Overview
FormatTV
StudioMADHOUSE
AniList Score74%
StatusFINISHED
Characters
Shuurei Koumain
Seiran Shimain
Ryuuki Shimain
Shuuei Ranmain
Kouyuu Limain
Shouka Kousupporting
Ensei Rousupporting
Eigetsu Tosupporting
Kourinsupporting
Houju Kousupporting
Reishin Kousupporting
Ryuuren Ransupporting
Sakujun Sasupporting
Soujun Sasupporting
Kurou Kousupporting
Shusuisupporting
Yuushun Teisupporting
Shou Saisupporting
Kokujun Sasupporting
Hakumei Hekisupporting
Staff
Sai YukinoOriginal Story
Kairi YuraOriginal Character Design
Jun ShishidoDirector
Reiko YoshidaSeries Composition
Miwa OoshimaCharacter Design
Tsutomu NishikuraArt Director
Chiharu TanakaColor Design
Fusanobu FujiyamaSound Director
Ryou KunihikoMusic
Masao MaruyamaAnimation Producer
Satoshi YoshimotoAnimation Producer
Sachi TainakaTheme Song Performance (ED)
Ayaka HiraharaTheme Song Performance (OP)
Reiko YoshidaScript (ep 4, 5)
Ayuna FujisakiScript (ep 2)
Kazuyuki FudeyasuScript (eps 6-8, 12, 13, 16, 20, 24, 26, 31, 34, 36)
Tomohiko ItouStoryboard (ep 17)
Shigeru KimiyaStoryboard (eps 8, 14)
Takeo TakahashiStoryboard (ep 4)
Sachi TainakaTheme Song Lyrics (ED)
Other Details
Native Title彩雲国物語
Aired Year2006 (SPRING)
Source MaterialLIGHT NOVEL
Genres
AdventureComedyDramaFantasyRomance
The Story of Saiunkoku
2006TVFINISHED74% Score
Synopsis
EP 1
Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side
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 prince to rise to the responsiblities of the Emperor and to begin taking interest in the country and the throne.
EP 2
A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean
Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.
EP 3
The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons
Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.
EP 4
Casting Pearls Before Swine
After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.
EP 5
There is no Genius Without Hard Work
Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.
EP 6
Lacking the Finishing Touch
Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.
EP 7
Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown
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
Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws
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, arrives from Brown Province.
EP 9
The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.
EP 10
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
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.
EP 11
There is no Cure for Lovesickness
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.
EP 12
Discretion is the Better Part of Valour
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.
EP 13
From a Gourd Comes a Horse
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.
EP 14
On a Rock for Three Years
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
Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts
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
There are no Devils in the World
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.
EP 17
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes
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.
EP 18
You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand
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.
EP 19
If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey
Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.
EP 20
Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood
Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.
EP 21
The Wise Know When to Approach Danger
As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.
EP 22
Where There is Life, There is Hope
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 Seiran are caught during their stay in a hotel, while Shuurei is safely hidden.
EP 23
It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant
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 she met on the streets: Lin Senya.
EP 24
Water on a Sleeping Ear
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 also freed by Kokujun, who volunteered to bring them to Kinka.