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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Hi all,these 3 days are totally bumpy days for me with my emotion up and down but that - obviously - won't stop me to post right on schedule. So, while I still have a little free time, let's start now.Saiunkoku Monogatari is one of my favorite anime because it has so much educational value especially about how to maintain a country. The song that I transcribed is actually has several version (three, if I don't get it wrong). Piano version and orchestra version are the ones that I can recall. I pick the orchestra version because it has clear sounds to work with.The score is not difficult at all though it was originally using (traditional) flute with orchestra at the background. Flute can be replace by any other instruments. Level one may has it difficult to play the quarter notes and 1/8 notes to combine, but level two (2) is encouraged to play. Up from level three (3), I don't see any difficulty you're going to face. Just make sure you play it lightly though the tempo is quite slow.This song is charming. Every time I hear it, I feel like it was played when the scene started with the capital city of Saiunkoku's landscape at early morning. I cannot recall when this score was used for the first time.So, happy playing.------------------DOWNLOADDownload page: hereDirect download: here
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Beatiful art and animation, solid story. Amusingly, the only seyuu I recognize is Eri Sendai, plaing the little tea-bussing girl: I know her for the main role in Rocket Girls. I wanted something like 12k, only not cut into pieces. Moribito would be ideal, it if were available. So far Saiunkoku seems like the ticket.
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Last time we time we saw Shuurei and her friends, they were in the process of putting the Sa province to rights, but of course, their troubles are far from over. First, there’s the outbreak of a deadly plague and the emergence of the mystical Hyou family to deal with, but after that, there are [...]
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The anime is about the life about an ordinary girl named Shurei who aimed to become a Government Official. The theme is about hardships, friendship, determination and the value of life itself. The story is also based on an old traditional Chinese story where a country is ruled by an emperor, with 8 underlying provinces.
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It is the finale of the Saiunkoku Monogatari second season. A really wonderful and beautiful tale, let us embrace the very last episode of the season. We will hopefully get to see a new season very soon in the midst of a year. As Ryuuki finally makes his way back to the palace, the little [...]
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I can sort-of understand why people often are reluctant to check out very lengthy series. After all, they’re a huge commitment and it’s very hard to tell whether it will turn out worthwhile or not if you have to sit through more than sixty episodes. Series like Naruto, Bleach, Dragon Ball Z and Inuyasha went [...]
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What a wonderful episode to close off the second series! This was hands down, the best episode ever since Shuurei got back from the Sa-clan. Thank you, Madhouse, for not leaving a bad taste at the end, while we have to wait who knows how many years for season three. The end of the episode [...]
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In the previous episode, Shouka went on to break the mirror, causing a huge shaking of the Earth. It seems that the release of the spirits is imminent and everyone has to escape quick before they are engulfed by this malicious evil. Will the island burn down from the impending doom of the area, or [...]
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I’m not exactly sure why… this episode was a clear aftermath and yet I found it was one of the most enjoyable ones of the third arc so far. I originally thought that seeing Shuuei and Ryuuki develop would be the best thing about the final episodes of the second season, but seeing them actually [...]
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After the recap episode explains Ryuuki’s history as an emperor (I make it sound like he is no longer the emperor of Saiunkoku, heh!), this episode goes back to the main story. For a short recap, Ryuuki collapsed right in front of the temple from exhaustion and the high altitudes. What will happen when [...]
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Now this is what I’ve been hoping for! This episode was terrific in terms of storyline. So many things happened at once, and finally the building-up of the previous half year is paying ff. But still, it’s so sad to see that the budget-problems become more and more apparent. Such a major episode should be [...]
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I am really expecting a lot from the coming story, considering how all the parties in this arc are going to meet in the mystical place of Jiuzhaigou, a place of mysterious origins and myths. However, I am pretty much disappointed. This episode is a recap of the experiences that Ryuuki has been dealing with [...]
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There are three episodes left. Then, what the heck is a recap-episode doing here? This shows more and more that the creators just need to take a break for a year, and get their budgets and planning fully sorted out, because right now it seems that they just can’t keep up with their own schedule. [...]
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The meeting is close. In the previous episode, Tantan, Ensei and Shuurei are traveling to the main city of the Ran province in order to find out where Ryuuki is going. However, they do not realize that Ryuuki is going to Jiuzhaigou under the direction of Jyuusan Hime and the protection of Shouka. Yet, an [...]
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Just before anyone worries whether there will be a new episode next week, Episode 35 will be showing. However, as next week is the Chinese New Year, I might be somewhat delayed with the entries since I will be busy celebrating the festival. Nevertheless, this episode is perhaps much more straightforward exercise after the pretty [...]
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Haha! This has to be the most comprehensible Saiunkoku Monogatari-episode I’ve seen in months. Finally I can understand things again without the help of Impz’s summaries. ^^; Sure, there were a few things that I didn’t pick up, but I’m glad enough that at least this episode didn’t feel like a giant Rubik’s Cube. The [...]
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After the events of Episode 32, Ran Shuuei is ready to leave the capital as he returns to the place of origins, the Ran province. However, the investigative department is not ready to let him go so easily, not when there is a link between the Ran clan and Shun. On the chasing pack of [...]
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Okay, so this may not be the best series to watch with a headache. The dialogue is hard enough as it is, and that headache didn’t make things better. Still, at least I’m glad that Saiunkoku Monogatari seems to be back again. I’m really starting to get impatient with this series. I want to see [...]
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As Shun escapes from the room, Shuurei realizes that the assassination of Mou is just part of the master mind’s plan. There has never been a change in the plans. Everyone has been so concentrated with who is behind the assassination that they have forgotten that the target of this is still…targeted. Someone is definitely [...]
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