The Story of Saiunkoku
The Story of Saiunkoku
TV ShowEnded

The Story of Saiunkoku

6.6 / 10
2006
2 seasons
78 episodes
AnimationAction & AdventureDramaSci-Fi & Fantasy

Saiunkoku is a world of eight provinces or houses, each named after a different colour. The new Emperor, Shi Ryuuki, has gained for 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.

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Cast

Seasons

  • Ep 1

    1.Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side

    08-04-200625m

    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 pr...

  • Ep 2

    2.A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean

    15-04-200625m

    Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.

  • Ep 3

    3.The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons

    22-04-200625m

    Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.

  • Ep 4

    4.Casting Pearls Before Swine

    29-04-200625m

    After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.

  • Ep 5

    5.There is no Genius Without Hard Work

    06-05-200625m

    Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.

  • Ep 6

    6.Lacking the Finishing Touch

    13-05-200625m

    Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.

  • Ep 7

    7.Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown

    20-05-200625m

    The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.

  • Ep 8

    8.Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws

    27-05-200625m

    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, arr...

  • Ep 9

    9.The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

    03-06-200625m

    Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.

  • Ep 10

    10.Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

    10-06-200625m

    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 bri...

  • Ep 11

    11.There is no Cure for Lovesickness

    17-06-200625m

    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 h...

  • Ep 12

    12.Discretion is the Better Part of Valour

    24-06-200625m

    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 cit...

  • Ep 13

    13.From a Gourd Comes a Horse

    01-07-200625m

    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...

  • Ep 14

    14.On a Rock for Three Years

    08-07-200625m

    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.

  • Ep 15

    15.Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts

    15-07-200625m

    Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.

  • Ep 16

    16.There are no Devils in the World

    22-07-200625m

    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 help...

  • Ep 17

    17.Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes

    26-08-200625m

    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 re...

  • Ep 18

    18.You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand

    02-09-200625m

    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 ev...

  • Ep 19

    19.If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey

    09-09-200625m

    Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.

  • Ep 20

    20.Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood

    16-09-200625m

    Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.

  • Ep 21

    21.The Wise Know When to Approach Danger

    23-09-200625m

    As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.

  • Ep 22

    22.Where There is Life, There is Hope

    30-09-200625m

    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 Seir...

  • Ep 23

    23.It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant

    07-10-200625m

    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 sh...

  • Ep 24

    24.Water on a Sleeping Ear

    14-10-200625m

    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 al...

  • Ep 25

    25.An Accidental Resemblance

    21-10-200625m

    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...

  • Ep 26

    26.Ravens in the Moonless Night

    28-10-200625m

    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....

  • Ep 27

    27.The Prettier the Flower, the Higher the Branch

    18-11-200625m

    After recooperating from her fatigue Shuurei struggles to discern her emotions. As a result she finds herself upsetting Seiran.

  • Ep 28

    28.Worry Gives Small Things Large Shadows

    25-11-200625m

    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 guidanc...

  • Ep 29

    29.Many Years' Worth of Thoughts in a Single Day

    09-12-200625m

    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...

  • Ep 30

    30.Women are Brave

    16-12-200625m

    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...

  • Ep 31

    31.A Diamond in the Rough

    23-12-200625m

    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.

  • Ep 32

    32.A Woman's Word is Her Bond

    06-01-200725m

    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 st...

  • Ep 33

    33.No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk

    13-01-200725m

    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 plan...

  • Ep 34

    34.Poison Gets the Better of Poison

    20-01-200725m

    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...

  • Ep 35

    35.Meeting is the Beginning of Parting

    27-01-200725m

    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.

  • Ep 36

    36.All is Right in the World

    03-02-200725m

    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 s...

  • Ep 37

    37.Tears Fall Like Rain From Heaven

    10-02-200725m

    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 seem...

  • Ep 38

    38.There is no Today After Today

    17-02-200725m

    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, Kokuju...

  • Ep 39

    39.Fate is an Inscrutable and Interesting Thing

    24-02-200725m

    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...

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