Cultural impact Genjo Sanzo is a popular character with fans, in 2000, the Character won the Best Male Character award at the 23rd
Anime Grand Prix. In August 2001, issue of
Newtype Magazine listed their top to anime titles.
Gensomaden Saiyuki was ranked ninth, and Genjo Sanzo, in the top ten male characters, was ranked sixth. In June 2004, on the 26th Anime Grand Prix Award,
Saiyuki Reload was in the top ten Anime titles, It was ranked fourth, Meanwhile Genjo Sanzo was ranked seventh at the top ten Best Male Characters. in 2005, on 27th Anime Grand Prix Award, Genjo Sanzo was the top of twenty best Male Character. It was ranked thirteenth. In August 2011,
Genjo Sanzo character ranked fifth on
Sina website's poll of top 10 favorite characters "who smoke" collected 754 votes from total of 8865 votes. In 2013, he was ranked 36th on
ComicsAlliance's 50 Sexiest Male Characters in Comics list. In January 2020,
Genjo Sanzo character ranked eighth on AnimeAnime website's poll of top 10 favorite characters "that look good with cigarettes". In June 2022, "nijimen" anime news site, ranking top 10 popular characters played by Toshihiko Seki, Genjo Sanzo character was ranked second. In September 2022, "nlab.itmedia" ranking top 30 popular TV anime characters played by voice actor
Toshihiko Seki, The first place is decided by Saiyuki's "Genjo Sanzo" collected 473 votes from total of 3176 votes. In January 2023,
Genjo Sanzo character ranked third on AnimeAnime website's poll of top 20 favorite "monk" characters.
Critical response Eduardo M. Chavez of
Anime on DVD stating "the fact that sanzo could accept going into battle with someone who was once close to him shows responsibility to his mission and to himself. He could have waited and risked his friends getting caught up in the violence. Instead, he took on the challenge, as difficult as it was, and faced it aware that he will always have the memories of a better time and that nothing will be able to take them away". Sarah of
Anime UK News finds in the character of Sanzo an irresistible charm and described the deep sense of camaraderie between the heroes convincingly and truly affecting.
Aestheticism.com states that Sanzo is clearly a problematic character who preaches non-attachment to the past. they described the character as a cold loner, selfish, grumpy, an emotional mess, and a visionary leader and charismatic personality who draws others to him. File:Saiyuki_Creator_Draws_New_Illustration_for_Character_Genjo_Sanzo's_Birthday.jpg|
Kazuya Minekura Draws New Illustration for Character Genjo Sanzo's Birthday in (Nov 29, 2018). File:"Konzen Douji" was the first incarnation of Genjo Sanzo.jpg|Cover of the Third issue of the manga
Saiyuki Gaiden, "Konzen Douji" was the first incarnation of Genjo Sanzo ==Further reading==