FINISHED
The Story of Saiunkoku
39 Episodes
25 min each
SPRING 2006
Synopsis
Saiunkoku is a world of eight provinces or houses, each named after a different colour. The new Emperor, Shi Ryuuki, has gained a reputation for being uninterested in courtly matters and for flaunting his love for men. Shuurei, although born of the important Kou family, has difficulty making ends meet. She easily accepts an invitation to be the Emperor's concubine in order to turn him into a good ruler. The mysterious Seiran, a young man who was adopted by her father, goes with her as Ryuuki's bodyguard. Entering the imperial palace revives Shuurei's dream of being a court official, and, together with the many companions she meets along the way, continues moving bravely forward while trying to fend off the Emperor's advances.
Adventure
Comedy
Drama
Fantasy
Romance
Format
Unknown
Episodes
39
Per Episode
25 min
Source
Unknown
Episodes
39 / 39 Episodes
1
Episode 1
Every Good Deal Has A Catch
After being bribed by a high authority from the palace, Shuurei enters the Imperial Palace as the Emperor's consort and unofficial tutor, in keeping her promise to encourage the prince to rise to the responsiblities of the Emperor and to begin taking interest in the country and the throne.
2
Episode 2
A Frog in the Well Knows Not About the Ocean
Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.
3
Episode 3
The Capable Falcon Hides Its Talons
Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.
4
Episode 4
Treasure Buried Is Treasure Wasted
After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.
5
Episode 5
A Genius Can't Better A Hardworking Man
Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.
6
Episode 6
Lacking The Finishing Touch
Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.
7
Episode 7
He Who Swims a Lot Will Drown
The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.
8
Episode 8
To Borrow a Cat's Paw
Shuurei returns to her work at the temple school. Ryuuki begins writing a proposal that would allow women to take the official examinations. Ensei Rou, one of Seiran's friends, arrives from Brown Province.
9
Episode 9
A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step
Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.
10
Episode 10
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
The reason bandits have been attacking Ensei Rou is revealed; while acting as temporary governor of Brown province, Ensei angered the local nobility by rejecting corruption and bribes. As he has not passed the official examination required to be a high official, Ensei returns his seal of governorship to Ryuuki. Ryuuki passes a law allowing women to take the official examinations.
11
Episode 11
There's No Medicine For Lovesickness
Seiran and the rest of the household watch over Shuurei after she catches a bad cold while chasing a troublesome student. Reishin Kou continues to conceal from Shuurei that he is her uncle. Reishin fears that if Shuurei knew his identity, she would hate him as the man who took her father's place as head of the Kou clan.
12
Episode 12
Escape is a Win in Itself
Shuurei comes to the aid of thirteen-year-old Eigetsu, who is attacked by bandits while visiting the imperial city to take the official examination. A local gang challenges the city's crimelords and Kochou, the madam of a brothel and Shuurei's longtime employer.
13
Episode 13
From a Gourd Springs a Horse
Ryuuki earns the fealty of the local crimelords by resolving trouble with a gang who had been harassing examinees. Shuurei takes the imperial examination and passes with the third highest score.
14
Episode 14
Three Years On A Rock
After making a bad first impression Shuurei and Eigetsu are ordered to spend their first two months as imperial officials cleaning the lavatory and shining shoes.
15
Episode 15
A Child Knows not of his Parent's Feelings
Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.
16
Episode 16
There Are No Demons In This World
A rumor spreads that Reishin Kou manipulated the imperial examination to allow Shuurei to pass. As Reishin is imprisoned, Shuurei, Seiran and Eigetsu face betrayal by a friend helping the conspiracy.
17
Episode 17
Poking a Bush Draws Out a Snake
In retaliation for the arrest of Shuurei and Reishin, the Kou clan goes on strike, causing half of the imperial government to shut down. Shuurei and Eigetsu rush to finish their report before the official inquiry begins at noon.
18
Episode 18
Hiding One's Head But Not One's Bottom
The plot against Shuurei is defeated after she passes a verbal examination before the Emperor and assembled officials with flying colours. Shuurei and Eigetsu's report furnishes evidence against the corrupt Sa clan official who plotted against them.
19
Episode 19
Send Your Dear Child on a Voyage
Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.
20
Episode 20
Flowers Blooming From Dead Trees
Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.
21
Episode 21
The Wise Man Does Not Court Danger
As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.
22
Episode 22
While There's Life, There's Hope
Shuurei, Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seiran leave for their journey to Sa Province, all the while assassins are following them, hired by the Sa Clan. Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seiran are caught during their stay in a hotel, while Shuurei is safely hidden.
23
Episode 23
Companionship In Travel, Compassion In Life
While the rest are caught at the borderguard in Sairi, Shuurei has to make her way on her own to Kinka. She seeks help from the Merchants Guild, becoming a servant to a man whom she met on the streets: Lin Senya.
24
Episode 24
Bolt Out Of The Blue
Ensei and Seiran were set free from their prison thanks to Kokujun, as Shuurei and Senya were finally departing after days of waiting, on Shuurei's part. Eigetsu and Kourin were also freed by Kokujun, who volunteered to bring them to Kinka.
25
Episode 25
An Accidental Resemblance
Shuurei muses over the new information she learned from Senya that the Kou princess is to marry the second son of the Sa Clan. She also sees a strange resemblance between Senya and Ryuuki. Ensei and Seiran follows Shuurei's trail of Kanrou Cha, and Eigetsu and Kourin are en route to Kinka.
26
Episode 26
Crows in a Moonless Night
The real identity of Lin Senya is revealed, and Shuurei is caught in his clutches in Chrysanthemum Castle. Seiran and Ensei heads over there to rescue Shuurei and to catch Sakujun. He escapes with Shuurei's flowerbud hairpin, telling her to go to Koren.
27
Episode 27
The Prettier the Flower, the Higher the Branch
After recooperating from her fatigue Shuurei struggles to discern her emotions. As a result she finds herself upsetting Seiran.
28
Episode 28
The Fear Is Worse Than the Danger Itself
Shuurei and Eigetsu finally begin to learn that their positions will not come easy. Shuurei allows time for Seiran in order to make up for her recent shortcomings under the guidance of Ensei. Kokujun asks to protect Shunki before he sets off for Koren to confront his brother.
29
Episode 29
Every Moment Feels Like an Eternity
Shuurei, Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou Sai head for Koren after hearing of the blockade occurring in Koren. Shortly after their departure the Emperor, Shuuei, and Kouyuu make it near Kinka. Emperor Ryuuki and his comrades come to the assistance of Seiran and Ensei in order for them to pass the blockade in Koren. Shuurei prepares herself for Sakujun's confrontation.
30
Episode 30
Judge a Women By Courage
Shuurei, Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou Sai break into Koren and head to Shou Sai's sister's home. They find two letters waiting for them there. Meanwhile, Kokujun confronts his grandfather Chuushou, while Shunki begins to make her way to Koren.
31
Episode 31
A Diamond in the Rough
Shuurei leaves the group's hideout to meet with Sakujun, becoming a guest at the Sa manor. Shourin brings Shunki to Koren and meets up with Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou.
32
Episode 32
A Woman's Word is her Bond
Shuurei searches the Sa stronghold for Kokujun and Eiki with some help from Shourin while Sakujun continues to be his creepy self around Shuurei. Shuurei meets with Chuushou and staunchly declares her unwillingness to cooperate with the Sa clan.
33
Episode 33
No use Crying Over Spilt Milk
It's the night of the selection ceremony for the new head of the Sa clan. Ensei, Eigetsu, Seiran, and Shunki sneak into the Sa stronghold and split up to help quell Chuushou's plans. Shunki reveals her secret.
34
Episode 34
Fight Poison With Poison
Shuurei and Shunki descend underground to find Kokujun, who claims the title as the next head of the Sa clan. He arrives as the appointment ceremony to claim his new place. Eigetsu and Ensei complete their plans and apprehend all of the top officials in the Sa clan. Meanwhile, Seiran confronts Sakujun, where they play a game of chance with their lives on the line.
35
Episode 35
Every Meeting Ends in Parting
Seiran's game of death with Sakujun doesn't go as planned, but there are other poisons at work. Shuurei goes to meet Sakujun one last time to retrieve her hairpin.
36
Episode 36
All is Right With the World
Shuurei and Eigetsu finally meet the other assistant governor, Tei Yuushun. The recent drama begins to wrap up and settle to a conclusion; Sa Enjun's noble goals also come to the surface. Shuurei and Eigetsu finally make it to the appointment ceremony as Sa Province's new co-governors.
37
Episode 37
Tears Fall From the Eyes Like Rain Fall From the Skies
Shuurei has been working over time with no rest in order to keep her mind off the death of Sakujun. Though she tries to hide the pain of the death of someone she loved, no one seems to be able to comfort her, until an old bosom friend comes along.
38
Episode 38
Seize the Day
Shuurei and Seiran return to Kou province for the palace celebration, and they are accompanied by their new supporters, Yuushun Tei, In Sai, and the new head of the Sa clan, Kokujun. All the government officials stand in the Imperial Palace as they wait for Shuurei's and Yuushun's grand entrance. Shuurei is acknowledged as the governor of Brown Province who saved it from collapse. She sees Ryuuki once again and presents her proposal for the future of Brown Province. She asks Ryuuki to go over her proposal on making Brown Province a center of academic research, and this will benefit Brown Province 100 years later. Everyone is amazed at Shuurei's proposal and supports it. She receives everyone's applause.
39
Episode 39
Fate Decides who Falls in Love
Shuurei and her company in the capital celebrate, but while this is going on Ryuuki and Shuurei must deal with the many emotions coming from the reuniting and plausible separation again.
Characters
Voice Actors
Houko Kuwashima (japanese)
Shuurei Kou
Main
Voice Actors
Hikaru Midorikawa (japanese)
Seiran Shi
Main
Voice Actors
Tomokazu Seki (japanese)
Ryuuki Shi
Main
Voice Actors
Toshiyuki Morikawa (japanese)
Shuuei Ran
Main
Voice Actors
Nobuyuki Hiyama (japanese)
Kouyuu Li
Main
Voice Actors
Shuuichi Ikeda (japanese)
Shouka Kou
Supporting
Staff
Sai Yukino
Original Story
Kairi Yura
Original Character Design
Jun Shishido
Director
Reiko Yoshida
Series Composition
Miwa Ooshima
Character Design
Tsutomu Nishikura
Art Director
Comments
Information
Aired
Apr 07, 2006
to Feb 23, 2007
Season
SPRING 2006
Source
Unknown
Format
Unknown
Studios
MADHOUSE
Related Anime
SEQUEL
1914
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