The Story of Saiunkoku (2006) is a animation, action & adventure, drama, sci-fi & fantasy web series in Japanese. On New MovieLinkBD: full story, cast, ratings, season & episode guide, official trailer and where to watch The Story of Saiunkoku online in HD.
The Story of Saiunkoku — Storyline
Saiunkoku is a world of eight provinces or houses, each named after a different colour. The new Emperor, Shi Ryuuki, has gained for a reputation for being uninterested in courtly matters and for flaunting his love for men. Shuurei, although born of the important Kou family, has difficulty making ends meet. She easily accepts an invitation to be the Emperor's concubine in order to turn him into a good ruler. The mysterious Seiran, a young man who was adopted by her father, goes with her as Ryuuki's bodyguard. Entering the imperial palace revives Shuurei's dream of being a court official, and, together with the many companions she meets along the way, continues moving bravely forward while trying to fend off the Emperor's advances.
Cast & Crew
- Starring: Houko Kuwashima, Tomokazu Seki, Hikaru Midorikawa, Shuichi Ikeda, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Toshiyuki Morikawa
The Story of Saiunkoku — Series Details
| First Air Date | 2006-04-08 |
| Seasons | 2 |
| Episodes | 78 |
| Genre | Animation, Action & Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy |
| Language | Japanese |
| Network | NHK BS2 |
| Status | Ended |
| Rating | 7/10 (12 votes) |
The Story of Saiunkoku — Episode Guide
Season 1
- E1: Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side (2006-04-08) — After being bribed by a high authority from the palace, Shuurei enters the Imperial Palace as the Emperor's consort and unofficial tutor, in keeping her promise to encourage the pr
- E2: A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean (2006-04-15) — Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.
- E3: The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons (2006-04-22) — Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.
- E4: Casting Pearls Before Swine (2006-04-29) — After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.
- E5: There is no Genius Without Hard Work (2006-05-06) — Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.
- E6: Lacking the Finishing Touch (2006-05-13) — Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.
- E7: Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown (2006-05-20) — The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.
- E8: Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws (2006-05-27) — Shuurei returns to her work at the temple school. Ryuuki begins writing a proposal that would allow women to take the official examinations. Ensei Rou, one of Seiran's friends, arr
- E9: The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step (2006-06-03) — Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.
- E10: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait (2006-06-10) — The reason bandits have been attacking Ensei Rou is revealed; while acting as temporary governor of Brown province, Ensei angered the local nobility by rejecting corruption and bri
- E11: There is no Cure for Lovesickness (2006-06-17) — Seiran and the rest of the household watch over Shuurei after she catches a bad cold while chasing a troublesome student. Reishin Kou continues to conceal from Shuurei that he is h
- E12: Discretion is the Better Part of Valour (2006-06-24) — Shuurei comes to the aid of thirteen-year-old Eigetsu, who is attacked by bandits while visiting the imperial city to take the official examination. A local gang challenges the cit
- E13: From a Gourd Comes a Horse (2006-07-01) — Ryuuki earns the fealty of the local crimelords by resolving trouble with a gang who had been harassing examinees. Shuurei takes the imperial examination and passes with the third
- E14: On a Rock for Three Years (2006-07-08) — After making a bad first impression Shuurei and Eigetsu are ordered to spend their first two months as imperial officials cleaning the lavatory and shining shoes.
- E15: Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts (2006-07-15) — Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.
- E16: There are no Devils in the World (2006-07-22) — A rumor spreads that Reishin Kou manipulated the imperial examination to allow Shuurei to pass. As Reishin is imprisoned, Shuurei, Seiran and Eigetsu face betrayal by a friend help
- E17: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes (2006-08-26) — In retaliation for the arrest of Shuurei and Reishin, the Kou clan goes on strike, causing half of the imperial government to shut down. Shuurei and Eigetsu rush to finish their re
- E18: You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand (2006-09-02) — The plot against Shuurei is defeated after she passes a verbal examination before the Emperor and assembled officials with flying colours. Shuurei and Eigetsu's report furnishes ev
- E19: If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey (2006-09-09) — Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.
- E20: Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood (2006-09-16) — Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.
- E21: The Wise Know When to Approach Danger (2006-09-23) — As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.
- E22: Where There is Life, There is Hope (2006-09-30) — Shuurei, Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seiran leave for their journey to Sa Province, all the while assassins are following them, hired by the Sa Clan. Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seir
- E23: It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant (2006-10-07) — While the rest are caught at the borderguard in Sairi, Shuurei has to make her way on her own to Kinka. She seeks help from the Merchants Guild, becoming a servant to a man whom sh
- E24: Water on a Sleeping Ear (2006-10-14) — Ensei and Seiran were set free from their prison thanks to Kokujun, as Shuurei and Senya were finally departing after days of waiting, on Shuurei's part. Eigetsu and Kourin were al
- E25: An Accidental Resemblance (2006-10-21) — Shuurei muses over the new information she learned from Senya that the Kou princess is to marry the second son of the Sa Clan. She also sees a strange resemblance between Senya and
- E26: Ravens in the Moonless Night (2006-10-28) — The real identity of Lin Senya is revealed, and Shuurei is caught in his clutches in Chrysanthemum Castle. Seiran and Ensei heads over there to rescue Shuurei and to catch Sakujun.
- E27: The Prettier the Flower, the Higher the Branch (2006-11-18) — After recooperating from her fatigue Shuurei struggles to discern her emotions. As a result she finds herself upsetting Seiran.
- E28: Worry Gives Small Things Large Shadows (2006-11-25) — Shuurei and Eigetsu finally begin to learn that their positions will not come easy. Shuurei allows time for Seiran in order to make up for her recent shortcomings under the guidanc
- E29: Many Years' Worth of Thoughts in a Single Day (2006-12-09) — Shuurei, Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou Sai head for Koren after hearing of the blockade occurring in Koren. Shortly after their departure the Emperor, Shuuei, and Kouyuu make it
- E30: Women are Brave (2006-12-16) — Shuurei, Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou Sai break into Koren and head to Shou Sai's sister's home. They find two letters waiting for them there. Meanwhile, Kokujun confronts his
- E31: A Diamond in the Rough (2006-12-23) — Shuurei leaves the group's hideout to meet with Sakujun, becoming a guest at the Sa manor. Shourin brings Shunki to Koren and meets up with Eigetsu, Seiran, Ensei, and Shou.
- E32: A Woman's Word is Her Bond (2007-01-06) — Shuurei searches the Sa stronghold for Kokujun and Eiki with some help from Shourin while Sakujun continues to be his creepy self around Shuurei. Shuurei meets with Chuushou and st
- E33: No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk (2007-01-13) — It's the night of the selection ceremony for the new head of the Sa clan. Ensei, Eigetsu, Seiran, and Shunki sneak into the Sa stronghold and split up to help quell Chuushou's plan
- E34: Poison Gets the Better of Poison (2007-01-20) — Shuurei and Shunki descend underground to find Kokujun, who claims the title as the next head of the Sa clan. He arrives as the appointment ceremony to claim his new place. Eigetsu
- E35: Meeting is the Beginning of Parting (2007-01-27) — Seiran's game of death with Sakujun doesn't go as planned, but there are other poisons at work. Shuurei goes to meet Sakujun one last time to retrieve her hairpin.
- E36: All is Right in the World (2007-02-03) — Shuurei and Eigetsu finally meet the other assistant governor, Tei Yuushun. The recent drama begins to wrap up and settle to a conclusion; Sa Enjun's noble goals also come to the s
- E37: Tears Fall Like Rain From Heaven (2007-02-10) — Shuurei has been working over time with no rest in order to keep her mind off the death of Sakujun. Though she tries to hide the pain of the death of someone she loved, no one seem
- E38: There is no Today After Today (2007-02-17) — Shuurei and Seiran return to Kou province for the palace celebration, and they are accompanied by their new supporters, Yuushun Tei, In Sai, and the new head of the Sa clan, Kokuju
- E39: Fate is an Inscrutable and Interesting Thing (2007-02-24) — Shuurei and her company in the capital celebrate, but while this is going on Ryuuki and Shuurei must deal with the many emotions coming from the reuniting and plausible separation
Season 2
- E1: There's no Place Like Home (2007-04-07) — Winter continues from the last season; Shuurei is still in capital city while the New Year celebrations goes on. Kouyuu is informed about Kurou's plan of getting him to marry Shuur
- E2: Doesn't Matter Whether You're Laughing or Crying (2007-04-14) — The new years celebrations continue, Shuurei collects permissions from the Departments and Clans. Meanwhile, Eigetsu reveals his past to Kourin and Ensei. Kouyuu is still consideri
- E3: Birds of a Feather Flock Together (2007-04-21) — Ensei receives a letter from an old man (from Koringun), informing them of a strange movement of a certain cult, founded by someone that goes by the name ‘Li Senya’. As Shuurei goe
- E4: If Winter Comes, Can Spring Be Far Behind? (2007-04-28) — Kurō comes to the Hong residence to discuss Shūrei’s martial future with Shōka. Upon hearing that the head of merchant’s guild in Kiyo refused to met with her, Shūrei runs to find
- E5: Love is not stingy in giving (2007-05-05) — Before the man could approach Shūrei, he’s interrupted by Shōka. It is revealed that the man is Riō Hyō, the head of the Hyō Clan. Riō had taken an interest in Shūrei, who reminds
- E6: A Peal of Thunder in the Blue Sky (2007-05-12) — Shūrei meets with Governor Kai, who tells her of Eigetsu’s past. He also gives her some medical texts written by Eigestu’s former caretaker Dōshu, who was the legendary doctor Kash
- E7: Wholeheartedness Penetrates Stone (2007-05-19) — As the doctors go over Dōshu’s texts, they stumble upon the cause and treatment for the illness. The only way to cure it is for the patient to undergo surgery. Unfortunately, none
- E8: Exhausting Human Abilities, One Waits for Heaven's Will (2007-05-26) — Shūrei’s drastic actions causes her to be summoned by the Imperial Court to justify them. Ryūki orders that the Imperial Army deal with the mountain cult, but Shūrei openly refuses
- E9: Meeting the Buddha in Hell (2007-06-02) — Eigetsu is helping the ill villagers, but is lured away by a cloaked man who looks identical to the deceased Dōshu. Flashbacks to Eigetsu’s past are shown. In the present, Eigetsu
- E10: The Awaited Person Finally Comes (2007-06-09) — The story moves on to explain the meaning behind Shūrei's request to Ensei, and why she's worrying over being blamed for the disease when she's clearly not the one who caused it. P
- E11: The husband is always the last to know (2007-06-16) — Shūrei arrives with the doctors but becomes faced with much resistance from people of Kōringun who still blames her for the disease. They are thrown in a pinch as these people, hea
- E12: If Justice is not allowed to be seen, There will be no Heroism (2007-06-30) — After successfully entering the town, Dr. Yō and the rest of the doctors prepare and begin treatment on the sick people while Shūrei and Ensei make sure to prepare everything that
- E13: Hastiness will lead to failure (2007-07-07) — While Ryūki unsuccessfully tries to invite the head of the Hyō Clan to some tea, the fake Dōshu waits for Eigetsu to die or Yōgetsu to appear. Ensei heads to Sekiei Village ahead o
- E14: Enter the Lion's Den (2007-07-14) — While Kōrin starts the rescue operation, Ryūren tells a sleeping Shūrei that he'll go ahead to meet Eigetsu. After a touching reunion(and a long one at that), Eigetsu urges Kōrin t
- E15: A Short Amount of Time (2007-07-21) — As Shūrei and Ensei place the fake Dōshu and his men under arrest, he tries to buy time to make Shūrei step on the trap, but is surprised when he discovers that all the villagers a
- E16: Flames Before the Wind (2007-07-28) — As Kōrin falls ill from the shock, she is brought to Sekiei village to recover, while Yōgetsu is visited by the spirit of Kashin, and is requested a favor from Dr. Yō, who is one o
- E17: Up and Down Seven Times (2007-08-04) — Shūrei and company throw a feast to celebrate the revival of the cities in Kōrin, when they are visited by Governor Kei the next day, Governor Kei handing the gift entrusted to him
- E18: The Road is Distant After Dark (2007-09-15) — Past events are shown: The journey to Kōringun, the operation on the sick villagers, successful entry to the hideout of the Jasenkyo and the capture of its members, and Eigetsu com
- E19: Counting Your Chickens Before They Hatch (2007-09-22) — Seiran delivers a message to Ryūki from Shūrei, stating that their next meeting would be when the Sakura Bloom. Ryūki offers Yūshun Tei the position of Prime Minister, but Yūshun o
- E20: All is Lost That is Given to a Fool (2007-09-29) — Karin, the name of Kochō's guest, finds Shūrei to be quite cute, then leaves when she sees the painting. Shūrei and company find out that the paintings are fake and find counterfei
- E21: A Frog's Child is a Frog (2007-10-06) — As they continue searching for forgeries, Shūrei and company discover that prices for everyday household prices are slowly rising and ask for the help of Sai Rin. Shin Suou is baff
- E22: An Insect in a Lion's Body (2007-10-13) — Shūrei and company learn that Banri was tricked by two men into doing the paintings, while Shin Suou reveals his amazing insight on how his father is part of the painting forgeries
- E23: Misery Loves Company (2007-10-20)
- E24: One Good Turn Deserves Another (2007-10-27)
- E25: Even with Trouble, Youth is Sufficient Enough to Pay (2007-11-03)
- E26: Even the Wisest will Flee When They are Fools (2007-11-10)
- E27: Better to be the One who Waits than the One Waited For (2007-11-17)
- E28: The Story of Saiunkoku (2007-11-24)
- E29: The Further You Are, the More I Think About You (2007-12-01)
- E30: The Silent Firefly's Body Consumed by Love (2007-12-22)
- E31: One Reaps What One Sows (2008-01-05)
- E32: A Painful Reluctance (2008-01-12)
- E33: As the Seasons Change, So Does the Mind (2008-01-26)
- E34: Bluer than Indigo (2008-02-02)
- E35: Crossing a Dangerous Bridge (2008-02-09)
- E36: Fortune is Where One Finds It (2008-02-16)
- E37: The Eyes are the Mirror of the Soul (2008-02-23)
- E38: Close Friendship (2008-03-01)
- E39: Destined Partners Cannot Be Separated (2008-03-08)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seasons does The Story of Saiunkoku have? 2 season(s) with 78 episodes.
Where can I watch The Story of Saiunkoku? See the Where to Watch section above for current streaming options.
