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

[Yaoi_Pocky]

Originally Posted by Rosepetal

I just finished watching episode 30 from We Suck (my second viewing, I couldn't resist!) and I really love that part in the new opening sequence where Ryuuki and Seiran are in their spiffy uniforms!! Way too hot!!!

Oh, the rest of the episode was good, too. ahem......

The Ryuuki / Seiran armour portion of the new OP animation is certainly nice <3

I find it a little weird that they used the new OP animation starting from Episode 27, but they changed the eyecatch starting from Episode 26 from cherry blossoms on a pink backdrop to floating lotus blossoms on a midnight-blue backdrop.

Spoiler for Ep 26 onwards:

Maybe the intention is to signify that the story will venture into darker (but still beautiful) territory starting from Episode 26; hence the eyecatch change. And Episode 27's OP animation is used ever since Sa Sakujun revealed his true identity and declared that he would like Shuurei for himself...

Either that, or the early eyecatch change in Episode 26 was a result of a bug in the production process. Please don't shoot me; I'm just speculating ^^;;

[zrdb]

I've been watching this show since I first found out about it-it reminds me of Junni Kokki and I like it for the same reasons. The pseudo historical drama angle is immensly appealing to me. The opening theme is lovely-the whole show is very well done and has a great deal of continuity in the story line and develpment of the characters. I'm glad that it has more than the typical 13 or 26 episodes that most series have now days-there are enough episodes to fully flesh out the characters and plot. I'll be very sorry when it ends.

[Yaoi_Pocky]

Originally Posted by zrdb

I've been watching this show since I first found out about it-it reminds me of Junni Kokki and I like it for the same reasons. The pseudo historical drama angle is immensly appealing to me. The opening theme is lovely-the whole show is very well done and has a great deal of continuity in the story line and develpment of the characters. I'm glad that it has more than the typical 13 or 26 episodes that most series have now days-there are enough eposodes to fully flesh out the characters and plot. I'll be very sorry when it ends.

It'll end only for a short while. This is because, as the official NHK Saiunkoku series page says:

Originally Posted by Official NHK Saiunkoku series page, translation mine

「彩雲国物語」の第2シリーズの制作が決定しました。詳しくは決まり次第お知らせいたします。
It has been decided that a second season of "Tale of Saiunkoku" will be produced. More details will be available once things have been decided.

Moonphase gives April 2007 as the preliminary air date for the second season.

[Impz]

Originally Posted by zrdb

I've been watching this show since I first found out about it-it reminds me of Junni Kokki and I like it for the same reasons. The pseudo historical drama angle is immensly appealing to me. The opening theme is lovely-the whole show is very well done and has a great deal of continuity in the story line and develpment of the characters. I'm glad that it has more than the typical 13 or 26 episodes that most series have now days-there are enough eposodes to fully flesh out the characters and plot. I'll be very sorry when it ends.

Hahaha, I doubt it will be ending that soon since we have the 2nd season to look forward to.

That said, Episode 37 summary and thoughts is up in my blog.

I personally like the resolutions of Shuurei's emotions in this episode. Very interesting and I will leave it at that

[zrdb]

Another season to look foreward to? That makes me happy-I wonder what the final episode count will be, number wise?

[SeijiSensei]

In episode 31, out today in subs, is Sakujun wearing lipstick? His lips seem much more colored than in earlier episodes and have a weird hue (pink? my colorblindness makes it hard for me to be certain). I had hoped to see if there was a lip print on the back of Shurrei's hand after he kissed her there, but we didn't get to see.

Edit: OK, did some research. The shot of the left is from the seduction scene in episode 26; the one on the right is from episode 31. Sure looks like lipstick to me. He looks much more effeminate throughout this episode especially in contrast to the earlier arc.

[NoSanninWa]

Yes, he's wearing lipstick. He thinks it makes him even prettier than Shuurei. He's right.

[Impz]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

In episode 31, out today in subs, is Sakujun wearing lipstick? His lips seem much more colored than in earlier episodes and have a weird hue (pink? my colorblindness makes it hard for me to be certain). I had hoped to see if there was a lip print on the back of Shurrei's hand after he kissed her there, but we didn't get to see.

Edit: OK, did some research. The shot of the left is from the seduction scene in episode 26; the one on the right is from episode 31. Sure looks like lipstick to me. He looks much more effeminate throughout this episode especially in contrast to the earlier arc.

It's really an irony when many of the bishies are in fact prettier than Shuurei. Hah, I bet it's intentional. =3

[Yaoi_Pocky]

Originally Posted by Impz

It's really an irony when many of the bishies are in fact prettier than Shuurei. Hah, I bet it's intentional. =3

Well... if I was anime!Shuurei, then I wouldn't fall for anime!Sakujun that easily. I mean, the anime sometimes make Sakujun look as if he has fire-engine orange hair. That, combined with the fuchsia-coloured lipstick, makes for rather questionable colour coordination... (Or maybe I need to recalibrate my monitor?) I'm sorry, but Sakujun looks infinitely better in the novels than in the anime.

(When oh when is Yura Kairi putting out an artbook anyways? If she has an artbook out, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.)

[Kaoru Chujo]

Today's episode, ep38 was a thrill for me.

Spoiler for ep38:

Shuurei entering the grand hall to pay respects to the King somehow made my heart swell. The interior of the hall was well done, the scene was well directed, and Shuurei was particularly well drawn. And of course, Kuwashima Houko was incredible.

I think we saw her heart turning toward him a bit. She was told, and perhaps understood, what a lonely life he had committed himself to. And seeing him very regal there above her, dealing gravely with matters of state, must have impressed her. He did not seem like a boy in this scene.

I don't believe I've mentioned in this thread that Kuwashima Houko has been nominated for best female lead in some 2006 seiyuu awards to be given out next month. The competition is stiff: Paku Romi (NANA), Sakamoto Maaya (Ouran), Hirano Aya (Suzumiya Haruhi), and Tanaka Rie (Hataraki Man), among others. But I think she should win.

[guiltygearxt]

im on ep 28 right now and this is a really well done chinese historical classic

I really do hope 1 of the chinese producers license it and air it in China b/c this anime can be really educational

[domino]

Originally Posted by Yaoi_Pocky

(When oh when is Yura Kairi putting out an artbook anyways? If she has an artbook out, I'll buy it in a heartbeat.)

Kaira Yuki does indeed have an artbook out, but it isn't for this series~. Her "Tiara of Starlight" artbook is lovely. *_*

I hope she makes one for her newer art though (including Saiunkoku works), because her art has improved a lot since then (though back then it was still quite nice, too).

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by guiltygearxt

I really do hope 1 of the chinese producers license it and air it in China b/c this anime can be really educational

I'm curious what aspects of this anime you think might be "educational" for China. (And, which China, by the way?) Are you suggesting that it would help educate Chinese viewers about their classical past and traditions? Or, as I might suspect, are you talking about the feminist portrayal of Shurrei?

[guiltygearxt]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

I'm curious what aspects of this anime you think might be "educational" for China. (And, which China, by the way?) Are you suggesting that it would help educate Chinese viewers about their classical past and traditions? Or, as I might suspect, are you talking about the feminist portrayal of Shurrei?

the old governmental system and the way politics work

[Nightengale]

If you're talking about governmental system and politics of Ancient China, there's tons of dramas that potray such in a more realistic manner like the 2nd or 3rd version of Deer and the Cauldron drama (( which was less of harem-loser and more on Kang Xi )) the Journey of an Emperor and several other dramas/movies that does real highlights on the political ups and downs of the ancient era, some even with a solid degree of historical truth. Saiunkoku may be based on the ancient Chinese era of Emperors, but it's still diffferent.

In my opinion, Saiunkoku is like a much better characterized and less tragic psuedo-ancient China version of an old post-WWII drama of a young girl's suffering and hardship as she strives to succeed and become someone who can contribute and help ease the suffering of China following the war tragedy. The only difference is that the tone of that drama was DARKKKKKK and that in her quest to rise up, she loses love, friends, and family to harsh reality whereas Shuurei can become who she is not only because of her own strength, but because of the people around her who care for her and protects her.

[guiltygearxt]

well, Saiunkoku Monogatari is the only anime ive seen with pretty good Chinese historical in it

[SeijiSensei]

I think Junni Kokki does a good job of portraying, albeit occasionally in a simplified and rather mystic way, some of the core beliefs of Confucianism. I'm thinking particularly of the entire Mandate of Heaven notion that justified imperial rule. If you've never watched that show, I strongly recommend it to you. Less romance and comedy than SaiMono, but you won't care.

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by guiltygearxt

well, Saiunkoku Monogatari is the only anime ive seen with pretty good Chinese historical in it

Only in terms of dress form the Tang period.

As far as how the ancient government is setup it is not even close.


Eigetsu for coming in First on the National Exam would not have been work over like he was in the anime before receiving his position. He would have been sent around on a tour of the country, starting with his hometown so he can settle any past grudges. Afterward he would have started his position and mark for rapid advancement. Also more then one first place winner have found themsevle marrying into the Royal Familiy if the Emperor have any sisters or Daughters of similar age.

The entire Sa familiy would have been kill nine generations up/down and side ways for plotting against the Emperor for the posion/kidnapped against Shurrei.

Also the Sa provience rebellion would have been crush by the Imperial Army.

Also Junni Kokki isn't a accurate look at how the ancient Chinese government was setup either.

[Kaoru Chujo]

I'm afraid I think Xellos is generally right, that the resemblance to real ancient China is kind of approximate. But the show does give a nice romanticized version of it that gets some things across. It's romanticized kind of like modern Western versions of the European Middle Ages. Better that than nothing.

I'm enjoying the whole (totally impossible) idea that a young woman could become an official. And I'm happy to see anything that will help Japanese people gain respect and sympathy for China.

I'm happy also that they don't claim Ryuuki is actually the Chinese emperor: he is the "king" of a country that is maybe like a part of China, or just entirely mythical.

But the visual settings and costume, etc., are great, and fairly authentic. And any inauthenticity doesn't interfere with how much I enjoy the show.

[Impz]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I'm afraid I think Xellos is generally right, that the resemblance to real ancient China is kind of approximate. But the show does give a nice romanticized version of it that gets some things across. It's romanticized kind of like modern Western versions of the European Middle Ages. Better that than nothing.

I'm enjoying the whole (totally impossible) idea that a young woman could become an official. And I'm happy to see anything that will help Japanese people gain respect and sympathy for China.

I'm happy also that they don't claim Ryuuki is actually the Chinese emperor: he is the "king" of a country that is maybe like a part of China, or just entirely mythical.

But the visual settings and costume, etc., are great, and fairly authentic. And any inauthenticity doesn't interfere with how much I enjoy the show.

Spoiler for preventing clatter to reply to hashihime:

I think that is possibly a fusion of western values such as feminism and infusing it into a Chinese oriental setting where there is often a patriarchal attitude toward women in government. In a way, it is in fact a parallel of the situation in the early 50-60s in Europe, where women find it impossible to climb up any corporate ladders.

I doubt it is gaining respect and sympathy for China, because in a way, both societies in the historical past has little status toward women. That is perhaps why I enjoyed this series as it breaks the notion of it and promotes a sense of strong feminism. I bet the writer of this novel is female.

I might be wrong though, since I am a guy and I am actually in support of the feminism movement for the most part.

On another issue, Episode 38 summary + thoughts is up

Cheers and it's going to be the last episode. Sigh, I cannot wait for second season soon.