History Series / JourneyToTheWest1996

** Sun Wukong (After he joined the pilgrimage). Whoever read the original novel will realize that the adaptation omitted many killings that the original Wukong did. In the novel, after Wukong was (temporarily) sent away by Sanzang, he returned home and killed the hunters who had killed his fellow monkeys. Not to mention at the other times during the pilgrimage, he had no qualms killing other demons. As for this version, Wukong had already relatively mellowed out at that point in time and thus spared the hunters. Him killing demons wasn't as prevalent as compared to that of the novel version, and he has occasionally shown mercy or restraint.

* {{Satire}}: Very downplayed when compared to the novel, which can be read as a satire of the contemporary corruption in ancient China with strong anti-Taoist/pro-Buddhist themes. For the most part the series either interpreted the satirical scenes unironically or omitted them altogether. The Chechi story arc was the only story in the entire series that's faithfully adapted from the novel: One of the scenes involved Wukong, Bajie, and Wujing disrespecting the Taoists' worship altars by making a mess and eating their offerings. When the demon Taoist Priests believed that the gods have responded at last and pleaded for an elixir of immortality, the protagonists pranked the Priests by passing off their own urine as the elixir before running away.

* BreatherEpisode: This series does warrant an interesting mention for this trope. The breather episodes tend to feature stories that are more faithfully adapted, one can clue in to them being shorter and more plot-driven. A lot of deviations from the novel comes from the attempt to play up the drama/conflict between the protagonists and the antagonists, and further expanding on their characters/personalities.

* BreatherEpisode: This series does warrant an interesting mention for this trope. Most of the deviations from the novel comes from the attempt to add more personality/characterization to the adapted characters, which amps up the conflict between the protagonists and the antagonists/supporting characters. The breather episodes actually tend to feature stories that are more faithfully adapted, one can clue in to them being shorter, plot-driven, and faster-paced.

* GodIsInept: As par for the course for an adaptation of a novel with anti-Taoist leanings, the Taoist pantheon is portrayed as indifferent to mankind's suffering while the Buddhist pantheon is portrayed with far better dignity and proposes that Buddhism offers the best solution to alleviate suffering. And of course, Wukong treats almost every member of the Buddhist pantheon with utmost respect and is subservient to them, while for the Taoist pantheon, even at his most respectful moments he still puts himself as their equal.

** The story arcs across the two seasons hover between PragmaticAdaptation, RecognizableAdaptation, and InNameOnly. The PragmaticAdaptation arcs often amalgamated two or three stories in the original novel with the [[CompositeCharacter corresponding composite characters]] too, and some further expansion on their characters or personalities. The most faithful adaptation is actually the 1st season's BreatherEpisode's Kingdom of Chechi arc where Sanzang and his team faces off against the Three Demon Taoist Priests - other than the insertion of comedy and the interchangeable antagonists, most of the scenes are reproduced from the same story in the novel. The RecognizableAdaptation often removed most of the plot from the original novel and write their own preferred plot in place of it, the Spider Demonesses and also the Fake Leiyin Temple story arcs being two very good examples. The InNameOnly adaptation doesn't adapt anything from the novel besides the usage of the characters, which is notable in the 2nd season's final story arc.

** The character of Bajie never seemed to get any CharacterDevelopment despite one crisis after another targeting his nature. By the end of the White Bone Demoness arc he cheerfully abandoned his lover and vowed not to be lecherous again. But in the future story arcs it was apparent he regressed back to his CasanovaWannabe nature. To his credit though, Bajie never ever left the team like he did in the White Bone Demoness arc.

** The character of Bajie never seemed to get any CharacterDevelopment despite one crisis after another targeting his nature. By the end of the White Bone Demoness arc he cheerfully abandoned his lover and vowed not to be lecherous again. But in the future story arcs it was apparent he regressed back to his CasanovaWannabe nature.

** Yellow Brows Great King, whose role was completely altered and become a mere follower for the Long Armed Ape Monkey (who is also his sworn brother in this series).

** Tang Sanzang, in a way. In the novel he was portrayed as weak, cowardly, naive, and practically useless throughout the entire journey. In this adaptation however, while he still can't fight at all, he has his shining moments other than being TheLoad and DistressedDude. To give an idea to those who did not read the novel, if Sanzang showed any wisdom or played any part in defeating the antagonist of the day, the scene is most likely not from the novel.

* BreatherEpisode: This series does warrant a mention for this trope, interestingly. The more faithful adaptations tend to be shorter, plot-driven and faster-paced. A significant amount of deviations from the novel comes from the attempt to add more personality/characterization to the adapted characters, which amps up the conflict between the protagonists and the antagonists/supporting characters.

** Bajie often melodramatically recites an excerpt from a favorite poem of his.

* GaiasVengeance: Invoked in the Spider Demonesses story arc. When Wukong seek advice from Guan Yin on how to deal with the Centipede Demon (who had grown to a power level that he might not be a match for), she essentially replied that nature will take care of business. Indeed, just when the protagonists are overwhelmed, a vengeful Chicken Demon brought his chickens along to attack the Centipede Demon. While the Chicken Demon himself was easily knocked out as well, the seemingly invincible Centipede Demon had problems fighting off the ordinary chickens and they proved to be his true weakness, weakening him just enough for Wukong to dealt him a mortal blow.

* MistakenForCheating: Due to Crow Demoness' manipulation, Bajie is set up to sleep with her, who disguise herself as Princess Iron Fan, so Bull Demon King will think his wife cheat on him.

** The story arcs across the two seasons hover between PragmaticAdaptation, RecognizableAdaptation, and InNameOnly. The PragmaticAdaptation arcs often amalgamated two or three stories in the original novel with the [[CompositeCharacter corresponding composite characters]] too, and some further expansion on their characters or personalities. The most faithful adaptation is actually the 1st season's BreatherEpisode's Kingdom of Chechi arc where Sanzang and his team faces off against the Three Demon Taoist Priests - other than the insertion of comedy, almost all the scenes are reproduced from the same story in the novel. The RecognizableAdaptation often removed most of the plot from the original novel and write their own preferred plot in place of it, the Spider Demonesses and also the Fake Leiyin Temple story arcs being two very good examples. The InNameOnly adaptation doesn't adapt anything from the novel besides the usage of the characters, which is notable in the 2nd season's final story arc.

** Tang Sanzang, in a way. In the novel he was portrayed as weak, cowardly, naive, and practically useless throughout the entire journey. In this adaptation however, while he still can't fight at all, he has his shining moments other than being TheLoad and DistressedDude. Simply speaking for those who did not read the novel, if Sanzang showed any wisdom or played any part in defeating the antagonist of the day, the scene is most likely not from the novel.

** Of all the characters in this adaptation, Tang Sanzang is the most notable example of this trope - Although not in the physical fighting sense. In the novel he was portrayed as weak, cowardly, naive, and practically useless throughout the entire journey. In this adaptation however, while he still can't fight at all, he has his shining moments other than being TheLoad and DistressedDude.

** The ending of the White Bone Demoness story arc. Bajie swore to serve his master faithfully for the remainder of the journey, effectively and forever abandoning his "Hero" fake identity and lover Princess. He took one last sorrowful look at the Wanted posters of his fake identity before cheerfully discarding his hat, exposing his real face to everyone.

** Wujing is not exactly happy to realize his cannibalism was for naught.
** Bajie tried to kill himself after he accidentally killed Wujing. He felt just as bad when the Dragon Horse revealed to him that the Black Bear who Bajie beaten up and tried to kill [[BalefulPolymorph was actually his master]].

* AdaptationalWimp: Some villains, notable ones are...
** The Three Kings of Lion Camel Cave. Their goals, motivations, and the general plot were completely altered. In the original novel, they are crafty villains seeking to eat Tang Sanzang, whom Wukong can't defeat by himself. In the 1998 Hong Kong TVB Adaptation, they are a trio of cowardly [[JerkAss jerkasses]] who merely seek power and wealth and are barely a match for Pigsy even when fighting together.

** Sun Wukong (After he joined the pilgrimage). Whoever read the original novel will realize that the adaptation omitted many killings that the original Wukong did. In the novel, after Wukong was (temporarily) sent away by Sanzang, he returned home and killed the hunters who had killed his fellow monkeys. Not to mention at the other times during the pilgrimage, he had no qualms killing other demons. As for this version, Wukong had already relatively mellowed out at that point in time and thus spared the hunters. Him killing demons wasn't as prevalent as compared to that of the novel version, and has occasionally shown mercy.
** Zhu Bajie. The novel version is a despicable villain by today's standards. It was implied that Bajie raped his own wife, and also regularly ate humans until he was converted to the Buddhist faith. Even after conversion he remained a lustful demon where he intentionally molested the naked Spider Demonesses before attempting to kill them. The adaptation completely omits his cannibalistic past, portrayed him as a CasanovaWannabe, and played down his encounter with the Spider Demonesses.

The series is also known for making Dicky Cheung famous.

** Sun Wukong himself. Whoever read the original novel will realize that the adaptation omitted many killings that the original Wukong did. The adaptation also portrayed him in a more sympathetic light. The series suggests that he would've been even more of an evil asshole if Bajie hadn't cut off his tail when he was born.
** Tang Sanzang. He is more noble and less cowardly in this adaptation as compared to the novel's version, and more likable as a character too.
** Zhu Bajie, in a way. The original version eats humans until he was converted to the Buddhist faith, and even after conversion he remained a lustful demon where it was implied that he raped his own wife and much later on intentionally molested the naked Spider Demonesses before attempting to kill them. The adaptation completely omits his cannibalistic past, portrayed him as a Casanova, and played down his encounter with the Spider Demonesses.

* ObliviouslyEvil: The Black Bear Demon, due to his own idiocy as well as poor guidance from the elder monk Jinchi, had a pretty terrible and at times literal interpretation of Buddhist concepts/parables such that his deeds are well-intentioned but wrong and at times even harmful. To the protagonists he was initially a mere comedic nuisance who continually pester them in order to get Sanzang's beautiful kasaya. However, when Jinchi decided to self-immolate out of shame (for being exposed as a greedy man hankering after Sanzang's kasaya), the Black Bear Demon concluded that he must bring in more spectators (innocent ones) and set them on fire together with Jinchi, the rationale being that killing these folks would end their suffering quicker and bring them closer to Buddha. These turn of events alarmed the protagonists to call for Guan Yin's help to stop him.

* {{Satire}}: Very downplayed when compared to the novel, which is basically full of satire attacking the contemporary corruption in ancient China along with strong anti-Taoist/pro-Buddhist themes. The Chechi story arc was the only one among the rest of the series that's faithfully adapted from the novel: One of these scenes involved Wukong, Bajie, and Wujing disrespecting the Taoists' worship altars by making a mess and eating their offerings. When the demon Taoist Priests believed that the gods have responded at last and pleaded for an elixir of immortality, the protagonists pranked the Priests by passing off their own urine as the elixir before running away.