Gensomaden Saiyuki prequel?

[Elmyra]

Has this series a prequel? Because I've heard there's a sort of prequel to it, but I don't know anything about it.

[Pu the Owl]

Yes, there's a sort of prequel called Saiyuki Gaiden, that is about what happened 500 years before the facts of Gensomaden Saiyuki. It's basically on the origins (and previous existences) of the main characters in Gensomaden Saiyuki and explains many aspects that are not so clear simply watching or reading the sequel.

If you want some more info, you can look at this site (http://www.dear-prudence.net/manga/saiyuki.html). There aren't many on the web, mainly because this series is still unknown for the western audience.

[Ruby Moon]

I didn't know of this series either. Maybe because I'm not too much into Saiyuki in general. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to read Gaiden, because from what I see, it's still manga only.