Journey to the West - Season 1
1 - The Stone Monkey Breaks Free from the Rock
Air Date: November 18, 1996
The stone monkey is born from a magic rock and disturbs the heavens with his power. The Jade Emperor imprisons him under the Five-Finger Mountain to atone for his arrogance.
2 - Tian Peng and Wu Gang Compete for Chang’e
Air Date: November 19, 1996
Tian Peng and Wu Gang both fall for the moon goddess Chang’e, leading to jealousy and chaos in heaven. Meanwhile, the monkey learns from a great master and becomes Sun Wukong.
3 - Wukong’s Death Approaches
Air Date: November 20, 1996
Wukong trains for decades to master immortality and learns the seventy-two transformations. He escapes the underworld by tricking the King of Hell and alters the Book of Life and Death.
4 - Wukong Is Punished
Air Date: November 21, 1996
Wukong becomes keeper of the heavenly stables but grows rebellious when mocked by other immortals. He quits heaven in anger, leading the Jade Emperor to declare him an outlaw.
5 - Wukong Cannot Escape the Buddha’s Five-Finger Mountain
Air Date: November 22, 1996
Wukong wreaks havoc in heaven and steals the peaches of immortality. The Buddha traps him beneath a mountain for five hundred years as punishment.
6 - Tian Peng Falls into the Realm of Beasts
Air Date: November 25, 1996
Tian Peng is banished to earth and accidentally reincarnates into the body of a pig. Rescued by Guanyin, he becomes Zhu Bajie, destined to help the future scripture pilgrim.
7 - Tripitaka Takes Wukong and Bajie as Disciples
Air Date: November 26, 1996
The monk Tang Sanzang begins his pilgrimage and frees Wukong from his mountain prison. He also recruits Bajie and the river demon Sha Wujing to aid his holy mission.
8 - Wukong Fails to Borrow the Fan
Air Date: November 27, 1996
The pilgrims face the Fiery Mountain and Wukong seeks the magic fan to extinguish the flames. His first attempt to borrow it from Princess Iron Fan ends in failure.
9 - The Dream Demon Causes Trouble
Air Date: November 28, 1996
While Wukong searches for the fan, a Dream Demon attacks the sleeping monks. Wukong allies with the Bull Demon King to outsmart the demons and retrieve the fan.
10 - Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream Demon
Air Date: November 29, 1996
The Dream Demon manipulates Red Boy into turning against his parents and attacking Wukong. Red Boy’s misuse of his fire powers brings ruin until he learns the demon’s deceit.
11 - Wukong Nears Death
Air Date: December 2, 1996
Wukong is blinded and gravely wounded in a trap set by Red Boy and the Dream Demon. Through Tang Sanzang’s compassion and prayer, he miraculously recovers.
12 - Red Boy Reaches Enlightenment
Air Date: December 3, 1996
Guanyin heals Wukong and guides him to subdue Red Boy. Seeing his parents’ suffering, Red Boy repents and becomes the child Buddha Sudhana.
13 - Tang Sanzang Is Ambushed
Air Date: December 4, 1996
The travelers rest at a manor run by Lady Mo, who secretly tests their purity. Wukong exposes her illusions, saving his master from moral temptation.
14 - Wukong Is Expelled by His Master
Air Date: December 5, 1996
Wukong kills a disguised White-Bone Spirit, but Tang Sanzang mistakes it for murder. Heartbroken, Wukong is banished from the group while the real demon captures his master.
15 - The White-Bone Demon Is Defeated
Air Date: December 6, 1996
Wukong returns to defeat the White-Bone Spirit and rescues Tang Sanzang. The group reconciles and continues westward, while Bajie’s vanity causes new trouble.
16 - Bajie’s Mortal Desires Remain
Air Date: December 9, 1996
Bajie marries a princess and forgets his vows, living in luxury as a prince. Tang Sanzang and Wukong remind him of his duty, and he repents his earthly desires.
17 - Bajie Attempts to Hang Himself
Air Date: December 10, 1996
Bajie is deceived by a vengeful demon and believes he has killed Tang Sanzang. Overcome with guilt, he tries to hang himself but is saved by Guanyin’s mercy.
18 - Wukong Bets with the Three Demons
Air Date: December 11, 1996
In a drought-stricken kingdom ruled by false Taoist priests, Wukong challenges three demons posing as holy men. Through cunning miracles he exposes their deceit.
19 - The Three Demons Are Defeated and Killed
Air Date: December 12, 1996
Wukong outwits the tiger, deer, and ram demons in a series of deadly wagers. Each is slain after their magic fails, restoring peace to the kingdom.
20 - Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider Spirits
Air Date: December 13, 1996
Tang Sanzang is captured by seductive spider demons, but one named Shishi shows compassion. Wukong rescues his master and senses Shishi’s tragic past.
21 - Shishi’s Past Love Story
Air Date: December 16, 1996
Shishi recalls her former life as a woman in love with a scholar who died saving her. Moved by her sorrow, Wukong and Tang Sanzang help her seek redemption.
22 - En’en Falls in Love with Wukong
Air Date: December 17, 1996
Shishi’s sister En’en falls in love with Wukong during their travels. Her affection tests his spiritual discipline as the group continues west.
23 - Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be Used
Air Date: December 18, 1996
Deceived by the centipede demon Yushu, Shishi sacrifices herself to protect Tang Sanzang. Her love and guilt drive her to tragic submission.
24 - The Real and Fake Tang Sanzang
Air Date: December 19, 1996
The centipede demon disguises himself as Tang Sanzang, causing confusion among the pilgrims. Wukong relies on Shishi’s guidance to reveal the true monk and defeat the impostor.
25 - En’en Sacrifices Herself for Love
Air Date: December 20, 1996
The demon lures En’en from safety, and she dies saving Wukong. Wukong and his allies destroy the demon, mourning En’en’s devotion.
26 - Tang Sanzang Collapses
Air Date: December 23, 1996
Exhausted in the desert, Tang Sanzang collapses under the blazing sun. Wukong risks his life to carry him onward, and they are saved by the general Feihu.
27 - Tang Sanzang Is Crowned Queen
Air Date: December 24, 1996
The pilgrims reach the Women’s Kingdom where Tang Sanzang is mistaken for a handsome queen-to-be. Despite royal temptation, he remains faithful to his vows.
28 - The Master and Disciples Become Pregnant
Air Date: December 25, 1996
After drinking the Mother-Child Spring, all four pilgrims become magically pregnant. Wukong seeks Guanyin’s help to find a cure before it’s too late.
29 - Do the Four Disciples Have a Child?
Air Date: December 26, 1996
A mischievous goddess tricks the pilgrims into thinking they have given birth to children. The chaos reveals lessons about attachment and illusion.
30 - Tang Sanzang Enlightens the Flying Tiger
Air Date: December 27, 1996
Tang Sanzang enlightens the warrior Feihu about the emptiness of desire. The monk and his disciples continue their sacred journey toward the West.