Unlike more literal translations of the text, the 1998 adaptation is lauded for its "humanizing" of the supernatural characters. It weaves in themes of: Brotherhood and Loyalty:
For researchers, fans of xianxia (Chinese fantasy), or those studying cross-cultural adaptations, the 1998 series represents a bridge between old-school television production and the digital era—and a rare opportunity to see the entire Journey to the West narrative performed by the most beloved cast in the novel’s adaptation history.