(L) Saiunkoku Monogatari (1st Series) The Story of Saiunkoku

[domino]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I really like this anime. It's among my favorite shows of the new season.

However, much as I like it, I do find it quite hard to follow sometimes. The plot is getting fairly complex, and I can't keep the characters straight. So to solve the latter problem I made a page with the characters' faces and names and brief bios.

I've also included links to other resources, including a page that has summaries of the first three volumes of the novel, and a blog that looks like it will continue to follow the series.

Thanks for posting those! It clears things up nicely. I had a hard time remembering their names, since everyone was introduced all at once, but this makes things much easier.

Thanks to you I now notice the color theme. The Crimson and Indigo families, the Many-Colored Country, and the Purple emperor (a mix of crimson and indigo)... this show has nice symbolism. No wonder the emperor wears purple...

I really look forward to more of this show! Since it wasn't based on a manga, it could not have gained popularity just for its pretty looks. It came from Drama CDs/Novels that got popular enough to get 39 episodes of anime, meaning it was the STORY that pulled so many fans in. So there should be a good story to look forward to! I love a good romantic fantasy ~

[Erroll]

I thought it was going to be the typical miko/girl from another world scenerio so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out different. I love the period setting and the story is interesting so far. I'm going to stick with this one for a bit and see where it takes me.

[Tatiana Razajev]

Originally Posted by domino

Thanks for posting those! It clears things up nicely. I had a hard time remembering their names, since everyone was introduced all at once, but this makes things much easier.

Definitely, it's also interesting to learn their chinese names. Plus the blog link helps as well. I'm also glad someone is subbing this series. I like it, but it's definitely better for me to watch it subbed, but I'll likely stick with watching the raws and then rewatch episodes subbed.

[oJo]

I thought Shi Ryuki's brother was exiled but Ayu's sub said he was gone overseas.
I was like WTF?!
All thanks to domino's info, I can sleep well now.

Anyone know about a sub group called Say China? Are they still working on Saiunkoku?

[Sakuya]

I think I'm going to hop on the bandwagon. The art is just so pretty I can't help it! Did anyone read the manga? Will it contain all the Chinese-palace-female-angst like in the ancient Chinese series? Then I'm watching!

Whoever said Shuurei was poor? She wears nice clothes and her house is like....HUGE!

[Yaoi_Pocky]

Originally Posted by Sakuya

I think I'm going to hop on the bandwagon. The art is just so pretty I can't help it! Did anyone read the manga? Will it contain all the Chinese-palace-female-angst like in the ancient Chinese series? Then I'm watching!

Whoever said Shuurei was poor? She wears nice clothes and her house is like....HUGE!

Spoiler for Episodes 1 and 2:

But it's all broken and dilapidated and stuff...there are those big craters in the house that hasn't been repaired! (Shuurei was actually ranting about being poor in Episode 1...貧乏なんで大嫌い (binbou nande dai kirai, I hate being poor), she said.)

Basically the Kou family was a famous family that fell into misfortune, the details of which are in Episode 2 and which I don't fully understand because I've only gone through Episode 2 once. That's why it's necessary for Shuurei and Seiran to take on part-time work - they need to eat.

[Sakuya]

You're right. I just finished watching episode 1. It was a good episode. Very pretty throughout. Shuurei is such a kind and knowledgable Empress! I love her character. If the Emperor has no wives, I don't see how there will be any palace angst though. Oh well. I'll have to watch this more to see what happens!

Did I say I loved the art? It's just so pretty~!

[domino]

Originally Posted by Sakuya

I think I'm going to hop on the bandwagon. The art is just so pretty I can't help it! Did anyone read the manga? Will it contain all the Chinese-palace-female-angst like in the ancient Chinese series? Then I'm watching!

Whoever said Shuurei was poor? She wears nice clothes and her house is like....HUGE!

There is no manga ... it is based off of illustrated CD dramas/novels. ^_^ If you like the art, look forward to this summer's "Angelique" TV anime... same artist. She's definately one of my favorite shoujo manga artists. ^_^

And I think there's a lot of room for angst in the relationships. Every time a marriage is set up for a reason other than love, there is room for angst. And I have a feeling that Seiran had feelings for Shuurei before her engagement, so that might complicate things...

I really love this show! I'm glad it's getting so many episodes, because the plot is really fun.

[jingster]

Originally Posted by domino

There is no manga ... it is based off of illustrated CD dramas/novels. ^_^

Actually, there is a manga. I first encountered this series from the manga However, the only ones i can find right now are in chinese.
http://www.zxmh.net/html/book871/
http://comic.kukudm.com/comic/home/type.asp?typeid=365
The site only has it up to the third chapter + extra. If you are able to read the extra you will find out that shuurei's father's younger brother has a funny obsession XD;...
The anime follows the manga very closely but I have only seen the first episode so i am not 100%. After reading the manga, i felt the anime is going a bit slow since they packed a lot in one chapter. However, i really like how they include much more background stories in the anime.

haha--this marks my first post on this site. I had to post the links to spread the love of the series !

[miaka]

Originally Posted by jingster

Actually, there is a manga. I first encountered this series from the manga The anime follows the manga very closely but I have only seen the first episode so i am not 100%. After reading the manga, i felt the anime is going a bit slow since they packed a lot in one chapter. However, i really like how they include much more background stories in the anime.

haha--this marks my first post on this site. I had to post the links to spread the love of the series !

episode 5 is almost near the end of the first novel.

Spoiler:

based from the preview for next episode, plot inside the palace will be revealed.

[randomlurker123]

it's kinda different for me i read the 2 out of the 5 novel i have atm , the anime seems like vhs on fastforward

lots of jokes and trivals ( example; they are poor cos the father is kick out of the family , move from the "crimson" state to the capital to work, the palace treasurer never pay his salary on time lol... ) are left out and ran shuuei's brother doesn't even show up on the 2nd novel yet.

[poisonakki]

I just joined this forum too ^_^

jingster you're awesome! i've been looking for scans of the manga forever! My friend says the first volume of the manga should be out june 2006. I've gotten her hooked onto the series so that she can do some summaries of the novel hehe

btw the second link...where exactly are the scans. the first link is easier to navigate. if they are the same scans than never mind

Originally Posted by jingster

Actually, there is a manga. I first encountered this series from the manga However, the only ones i can find right now are in chinese.
http://www.zxmh.net/html/book871/
http://comic.kukudm.com/comic/home/type.asp?typeid=365
The site only has it up to the third chapter + extra. If you are able to read the extra you will find out that shuurei's father's younger brother has a funny obsession XD;...
The anime follows the manga very closely but I have only seen the first episode so i am not 100%. After reading the manga, i felt the anime is going a bit slow since they packed a lot in one chapter. However, i really like how they include much more background stories in the anime.

haha--this marks my first post on this site. I had to post the links to spread the love of the series !

[domino]

Originally Posted by jingster

Actually, there is a manga. I first encountered this series from the manga However, the only ones i can find right now are in chinese.
http://www.zxmh.net/html/book871/
http://comic.kukudm.com/comic/home/type.asp?typeid=365
The site only has it up to the third chapter + extra. If you are able to read the extra you will find out that shuurei's father's younger brother has a funny obsession XD;...
The anime follows the manga very closely but I have only seen the first episode so i am not 100%. After reading the manga, i felt the anime is going a bit slow since they packed a lot in one chapter. However, i really like how they include much more background stories in the anime.

haha--this marks my first post on this site. I had to post the links to spread the love of the series !

Ohh, you're right, there is a manga! It looks fairly new... I will definately try to get my hands on it if I can find a Japanese version. :P I ADORE the mangaka's artwork... it's always so cute and pretty.

[Xellos-_^]

As much as like this series. I think there needs to be more cute girls and at least one loli (no suprise this is coming form me ). The emperor is suppose to have a harem. So wheres the harem

[musouka]

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

As much as like this series. I think there needs to be more cute girls and at least one loli (no suprise this is coming form me ). The emperor is suppose to have a harem. So wheres the harem

He does have a harem. A harem of guys.

[jingster]

Originally Posted by poisonakki

btw the second link...where exactly are the scans. the first link is easier to navigate. if they are the same scans than never mind

Judging from the pages in each chapter, each volume will most likely contain 4 chapters I think the site i linkedtranslate them by monthly which is awesome! no long waits at all

The scans for the second one is right under the banners that surround the book cover. ---> No.1 [全屏] No.2 [全屏] No.3 [全屏] are you able to read these? Only three chapters are out. I linked the second one because the site is a lot faster for me but i am not sure of the connection on your side,it differs from location to location.

Originally Posted by domino

Ohh, you're right, there is a manga! It looks fairly new... I will definately try to get my hands on it if I can find a Japanese version. :P I ADORE the mangaka's artwork... it's always so cute and pretty.

Judging from the chapters i think it is only 4 month or so old Yes! the artist's way of drawing is beautiful. I just wished that she didn't give the girls sterotypical chinese hairstyles *sigh*

[poisonakki]

LOL i totally agree (and this coming from a girl

umm...well there's a reason why the emperor doesn't have any concubine till Shuurei accepted the task of being his concubine and tutor

Spoiler:

The emperor is for one Bisexual (or atleast he's got a crush on Seiran who happens to an important person in his past.
2) Emperor fear of knocking up a woman would ruin his plans (which is a major spoiler )

well you atleast got on candidate for Loli --> Kourin the cute servant girl ^_^

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

As much as like this series. I think there needs to be more cute girls and at least one loli (no suprise this is coming form me ). The emperor is suppose to have a harem. So wheres the harem

[Sakuya]

I think I noticed a torrent from another group for episode 1. The group is [suck]. Has that been confirmed?

[NoSanninWa]

Originally Posted by Sakuya

I think I noticed a torrent from another group for episode 1. The group is [suck]. Has that been confirmed?

Silly question. It's been on AnimeSuki .com for seven hours now. The group's full name is "We Suck" and contrary to their name, they are quite good, reasonably fast and very experienced.

[Sakuya]

XD Woops. I was looking at another place and forgot that Saiunkoku was freely distributed on Asuki. So can anybody comment on their quality?