Sanzo's a priest who smokes and shoots things, Goku's a demon who eats and laughs like he's never heard a joke before, Gojyo's a gambler with a chip on his shoulder, and Hakkai is the one holding this fractured family together by sheer will. The show treats them like they're the worst team for the job and then proves that's exactly why they work. Four broken people driving west to save a world that doesn't trust any of them, finding reasons to stay together that have nothing to do with the mission anymore.

Long ago, humans and demons lived together in peace, but that peace has ended. Demons have begun attacking people, and some are scheming to free Gyumao, an evil demon who has been imprisoned for thousands of years. Genjo Sanzo, a rogue priest, joins forces with three demons, Sha Gojyo, Son Goku and Cho Hakkai, and sets out on a dangerous journey westward. Their goal is to keep Gyumao from being revived and to restore the balance between humans and demons. The 50-episode series mixes supernatural adventure with comedy and drama.