The Westward (2018)
A bold, dark reimagining of the Journey to the West mythology, unfolding across five seasons of action-packed Chinese animation.
The Westward - Series Information
- Original Title: 西行纪
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (15 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 134
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Networks: Tencent Video
- Alternative Titles: 西行纪年番 (CN), The Westward (US)
- Production Companies: BYMENT
- Production Countries: China
The Westward - Plot
The journey to the West was a conspiracy of heaven! After Sutra went missing for more than a decade, Heaven sent its army to search, in order not to let the Sutra once again fall into the hands of heaven, the journey to West begin again.
Where to Watch The Westward
Looking for where to watch The Westward?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
The Westward - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Xia Lei
- Lei Wu
- Ajie
- Shen Dawei
- Xie Tiantian
- Feng Junhua
- Liu Beichen
- Yixiao Wen
- Fan Junhang
- Du Qingqing
The Westward - FAQs
What is The Westward animated series about?
The Westward is a dark reimagining of the classic Chinese tale Journey to the West. When the sacred Sutra goes missing for over a decade, Heaven dispatches its armies to recover it. To keep it from Heaven's grasp, a new westward journey begins — one rooted in conspiracy and celestial conflict.
How many seasons does The Westward have?
The Westward ran for 5 seasons plus a collection of specials, totalling 134 episodes. The seasons vary in length: Season 1 has 16 episodes, Season 2 has 22, Season 3 has 20, Season 4 has 12, and Season 5 is the longest with 64 episodes.
Is The Westward based on a true story or book?
The Westward is inspired by Journey to the West, the 16th-century Chinese novel attributed to Wu Cheng'en — one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The series takes creative liberties, reimagining familiar characters and mythology through a darker, conspiratorial lens rather than retelling the original story faithfully.
Where can you watch The Westward online?
The Westward originally aired on Tencent Video in China. For international viewers, streaming availability may vary by region. Check JustWatch to find the most up-to-date viewing options available in your country.
Who are the voice actors in The Westward?
The voice cast includes Xia Lei as 杀心观音, Lei Wu as 三眼神将, Ajie as 如来, Shen Dawei as 白狼, Xie Tiantian as 敖雪, Feng Junhua as 天羽织, Liu Beichen as 唐三藏, Fan Junhang as 孙悟空, Yixiao Wen as 幼年天羽织, and Du Qingqing as 毗摩质多罗.
Is The Westward series finished or still ongoing?
The Westward has concluded. The series ended in 2025 after five seasons and 134 episodes, making it a complete watch from start to finish. Fans of the show can now experience the full story without waiting for new episodes.
How does The Westward differ from classic Journey to the West?
Unlike the original tale's spiritual pilgrimage, The Westward frames the journey as a rebellion against a corrupt Heaven. Characters like Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang are reimagined in a morally complex world where celestial authority is the true antagonist, giving the story a grittier, more subversive edge.
What animated shows are similar to The Westward?
If you enjoy The Westward, you might also like Ninja Kamui, The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Marvel's Hit-Monkey, Kid Cosmic, and Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft — all action-driven animated series with strong storytelling.
More About The Westward
Explore further details about The Westward on these authoritative databases.