Word on Simon & Schuster's listings is that VIZ may be getting ready to release the Saiunkoku Monogatari manga iteration, based on the original light novel series. (Via the Saiunkoku LJ Community, via ANN.) Why do I sound all grimace-y? Because try though I might-- sorry Saiunkoku fans! --I can't get past that it looks and sounds like a Fushigi Yuugi knockoff, minus the whole saving-the-world bit. The basic plot is that a young woman in the fictional, vaguely Chinese land of Saiunkoku, is born to a noble family that's currently broke. Our heroine, Shuurei Kou, wants to work in the imperial court, but of course women aren't allowed. As it happens, the emperor of the time, Ryuuki, is a slacker like you wouldn't believe, so his first mate offers to let Shuurei join the court as the Emperor's consort to teach him how to be more responsible. Basically, it sounds like a giant package of stereotypes-- the pseudo-historical setting, a responsible, hard-working, and remarkably adept-at-homemaking young woman winds up having to deal with a more carefree young man, and both of them learn from each other, etc. I just can't get excited about it, and you guys know I generally try to stay positive about stuff. But, VIZ is (probably) going to be releasing the manga series. I'm sure some of you out there will disagree with my (admitted) bias against the series, so feel free to try and convince me that I should be looking forward to this one in the comments.    
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