The Story of Saiunkoku (彩雲国物語, Saiunkoku Monogatari) anime series was produced by Madhouse Studios and directed by Jun Shishido. It premiered in Japan on NHK on April 8, 2006. The first season ran for 39 episodes until its conclusion on February 24, 2007. The second season, referred to as Saiunkoku Monogatari Second Series (彩雲国物語 第2シリーズ), premiered on April 7, 2007 and ran for another 39 episodes until its conclusion on March 8, 2008.
In May 2007, Geneon Entertainment announced it had acquired the license to releases the anime in North America with English language options. In September 2007, after only two volumes had been released, Geneon closed its North America operations. In July 2008, Funimation Entertainment announced that it will distribute several Geneon titles, including The Story of Saiunkoku.
Overview[]
Based on the light novels by Sai Yukino, The Story of Saiunkoku tells the story of a kingdom who is recuperating after a tumultuous civil war that left the throne in the hands of an incapable Emperor, who inherited the throne after four of the other heirs were arrested for treason while another one was exiled.
Kou Shuurei, a spirited but impoverished young noblewoman who aspires to become a government official in hopes of bettering her country, finds her dreams inhibited by the fact that women are barred from civil service. Her father, Kou Shouka, works in the Archives of the Imperial Palace, a position that offers some prestige, though does not pay well. Shuurei teaches at the local temple and works at various jobs to help make ends meet.
In order to force Shi Ryuuki, the Emperor of Saiunkoku, to take up his responsibilities, Shuurei agrees to the request of the Emperor's advisors to become the Emperor's consort for six months. Through Shuurei's influence, Ryuuki strives to become a good emperor and the lives of everyone they come to know begin to change. As Shuurei accomplishes her dream of becoming an official, the story follows her interactions with the Emperor and other members at court; the political intrigues that take place within the imperial court; and her commitment to better herself and her country.
Episodes[]
Season 1[]
# | Title | Original Air Date | |
---|---|---|---|
01 | Every Good Deal has a Catch Umai hanashi ni wa ura ga aru (うまい話には裏がある) |
April 8, 2006 | |
Shūrei Hong, a young lady from the honourable Hong Clan, lives in Saiunkoku’s Imperial City, Kiyo, where she makes a living by teaching children and struggles to make ends meet. One day, a high official from the Imperial court, Advisor Sho, arrives with a once-in-a-lifetime offer. Dazzled by the chance to be allowed in the Imperial compound and the high compensation rate, she readily accepted his offer and becomes a consort and tutor for the new Emperor of Saiunkoku. | |||
02 | A Frog in the Well Knows Not About the Ocean I no naka no kawazu taikai o shirazu (井の中の蛙大海を知らず) |
April 15, 2006 | |
Shūrei enters the Royal Harem as the consort and person-in-charge of educating the new Emperor, Ryūki. As she spends the days with him, she has the inkling of an idea that he isn’t the fool everyone makes him out to be. On the contrary, she feels that he may turn into a good king if given the right opportunity and education. After learning that Ryūki has never gone into the city, she secretly takes him out to the downtown area in order to show him the lives of the common people. | |||
03 | A Capable Falcon Hides Its Talons Nō Aru Taka wa Tsume o Kakusu (能ある鷹は爪を隠す) |
April 22, 2006 | |
04 | Treasure Buried is Treasure Wasted "Sore wa takara no mochigusare (それは宝の持ち腐れ) |
April 29, 2006 | |
05 | A Genius Can't Better a Hardworking Man Doryoku ni masaru tensai nashi (努力に勝る天才なし) |
May 6, 2006 | |
06 | Lacking the Finishing Touch Garyōtensei o Kaku (画竜点睛を欠く) |
May 13, 2006 | |
07 | He who swims a lot will drown Yoku oyogu mono wa oboreru (よく泳ぐ者は溺れる) |
May 20, 2006 | |
08 | To Borrow a Cat's Paw Neko no te mo karitai (猫の手も借りたい) |
May 27, 2006 | |
09 | A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step Senri no michi mo ichi-ho kara (千里の道も一歩から) |
June 3, 2006 | |
10 | 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 | |
11 | There is No Cure for Lovesickness Koi no yamai ni kusuri nashi (恋の病に薬なし) |
June 17, 2006 | |
12 | Escape is a Win in Itself Nigeru ga kachi (逃げるが勝ち) |
June 24, 2006 | |
13 | From a Gourd Springs a Horse Hyōtan kara Koma (瓢箪から駒) |
July 1, 2006 | |
14 | Three Years on a Rock Ishi no ue ni mo sannen (石の上にも三年) |
July 8, 2006 | |
15 | A Child Knows Not of His Parent's Feelings Oya no kokoro ko shirazu (親の心子知らず) |
July 15, 2006 | |
16 | There are No Demons in This World Wataru Seken ni Oni wa Nai (渡る世間に鬼はない) |
July 22, 2006 | |
17 | Poking a Bush Draws Out a Snake (Let Sleeping Dogs Lie) Yabu o tsutsuite hebi o dasu (藪をつついて蛇を出す) |
August 26, 2006 | |
18 | Hiding One's Head but Not One's Bottom Atama kakushite shiri kakusazu (頭隠して尻隠さず) |
September 2, 2006 | |
19 | Send Your Dear Child 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 | |
20 | Flowers Blooming from Dead Trees "Kareki ni hana saku (枯れ木に花咲く) |
September 16, 2006 | |
21 | The Wise Man Does Not Court Danger Kunshi ayauki ni chikayorazu (君子危うきに近寄らず) |
September 23, 2006 | |
22 | While There's Life, There's Hope Inochi atte no monodane (命あっての物種) |
September 30, 2006 | |
23 | Companionship in Travel, Compassion in Life Tabi wa Michizure Yo wa Nasake (旅は道連れ世は情け) |
October 7, 2006 | |
24 | Bolt Out of the Blue Nemimi ni mizu (寝耳に水) |
October 14, 2006 | |
25 | An Accidental Resemblance Tanin no sorani (他人のそら似) |
October 21, 2006 | |
26 | Crows in a Moonless Night Yamiyo no karasu (闇夜の烏) |
October 28, 2006 | |
27 | The Prettier the Flower, the Higher the Branch Hana wa Oritashi Kozue wa Takashi (花は折りたし梢は高し) |
November 18, 2006 | |
28 | The Fear is Worse than the Danger Itself Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi (案ずるより産むが易し) |
November 25, 2006 | |
29 | Every Moment Feels Like an Eternity Ichijitsu Senshū no Omoi (一日千秋の思い) |
December 9, 2006 | |
30 | Judge Women by Courage Onna wa dokyō (女は度胸) |
December 16, 2006 | |
31 | A Diamond in the Rough Hakidame ni tsuru (掃きだめに鶴) |
December 23, 2006 | |
32 | A Woman's Word is Her Bond Onna ni mo Nigon Nashi (女にも二言なし) |
January 6, 2007 | |
33 | No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk Fukusui Bon ni Kaerazu (覆水盆に返らず) |
January 13, 2007 | |
34 | Fight Poison with Poison Doku o motte doku o seisu (毒をもって毒を制す) |
January 20, 2007 | |
35 | Every Meeting Begins in Parting Au wa wakare no hajime (逢うは別れの始め) |
January 17, 2007 | |
36 | All is Right with the World Yo wa subete koto mo nashi (世はすべてこともなし) |
February 3, 2007 | |
37 | Tears Fall from the Eyes Like Rain Falls from the Skies Ame wa ten kara, namida wa me kara (雨は天から, 涙は目から) |
February 10, 2007 | |
38 | Seize the Day Kyō no Nochi ni Kyō Nashi (今日の後に今日なし) |
February 17, 2007 | |
39 | Fate Decides Who Falls in Love En wa I na Mono Aji na Mono (縁は異なもの味なもの) |
February 24, 2007 | |
Season 2[]
# | Title | Original Air Date | |
---|---|---|---|
01 | There's No Place Like Home Wagaya ni Masaru Tokoro Nashi (わが家に勝る所なし) |
April 7, 2007 | |
02 | Life Goes On Despite Tears and Laughter Naku mo warau mo onaji isshō (泣くも笑うも同じ一生) |
April 14, 2007 | |
03 | Birds of a Feather Flock Together Rui wa Tomo o Yobu (類は友を呼ぶ) |
April 21, 2007 | |
04 | If Winter Comes, Can Spring be Far Behind? Fuyu Kitarinaba Haru Tōkaraji (冬来りなば春遠からじ) |
April 28, 2007 | |
05 | Love is Not Stingy in Giving Ai wa Oshimi Naku Atau (愛は惜しみなく与う) |
May 5, 2007 | |
06 | A Peal of Thunder in a Blue Sky Seiten no hekireki (青天の霹靂) |
May 12, 2007 | |
07 | Wholeheartedness Penetrates Even Stone Isshin iwa o mo Tousu (一心岩をも透す) |
May 19, 2007 | |
08 | Exhausting Human Abilities, One Waits for Heaven's Will Jinji o Tsukushite Tenmei o Matsu (人事を尽くして天命を待つ) |
May 16, 2007 | |
09 | Meeting the Buddha in Hell Jigoku de hotoke ni au (地獄で仏に会う) |
June 2, 2007 | |
10 | The Awaited Person Finally Arrives Machibito Kitaru (待ち人きたる) |
June 9, 2007 | |
11 | The Husband is Always the Last to Know Shiranu wa teishu bakari nari (知らぬは亭主ばかりなり) |
June 16, 2007 | |
12 | There is No Courage If You Do Not Do What is Just Gi wo mite sezaru ha yuunaki nari (義を見てせざるは勇なきなり) |
June 30, 2007 | |
13 | Hurrying Leads to Mistakes Seite wa Koto o Shisonjiru (急いては事を仕損じる) |
July 7, 2007 | |
14 | Enter the Tiger's Den Koketsu ni Iru (虎穴に入る) |
July 14, 2007 | |
15 | A Flash of Time Issun no Kōin (一寸の光陰) |
July 21, 2007 | |
16 | Candle in the Wind Fūzen no tomoshibi" (風前のともし火) |
July 28, 2007 | |
17 | Up and Down Seven Times Ukishizumi Nanatabi (浮き沈み七度) |
August 4, 2007 | |
18 | The Road is Distant After Sunset Hi Kurete Michi Tōshi (日暮れて道遠し) |
September 15, 2007 | |
19 | Counting Your Chickens Before They Hatch Toranu tanuki no kawa zanyo (捕らぬ狸の皮算用) |
September 22, 2007 | |
20 | All is Lost That is Given to a Fool Noren ni ude oshi (暖簾に腕押し) |
September 29, 2007 | |
21 | A Frog's Child is a Frog "Kaeru no ko wa kaeru (蛙の子は蛙) |
October 6, 2007 | |
22 | A Insect in a Lion's Body Shishi shinchū no mushi (獅子身中の虫) |
October 13, 2007 | |
23 | Misery Loves Company Nakitsura ni hachi (泣き面に蜂) |
October 20, 2007 | |
24 | One Good Turn Deserves Another Nasake wa hito no tame narazu (情けは人のためならず) |
October 27, 2007 | |
25 | The Hardships of Youth are Worth Bearing Wakai Toki no Kurō wa Katte mo Seyo (若いときの苦労は買ってもせよ) |
November 3, 2007 | |
26 | Even the Wisest will Flee When They are Fools Taiken wa Gu naru ga Gotoshi (大賢は愚なるが如し) |
November 11, 2007 | |
27 | Better to Be the One Who Waits Than the One Who is Awaited Matareru mi yori matsu mi (待たれる身より待つ身) |
November 17, 2007 | |
28 | Peaches and Chestnuts in Three Years, Persimmons in Eight Momo Kuri Sannen Kaki Hachinen (桃栗三年柿八年) |
November 24, 2007 | |
29 | Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder Tōzakaru hodo Omoi ga Tsunoru (遠ざかる程想いが募る) |
December 1, 2007 | |
30 | The Silent Firefly's Body Consumed by Love Nakanu hotaru ga mi o kogasu" (鳴かぬ蛍が身を焦がす) |
December 12, 2007 | |
31 | One Reaps What One Sows Mi kara deta sabi (身から出たさび) |
January 5, 2008 | |
32 | With Painful Reluctance Ushirogami o hikareru (後ろ髪を引かれる) |
January 12, 2008 | |
33 | As the Seasons Change, So Does the Mind Tsukihi Kawareba Ki mo Kawaru (月日変われば気も変わる) |
January 26, 2008 | |
34 | Bluer than Indigo Ai yori aoshi (藍より青し) |
February 2, 2008 | |
35 | Crossing a Dangerous Bridge Abunai hashi o wataru (危ない橋を渡る) |
February 9, 2008 | |
36 | Fortune is Where One Finds It Jinsei Itaru Tokoro ni Seizan Ari (人生いたる所に青山あり) |
February 16, 2008 | |
37 | The Eyes are the Mirror of the Soul Me wa kokoro no kagami (目は心の鏡) |
February 23, 2008 | |
38 | Friends Through Life an Death Funkei no Majiwari (刎頚の交わり) |
March 1, 2008 | |
39 | Fate Crosses the Distance En Areba Senri (縁あれば千里) |
March 8, 2008 | |
Cast and Staff[]
- Director: Jun Shishido
- Series Composition: Reiko Yoshida
- Script: Ayuna Fujisaki, Kurasumi Sunayama, Reiko Yoshida
- Storyboard
- Hiromi Yokoyama
- Jun Fujiwara
- Jun Shishido
- Kimiko Tamai
- Kiyotaka Ohata
- Shigeru Kimiya
- Takeo Takahashi
- Yo Miura
- Yumi Kamakura
- Episode Director
- Hajime Ohtani
- Hiromi Yokoyama
- Makoto Shinohara
- Shota Kawajiri
- Tokio Yamauchi
- Music: Kunihiko Ryo
- Original creator: Sai Yukino (novel)
- Original Character Design: Kairi Yura (novel illustration)
- Character Design: Miwa Oshima
- Art Director: Chikara Nishikura
- Animation Director
- Ki Duk Park
- Kimiko Tamai,
- Kyong Seok Choi,
- Nam Yul Park
- Seong Jong Kim
- Tatsuyuki Maeda
- Tomoko Shimizu
- Sound Director: Fusanobu Fujiyama
- Director of Photography: Shinya Matsui
- Producer: Ikuko Shimogawara, Yuji Shibata
- Animation producer: Masao Maruyama, Satoshi Yoshimoto
- Background Art
- Kumiko Inoue
- Makiko Fujino
- Manabu Fukuda
- Mayumi Shirata
- Rina Fujiwara
- Clean-Up Animation: Hitomi Takei
- Color design: Chiharu Tanaka
- Conceptual Design: Kazuo Watanabe
- Editing: Kashiko Kimura
- In-Between Animation: Kanoko Abe
- Key Animation: Mika Takazawa
- Photography: Natsuka Kawano, Tomohiro Suga
- Production Coordination: Atsuko Kashiwagi, Hideo Ihara
- Recording: Hiroyasu Yamashita
- Sound Effects: Shoji Kato
- Theme Song Arrangement: Akihira Koyama (ED), Takeshi Fujii (ED), YANAGIMAN (OP)
- Theme Song Composition: ID (OP), Sachi Tainaka (ED)
- Theme Song Lyrics: Sachi Tainaka (ED)
- Theme Song Performance: Ayaka Hirahara (OP), Sachi Tainaka (ED)
Music[]
The series uses three pieces of theme music. "Hajimari no Kaze" (はじまりの風, lit. "Wind of Beginnings") by Ayaka Hirahara is used for the opening theme for both the first and second seasons. For the ending theme, "Saikō no Kataomoi" (最高の片想い, lit. "The Greatest Unrequited Love") by Sachi Tainaka is used for the first season, while "Asu e" (明日へ, lit. "To Tomorrow") by Miho Teruya is used for the second season.