A title based on a
josei novel. Shows at 9 am Saturdays. I enjoyed it. There is a real story here, real characters and some amusing comedy.
The setting is a fantasy version of medieval China, called Saiunkoku or "Land of Many-Colored Clouds." The heroine Shuuri is the daughter of a high-born family that has become poor. She plays the
erhu and earns money for the family, but is frustrated by their poverty. One day she is invited to the palace to be a tutor to the new young king. Beautiful young men in elegant robes abound.
The main character is the main attraction. Shuuri is played extremely well by Kuwashima Houko (Sango in
Inuyasha, Kagura in
Azumanga, Rose Tomas in
FMA, etc., etc.). Seki Tomokazu (Sousuke in
FMP, Rentarou in
Futakoi Alternative, etc., etc.) plays the young king.
The setting is a combination of Japanese cherry trees and a slightly-off but enjoyable rendering of the Imperial Palace in Beijing. I loved the more-or-less Tang Dynasty Chinese costumes, especially Shuuri's.
The director is Shishido Jun, who directed Okusama wa Joshikousei (don't hold it against him) and some episodes of Beck. Wonderful Chinese-tinged music by
Ryo Kunihiko (Twelve Kingdoms, Emma). Nice script by
Yoshida Reiko (Kaikan Phrase, School Rumble, ARIA, Peach Girl, Scrapped Princess, episodes of Marimite, etc. -- and series composition for Canvas2....) The OP sung by Hirahara Ayaka is lovely, and so is the ED, written and sung by Tainaka Sachi, who does the OP in Fate/Stay Night.
ANN page
official site