how common is it for adaptations to give stone monkey a (usually female) friend on flowerfruit mountain? i've noticed it in a couple adaptations and wonder if it comes from a specific adaptation
At least I think we can all think of one man in particular for the common grey-fur monkey companion that Shihou/Wukong has...
And that is Tezuka Osamu!
I think it starts with his manga My SonGoku ぼくの孫悟空.
This was first published in 1952 and has been quite influential in Japanese interpretations of Sun Wukong.
He was actually influenced by Tessen Koshu who made the Princess Iron Fan cartoon 铁扇公主 in 1941 with that kind of rubber hose kind of art style.
Anyway, the main point is that this guy made a certain character at the start of his manga before Wukong left for his training.
"While Biko, a monkey born from a stone, starts as a shy crybaby, he becomes the king of the monkeys with the encouragement of a gentle sister monkey, LinLin. He learns Senjutsu, becomes Son Goku, and goes on a rampage in Heaven...
Sister edition of "Boku no Son Goku", girls' manga version "Journey to the West"."
Otherwise known as RinRin depending on how you translate it. Or even DeeDee or Reina. Depends on what you are looking at.
"RinRin-chan" The tomboyish monkey to the main character. She names the stone monkey Biko and takes care of him as an older sister."
リンリン|キャラクター|手塚治虫 TEZUKA OSAMU OFFICIAL
I haven't read the manga (I don't know Japanese) nor do I understand how manga history in how this is both a "Hitomi" (Akita Shoten) 1960 serialization but I do know she is credited to Tezuka Osamu. And her influence has been in serial more of a couple of Japanese Xiyouji iterations.
Her next appearance being in ALAKAZAN THE GREAT Saiyuki ぼくの孫悟空 which was made in 1960. This was written by Baku Yumemakura who was a fan of Tezuka Osamu's works where she goes by RinRin. A pretty one-to-one look from what she looked like in the manga
This is also some inspiration in the 1967 Goku's Great Adventures 悟空の大冒険 but any female side character was replaced with a fairy-like person Tatsuko. She isn't Rinrin of course but I think that since this was also credited to Tezuka Osamu that having a pink-themed older sister character was what inspired her.
There was also a female monkey by the name of Fanya from the 1999 Magic Monkey モンキーマジックTV series that is more well-known for its video game. Not named Rinrin at all but... look at her. She gets TWO flowers in her hair and a pink theme. I know flowers and pink aren't the most creative choice for a girl monkey but that is a clear inspiration.
She wasn't really seen by name until the 2003 movie, My Son Goku ぼくの孫悟空 where she was brought back by where she goes by Reina in the eng subs! Here her name is slightly different but I think that this might be my favorite version of her thus far! She is such a caring person and while he isn't in the movie that long she plays such an impactful role!
These are mostly Japanese interpretations because of their tie with the My SonGoku manga but there are a few more giving Wukong a grey monkey friend in his Shihou phase in Chinese interpretations.
The only one I can think of that can be a real nod of acknowledgment is really 1999 Legends of the Monkey King 西游记 with an unnamed girl monkey (if she does have a name please let me know I've never learned it!) Love the change from pink to yellow, we are getting creative here.
These are all the examples I can think of at least in the media I've personally seen!
The only grey-furred sidekick thus far was LiuEr Mihou from Monkey King 2009 美猴王. I think this one might be more coincidental with the grey fur and the pink theme but that would be hilarious if it was to fit the 'childhood best friend' card that Rinrin, a completely different character, has set.
I do find some comments on how LiuEr in this version took RINRIN'S place as the childhood best friend trope. Like that idea of Wukong in his Stone Monkey phase of life having a Best friend is now tied to the image of Rinrin! It is funny to think that out of all the interactions of giving Wukong sidekicks, this one seems to be a re-occurring one consistently. Sadly I haven't seen another version in nearly 20 years!! We've been deprived!
Will we see this character again soon? Hard to say considering it's been so long but I love that in at least 3 different Japanese Xiyouji interactions and a general nod in acknowledgment in 2 as well.
Until we see you again beautiful queen!