed malice. He appears as an eccentric, overworked scientist – conversing with stuffed toys and wearing bunny slippers – yet displays high intelligence across Buddhism, martial arts, and human science. He treats life as a game, manipulating others like "guinea pigs" or chess pieces for amusement rather than material gain. A key motivator is his need for life-or-death situations to feel alive, a trait revealed during a conversation with Koumyou Sanzo in Saiyuki Reload: Burial. This thrill-seeking likely influenced his decision to aid Gyokumen Koushu. He remains emotionally cold and ruthless, though harbors a hatred for humiliation or losing, which can provoke uncharacteristic rage. Despite his calm exterior, he avoids direct combat unless necessary, preferring deals, escapes, or proxies. When fighting, he employs Buddhist powers without chanting mantras and wields the Muten Sutra to summon or banish souls or impose temporary mortality.
His relationships are transactional and manipulative. With Gyokumen Koushu, he acts as her right-hand man and lover, a dynamic disgusting subordinates like Professor Hwang. He views his disciple, Kami-sama – a boy he rescued from slavery – as a disposable "toy," spoiling him materially but abandoning him during his demise. His connection to Koumyou Sanzo is symbolically profound; he describes Koumyou as the "moon" to his "night," and they shared philosophical dialogues, including a bet about light's nature. He also interacts with Gyokumen's stepson, Kougaiji, who openly despises him for exploiting Kougaiji's mother.
His ultimate fate remains ambiguous. After his involvement in Gyumaoh's revival experiments at Houtou Castle, his whereabouts become unknown. His legacy endures through inventions like the Mandrake Plant and his manipulation of pivotal events, though his core motives for aiding Gyokumen Koushu are never fully clarified.