Season 1
30 listed episodes · First aired November 18, 1996
Episodes
The stone monkey is born from a magic rock and disturbs the heavens with his power. The Jade Emperor imprisons him under the Five-Finger Mountain to atone for his arrogance.
E2Tian Peng and Wu Gang Compete for Chang’eTian Peng and Wu Gang both fall for the moon goddess Chang’e, leading to jealousy and chaos in heaven. Meanwhile, the monkey learns from a great master and becomes Sun Wukong.
E3Wukong’s Death ApproachesWukong trains for decades to master immortality and learns the seventy-two transformations. He escapes the underworld by tricking the King of Hell and alters the Book of Life and Death.
E4Wukong Is PunishedWukong becomes keeper of the heavenly stables but grows rebellious when mocked by other immortals. He quits heaven in anger, leading the Jade Emperor to declare him an outlaw.
E5Wukong Cannot Escape the Buddha’s Five-Finger MountainWukong wreaks havoc in heaven and steals the peaches of immortality. The Buddha traps him beneath a mountain for five hundred years as punishment.
E6Tian Peng Falls into the Realm of BeastsTian Peng is banished to earth and accidentally reincarnates into the body of a pig. Rescued by Guanyin, he becomes Zhu Bajie, destined to help the future scripture pilgrim.
E7Tripitaka Takes Wukong and Bajie as DisciplesThe monk Tang Sanzang begins his pilgrimage and frees Wukong from his mountain prison. He also recruits Bajie and the river demon Sha Wujing to aid his holy mission.
E8Wukong Fails to Borrow the FanThe pilgrims face the Fiery Mountain and Wukong seeks the magic fan to extinguish the flames. His first attempt to borrow it from Princess Iron Fan ends in failure.
E9The Dream Demon Causes TroubleWhile Wukong searches for the fan, a Dream Demon attacks the sleeping monks. Wukong allies with the Bull Demon King to outsmart the demons and retrieve the fan.
E10Red Boy Is Manipulated by the Dream DemonThe Dream Demon manipulates Red Boy into turning against his parents and attacking Wukong. Red Boy’s misuse of his fire powers brings ruin until he learns the demon’s deceit.
E11Wukong Nears DeathWukong is blinded and gravely wounded in a trap set by Red Boy and the Dream Demon. Through Tang Sanzang’s compassion and prayer, he miraculously recovers.
E12Red Boy Reaches EnlightenmentGuanyin heals Wukong and guides him to subdue Red Boy. Seeing his parents’ suffering, Red Boy repents and becomes the child Buddha Sudhana.
E13Tang Sanzang Is AmbushedThe travelers rest at a manor run by Lady Mo, who secretly tests their purity. Wukong exposes her illusions, saving his master from moral temptation.
E14Wukong Is Expelled by His MasterWukong kills a disguised White-Bone Spirit, but Tang Sanzang mistakes it for murder. Heartbroken, Wukong is banished from the group while the real demon captures his master.
E15The White-Bone Demon Is DefeatedWukong returns to defeat the White-Bone Spirit and rescues Tang Sanzang. The group reconciles and continues westward, while Bajie’s vanity causes new trouble.
E16Bajie’s Mortal Desires RemainBajie marries a princess and forgets his vows, living in luxury as a prince. Tang Sanzang and Wukong remind him of his duty, and he repents his earthly desires.
E17Bajie Attempts to Hang HimselfBajie is deceived by a vengeful demon and believes he has killed Tang Sanzang. Overcome with guilt, he tries to hang himself but is saved by Guanyin’s mercy.
E18Wukong Bets with the Three DemonsIn a drought-stricken kingdom ruled by false Taoist priests, Wukong challenges three demons posing as holy men. Through cunning miracles he exposes their deceit.
E19The Three Demons Are Defeated and KilledWukong outwits the tiger, deer, and ram demons in a series of deadly wagers. Each is slain after their magic fails, restoring peace to the kingdom.
E20Tang Sanzang Meets the Spider SpiritsTang Sanzang is captured by seductive spider demons, but one named Shishi shows compassion. Wukong rescues his master and senses Shishi’s tragic past.
E21Shishi’s Past Love StoryShishi recalls her former life as a woman in love with a scholar who died saving her. Moved by her sorrow, Wukong and Tang Sanzang help her seek redemption.
E22En’en Falls in Love with WukongShishi’s sister En’en falls in love with Wukong during their travels. Her affection tests his spiritual discipline as the group continues west.
E23Shishi Willingly Lets Herself Be UsedDeceived by the centipede demon Yushu, Shishi sacrifices herself to protect Tang Sanzang. Her love and guilt drive her to tragic submission.
E24The Real and Fake Tang SanzangThe centipede demon disguises himself as Tang Sanzang, causing confusion among the pilgrims. Wukong relies on Shishi’s guidance to reveal the true monk and defeat the impostor.
E25En’en Sacrifices Herself for LoveThe demon lures En’en from safety, and she dies saving Wukong. Wukong and his allies destroy the demon, mourning En’en’s devotion.
E26Tang Sanzang CollapsesExhausted in the desert, Tang Sanzang collapses under the blazing sun. Wukong risks his life to carry him onward, and they are saved by the general Feihu.
E27Tang Sanzang Is Crowned QueenThe pilgrims reach the Women’s Kingdom where Tang Sanzang is mistaken for a handsome queen-to-be. Despite royal temptation, he remains faithful to his vows.
E28The Master and Disciples Become PregnantAfter drinking the Mother-Child Spring, all four pilgrims become magically pregnant. Wukong seeks Guanyin’s help to find a cure before it’s too late.
E29Do the Four Disciples Have a Child?A mischievous goddess tricks the pilgrims into thinking they have given birth to children. The chaos reveals lessons about attachment and illusion.
E30Tang Sanzang Enlightens the Flying TigerTang Sanzang enlightens the warrior Feihu about the emptiness of desire. The monk and his disciples continue their sacred journey toward the West.