| | Alternate title : The Story of Saiunkoku
Studio : Madhouse Studios
Licenced by : Geneon Entertainment (USA)
Length : 39 Episodes
Year : 2006
Genre : Comedy - Drama - Historical - Romance - Shoujo
Synopsis :
Shuurei Kou is the daughter of the man who manages the treasury. However, they're not so well off. When the Grand Preceptor offers 500 pieces of gold to pay her, she can't resist taking the job (bringing along with an adopted helper, Seiran). What she's gotten herself into, however, is being the lazy emperor's consort - she has to shape him up within 6 months!
Additional Note :
1) Episode 40 begins as the first episode of the second season.
2) For the moment, only the first season of this series is licensed.
Added : 2006-05-03
Synopsis by : Chikage_Shampoo
Last update : 2010-04-15
Last update details : Modify info
Score : 7.78
Number of reviews : 9
Link(s) :
Official #1 : KADOKAWA's Saiunkoku Monogatari Website (Japanese)
Official #2 : NHK's Saiunkoku Monogatari Website (Japanese)
Song(s) :
Opening #1 : Ayaka Hirahara - Hajimari no kaze
Ending #1 : Sachi Tainaka - Saikou no Kataomoi
Release(s) :
2008-11-16 -- Episode(s) 64 by C1Anime & Animanda. BT Link
2008-11-16 -- Episode(s) 63 by C1Anime & Animanda. BT Link
2008-11-07 -- Episode(s) 62 by C1Anime & Animanda. BT Link
Found 125 releases. Click here to [ Find them! ]
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Posted by : ErwinRommel 
Posted on : 2009-01-29 
Saiunkoku Monogatari tries to merge the fantasy of ruling a vast empire with the more humble shojo romance. It succeeds to a degree, but the flaws just nags at me. I'm suspecting that this is simply because I'm a guy, (I cringe at seeing so many effeminate men) and I'm too old to be in its' target audience. So I recommend this anime to those who do not give a damn about history and/or is a teenage girl.
On the grand scheme of things Saiunkoku Monogatari is brilliant. It has a richly detailed imperial system and a very beautifully drawn environment. But at a closer inspection the anime reveals itself to be a hollow shell. What made Twelve Kingdom work so well is that every character no matter how minor adds to the story and enlivens the culture of that world. All the minor characters in Saiunkoku Monogatari on the other hand seems to cultivate a creepy Potemkin village fixated on our heroine. They always help her and is very happy to be around her. It is never apparent that Kou Shuurei, our heroine, has had a struggle that she fails in. This generates completely unrealistic and unfeasible situations. For instance, the villain's most heinous act is to wear makeup and steal several kisses from Kou Shuurei. The anime sets up the villain's history as some cold murderer yet the only thing shown to the audience is his flirtation with Kou Shuurei.
There's something about Kou Shuurei. If she isn't such an oblivious person then she could have a harem of guys that includes a few generals; a sprinkle of crazed murderers; several geniuses; and an emperor to top off her effeminate men parfait. The character Kou Shuurei is better then the average shojo and shonen anime like Naruto and Fushigi Yugi. Yet, she is quite lacking if we compare her to her peers in Clannad (Saiunkoku Monogatari is undeniably a harem anime) and Twelve Kingdom. Actually, I think it is more correct to say that her flaw in the anime is that she has no flaws of significance. She's perfect: hardworking, pretty, rich, unknowingly influential, etc. If she's already a goddess incarnate then what point is there for character development? Hence we do not see any character development. In fact, it's not just her. All the supporting characters seem to have no flaws. Our heroine is the first female government official to obtain any rank, yet the scars of her trials does not appear anywhere. She suffers, but never once did the trials have any apparent influence on her. This makes her insufferable and the show predictable.
Saiunkoku Monogatari can be forgiven in having many guys falling for the heroine Kou Shuurei. This is standard shojo and shonen harem anime (Clannad, Love Hina, Fushigi Yugi, etc.). What is unacceptable is the utter lack of care in the development of the story and character. Therefore the score it deserves is an average score.
Hence 6/10
Posted by : Kashi
Posted on : 2008-04-12
One of my friends was watching this anime and urged me to follow her example, claiming that 'it suited me so'. Intrigued and lured by the nice graphic, I gave Saiunkoku Monogatari a chance. Now, after a season and a half of it, I find myself barely willing to go on.
One thing that keeps surfacing in other reviews is the opinion that this show had potential. And it had plenty; graphics, setting, characters, story... it could have been something amazing. There are so many wrong things in this anime that I don't even know where to start.
The story should have taken place in Medieval China, but it doesn't feel like it. Certain things that take place in the anime would never be acceptable in the real China. Like the Emperor walking out of the palace in his royal clothes, without any guards. The pace of the story was very slow and irked me greatly.
As for the characters... a total disaster. The Emperor is terribly childish, and Shuurei tends to be too perfect for my taste. Also, she's almost the only prominent female character in the series. Other women barely appear, and this leaves Shuurei alone in a mass of handsome men. Incidentally, she is the only one who doesn't have a steady love interest. All the others already have someone, whether it's a husband or crush. For someone who is portrayed as being intelligent, Shuurei sure lacks insight when it comes to the romantic feelings of the men around her. Almost all seem to fall for her, praise her incessantly and only talk about how she saved them from depression or some terrible situation. In a supposedly male oriented society, this stands out too much. I don't say men never praise women but I've never heard so many men praise the same woman over and over again for so long. I'm all for the idea that women can accomplish as much as men or do even better, but this is force-feeding.
Another strange thing is that Shuurei is allowed to go out and return when she pleases and even to work in a brothel (as a receptionist and maid). I don't think a man with a high rank such as Shouka Kou would truly be pleased to see his precious daughter work in such a place. The rumors alone could kill any chance of finding a good husband for Shuurei. She also receives visits in her room at night, which again, was unheard of in real China.
The graphics are one of the few good points of the show. Nice colors, detailed and beautiful costumes. Saiunkoku Monogatari really stands out from this point of view. The music is also lovely, especially the opening theme.
All in all, I really tried to give this anime a chance, but the unrealistic setting and the epitome of perfection which is Kou Shuurei did not allow me to do so.
Posted by : rae214
Posted on : 2008-01-22
Saiunkoku Monogatari... It was mentioned to me quite a couple of time already, so just to keep people quiet, I watched it. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good as I was told it would be.
I guess I'm being unfair, but I have to point out that this anime only kept me quite interested until about half of it. After that I felt that the plot was becoming, uhm... too much? I guess by saying too much I mean too much interesting? Weird I know. However, I feel that too much of a good thing is bad, and in this anime's case, very bad. When the plot thickens too much, you actually lose perspective, and thats what happened in this case.
My other problem with the anime is silly, but hear me out: most of the guys look like women. Well at least they give off feminine vibes. There is no good looking guy in that anime which doesn't give off a feminine aura. I guess most shoujo stuff are like that, but they overdid it in this one.
Hmmm... I was irritated with the opening song, it was annoying. Didn't really strike me at the least, but I guess it was suited for an anime of this type.
Well, I have to admit the animation was good though.
I guess it was okay in all, just not something for me. Some people could enjoy it, but someone like me couldn't.
Posted by : sssl0202
Posted on : 2007-12-26
Saiunkoku Monogatari is shoujo anime with ancient China-like pseudo nation setting.
It has interesting dynamics of political plot and typical shoujo love theme going on. Unfortunately, those two elements doesn't mix very well, thus creating plenty of political plot.
For the most part, unlike other shoujo anime of this type there is lack of fantasy theme. It's a good thing and when the fantasy theme comes up it does look out of place and probably would've been better with some ghosts roaming around, but that's a minor flaw.
Saiunkoku Monogatari is almost great anime. It's unfortunate it has some glaring flaws to reach that potential.
First glaring flaws comes in from the world of Saiunoku Monogatari comes from inconsistent world. The setting of the world is very similar to ancient China so it does have male focused society. However, it completely breaks that set up with our main character Kou Shuurei running all over the place. If the world is indeed male oriented society, the women are limited to their action. Their virginity would've been highest priority, so any contact with men would've been limited or it would've brought great shame to their family. However, Kou Shuurei has no problem working in whore house. Although she doesn't work as a whore and she works as receptionist, but it isn't a job her father would go visit the owner and ask to take care of his daughter. Heck even today's world that's not easy to accept. Would you let your daughter work in strip club as waitress? I think many parents would frown upon such thing, and with setting of male oriented society, that's just absurd.
Such little thing isn't a little thing when it comes to a political plot, because political plot is based on heavy logic and common sense with everything being in order. Failure to do so immediately makes the plot full of holes and rather difficult to accept.
And then there is case of love with emperor. Emperor of course shows his devotions towards Shuurei like high school boy chasing a girl. As a man watching this anime it is more sickening than cute and romantic especially due to the setting. If it was high school setting and same kind of devotion was shown to a girl by a boy, I would've accepted it without any problem. Even if emperor did chase after Shuurei, I wouldn't have much problem if it didn't go to extreme. Also Shuurei does commit quite a bit of rude action that in real ancient China, it wouldn't have been wrong for her to be beheaded. Well, it's anime so as comic relief I guess you can accept that much, however with such heavy emphasis in politics in the plot, there are some glaring problem with this romance.
An emperor without an heir to the throne is quick way to bring instability to the kingdom. It is because emperor's distant relative wouldn't have much political influence and could easily become puppet to the nobles. Even worse if there is no relative, because then the throne is open for complete stranger to seize. Just because emperor doesn't have an heir automatically doesn't mean the country will crumble or anything, but it is high priority for an emperor to produce an heir to the throne, not only for himself but for his nation as well. So marriage for emperor isn't something you can't take leisure, but in the anime due to emperor's devoted love towards Shuurei, she is given freedom to make him wait indefinite amount of time so she can decide if she wants to be wed to him or not. Rather very unrealistic I'd say.
There are plenty more of these flaws within the plot. If the author used more careful planning and constructed the plot with more caution, then the anime would've turned out much better. It is quite admirable for the author to make this anime more than just another shoujo anime and put some thought into it, but to it seems authors desire to have female main character receiving unrealistic-feminist-oriented-selfish-love conflicts with the plot he/she created.
Well, that's another thing about Saiunkoku Monogatari. The anime tries to focus too much of "women can accomplish as much as men" and "men should completely devote their love towards women" theme. Everything simply revolves too much around Shuurei. It's one thing to create a love story where a boy chases after a girl, but this is too much. Many shonen romantic comedy like Love Hina also has same theme. However, at least in those anime the boys do fight back a little time to time and they are frustrated with lack of returned affection. Here Shuurei is too free to choose and men would do nothing but just wait and watch over her, and Shuurei shows complete ignorance towards returning their feelings and being responsible of their feelings. It effectively made this one charming girl with good heart and bright personality to be one of my most hated female main characters in anime ever. Not to mention she is loose as she can be with her lips and hugs. It would've been better if the author would've been more aware of what kind of setting he/she created before he/she put his/her character in these situations. Sure it's effective when it comes to making heart warming scenes, but it certainly breaks that illusion of ancient China like setting very quickly. It looks like ancient China, but it sure feels like high school.
It is quite unfortunate how Saiunkoku Monogatari turned out. It had really high potential to be great anime. However, the lack of careful thoughts to the political plot and the created world found in other animes such as Twelve Kingdoms, leaves Saiunkoku Monogatari as interesting anime, but far from refined.
Posted by : PolyGuru
Posted on : 2007-04-08 
Saiunkoku Monogatari or Tale of Saiunkoku is a wonderfully woven tale with a great story and excellent character development. Saiunkoku reminds me of ancient China with a political system that is much easier to understand.
There are many stories in this tale. We have the lead character of Kou Shuurei and her coming of age story as well as the fulfillment of the start of her dream.
We have Shi Seiran and his dark past which we come to know of as we journey in the Saiunkoku world. Then there is Shi Ryuuki, the great pretender who actually turns out to be a great emperor in the making.
The many stories complement one another and support the overall story of this series. The characters that are introduced are all interesting and some of them loveable. They each had their distinct personalities.
The opening song, Hajimari no Kaze is wonderful. I would repeatedly play the opening credits just to hear the song. The ending song was average until I watched the last episode. That is when I revised my opinion and said to myself that is a good tune. Maybe it needed the animation of the ending credits at episode 39 to bring out its true worth.
There is not much action in the series. In this aspect if it could get away with not showing the fights, it would. However when it did decide to animate the action sequence, they were done well.
Saiunkoku Monogatari season one has 39 episodes. The story for season one is wrapped up very neatly and it will continue on in season two. I give this series a perfect score as I enjoyed every moment of it from the light hearted and funny start it had to the more serious ands sinister tone it took in the middle to it's coming back to it's roots at the end. I look forward to the continuation of the tale in season two.
Posted by : PaperMailJar
Posted on : 2007-02-23 
It was a very.. interesting anime. One that, even though I had things to do, kept watching. Just a few statements though. One, I haven't watched this anime fully yet, just 31 episodes that were out. Two, this was my first historical comedy and romance, and I usually grade by how common I have seen the genres in one anime. That said, let's get on with the review.
Kou Shuurei is daughter of Shouka Kou. She is the only child of the important and power Kou clan, one of the eight major clans. However, despite being the direct bloodline, she is still treated poorly, as her father is not the clan leader. The huge estate they have has to be maintained, and because of that, Shuurei, her father and Seiran have to work hard to support themselves. Seiran Shi is a adopted part of their family, and the Kou family found him twelve years ago, and is very skilled in swordsmanship. So, when the Grand Preceptor Shou comes and offers Seiran and Shuurei 500 ryou of gold in exchange for a job in the castle, she accepts the offer immediately without knowing the details. It turns out she is supposed to be the Emperor's consort, and Seiran is supposed to be a guard! After researching about him, she finds out that he seems to be overall, lazy and incompetent about his job, and she has to shape him up within half a year.
Ah, and for all of you wondering, this isn't some cheesy anime, where Kou falls in love with the Emperor within days of meeting him, and they fall in love together and what not. It's much better than that, and the consort arc only lasts 7 or so episodes. Also, it's strangely appealing to me for some reason. If it would be any other anime, with any other characters, I would have dropped it within an instant, and walked away.
The characters are quite likable. They have original aspects, and still carry that air of royalty, probably because of their clothing and looks. Speaking of which, the animation was great too, and the fight scenes were not neglected, although it could involve more gore (not that I enjoy people bleeding or anything) and action. The music was nice too, and also had that historical feeling.
I was torn between a 8 and a 9, but eventually gave in to the 9. Mostly because of it's historical references that I always like to see, and the fact that they used them, while in a made up country. However, reading all the pros, you would've have thought that I gave a ten. But there is a teeny lack of romance in this anime. It is classified as a romance anime, and in a way it is. However, there were just some episodes where I felt that factor was just not kicking in.
Even so, that's not enough for a one point loss. The truth is, in some parts, it is extremely boring. However, not to worry, these bursts... or rather, parts of boredom only last at most thirty seconds, and then revert back to the attention grabbing scenes, and the fast paced plot.
Posted by : Myrah
Posted on : 2007-01-06
If you are looking for something similar to say, Juuni Kokki, this anime will do. It has pretty good historical set up, with the mix of few fighting scenes and romance here and there. But the main focus of the story is the struggle of the main heroine, shuurei to become an official and eventually accomplish her dream to help the people of the country.
Unlike some romance anime where heroine instantly falls in love with the main hero at a first sight, this one has a determined, focused, hardworking heroine with a goal in her mind. Her selfless, honest, sweet personality seem to charm every single guy in the story though. She doesn't really have any special abilities or talents, other than having an awesome family, being smart and some luck.
Music of the anime is pretty good. Opening song is above average and fitting for a romance anime.
Posted by : L4mE
Posted on : 2006-10-12
At first when i watch this anime i though it is just another mediacore anime.
However as it progress i must say that it gets more interesting from time to time.
The story:
The story is about the journey of a girl who want to become an official in saiunkoku kingdom which resemble the old china kingdom. In that time The emperor looks uninterested to the politic. For that one of the advisor call the girl to become temporary empress.
Animation:(7.5)
It is good and pretty detailed well not much to say as it is pretty average
Music:(7.5)
For those who like classic chinese music the you would love the music and ending theme the opening however is just ok
Character:(9.5)
While it has a lot of character, each of them is interesting. For example: the eccentric kou chamberlain who always uses a mask or the beautiful man Reiran or the overly jealous emperor. They also have some development (except some) in each episode
Story:(8.5)
It has an interesting plot but also fresh. So it is not like jyuuni kooki(12 kingdom) but unlike 12 kingdom you can watch it several time since it is less preasuring however unlike some very random anime well it still have some politic in it
Overall:(9.0)
It is worth to be checked just try it. Some might feel that this is lacking however for those who like to watch an old chinese background drama will love it definitely. There is also the novel to be read
Recommendation:
I definitely recommend this anime to those who like china traditional story(kingdom). since it also has some historical value about female can't work. Simply to put it is Traditional and how 'rare' people are threaten (in this case is female and very young genius) anyway if you have time you should try and watch. For those who wander well it is in chronological
Posted by : eXoTiCa
Posted on : 2006-07-08
It's a really funny show and I enjoy watching it. It is my current favorite anime. The opening and ending songs are nice and it's one of the few animes that I actually watch the opening and ending songs.
It has comedy and romance, my two weak spots.
The story goes as Shuurei bluntly accepted a job, which pays 500 gold pieces, without knowing what the job is about. It's amazing what money can do.
The drawing is rather nice. But it's around those ancient times where everyone in the village wears a robe. I always wonder how that'll be like.
I really like Ryuuki's character. He is the king, which often gets jealous. It's a comedy that'll make anyone laugh. At some points, the story gets really smooth and touching. Everyone should watch it.
It is my favorite because it’s entertaining and I can watch it all over again and not get bored.
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