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

[ryublade]

Spoiler:

No, Ryuuren just promised he would place in the top 3 as the condition for allowing him to wander.

But I wonder what he will do now since you get assigned/made an official if you pass the exams. Does that mean Ryuuren can't wander around anymore? I can't quite see what kind of official he would be since he's so eccentric people can't understand him.

[iceashura]

Hmm....since he likes wandering...maybe a tourguide or something...or maybe like those secret agent on secret mission...who wander around catching those bad guys and report back to the imperial court...heehee...

[ryublade]

I was thinking that it is surprising that this story hasn't been made into a live action drama by now. Certainly, the storyline is suited be be made into one of those ancient drama shows. I would certainly watch it even though I haven't watched one of those ancient chinese drama shows in ages. If this happens, I hope the HK film studio does it since they seem to have better cinematography. Although most likely, TW film studio will do it since they seem to do all shows based off of mangas such as The Devil Within and It started with a Kiss, etc.

[Yaoi_Pocky]

Originally Posted by ryublade

I was thinking that it is surprising that this story hasn't been made into a live action drama by now. Certainly, the storyline is suited be be made into one of those ancient drama shows. I would certainly watch it even though I haven't watched one of those ancient chinese drama shows in ages. If this happens, I hope the HK film studio does it since they seem to have better cinematography. Although most likely, TW film studio will do it since they seem to do all shows based off of mangas such as The Devil Within and It started with a Kiss, etc.

A TVB (Hong Kong's largest television studio, Wikipedia link here )x Taiwanese TV studio co-production, perhaps?

Although if TVB gets the broadcast rights to the anime itself in Hong Kong, they would probably re-dub the OP into Cantonese, as they are wont to do for about 4 out of 5 anime shows that they get the Hong Kong broadcast rights for...

[Sakuya]

I agree, a live action drama from TVB would be awesome. But is it just me or are they starting to fail because mainland China's productions are becoming far more superior in all aspects.

But yeah, it'd be cool to see this as a live action drama that's actually a fantasy.

[Xellos-_^]

Personally I don't any of the live action that has come form HK or taiwan. All the stuff I seen so far stinks. I rather the live action form the 80s then any of the crap they put out these days with actors that can't act, directors that can't direct and writers that haven't written anything original(good) in 30 years.

The hk/taiwan/mainland tv will probably butcher the show by trying to rewrite it so they can say they improve it.

[Kaoru Chujo]

I've updated the hashihime Saiunkoku Characters' Faces and Names page.

As for a live drama, I'd watch it for sure, but the fact that this is a fantasy setting rather than being set in the real Chinese past removes one of the selling points of those shows, so it may not be of as much interest to producers.

[ryublade]

Although it's a fantasy not actual historical ancient China, I think it would still work since Saiunkoku is based off of ancient China. I mean look at some of the ancient China movie drama and most of it is so dramatized and mythical that it might as well be a fantasy. (Because no matter what anyone says, no way can people fly/leap from building to building. IF that was the case, I would hire a bunch of those people to be my message couriers if I was the King. It would have been faster than modern day's FedEx. LOL )

In any case, while I wait patiently for the fansubs (Great thanks to We Suck and please continue to fansub till the end), I wish I could read the novels (there's already 10 out!). Can anyone tell if the novels are in japanese or they also in chinese?

[miaka]

Originally Posted by ryublade

In any case, while I wait patiently for the fansubs (Great thanks to We Suck and please continue to fansub till the end), I wish I could read the novels (there's already 10 out!). Can anyone tell if the novels are in japanese or they also in chinese?

6 books were officially translated into chinese and released by Kodokawa.

[Codex]

Backpedalling a bit to episode 6

Spoiler:

I still don't understand that note. Does the novel explain more about it? Why did Seiran bother to give Ran Shuuei the note, and what is it about? Surely it can't be only about his identity, because Ryuki already found out. And why would he allow the general to find out as well?

[Yaoi_Pocky]

Originally Posted by Codex

Backpedalling a bit to episode 6

Spoiler:

I still don't understand that note. Does the novel explain more about it? Why did Seiran bother to give Ran Shuuei the note, and what is it about? Surely it can't be only about his identity, because Ryuki already found out. And why would he allow the general to find out as well?

Spoiler for Saiunkoku TV Ep. 4, 6 and 7, Saiunkoku Novel Vol. 1:

The novel and the anime handles the big reveal of Seiran's true identity differently.

In the novel, there was no fighting tournament. The tearful reunion scene in Episode 4 is also in the novel; however, unlike the anime, it happens after the end of the Grand Guardian Sa/Sa Taiho incident.

Here's a snippet of the note scene, from the novel:

Originally Posted by Saiunkoku Novel Vol. 1 Page 160, emphasis and translation mine, with help from Torgen/teh_suck

楸瑛は袷から一枚の書状をとりだした。
「静蘭の書き置きです。本当に見せるなと言われてたんですが、そこまで言いきられてはね」
－中略－劉輝は静蘭の書き置きを読んでいる－
書状をもつ劉輝の手が震えた。－－これ、は。
－中略－劉輝は、楸瑛に「静蘭は清苑公子だったと知っていたか」と聞く－
「余は、ぜんぜん…気づかなかった」

Translation:
Shuuei took a letter from inside his robe.
"It's a note from Seiran. Actually, I was told not to show you this until you had asserted that (he's innocent)", said Shuuei.
-skipped - Ryuuki reads Seiran's note -
Holding Seiran's note, Ryuuki's hands began to shake. --This...is...
-skipped - Ryuuki asks whether Shuuei knows that Seiran is Prince Seien-
"We were...not aware of that at all.", said Ryuuki.

So basically, in the novel, the note was the first instance where Ryuuki discovers Seiran's true identity. In the anime, they stuck a fighting tourney in, so they had to change it to Ryuuki already knowing about Seiran's identity for the sake of consistency. I would think that there's no extra information in the anime version of the note.

As for Seiran allowing General Sou to find out... more like the General Sou was guessing at his identity when they were sparring.

Methinks it would be an interesting exercise to catalog the differences between the novel and the anime... of course, it would be rather hard work, too :|

[ryublade]

Spoiler:

I also was a little confused that Ryuuki was able to recognize his brother during the tournament in the anime. If it was a resemblance, shouldn't he have recognized him earlier and if it was through the sword technique, Ryuuki shouldn't have been able to recognize Seiran's sword technique since General Sou stated that Ryuuki didn't know the sword technique that Seiran and the other princes were taught. I guess by changing the storyline a little, it provided a reason/basis for Ryuuki's unwavering trust in Seiran even though Ryuuki hadn't given a flower to Seiran asking for his loyalty. Afterall, this was his favorite older brother who had always protected him!!

[Codex]

Spoiler for Saiunkoku TV Ep. 4, 6 and 7, Saiunkoku Novel Vol. 1:

Originally Posted by Yaoi_Pocky

So basically, in the novel, the note was the first instance where Ryuuki discovers Seiran's true identity. In the anime, they stuck a fighting tourney in, so they had to change it to Ryuuki already knowing about Seiran's identity for the sake of consistency. I would think that there's no extra information in the anime version of the note.

Do you know the contents of the note? In the anime, it seems like Seiran was trying not to let Ryuuki know; was it otherwise in the novel?

Originally Posted by Yaoi_Pocky

As for Seiran allowing General Sou to find out... more like the General Sou was guessing at his identity when they were sparring.

Well, I actually meant General Ran (Shuuei), not Sou. Why would Seiran entrust Shuuei with such important information?

Spoiler:

Originally Posted by ryublade

I also was a little confused that Ryuuki was able to recognize his brother during the tournament in the anime. If it was a resemblance, shouldn't he have recognized him earlier and if it was through the sword technique, Ryuuki shouldn't have been able to recognize Seiran's sword technique since General Sou stated that Ryuuki didn't know the sword technique that Seiran and the other princes were taught. I guess by changing the storyline a little, it provided a reason/basis for Ryuuki's unwavering trust in Seiran even though Ryuuki hadn't given a flower to Seiran asking for his loyalty. Afterall, this was his favorite older brother who had always protected him!!

Ahh, I love their relationship. I really want to see them interact more as brothers. But anyway, I think that was meant to highlight how unexpectedly learned and perceptive Ryuuki is. He probably knows and has observed a lot more than anyone realizes, and therefore has probably familiarized himself with this style even though his own swordsmanship teacher had no idea.

[ryublade]

For Codex:

If you like Ryuuki's relationship with his brother Seiran, there's a cute ministory in the CD dramas which provides a flashback to when the brothers first met each other and their feelings regarding that moment. It's very touching

CD drama spoiler (maybe?):

Spoiler:

It's also hilarious that Ryuuki burst into tears and runs away crying when he realizes that everyone ate all the special peach buns Shuurei made for him as a reward for studying hard and the only thing left was Shouka's "papa's tea". I hope this ministory gets animated

[Codex]

Originally Posted by ryublade

For Codex:

If you like Ryuuki's relationship with his brother Seiran, there's a cute ministory in the CD dramas which provides a flashback to when the brothers first met each other and their feelings regarding that moment. It's very touching

OOOOH! That's sounds so beautiful. Is this the "Ogon no Yakusoku" Drama CD (it's the only one released so far on cdjapan)? Hopefully the Japanese isn't too difficult ... I wish more people would translate Drama CDs like that one Twelve Kingdoms drama CD.

[alia_sen]

I also love this series. The style made me think of Fushigi Yugi (as other people mentioned) although the story is entirely different... and to my utter relief, no annoying personalities yet!

So far, only 7 subbed episodes are released (Thank you so much, [We Suck]! You are fantastic!) I am one of those people who likes to buy anime series that I enjoy. Anyone know if the actual anime, subbed in English, is available to buy? Preferably the entire series.

I think its great so far, though I'm having trouble understanding what is/and what was going on between the two elder advisers, the one who changes appearances, and the one who died... can anyone enlighten me?

[teh_suck]

Originally Posted by alia_sen

Anyone know if the actual anime, subbed in English, is available to buy?

If it was (legitimately), we wouldn't be subbing it.

[alia_sen]

shucks... couldn't help hoping.

The subbing so far by [Suck] is great...

I have Noir (one of my favorite series), both the downloaded versions (fan subbed) and a store-bought version. I'll never get rid of the downloaded versions, and I'll never watch the store bought version... the subtitles on the store version are grammatically incorrect, mis-spelled, and terrible to read. What a waste of money! Like I said, I like to support good anime by buying it when it comes out in the store, but a lot of the stuff in the store has awful subtitling. Hopefully Saiunkoku will be a better release whenever it makes it to the stores.

In the meantime, you fansubbers are my heroes!

[lavalyn]

Originally Posted by alia_sen

shucks... couldn't help hoping.

The subbing so far by [Suck] is great...

I have Noir (one of my favorite series), both the downloaded versions (fan subbed) and a store-bought version. I'll never get rid of the downloaded versions, and I'll never watch the store bought version... the subtitles on the store version are grammatically incorrect, mis-spelled, and terrible to read. What a waste of money! Like I said, I like to support good anime by buying it when it comes out in the store, but a lot of the stuff in the store has awful subtitling. Hopefully Saiunkoku will be a better release whenever it makes it to the stores.

We Suck Fansubs releases scriptpacks to go alongside the DVDs that are released in Japan, to encourage people that do buy DVDs to consider importing them from Japan. This allows for viewers to view our subtitling work even if the discs themselves have no subtitle tracks. So please do consider importing the DVDs of Tale of Saiunkoku when they become available in Japan.

So says the unofficial marketing lackey of We Suck Fansubs, anyway.

[SquishyStar]

So I was watching
Saiunkoku Monogatari on youtube and it seems that its only available to episode 7. So i left off where Shuurei leaves the palace and before she does she is kissed by the emperor. I want to know what happens next. Is ther anywere else on line I can watch the remaining episodes or is it worth it for me to by copies of the series from sellers on ebay? Though the mentioned copies for sale only include episodes1-8. Is that all there is. Please share your knowledge of this series with me.