Saiunkoku Monogatari

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Saiunkoku Monogatari

彩雲国物語 (Tale of Saiunkoku)
Genre	Fantasy, Drama, Josei, Bishōnen
Novel: Saiunkoku Monogatari
Authored by	Sai Yukino
Artist	Kairi Yura
Publisher	Kadokawa Shoten
Publish date	2003 – (ongoing)
No. of volumes	12
Manga: Saiunkoku Monogatari
Authored by	Kairi Yura
Publisher	Kadokawa Shoten
Serialized in	Beans Ace
Original run	2005 –
No. of volumes	1
TV anime : Saiunkoku Monogatari
Directed by	Jun Shishido
Studio	Madhouse Studios
Network	NHK
Original run	8 April 2006 –
No. of episodes	39 (planned) 29 (current)

Saiunkoku Monogatari (彩雲国物語; lit. Tale of the Land of Many-Coloured Clouds, often rendered Tale of Saiunkoku) is a series of Japanese novels written by Sai Yukino and illustrated by Kairi Yura. The story currently consists of 12 volumes; it is serialized in the Japanese magazine The Beans. The story is set in a fantasy realm resembling medieval China and contains strong drama, comedy and romance elements.

A manga version, also illustrated by Kairi Yura, is serialized in Beans Ace, which is published by Kadokawa Shoten. Currently one tankoban has been released. A drama CD was released in 2005.^[1]

The anime series, produced by Madhouse Studios, is directed by Jun Shishido. It began airing in April 2006. The series is currently slated to run for 39 episodes. As of July 2006 it airs on Saturday mornings on NHK in Japan.^[2] ATV has confirmed another season of Saiunkoku Monogatari will air in April 2007 following the current 39-episode run.^[3]

1 Overview
2 Setting
- 2.1 Provinces and ruling families
3 Characters
4 Episode list
5 Theme songs
6 A note on Romanization
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Overview

The story, which takes place in the fictional medieval empire of Saiunkoku, follows the adventures of Shuurei Kou, the princess of a noble family that has fallen on hard times. Her father serves as librarian in the Imperial palace, a post which offers prestige and respect but little compensation. Shuurei teaches in the temple school and works odd jobs to make ends meet, but her dream is to pass the imperial examinations and take a post in government, a path forbidden to women. Shuurei's plans come to an abrupt halt when the Emperor's Grand Advisor makes a startling offer: join the imperial household for six months as the young Emperor's consort, and teach the Emperor to be a responsible ruler. If she succeeds, the financial reward will be great. The story details Shuurei's growing relationships with the Emperor and other members of the court, the intrigues that surround imperial politics, and Shuurei's commitment to better herself and her country.

[edit] Setting

According to legend, Saiunkoku was once infested by demons who threw the country into turmoil and made the people miserable. A brave young warrior named Sou Gen gathered together the eight Enlightened Sages of Colour and drove away the demons. Sou Gen forged the nation of Saiunkoku and became its first emperor. After Sou Gen's death, the eight sages disappeared, but according to legend they still exist among the people. A beautiful shrine was built for the Eight Coloured Sages; it still stands within the Imperial City.

Saiunkoku had always been divided into eight distinct provinces named after colours of the rainbow. Six hundred years ago, the Emperor commanded that the ruling family of each province change their names to match the province they ruled. Commoners were forbidden to share the same family names as nobles.

[edit] Provinces and ruling families

Each province in Saiunkoku is ruled by a noble family of the same name. All eight provinces and families are named after colours.

Ran (藍, Ran^?, Blue) — The most powerful clan in Saiunkoku
Kou (紅, Kō^?, Crimson) — Known as the second most powerful clan
Heki (碧, Heki^?, Green)
Kou (黄, Kō^?, Yellow) — Although pronounced the same as the 'Crimson' (紅) clan, the kanji (黄) means 'yellow'
Haku (白, Haku ^?, White)
Koku (黒, Koku ^?, Black)
Sa (茶, Sa^?, Brown) — Known as the least distinguished clan in Saiunkoku
Shi (紫, Shi^?, Purple) — The family of the Emperor

[edit] Characters

Shuurei Kou

Main article: Characters of Saiunkoku Monogatari

[edit] Episode list

The Saiunkoku Monogatari anime started airing in Japan on April 8, 2006 and will have 39 episodes in total.

Title	Original airdate	#

"Every Good Story Has A Hidden Side" "Umai hanashi ni wa ura ga aru" (うまい話には裏がある)	April 8, 2006	01
Shuurei enters the Imperial Palace as the Emperor's consort and unofficial tutor.

"A Frog In A Well Does Not Know The Great Ocean" "I no naka no kawazu taikai o shirazu" (井の中の蛙大海を知らず)	April 15, 2006	02
Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.

"The Talented Hawk Hides Its Talons" "Nou aru taka wa tsume o kakusu" (能ある鷹は爪を隠す)	April 22, 2006	03
Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.

"Casting Pearls Before Swine" "Sore wa takara no mochigusare" (それは宝の持ち腐れ)	April 29, 2006	04
After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seian is closer at hand than he previously believed.

"There Is No Genius Without Hard Work" "Doryoku ni masaru tensai nashi" (努力に勝る天才なし)	May 6, 2006	05
Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.

"Lacking The Finishing Touch" "Garyotensei o kaku" (画竜点睛を欠く)	May 13, 2006	06
Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.

"Even The Strongest Swimmer May Drown" "Yoku oyogu mono wa oboreru" (よく泳ぐ者は溺れる)	May 20, 2006	07
The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.

"Wanting To Borrow A Cat's Paws" "Neko no te mo karitai" (猫の手も借りたい)	May 27, 2006	08
Shuurei returns to her work at the temple school. Ensei Rou, one of Seiran's friends, arrives from Brown Province.

"The Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step" "Senri no michi mo ippo kara" (千里の道も一歩から)	June 3, 2006	09
Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.

"Good Things Come To Those Who Wait" "Mateba kairo no hiyori ari" (待てば海路の日和あり)	June 10, 2006	10
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.

"There Is No Cure For Lovesickness" "Koi no yamai ni kusuri nashi" (恋の病に薬なし)	June 17, 2006	11
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.

"Discretion is the Better Part of Valour" "Nigeru ga kachi" (逃げるが勝ち)	June 24, 2006	12
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.

"From A Gourd Comes A Horse" "Hyoutan kara koma" (瓢箪から駒)	July 1, 2006	13
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.

"On A Rock For Three Years" "Ishi no ue ni mo sannen" (石の上にも三年)	July 8, 2006	14
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.

"Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts" "Oya no kokoro ko shirazu" (親の心子知らず)	July 15, 2006	15
Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.

"There Are No Devils In The World" "Wataru sekai ni oni wa nai" (渡る世間に鬼はない)	July 22, 2006	16
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.

"Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" "Yabu o tsutsuite hebi o dasu" (藪をつついて蛇を出す)	August 26, 2006	17
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.

"You Can't Hide By Burying Your Head In The Sand" "Atama kakushite shiri kakusazu" (頭隠して尻隠さず)	September 2, 2006	18
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.

"If You Love Your Child, Send Her On A Journey" "Kawaii ko ni wa tabi o saseyo" (かわいい娘には旅をさせよ)	September 9, 2006	19
Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.

"Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood" "Kareki ni hana saku" (枯れ木に花咲く)	September 16, 2006	20
Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.

"The Wise Know When to Approach Danger" "Kunshi ayauki ni chikayorazu" (君子危うきに近寄らず)	September 23, 2006	21
As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.

"Where There is Life, There is Hope" "Inochi atte no monodane" (命あっての物種)	September 30, 2006	22


"It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant" "Tabi wa michidureyo wa nasake" (旅は道連れ世は情け)	October 7, 2006	23


"Water on a Sleeping Ear" "Nemimi ni mizu" (寝耳に水)	October 14, 2006	24


"An Accidental Resemblance" "Tanin no sorani" (他人のそら似)	October 21, 2006	25


"The Raven of Darkness" "Yamiyo no karasu" (闇夜の烏)	October 28, 2006	26

This list may become incomplete as new episodes are aired.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Theme songs

Opening Theme: Hajimari no Kaze by Ayaka Hirahara

Ending Theme: Saikou no Kataomoi by Sachi Tainaka

[edit] A note on Romanization

The name spellings used here are only one possible romanization, and have been chosen to correspond to the most commonly used versions. Names are given in Western order, with the family name last. The romanization style according to the Manual of Style is given in parentheses to the right of the official romanization in Japanese order, with the family name before the given name.