Beliefs/Religions
This religion is incredibly common in China and Japan, and was the reason a certain mythical five-man band set out on a Journey... to the West
Buddhism
This original Shonen protagonist became immortal in seven different ways before finally getting disciplined via mountain.
Sun Wukong
This man, the namesake of the religion he started, is said to have been the first to achieve Enlightenment.
Buddha
Kami are worshipped at these structures in Japan, often in forests, mountains, or near rivers.
Shrines
This monk, named after the three holy scrolls he was to transport, achieved Buddhahood after somehow completing the longest quest ever written.
Tripitaka (Tang Sanzang)
This word describes a belief system that believes everything, both living and not, is part of a large web of spiritual energy. All is connected, and all has meaning.
Animism
This Japanese youth, named after the fruit he was born from, was said to be the one who would either save the world, or destroy it. Clearly, he and his team of animal sidekicks did the former.
Momotaro
This man, the ruler of the bureaucracies of heaven, grew exasperated when nothing he did seemed to satiate or stop the Monkey King.
The Jade Emperor
These creatures, a wicked and aggressive type of Yokai, are best described in English as "ogres."
Oni
These three outlaws turned heroes joined Sun Wukong and the Tang Monk on their quest in hopes for redemption.
Sandy, Pigsy, and the White Dragon Horse
This belief system, the heart and soul of Japanese culture, features a belief in Kami, unity with nature, and the spiritual power found in every living thing.
Shintoism
He is the one born walking.
He is the one born talking.
Mwindo
This buddhavista, along with her disciple Moksha, was responsible for assembling the disciples that would guide Tripitaka on his Journey to the West.
Kuan Yin/Guanyin/Quan Yin
These creatures, nine-tailed fox spirits said to have psychic powers, are the messengers of Inari, the god of grain and harvest.
Kitsune
In the Cart Slow Kingdom, these three immortal Taoists were defeated in numerous competitions by Sun Wukong and Tripitaka. On defeat, they transformed back into their namesakes.
Tiger Strength Immortal, Deer Strength Immortal, and Ram Strength Immortal
These priests or priestesses who use natural spiritual magic for the purpose of curing the sick, divining the hidden, and controlling events are common in many African mythological systems.
Shamans
This African arachnid is known in many myths as a trickster whose schemes rarely go as planned.
Anansi the Spider
This creator Kami of Japan left his wife/sister Izanami in the underworld when he saw her decomposed, wormy form.
Izanagi
This Kami, the goddess of the sun, was born when Izanagi washed his left eye, cleansing himself of the underworld's filth.
Ameterasu
This figure, who was one of many intent on eating Tripitaka, turned out to be no more than Kuan Yin's goldfish, made too powerful by her lectures.
The Great King of Miracles
This Chinese religion, featured occasionally as antagonists in Buddhist myths, emphasizes living in harmony with the natural flow of the universe.
Taoism
This trickster of North America, an anthropomorphic mammal that always seemed to outsmart his predators, was based on stories from the homeland of his creators.
Br’er Rabbit
This Nyangan god of fire and earth was depicted not as a powerful warrior, but as a very old man. That didn't stop him from killing or getting killed by Mwindo, however.
Nyamurairi
This great Kami of storms is the younger brother of Amaterasu, the father of Okuninushi, and was known for being more temperamental than most Kami.
Susano-o
This ancient Chinese philosopher, and owner of a green buffalo for mythology reasons, uses his diamond snare to capture Sun Wukong and bring him up to heaven for "execution."
Lao Tzu