The Story of Saiunkoku (彩雲国物語 Saiunkoku Monogatari, lit. Tale of the Land of Colored Clouds) is a series of Japanese light novels written by Sai Yukino and illustrated by Kairi Yura. As of December 2008, fourteen volumes of the series have been released. Three side story anthologies have also been released, collecting stories originally published in The Beans magazine.

A manga version, also illustrated by Kairi Yura, is serialized in Beans Ace, which is published by Kadokawa Shoten. Currently, four tankōbon volumes have been released.

The anime adaptation series, produced by Madhouse Studios, is directed by Jun Shishido, and broadcast on the Japanese television network NHK on Saturday mornings. The first season began airing on April 8, 2006, and completed its run on February 24, 2007, airing a total of 39 episodes. The second season, titled Saiunkoku Monogatari Second Series (彩雲国物語 第2シリーズ?) began airing on April 7, 2007 and consists of another 39 episodes, ending its run on March 8, 2008.

The setting story of Saiunkoku Monogatari (Colorcloud Palace) is telling about Saiunkoku Kingdom wich According to legend, Saiunkoku was once infested by demons who threw the country into turmoil. A brave young warrior named Sō Gen gathered together the Eight Enlightened Sages of Colour and drove away the demons.


Sō Gen then forged the nation of Saiunkoku and became its first emperor. After Sō Gen's death, the eight sages disappeared, but according to legend they still exist among the people. A beautiful shrine was built for the Eight Coloured Sages and still stands within the Imperial City.

Saiunkoku had always been divided into eight distinct provinces named after colours of the rainbow. Six hundred years ago, the Emperor commanded each ruling clan to change its name to match its province. Commoners were forbidden to use the same family names as nobles.



Each of the eight provinces in Saiunkoku is named for a color and is ruled by a noble clan of the same name:

Ran (藍 Ran, Indigo) — The most powerful clan in Saiunkoku, although it plays a dormant role in national politics.
Hong (紅 Kōu, Crimson) — Equal power to that of the Ran clan, with which it is known as the 'highest of nobility'. In the original Japanese media, the name of this clan and family is pronounced as Kō. By the request of Saiunkoku's original creator, Geneon changed this name in the official North American version to "Hong", the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation of the same logogram, in order to minimize confusion with the other "Ko" name belonging to the Yellow clan/province. Funimation has retained this name change in its distribution of the Geneon R1 DVDs.
Heki (碧 Heki, Jade Green)
Ko (黄 Kō/Ki, Yellow) — Although pronounced the same as the 'Crimson' (紅?) clan in the original Japanese, the kanji (黄?) for this clan means 'yellow'.

Haku (白 Haku, White)
Koku (黒 Koku, Black)
Sa (茶 Sa, Brown)
Shi (紫 Shi, Purple) — The Imperial family.
Hyou (縹 Hyou, Light Indigo)

The First season of anime Saiunkoku Monogatari is Set in the fictional empire of Saiunkoku.. The story centers on Shurei Hong (Shuurei Kou), a descendant of a noble family that has fallen on hard times.

Her father works as a librarian in the Imperial palace, a post which offers prestige and respect, but little compensation. Shurei teaches in the temple school and works odd jobs to make ends meet, but her dream is to pass the imperial examinations and take a post in government, a path forbidden to women.

Shurei's plans come to an abrupt halt when the Emperor's Grand Advisor makes a startling offer for her to join the imperial household for six months as the young Emperor's consort and teach the Emperor to be a responsible ruler. If she succeeds, the financial reward will be great.

The story details Shurei's growing relationship with the Emperor and other members of the court, the intrigues of imperial politics, and her commitment to better herself and her country.

The second season starts off around where the last one ends, so I recommend you watch the first season before you tackle this one. Anyway, the second season is easily even more intricate than the first, with Ryuuki finally taking charge as emperor, something not all members of government appreciates. New enemies appear, and the clans continue to feud as always. Every detail in the story is important, something viewers should be used to by now.

During her job as Royal Consort in the Imperial Court, Shuurei met new friends, Lan Shuuei and Li Koyuu. Lan Shuuei is the son of the country's most powerful Lan family while Li Koyuu is adopted son of Kou Reishin, Shuurei's uncle; who passes the National Examination as the youngest Jougen in history. Despite of his intelligence, Koyuu has poor sense of direction and tend to get lost easily. Shuurei later took the Imperial Examination to fulfill her dream to become an officer. She passed the exam on third place, To Eigetsu as Jougen and Lan Ryurren came second. Together Shurrei and Eigetsu is assigend to Sa province as Governors and their duty is to restore peace once again to the province.




Characters

Shurei Hong (紅 秀麗 Kō Shūrei)
Shuurei Kou is the daughter and only child of Shouka Kou of the Kou clan, one of the two most powerful clans in Saiunkoku. She is sixteen years old when the story begins. As a descendant of the direct line, she has the title hime, which means 'princess' or 'lady'. Despite the high social status of her family, Shuurei grew up in relatively impoverished circumstances. Her father's job brought little income, and much of the wealth of their family home was given to the needy during the devastating fight for the imperial succession eight years ago. There are no servants at the Kou residence, so Shuurei has grown adept at household chores such as needlework, cooking and cleaning, traits unusual in a lady of high social standing. She has also held a number of odd jobs to earn money, acting as a professional erhu player, working as an accountant at Kochou's brothel in the Red Light District, and serving as a teacher at the local temple.

In the English version, her name is Shurei Hong since Kou is another family name in the series. Kou has two kanji symbols in Japanese, one red the other Yellow, which explains why two families have the same romanised name. To avoid confusion, 'Hong' was given unto Shurei's family, the same as the Mandarin Chinese reading.
  

Ryuki Shi (紫 劉輝 Shi Ryūki)
Ryuuki Shi is the reigning emperor of Saiunkoku. He is nineteen years old when the story begins. The youngest of six brothers, he was an unlikely candidate to ascend to the throne. Of his five elder brothers, four killed each other over the succession and one was exiled for treason. As a child, Ryuuki was badly mistreated by his mother and his brothers, except for his brother Seien, who seemed to be the only one who truly cared for him. His other brothers and mother used to beat Ryuuki and lock him in a closet for hours at a time, telling him his birth order was bad and that he stole affection from his siblings. These experiences led to a lingering fear of the dark and sleeping alone. Ryuuki often took refuge in the garden or the imperial archives, where he first encountered Shouka Kou. Shouka tutored the young prince and encouraged War General Taifu Sou to teach him swordsmanship.

Due to his father's dying wish, Ryuuki ultimately rose to the throne. However, he avoided any involvement in politics or government, wandering the palace for hours so no one would be able to find him. He even spread rumours that he preferred the company of men to fuel speculation he could not produce an heir. Ryuuki secretly hoped that Seien, his beloved older brother, would eventually return and take his place as Emperor. Ryuuki's avoidance of responsibility came to an end when he met Shuurei, who told him of her dreams of making a better life for the nation's people. Ryuuki decided to take on his responsibilities and become a respectable Emperor.
 

Seiran Si (茈 静蘭 Shi Seiran)
He started as a low-ranking army officer and is the sole remaining retainer in the Hong household. Seiran was taken in thirteen years ago by Shoka Hong, and he has made a vow to spend his life repaying that kindness, helping the Hongs by protecting them, performing repairs, and taking small guard jobs to earn money. He is a very skilled fighter and swordsman, and despite his amiable disposition, he could be quite ruthless to those who put his loved ones in danger and conforms to the idealism of "the end justifies the means". He often puts others' well-being before his own and preferring to support others by watching and helping from the shadows. He has known Shurei ever since the latter was little, thus is very protective of her, usually following her in order to guard her, even when she does not know it. The two are often mistaken for a couple due to the amount of time they spend together, but neither of them show romantic feelings for the other.

Seiran is later revealed to be the previously exiled second elder brother of Ryuki, Seien, whom was the only one to ever treat Ryuki nicely. He was known as the "flower" of the royal princes due to his handsome looks, kind heart, and also his physical and intellectual superiority over his brothers. Because of this, his brothers grew jealous, and after his mother, who hated his existence, and grandfather conspired to make him Emperor, he, along with his mother, was exiled. The other royal families sent assassins to kill him, and though he did away with them, his mother was killed in the process. Sometime later, he is brought into the Satsujinzoku, a murderous band of thieves in Sa Province (Brown Province) where he was nicknamed "The Little Whirlwind". Ensei Ro joined the group as well, and the two destroyed the band themselves. After leaving Sa, the Hong Family comes across him and takes him in, with Shokun giving him the name 'Seiran', meaning 'Silent Orchid', as well as him receiving the surname, 'Shi' (pronounced the same as the Emperor's family name, but has different kanji). He decided to wholly devote himself into being 'Seiran', and does not let anyone get near his past, though some characters throughout the series discovers his true identity. Though he claims to be 21 years old, he is 26 years old at the start of the series.

Koyu Ri (李 絳攸 Ri Kōyū?)
Though young, Koyu Ri is a civil official holding a high position in the government. He is the Assistant Secretary of Civil Affairs which is one of the ministries under the State Affairs Department of the Imperial Chamber. Koyu became the youngest person ever to pass the official examinations at the age of 16, taking the top ranked "Jougen" spot. As the series begins, Koyu is assigned directly to the Emperor, a position that infuriates him because the wandering Emperor never carries out his duties and can rarely even be found. Despite his reputation as a genius, Koyu is notorious for having no sense of direction. He gets lost in the palace within 30 steps and it sometimes takes him two hours to get to a destination that only takes 15 minutes for another person, though he does seem to find his way when there is trouble or when he is drunk.

Shuei Ran (藍 楸瑛 Ran Shūei?)
He is the General of the Shaorin army. Also part of the Ran family, one of the two greatest clans. The fourth oldest of five brothers. A very skilled swordsman and is usually calm, but likes to tease others. His fighting skills are legendary, due to his training by the Shiba clan (retainers of the Ran clan who excel in swordsmanship). He claims to be Koyu's best friend, though Koyu keeps denying it. Unlike Koyu, Shuei is a womanizer. He often mentions how nice it is to spend time with women and is surrounded by a horde of women after winning the fighting tournament.




MY REVIEW

This Anime genre is Romance, Comedy, Historical, Shoujo, Adventure, Fantasy, and Drama.. The first time I know about this Anime was from Anime magazine "Anime Insider."

Once I read some spoiler about this Anime.. I straightly feels very interesting to watch this anime, and make the priority to watching it into my first priority.. I think I am a lucky girl (lol) because one week after I read some spolier of this anime in Magazine, I watched the Clip of this anime in Anime Channel "ANIMAX", it said that 2weeks again (at that time) Saiunkoku monogatari (Colorcloud Palace) will be on Air on Animax every Monday-Friday at 3pm (Haha.. I really get exciting when I saw that clip.. so, I still remember very well about time schedule of Colorcloud Palace Anime TV show to on air on Animax.. xD)

and.. My instinct were right (lol) This anime is AN AMAZING ANIME.. If you ask me which Anime that left the biggest thing in my mind after I watch it.. My answer will be this anime "Saiunkoku Monogatari" This anime might not look awesome and famous like another anime that we know, ex. Like Bleach, Naruto, Death Note, and stuff... BUT.. This anime have the best story that I ever know.. (for me..=P) Why?? It's because from this Anime.. I learn many good thing about "How can we get The Greatest thing that we can ever have in this life."

This Anime point is a story about a girl named "Shuurei Kou" that actually a member family of one of the highest rank family in Saiunkoku kingdom.. just because all that his family phroperthy had been given to people that got many problem when the king died and his son had fight into each other to get the "emperor title" who caused Saiunkoku Kingdom stay in a very worse time 8years ago.. She live with no servants and has grown adept at household chores such as needlework, cooking and cleaning, traits unusual in a lady of high rank.

Shuurei Live with Her father, who works as a librarian in the Imperial palace, a post which offers prestige and respect, but little compensation.. and a guy called Seiran Si , who work as a low-ranking army officer and the sole remaining retainer in the Hong household. Seiran was taken in thirteen years ago by Shoka Hong, and He is looks like a brother for Shuurei.. Shurei teaches in the temple school and works odd jobs to make ends meet for his family financial.

Even thought she isn't live in a good situation like she should be.. Shuurei have a dream.. she wanna pass the imperial examinations and take a post in government, wich that thing is forbidden to women at that time (I really admire this thing.. because from my sight.. this point (her dream) is the began of anything.. and That thing is the central point who make this anime become an interesting and wonderful anime).

Until one day, one of the highest counsellor kingdom come to her place and make an offer (I can say he give a job too) to Lady Shuurei.. he ask her to join the imperial household for six months as the young Emperor's consort and teach the Emperor to be a responsible ruler. If she succeeds, the financial reward will be great.

Shuurei accept that Job because she wanna get that big reward who She will earn if she complete her job (she earn 700.000gold) and start her life (job) in Saiunkoku Palace as Empero's consolt.

The first time she enter Saiunkoku Palace, she haven't meet Emperor yet.. or I can say, she can't meet the Emperor.. because from the rumor that she heard from people in palace.. The emperor is a Lazy guy that doesn't like girl (it means the emperor feels interest with guy [gay]), like to playing, and never do his job as an Emperor.

When Shuurei heared about that rumor, she feels a bit bad because the emperor action is something that he shouldn't do.. Shuurei have a dream to become a government because she wanna do somethin to help saiunkoku people, but she can't do that cause she is a girl.. beside, The Emperor.. a person that have a power and a duty to help his people, doesnt do something that he should do (at that time, Shuurei really wanna make the emperor understand and doing his duty.. not because it's her work.. it's her personal desire).

Once day, she go to library to searching the emperor (again), it's been 6weeks since she enter the Palace.. but, she still haven't meet the Emperor yet (poor shuurei.. it must be really hard to accept a kind of job like that.. =( even thought, I dont think shuurei feels that thing.. :P) and in Library, she meet with 2officials Government.. one guy named "Shuei Ran" He is the General of the Shaorin army. Also part of the Ran family, one of the two greatest clans. His work is become Emperor's personal guardian.. and the other guy named is "Koyu Li" He is the Assistant Secretary of Civil Affairs which is one of the ministries under the State Affairs Department of the Imperial Chamber. Koyu became the youngest person ever to pass the official examinations at the age of 16, taking the top ranked "Jougen" spot. As the series begins, Koyu is assigned directly to the Emperor, a position that infuriates him because the wandering Emperor never carries out his duties and can rarely even be found.

Those 2 man are guys that staying very close to the emperor.. and when she know that, Shuurei straightly ask them about the Emperor.. but, as usual.. they dont say anything that could help her to fing the emperor.. Except the thing about The emperor is Gay they said it's untrue.

after that, Shuurei go to Palace garden to spent a day time with drinking tea and eating her made Bak-Pao.. while see the beautiful view of Sakura's tree (Oh.. I love sakura's tree.. it's really beautiful.. Hope I can sit under Sakura blossom tree one day). In that time, she saw the lower bough of sakura's tree.. and because it looks pretty, she wanna reach it..When she wanna do that, suddenly there is a small storm of sakura's tree.. and at that time, there is a guy that come to her side, and protect her from sakura's small storm with his hand.. (it's so sweet). and after it end, that guy pick that bough for her.. so, for Shurrei grateful, she ask that guy to have a tea time and eat her Bak-Pao made together.
That guy feels happy to have tea time with shuurei, and he ask shuurei about shuurei reason why she wanna become emperor consort.. and does shuurei have something that she wanna say to the Emperor? because that guy was introduce his self as The emperor best friend to Shuurei.

Shuurei say to that guy that she became an emperor consult because she wanna accompany the emperor to do his duty.. she wanna help the emperor to do his job.. She enter the Palace because she wanna stay beside the Emperor as someone that he can lend on.

She is his consult, so.. She will accept the emperor as his self.. she will always be with the emperor everytime, and together.. When The emperor wanna cry, She will sipe his tears, When The emperor feels tired, She will comfort him, when The emperor have a problem, She will be there to hear His share, and she will make Saiunkoku kingdom become a great kingdom together with The emperor.

What Shuurei said actually more great than what I said in here.. It was really sweet.. very cool.. and I really can feel the great personality of Shuurei Kou.

And that guy, After he heard Shuurei answer.. He promise to Her that he will tell her word to him straightly.

After they wanna end tea time, Shuure ask that guy about his name, and that guy said that his name is "Shuei Ran" .. When Shuurei heared about it.. She eventually understand, that the guy who stay in front of her now actually the Emperor that she had been looking for (because she had meet the real Shuei Ran in Library before this).

So, She tell him to say to Emperor, that.. if The emperor wanna do His Duty together with her.. She will waiting him in Library tomorrow..

And, as what she thought before.. that guy is really an Emperor.. He come to Library and tell Shuurei that He is an Emperor.. and His name is "Shi Ryuki".

After Shuurei had meet Ryuki, she start to thinking about How can she make Ryuki understand about his duty as an emperor? because.. as much as he know.. Ryuki doesnt have any interest to become an Emperor. In the anime, its appear that actually Ryuki is waiting his brother.. The 2nd prince that was bear the highest vote to become the Emperor.. who being chase away from the Palace long years ago.. Seien.

Until one day, when she discuss about it with his father.. she find out one point, that Ryuki never go out from Palace since he was born til now. "The fork that never come out from well, never know the vast of ocean" That's what Shuurei said when she knew about it. It means, Ryuki never come out from Palace, so he might doenst know the real situation of His people. and shuurei think if Ryuki come and see the real condition of People on his kingdom, he might can eventually understand that they need him.. an emperor that rule their kingdom with wise and protect them from any bad thing.

After she thinking about that, Shuurei ask Ryuki to go with her to walking aroung in city.. Shuurei bring ryuki to central market of saiunkoku kingdom. In there, Shuurei show Ryuki something that he never know during his life.. and Finally, he can understand about his duty as an Emperor. "I wanna protect their smile" That is what Ryuki reason to become The Emperor.

Since that time.. Ryuki change become a good guy, he start to come to his class schedule to study.. and his study skill really make Li Koyu, his tutor.. a bit impressed. He has an opinion that actually, Ryuki is not a lazy or stupid guy like he thought before this. Basically, Ryuki had learning almost all subject that he have to learn about Administration, Ruler thing and everything that have to be learn as an Emperor. He also start to do His morning meeting with His Official Government every day.. and he start to do his Job as the Real emperor.

The Emperor Grand Advicer really feels happy to see Ryuki start to do his duty and feels very grateful to Lady Shuurei. but, even thought everything is going better after Ryuki doing his duty. The fact is, not all people feels happy with Ryuki changed.. They are people that doesnt like to know Ryuki do his job as the emperor, and they think Shuurei is the cause of his changed, so.. They start to do something bad with Shuurei.. Start from poison Shuurei til Kidnap her.


Ryuki, that have a special feeling toward Shuurei, feels very worry and sad to know about that.. Shuure is a girl that make him understand about his duty, and Shuurei is a girl that have a special place in his mind.. Ryuki start to Love Shuurei, so He try his best and use all his power to protect Shuurei.

When Shuurei being kidnaped, Ryuki searched her by his own self.. and finally he can find her in an old temple on Saiunkoku palace area. even thought, at that time Shuurei fell collapse after being kidnaped for a long time, and its also because she got poison before that.

Ryuki really Love Shuurei, I can feel his feeling when he try so hard to rescue Shuurei, and how happy he is when he know shuurei is awake from his consciuosness.. he hugs her with such a happy face and hold her as Shuurei is something very precious for him.. It was so sweet.. I was hope, I will be happy if I could be shuurei at that time.. (Hahaha.. xD).

Ryuki was feels sad when he knew that actually Shuurei just his consort to make him understand and doing his duty as the emperor. He was ever ask Shuurei about Does shuurei want to live with him in Palace? but Shuurei refuse it, because what she want is to become government and help people with her ability. Ryuki had a promise that he will make a new rule about it, so shuurei can reach her dream as a government thought.

oh yea, during Shuurei living in Palace as Ryuki consort, Ryuki had kiss her twice them.. it's really sweet.. I was have a feeling that actually, Shuurei have a feeling too toward Ryuki, but its not as much as Ryuki have with her.

well, That's the end of Saiukoku Monogatari first season.. With Shuurei get her big raise after doing her job, and Ryuki had become a good emperor. Everything's going fine except the thing that Shuurei refuse Ryuki.. xD I really Love this anime.





(continue)


External Link

Official Kadokawa Story of Saiunkoku website (Japanese)
Official NHK Story of Saiunkoku anime website (Japanese)
Official Funimation Story of Saiunkoku anime website
The Story of Saiunkoku (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia