Saiunkoku Monogatari



Situated in a world much like Ancient China, Kou Shuurei, a young girl, has dreamed of taking the National Exams and to serve as an official. However, only males are allowed to sit for the examination, and her dream is put on hold. She is later approached by the Imperial Court's advisor to become the Emperor's first consort, and to train him into becoming a better ruler (said Emperor has generally been lazing about, chasing men and goofing off since he took the throne) for a hefty reward. Her family is poor, so Shuurei takes up the offer and MEETS TONS OF CUTE BISHIES Stuff Happens.

(More info: Wikipedia is ur friend.)

So.

Anybody watching this series? I'm currently up to episode 22. It was recommended to me by Clorith, the conversation about which going something like this:

Clorith: It's like Fushigi Yuugi...
Lynn: *skeptical look*
Clorith: Without Miaka!
Lynn: :woot: ...So wait, you mean there're no girls?
Clorith: Oh, the main character's a girl, but she's smart. She studies!

No worries, there IS a plot. That just became an immediate secondary concern for both of us in light of the... well...



:whistle:

(And that's just the first episode.)

It's not bad, certainly reminds me of FY with the multi-coloured hair, overly pretty bishies, setting and fights (or "fights" :rolleyes: ). What I really like about this series, though, is that it doesn't focus on a grand love story for Shuurei-- it's there, and I wouldn't exactly call it subtle, but the characters themselves sorta acknowledge that there are more pressing concerns at the moment, so "love" remains very much on the backburner.

What I love most are the costumes and the supporting characters-- Shogun Ran and Li Kouyuu (the latter two in the above pic) are dominating my attention quota because of their backstories (and they're certainly not hard on the eye oh no. :wink: ).

Though I gotta admit-- there are some really pretty bishies here, but maybe they're a bit... TOO... pretty? <.< >.> Am I sane? I'm actually thinking this! Yes! No, I'm not sick, thank you very much. It's just... argh. WTF am I complaining about bishounen? XD;

My cousin is way into this series. I got to watch up to episode 13, but she had to leave, and wouldn't leave the CD's with me so I could watch some more. I really like this show, at first I was skeptical, because I thought it was going to be one of those harem type of shows, but it's really not.

And yes, major points for Shuurei! She's totally not a Miaka-type (thank God), and she's so SMART and resourseful!!! I still get all the rest of the characters names all mixed up though ;.;.

Many props to this show!

EDIT: BTW, apparantly they are going to be making a second season as well...and tell Clorith to stop in here dang it!

If you can download, I've linked to Anime Eden that has all the episodes in the title. ^_^

Heck yeah, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the names! Just when I think I've remembered the first four bishies, more pop up with similar-sounding names to confuse me! :lmao:

Haha, yeah, Shuurei is definitely not a Miaka... but I can still see her potential to annoy. *ticks off list* Lessee, she's good at cooking, embroidery, plays the erhu magnificiently, is a hard worker, has a heart of gold... Granted, the series tries to give her a good reason to have the skills she does (growing up in a poor state, one has to learn multiple skills) but still... to be SO good at what she does? :rolleyes:

Though on the flip side, I guess people will also complain if she was bad at cooking, couldn't do housework to save her life etc. Would call it a gimmick and such. Either way you write it, someone's gonna lob a "Mary Sue" label onto the poor girl.

Overall, though, I find her very likable. I think it helps immensely that she, herself, is so focused on her future, on other people; and not on her Inner Wangst. Can't help but cheer her on as she tries to make it through what is literally a male-dominated field.


On a completely different note, I swear Shogun Ran is the Kyouya of this show. :lust:

Ah, that's great! ^_^ And, er... right. Clorith. Right. *cough* Will do!

Saiunkoku!!!!! I watched this series a little while ago. I have to admit that up to part 7 or so, I was incredibly addicted. After a little while, the number of characters started to confuse me a bit and I felt the storyline was getting a bit too political for my taste...but no, I didn't want to give up on Shuurei and Ryuuki's love. :razz:

I don't think I need to go into details about the awesome number of bishies in this anime. Lynn already did all that with the pics. :lol:
However, Ryuuki is definitely my favorite. He's so humorous and cute, always following Shuurei around despite his high and all-mighty status as Emperor. I was touched by how much he understood and supported Shuurei and her desire to become a court official. It's incredibly sweet too that he's willing to wait for her no matter how long it takes her to accomplish her dreams. I have to admit I felt a little sorry for the guy because no matter how many times he admitted his love to her, she couldn't give him an answer...but again, he's so understanding and patient (except when he wants to steal a kiss or two :whistle: )! Who wouldn't want a man like that, right?

I found this anime because I was stalking Ryuuki's VA, Tomokazu Seki. I was so obsessed with his performances in Escaflowne, Full Metal Panic, Fate/Stay Night, and Fruits Basket. The character he played in this series was surprising and very refreshing.

Oh, and Lynn...what did you think of Saiunkoku's OP and credit themes? :fangirl:

Did someone say 'overly' pretty bishies? I's gotta check it out now.

From what I read, it does seem intresting. I might check it out when I get home. CURSE SCHOOL! lol ^^







:cleris: forever ^^ Sorry, spur of the moment.

:pops in: Did somebody just say Kyouya? XD

Chasing...MEN?

Saw this in the Anime OP thread and immediately linked it with FY from all the hawt, bishies in the background. Have been interested in this anime ever since, because I want another eyeful of those bishies

According to rumors...yup! :lol:
You guys should watch it if you haven't yet. Like Lynn said, the costumes are really neat, and if you like FY, the setting is very similar to that.

*just started watching season 2 for all the bishies, o'course*

:o *bows to your l337 fangrrl senses!*

Yep, well, sorta... He's just got that know-it-all, smooth, calm, unruffled demeanour to him. *coughs* Me? Fangirl? Noooo.

And yep, that WASN'T a typo. It's rumoured that the Emperor likes men, that's why Shuurei would've been his FIRST consort (I believe he has a harem but doesn't make use of it). Whether it's true or not, I leave you to watch the anime for yourself. >D

Oh, and you definitely won't be disappointed by the bishies. Even the old men were past bishies! :lmao:

:lol: I didn't mind the political take on things-- it certainly goes further than FY ever took it! Though it was such a typical ending, didn't you think? Mangakas really need to work on making their "bad guys" less obvious from their design. :rolleyes:

I think I got most confused by all the 'Kou's running around! :wacko: But I'm sloooowly getting used to everyone, and all their brothers too!

And yes, great write-up on Ryuuki, I find him so sweet too. I love how his voice changes a little into that adorable-slightly-whiny 'aniueeee' tone when he's with his brother. XD *is trying so hard to avoid naming names XD;* He also owns my favourite humour scene so far-- when he dreams of Shuurei marrying Seiran! His reaction! And Seiran's all "^__^"! :lmao:

I didn't know Tomokazu did Ryuuki's voice! Argh, that's awesome! Wow, he's been around since FY and before, when I adored his work on Chichiri-- now he's come full circle to Ryuuki!

I thought the OP was a bit slow at first, so I skipped it impatiently when I watched the first ep. ^^; *hides* But! When I finally listened to it after that, it was great! Very nice and sorta... uplifting? Hopeful? Gotta love the beginning lines with "wind" and "message"-- reminds me of a certain other couple we both support. *whistles*

True. I'll take Saiunkoku's political plot over FY any day. The ending was pretty typical and so it' not a very difficult one to guess, but considering there's a season two, I think I'm satisfied with how it ended.

SO.TRUE. :lmao:

I love that too!
Half the time, Ryuuki looks and sounds like a lost little puppy.
Definitely not your typical emperor...

Psss...Seiran's VA is Hikaru Midorikawa (Tamahome) and Sa Sakujun's VA is Takehito Koyasu (Hotohori). Isn't that somethin'? An FY bishies reunion!!! :giggle:

EDIT:
I like the anime's OP theme especially.
Think it's my taste for pretty Chinese melodies.

o.O Woah. Lookit all da purty bishies. Personally, I'm not a big fan of pretty boys (*gets brick in face*) but DAMN Lynn, I'm interested now after you mentioned a Kyouya-ish guy. :lmao:

I think I might get annoyed with the main girl though. After you listed down all of her talents, I'm afraid I might want to strangle her. :sweat: Um. Well. She isn't clingy now, is she?

She's completely the opposite of clingy, IMO.
Personally, I didn't find Shuurei annoying at all, as perfect as she is with housework and whatever else. She's certainly nothing like Miaka...but if you do like Miaka, there's a chance you might not like Shuurei :P

If you guys want a better look at the bishies characters before deciding if you want to watch this anime: Saiunkoku Monogatari OP

Ah!! Lynn posted about Saiunkoku!! Yes the bishies!!! The glorious bishies!! :fangirl: I worship Ryuuki, even bought the official Ryuuki handphone dangler. :D Not that I don't love the others too! My friend got so taken by Kouyuu and his bad sense of direction that she went to the extreme of making mishapen siew mais just like him. XD

I'm soooo bummed that the series got licensed!! :cry:

Mmm... Not really my cup of tea. I gave it about 10 episodes before I deleted everything I had DLed. >_>;; Everything just moved a bit too slow for me. Maybe too much "Slice of (Fictional Medieval China)Life" for me... Or maybe it was the bishis. Same thing happened with Perfect Girl Evo. <_<