The Story of Saiunkoku (彩雲国物語, Saiunkoku Monogatari?, lit. Tale of the Land of Colored Clouds) is a series of Japanese light novels written by Sai Yukino and illustrated by Kairi Yura. As of December 2008, fourteen volumes of the series have been released. Three side story anthologies have also been released, collecting stories originally published in The Beans magazine.
A manga version, also illustrated by Kairi Yura, is serialized in Beans Ace, which is published by Kadokawa Shoten. However when Beans Ace ended, the manga was moved to Monthly Asuka. Currently, five tankōbon volumes have been released. The series has been licensed by Viz Media for an English release in North America as part their Shojo Beat imprint.
The anime adaptation series, produced by Madhouse Studios, is directed by Jun Shishido, and broadcast on the Japanese television network NHK on Saturday mornings. The first season began airing on April 8, 2006, and completed its run on February 24, 2007, airing a total of 39 episodes. The second season, titled Saiunkoku Monogatari Second Series (彩雲国物語 第2シリーズ?) began airing on April 7, 2007 and consists of another 39 episodes, ending its run on March 8, 2008.
Plot
Story
Set in the fictional empire of Saiunkoku, the story centers on Shurei Kou, a descendant of a noble family that has fallen on hard times.
Her father works as a librarian in the Imperial palace, a post which offers prestige and respect, but little compensation. Shurei 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.
Shurei's plans come to an abrupt halt when the Emperor's Grand Advisor makes a startling offer for her to 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 Shurei's growing relationship with the Emperor and other members of the court, the intrigues of imperial politics, and her commitment to better herself and her country.
Setting
According to legend, Saiunkoku was once infested by demons who threw the country into turmoil. A brave young warrior named Sō Gen gathered together the Eight Enlightened Sages of Colour and drove away the demons.
Sō Gen then forged the nation of Saiunkoku and became its first emperor. After Sō 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 and still stands within the Imperial City.
Saiunkoku had always been divided into eight provinces named after colours of the rainbow: . Six hundred years ago, the Emperor commanded each ruling clan to change its name to match its province. Commoners were forbidden to use the same family names as nobles.
List of Saiunkoku's provinces
* Ran (藍, Ran?, Indigo) — The most powerful clan in Saiunkoku, although it plays a dormant role in national politics.
* Hong (紅, Kō?, Crimson) — Equal power to Ran clan, with which it is known as the 'highest of nobility'.[n 1]
* Heki (碧, Heki?, Jade Green)-The family known to master both arts and literature.
* Ko (黄, Kō/Ki?, Yellow)[n 2]
* Haku (白, Haku?, White)
* Koku (黒, Koku?, Black)
* Sa (茶, Sa?, Brown) - The clan which held the least power in the land, trying to take their family honor higher up to a powerful degree
* Shi (紫, Shi?, Purple) — The Imperial family.
* Hyou (縹, Hyou?, Light Indigo) - A mysterious magician shadow-like clan in the story, although rarely playing any political role it also had one of great influence over the people.
Characters
Main article: List of The Story of Saiunkoku characters
Shurei Hong (紅 秀麗, Kō Shūrei?)
Shurei Hong is the daughter and only child of Shoka Hong of the Hong clan, one of the two most powerful clans in Saiunkoku. She is sixteen years old when the story begins. As a descendant of the direct line, she has the title hime, which means 'princess' or 'lady'. Despite the high social status of her clan, Shurei grew up in relatively impoverished circumstances. Her father's job brings little income, and much of the wealth of their family home was given to the needy during the devastating fight for the imperial succession eight years ago. There are no servants at the Hong residence, so Shurei has grown adept at household chores such as needlework, cooking and cleaning, traits unusual in a lady of high rank.
Ryuki Shi (紫 劉輝, Shi Ryūki?)
Ryuki Shi is the reigning emperor of Saiunkoku. He is nineteen years old when the story begins. The youngest of six brothers, he was an unlikely candidate to ascend to the throne. Of his five elder brothers, four killed each other over the succession and one was exiled for treason. Ryuki secretly hoped that Seien, his beloved older brother, would eventually return from exile and take his place as Emperor. Ryuki's avoidance of responsibility comes to an end when he meet Shurei, who tells him of her dreams to make a better life for the nation's people. Ryuki decides to take on his responsibilities and become a respectable Emperor.
Seiran Si (茈 静蘭, Shi Seiran?)
Seiran Si is a low-ranking army officer and the sole remaining retainer in the Hong household. Seiran was taken in thirteen years ago by Shoka Hong, but no one in the household knows about Seiran's past. He has made a vow to spend his life repaying the kindness of Shoka and Shurei Hong. He is a very skilled fighter and swordsman and is usually found following Shurei to guard her, even when she does not know it. Seiran is later revealed to be the previously exiled second elder brother of Ryuki, Seien. He then discreetly protects the emperor by guarding him and giving him hints on decisions to be made, as Seien was often referred to as the son with the greatest potential to become a good emperor in his childhood.
Koyu Ri (李 絳攸, Ri Kōyū?)
Though young, Koyu Ri is a civil official holding a high position in the government. He is the Assistant Secretary of Civil Affairs which is one of the ministries under the State Affairs Department of the Imperial Chamber. Koyu became the youngest person ever to pass the official examinations at the age of 16, taking the top ranked "Jougen" spot. As the series begins, Koyu is assigned directly to the Emperor, a position that infuriates him because the wandering Emperor never carries out his duties and can rarely even be found. Despite his reputation as a genius, Koyu is notorious for having no sense of direction. He gets lost in the palace within 30 steps and it sometimes takes him two hours to get to a destination that only takes 15 minutes for another person, though he does seem to find his way when there is trouble or when he is drunk.
Shuei Ran (藍 楸瑛, Ran Shūei?)
He is the General of the Shaorin army. Also part of the Ran family, one of the two greatest clans. The fourth oldest of five brothers. A very skilled swordsman and is usually calm, but likes to tease others. His fighting skills are legendary, due to his training by the Shiba clan (retainers of the Ran clan who excel in swordsmanship). He claims to be Koyu's best friend, though Koyu keeps denying it. Unlike Koyu, Shuei is a womanizer. He often mentions how nice it is to spend time with women and is surrounded by a horde of women after winning the fighting tournament.
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