The hairpin. From this thing, it started. From this thing, it also ended.
相逢是离别的开始, the title of this episode, talked about how meeting was the start of seperation. How apt this episode title is for Sakujun and Shuurei.
Without spoiling anything more, I will start (with a heavy heart).
Episode summary
We have both Sakujun and Seiran talking as they drank the wine. Seiran accused Sakujun to be the mastermind on instigating Chuushou to kill off Shunki’s parents and Enjun’s children. Seiran continued that Enjun was spoiling his fun and hence wanted to use Chuushou to get back at Enjun. Sakujun then complimented Seiran to have a bit of intelligence (while mentioning Seiran’s royalty status) and said how Seiran never left any room in his talk which was pretty annoying. As they continued to drink, Seiran said how there was a hallucinating scent used on Chuushou and the father by Sakujun’s mother and grandmother, and it seemed that Sakujun was the one who accidentally mentioned it to the wives on the availability of the order. Seiran then mentioned the strength of the wine.
At the other hand, Shuurei and the rest had finished off the work on the Sa clan, as Shuurei took her leave to get back her royal hairpin from Sakujun. Back to the two, Sakujun told Seiran how most normal people had others important to him but he only had Shuurei who was the most important to him. Seiran then accounted how he had Ryuuki, as well as many others to protect and love in his mind. Sakujun replied that was why he would do anything and everything for Shuurei. Seiran spoke about his stubborn side, in which he wanted everything to he yearned for in whatever way that could achieve it.
Sakujun changed the topic, asking Seiran how he would feel if he knew Shuurei made the flower tea for him. Seiran looked sternly as he said it must be one of his tricks and instead asked whether the tea was good. Sakujun wistfully said it was, as he remembered how Shuurei refused to make the tea for him and that he would die without the tea. We see a cut scene of Shuurei running, thinking in her mind why Sakujun wanted the tea so much. After that, Seiran proudly said that he was the second loved person of Shuurei, with first being Shouka and Sakujun added how he wished Shuurei could say that he was the third man.
Seiran noticed that darkening of the eye bags of Sakujun and knew that it was about time when the poison was acting up. Seiran then asked if Sakujun had returned the flower hairpin, as Sakujun said he did. With that, Seiran stood up slashing the whole table into half as he tried viciously to attack Sakujun. Sakujun stealthily avoided it and grabbed his sword, as they traded blows. Seiran said that all the wine cups were poisoned and he had eaten some form of antidote before it and asked if Sakujun did it. Sakujun said it was from natural resistance of drinking poison since young. However, Seiran suddenly weakened as the strength of the wine started to take control, with Sakujun seemingly about to kill him. He did not however, as he sliced the candle, leaving through the window.
A scene of Kokujun and Shunki assuring each other was shown, while we hear the sound of the er hu played by Sakujun as Shuurei finally found him. By the time she did, the poison had went in deep as he started to lose his senses. Shuurei then saw blood when she touched him, realizing that he was injured. We saw a flashback in which the plain water was in fact a slow poison and the actual antidote was the flower tea that Shuurei brewed. “Without the flower tea, he would die” was really true since his body had not adjusted to the slow poison. While Shuurei continued to ask if he was all right since he was fine yesterday and Shuurei thought it was simply a slit of the throat.
In his mind, he was hoping to tell her the truth that she was the one who killed him in order for her to never forget him. As Shuurei fumbled for medicine to help him, he simply laughed, saying that he wanted to hear her play the er hu and he removed the cloth that she used to tie her hair. He said that she had never called his real name and then asked wistfully what number he was in her heart. Shuurei wanted to look for Eigetsu to help but he held her hand, kissing her gently on the lips with her not resisting it.
He then left her lips, saying that even though it was not her fault, he offered himself to her as Shuurei realized that she was the one who had killed him. He then laughed, saying that beautiful people never lived long as he once again confessed how he loved everything of her. Shuurei was close to tears as she gave him a tight slap, saying that he had achieved nothing yet was talking like he was going to throw his life away. She then continued with a reprimand that he never called her real name too. Shuurei rushed off to find Eigetsu as Sakujun thought how he would not regret when he died. He did as he remembered all the times he had with Shuurei.
We see Ryuuki looking at the sky, as he speculated that both Shuurei and Seiran had reached their destination. Shuuei said he was very impressed by Ryuuki, the fact that he was greedy to want Shuurei by his side but resisted it by his own tolerance. Ryuuki blushed as he turned away, embarrassed to show his face. Still, he said that he loved everyone, including Shuuei but his love was Shuurei. He then thought how it would be when he would die ever since meeting Shuurei, which would be a lonely death, yet he would never regret meeting Shuurei as we saw Sakujun on his last breath. At the end, Seiran reached Ensei and Eigetsu as he was close to collapsing after struggling with the wine and poison, and Shuurei grabbed Eigetsu who went to search for her, telling him to rush over to Sakujun’s side.
Thoughts
I cried. It was not a fest of tears but it was tears of mere sadness.
It is the first time in Saiunkoku Monogatari that I cried and it is probably with great reason. No matter how much I hated Sakujun, the ending conclusion up to his death really portrayed a man who had already accepted death as his only path and did everything for the woman he really loved. He knew that he was a stumbling block for the path of governance and the fact that his character and personality was as such made it impossible that he would happily fulfill the quiet obedience. It was clear to all that Sakujun, for all his evil ways toward everyone, really fell in love with Shuurei.
I am like most people thinking that he is simply using Shuurei as a tool of enjoyment, one that he will eventually throw away when he is sick of it. It is clear by this episode that he has really fallen in love and that he finally started to feel for the first time ever since he is born. That was why it was painful to see him die. The fact that Shuurei indirectly killed him was not lost on me, as Shuurei must have felt great pain that a man that she thought was simply toying with her in fact really fell in love with her and entrusted her with a little wish to save him.
Yet, she did not do it with the very tea that he had been asking her to do. It was so sad in the way he died, simply because he never asked for any sympathy, nor use the idea of Shuurei indirectly killing her to make her remember him. It was so agonizing and nothing could be done to solve this.
I personally enjoyed the humanizing of Sakujun. I believe that he would have easily killed Seiran if he was of his previous self, the one before meeting Shuurei. The fact that he let him go is an indication that only he wanted in his life is to meet Shuurei one last time and call her by name. Hopefully, she will call him back by name too, and that hope is never going to be fulfilled. I really sympathize with him. I know many of you will probably say good riddance to him, but I think after this episode, it is really very hard to do that.
I also like the resolution of the Seiran and Sakujun feud. It was sheer genius that all the wine are in fact poisoned, and I really am wondering that it will somehow happen. Sakujun, for all his love to Shuurei, is still a really vicious person. However, that also speaks nothing of Seiran, who is in fact somewhat similar in his ways to do things.
They are both people who would stoop to nothing to achieve their goals, and it is simply that Seiran is protecting Shuurei. Seiran has been hiding that true part of himself for a long time and it is clear that he has no true notion of goodness, only the fact to achieve his goals by any means possible.
Lastly, it must be painful to be Shuurei.
So what do you think of the episode? Do you enjoy and sympathize with Sakujun’s final demise or you are now cheering with happiness that he’s dead?
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Comments (48)
OMG~!… that’s was extremely touching and sad at the same time. I personally am not fond of sakujun, but THAT was way too sad. Great episode though.
Kimmie added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 6:25 amOhhhh…its sad that he had to restore to such methods to gain love and rather selfish to make Shuurei rem him for the rest of her life. I pity him thou….This episode makes the heart heavy….
jetaime added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 7:51 am@kimmie: yes T_T. It’s way too sad even for a villain like him to die off in such a pitiful way. Many people who have followed my episode summaries know how much I dislike Sakujun but the story is so sad….it’s hard to hate him.
@Jetaime: Ya, it does. Well, maybe i did not make it clear but he intended to tell Shuurei that he did it to gain love and make Shuurei remember him for the rest of her life if he told her that she had indirectly killed him. However, he did not. He did not want that kind of sympathy from her and he even denied that she was the one who killed him when Shuurei finally realized that she was the one who did it.
That, in my opinion, is redemption enough for Sakujun, who has found love, albeit a bit too late in his life.
Impz added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 8:29 amUgh. I knew it was coming — I’ve read stuff around the web here and there — and I nearly watched it in the raw but cowardly stopped before the sad part. If I’m going to cry, I will do it English. ^_^ Makes me hurt just to think about it.
I liked Sakujun, bastard though he was for most of his life. I think I liked him because I felt he genuinely liked Shuurei, from start to finish. I never really wanted Shuurei to be with him forever as I know that she’ll be with Ryuuki — I guess this was the only way this could have ended, in a story like this.
I believe that he was key for making Shuurei mature with regard to realizing her own ability to love. He forced her to face it. Though she called both Sakujun and Ryuuki child-like adults, one could say the same for her (though she has a better excuse being only 17). But not now, as this experience certainly stretches the boundaries of her emotional capacity.
Pretty profound for a cartoon, eh? ^_^
apexantapex added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 9:19 amImpz I don’t know what to say!I like to cry (sob,sob,sob)I’m sad this time! thanks again! I like Ryuuki for Shuurei,but I begun to liked also Sakujun,nothing wrong with that I think!and he’s pretty cute!nah I don’t like the idea that he was poisoned by Seiran! Seiran was to harsh for his action! I was very disappointed!huh (sigh)
na2niet added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 10:09 amThough Sakujun might not have been an angel all the while, it did shows that he really loves Shuurei. The only one he truly ever loves.. to think a simple thing he requested from her which he was denied killed him it was really a sad thing.. for most of the part he was evil,cant deny that he was always nice and sweet to Shuurei.. Will definitely miss him.. no more 2 face guy unless Seiran starts to turn to his darker side
devilyne added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 10:29 am>>> Seiran said that all the wine cups were poisoned and he had eaten some form of antidote before it and asked if Sakujun did it.
Clarification: Sakujun was the one who was supposed to decide where the poison should be, thus Sakujun poisoned all the cups, ala Princess Bride. In fact Sakujun said he added some poisons of his own to some of the cups.
>>> He then thought how it would be when he would die ever since meeting Shuurei, which would be a lonely death, yet he would never regret meeting Shuurei as we saw Sakujun on his last breath.
I believe he said, had he not loved others and loved only Shuurei, he would have died a lonely death, instead. This is exactly what happened to Sakujun, whose only love in his life was Shuurei, thus died a lonely death. In this way, Shuurei was very keen to observe similarities between Sakujun and Ryuuki.
Finally, it is a well known Korean saying that you cannot beat someone who is lucky for the hand of the fair maiden; in this sense, I think it is hard for anyone other than Seiran getting Shuurei’s hand in the end. Ryuuki just doesn’t have enough opportunities to win more points in Shuurei’s heart, while Seiran keeps building on to his lead.
wontaek added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 11:34 amGreat summary and reflections. I want to put in a word for Koyasu Takehito, the VA for Sakujun. I think his voice was just perfect and helped make Sakujun the powerful and complex character he was. Oh, and I think Ryuuki will win Shuurei in the end, because he will become a great king who makes his subjects’ lives better. That is the greatest accomplishment of all, in Shuurei’s eyes. Not that I think the end will come anytime soon.
hashihime added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 2:48 pmI knew Sakujun really fell for Shuurei from last episode. Like I said, if he didn’t he wouldn’t have put his life at risk..
*sob sob* definitely going to cry when I watch this episode.. I’m hoping Sakujun comes back to life next episode… but chances of that happening…
If Seiran = 2nd, and Sakujun wants to be 3rd, where’s Ryuuki??
babypris added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 5:26 pmOmg, Sakujun scared me when blood started oozing out of his mouth. Never in a million years did I imagine that he’s going to die, even though it was very possible, it didn’t even touch my mind. I mean, he always looked like he had things under control and stuff. Who would’ve thought he would die this way? This episode seriously made me cry. And I’ve started liking him a few episodes ago too. -_- They sure know how to put up a mood. The stupid music and Sakujun’s words towards Shuurei under the tree are so touching.
All he wanted was a kanro teaa…:’( Bad Seiran, he should’ve poured his poison in a river lol This is definitely the most unforgettable episode of Saiunkoku for me.
“If Seiran = 2nd, and Sakujun wants to be 3rd, where’s Ryuuki??”
0th? LOL
Ricaryx added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 5:55 pm@apex: Yes, it is really complex for a “cartoon”. I doubt that the “adults” who watch all the j-drama and the likes have this much intelligence and complexity. This is perhaps one of the most exploratory episodes in Saiunkoku Monogatari, as it blurred the line between what’s right and what’s wrong. Even the big Seiran fan feels that Seiran is just about equally “evil”, even if he’s on the good side. Who’s good? Who’s bad?
This anime no longer bothers to answer it but to show the sequence of events that led after various actions. In a way, that’s life. There’s really no one who is stereotypically evil or good, is there?
@na2viet & devilyne: Ya, he will be sorely missed. Honestly, without this episode, the appreciation of Sakujun will be long due. It is the humanizing of villains that I found always to be so redeeming. It’s sad though that they always die by then.
@wontaek: Thanks for the clarification! 
Honestly though, even if there’s a Korean line like that, I still believe that if two people are really fated to be together, whatever troubles what will arise between the two will eventually be solved. Whatever distance will be bridged and whatever that will pull them apart will simply make the heart ponder more.
That’s what I see in Ryuuki and Shuurei. Ryuuki is one whose heart will not be shifted. Shuurei clearly knows about how Ryuuki feels about her and the fact that Shuurei’s ability to love has been somewhat rudely awakened by Sakujun will eventually bring her closer there.
@Hashihime: There’s always the 2nd season to look forward to. Still, SEIRAN X SHUUREI FOREVER!!
@Babypris: read ric’s comments, lol! Well, honestly, I do not think that Sakujun will be third. For all he wishes, he has never really called Shuurei by name…That is the distance between the two.
@Ric:I knew he is going to die, but the manner is really painful. Sigh, and yes, all he needs is a kanro tea. Well, it makes for good viewing.
Impz added these pithy words on Jan 29 07 at 8:54 pmI seriously was not going to post my own thoughts. I initially planned on just to lurk and see what others’ comments will be. But alas, the hapless hopeless romantic in me just cannot resist.
This episode is impressively animated. It’s probably the most poignant and dramatic episode in Saiunkoku Monogatari’s first season.
Ah, Sa Sakujun, I feel your pain. Of all the crimes a heart can commit, why fall for someone who is beyond one’s reach, or at least someone who is irrevocably dense. Ehem. Note lesson learned: Never stand in the way of true love (Ryuuki x Shuurei), else fate will have it run you over and kill you in the most unspeakable and hellish ways, i.e. Sa Sakujun’s demise. ^^ Anyway, I’m neither cheery nor lonely for his demise. One way or another, Sa Sakujun would have to pay for his past offenses. It just so happens that fate chose Shuurei to bring the punishment and at the same time madness lead blind love to touch Sakujun’s heart. Life is just that way. It’s unfair. Unfortunately for Sakujun, nobody told him that the stupid heart of a human cannot learn neither can it be manipulated to love someone whom it is not meant to love.
(Stares at Sa Sakujun’s screenshot) And they say women are difficult to figure out. Men are worse.
As for Ryuuki, I also feel his pain; to wish that for once, far away can be so much closer than what it is if only for one glimpse (sighs). Ehem. I absolutely agree when Shuuei said how admirable Ryuuki is for restraining himself from forcing/manipulating Shuurei to be with him despite his desperate yearning for her. This trait of his is what sets him apart from Seiran and Sakujun. He is really the only one, other than Shouka-papa, who willingly set Shuurei free to do what she wants, watch over her from behind while she does her best to achieve her goals, trust her judgment in realizing her dreams, all the while hoping for her heart to open up, accept and return his love in time. It is, in my opinion, what true love should be, an unconditional and passionate yet tender love that faithfully and patiently waits. A guy who can offer something even close to such a thing can make someone who swore off of love, fall in love. (Good grief! How mushier can I get?-_-)
And for Seiran, I mentioned this before and I’ll say it again. He is as twisted as Sakujun. He just hides it better. Even if he is #2 in Shuurei’s heart, the soul-mate role is reserved for Ryuuki.And no, I won’t fangirl over him in this comment.
^^ This puppy is too, too sleepy….
ThirteenSugars added these pithy words on Jan 30 07 at 2:04 amMy turn to comment! heh heh.
Hmm, I don’t feel very much affected when Sakujun died. He just didn’t have a very lasting and forceful impression on me. Like I’ve said before, maybe I just feel that the story didn’t portray his character enough. Neither as an evil genius or a hopeless lover. I don’t even feel touched by his death. Or his love for Shuurei. :X
Find this arc quite boring. Gimme Ghost Hunt!!!
lys added these pithy words on Jan 30 07 at 3:56 amAs noble as Ryuuki’s love for Shuurei is, I still say Seiran wins when it comes to ‘who loves Shuurei the most’. >) He is twisted, yes, but if you take note of what he has to go through during his childhood, you can’t even blame him for going to such extremes when it comes Shuurei. How does someone who was forced to grow up in a bloody environment express a clear-cut conscience way of doing things? Seiran is really broken inside and his existence was very unwanted, yet because Shuurei made him feel accepted, he was able to thank his good-for-nothing mother for bringing him to the world. In a sense, Shuurei saved him in more ways than one. It’s no wonder that he’ll be so desperate to do whatever it takes to protect Shuurei.
Not only that, Seiran has always been with Shuurei for so many years, always watching, protecting, caring and never once did he expect something in return. He probably is ’subconsciously’ in love with her, but he’s not after her and wants only the best for her. I’ve always commended this side of him. In my opinion, if Seiran really did go after Shuurei, Ryuuki wouldn’t stand a chance and the opening sequence will be different. Fortunately, I don’t think that’ll happen though. 
I’m content with Seiran and Shuurei’s current closeness. ^.^
Even if I said all those good things about Seiran, I’m still sulking about what he and his poison did to Sakujun. ~__~;;
Ricaryx added these pithy words on Jan 30 07 at 5:16 amLol, after reading both 13sugars and Ricaryx’s compelling discussions on Seiran and Ryuuki, I personally find myself stuck with the choice. I personally like Seiran because I am sadly equally ruthless when it comes to things that I want. I think it’s realistic to think that the best method will often be the best means to do it, as long as it works. I do not really care and I think that his motivation to do it is right…
Still, 13sugars’s analysis of Ryuuki is much more appealing due to the fact that she is right to say that Ryuuki sacrificed the most among the three. Honestly, all three of them have a turbulent past, so dragging the past out will not make any strong appeal. All three suffered tremendously that will cause any normal man to be insane.
The argument that Ryuuki is the only person who willingly allowed Shuurei the liberty to do what she wants is a strong one, and a true sign of love. That is why i find myself persuaded by it.
Still, I have to say that Seiran’s ruthlessness to do anything for Shuurei warrants some merit too.
Ah well, that was just what I think anyway ^.^
ricaryx added these pithy words on Jan 30 07 at 1:37 pmOmg.. I didn’t -like- Sakujun, but this was so sad.. did he really die? Like, couldn’t he possibly come back.. it seems so quick.. 
*sigh*
I know this is kind of heartless of me, but I wonder if Ryuuki will find out why Sakujun died and his love for Shuurei and how he will react.
Ryuuki-Shuurei is probably the easiest pairing.. just because Seiran will accept it because he loves both of them although Seiran-Shuurei would be about the same.
@Liz: I think the two relationships are very different. Unlike Ryuuki, The Seiran X Shuurei relationship if it materializes will be a dependent Seiran on Shuurei, that will eventually form cracks as long as Seiran continues to stay in the darkness. However, one thing that he has over Ryuuki is his keen experience in helping Shuurei and I feel that Ryuuki might have some trouble to be dependent on due to his character that seems more child-like than imposing. It’s hard to shrug it off.
Ryuuki, as shown as his generosity to allow Shuurei to venture to her love for politics and serving the nation, will be a good match for Shuurei. One thing he has over Seiran is his clear devotion, yet not forsaking what he has like the Bara hime story where he simply gazes longingly at the flower without grabbing it since he cannot forsake everything. Some might consider it the lack of devotion but I see that as a model of responsibility. Seiran does not have that as he only sees Shuurei as his main form of protection.
At least, Seiran has other people to protect and love, which is better than Sakujun as displayed in this episode.
And yes, he died. Sakujun that is.
Impz added these pithy words on Jan 30 07 at 7:41 pmWell he was deserving of his fate considering his past.
But it was good for Shuurei to have met him I think, because he challenged her and maybe forced her to face some things she’d been trying not to for a long time.
Such as her fear of loving someone.
Maybe she’s better prepared to accept Ryuuki’s feelings now.
So I’m kind of sad to see him go, because he was good for Shuurei’s character. He helped her to grow just that little bit more.
But I’m not sad he’s out of the running for Shuurei’s heart!
I don’t think I really ever wanted him to end up with her. I just don’t think he was as deserving as Seiran or Ryuuki.
In the beginning I think I really wanted her to end up with Seiran, but as the series goes on I really want Ryuuki to end up winning her heart. Because just as Shuurei overcomes new trials and grows in character so does Ryuuki.
And I agree the maturity he shows when handling his feelings for Shuurei, but not limiting her in what she wants to do, makes me think that he’s the most deserving of her love.
D.J added these pithy words on Jan 30 07 at 8:02 pmOh no! Please don’t misunderstand me. From the first 16-bit pixilated magnificent frame of Seiran to the very last row, I’m absolutely one of his hardcore fangirls, and I wholeheartedly agree with Ricaryx, Liz and DJ’s posts. ^^
However, as one of the Shuurei x Ryuuki pairing supporter who proudly raises and waves their love banner, I must humbly and respectfully state my opinion that may oppose the others.
I must agree with Impz’s comment regarding Seiran, Ryuuki and Sakujun’s past. All three experienced such turmoil pasts, and comparing one from the other makes no difference that they all probably had a share of similar pain. I firmly believe one of them loved Shuurei just as much as the other two does/did, and that it is not really a matter of who loves who the most neither it is who loves who in the right/wrong way, but who loves who in the best way.
Because truth is, a particular person can love you just as much as another, but no one else can ever love you the same way this particular person can. And most of the time, when it comes to love, there’s almost always no right or wrong. I just happen to think that Ryuuki’s way of loving is the best way to love Shuurei. Plus, I would also hate to think that just because I do not love someone the way he wants me to, it would mean I do not love him as much as he loves me and vice versa. But if I were to choose between Seiran and Ryuuki’s way of loving, I will definitely pick Seiran’s way; his obsessive and too passionate, which can almost be called ruthless, kind of love. A guy like that tends to hold on to the person he loves too ardently that he would rather die than be apart or be without his significant other. Guys like that are literally “madly
ThirteenSugars added these pithy words on Jan 31 07 at 2:15 amWhoa! My apologies. I seriously did not expect to post a comment as long as that. I think I got carried away. (lol)
ThirteenSugars added these pithy words on Jan 31 07 at 2:17 amThis is really an emotional rollercoaster. I came to this site thinking to read how right i was in my last post on the previous episode. However, when i read the line “I will start with a heavy heart” - my heart clenched. I thought Seiran died!!!
Now that i finished reading the summary… i’m wondering if i would really want to watch this episode…
HAHAHA, if I did that to you, my hook did work.
I always like to do surprises to my readers to give them an emotional roller coaster
go watch it. You will not regret it, I swear.
Impz added these pithy words on Jan 31 07 at 10:09 am*Stares at you with woebegone eyes* Thank you! Thank you so much for this summary! I’ve been haunting websites trying to come up with an english subbed episode, but unfortunately, the translations have stopped coming in after the 28th episode. I got rather desperate, and I’ve been surfing sites for a looooong time now.
Reading this was simultaneously a thrill and a sadness. Although Sa Sakujun was perhaps a devious man determined to pursue his choices, forgetting the possible consequences, I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor man. It seems a poor exchange, Sakujun’s life for Shuurei’s eventual maturing. Although, objectively, I can’t see any other alternative to this, considering the rather possesive nature that most men tend to display around Shuurei (and I highly doubt that Sakujun would ever be able to see Shuurei in a friendly light or be able to understand her need to interact with more people than just him), it still leaves a rather bitter tang.
I also find it rather horrifyingly ironic that Shuurei panics when she realizes that Sakujun is dying, trying her best to revive him, when her beloved Seiran is the one partly responsible for orchestrating this event.
With the way the amount of amorous men surrounding Shuurei seems to increase, I wouldn’t be so sure that the number of candidates for Shuurei’s affection is limited to Ryuuki or Seiran. It’s probable that Shuurei will meet some other man who will make her understand love in another dimension too, before she finally chooses.
Either way, as long as Shuurei has a happy, successful ending, I’ll be pretty happy.
Seiran, in my eyes, finally became a ‘great’ man! The fact that he seemed perfect in the beginning was really annoying, and compared to the idiosyncracies of other men, like Ryuuki or Ryuuren, seemed a tad bit too tame! I honestly can’t say I’m horrified at his attitude though. It’s simply an exxageration of the attitude many successful businessmen of today convey, and considering the era and relative bloodbath which seems to be happening, the attitude is pretty much in tone really.
Between Seiran and Ryuuki, it seems Ryuuki has matured, while Seiran seems to have regressed into his former self in the Satsujinzoku. Perhaps it’s the threat of potentially losing Shuurei, or the fact that the danger to her life has increased enormously since the beginning.
Anyway, thanks again!
And…errr…..hehe….sorry for the lengthy comment!
We Suck fansubs (english) seems to be rapidly catching up, lately. They released ep29 late last night. I’m trying to DL it by bittorrent — agh, I have a love/hate relationship with bittorrent. I wish the English subs could catch up so I could discuss the current episodes with everybody… but at least I know when to mentally prepare for sobbing bitter tears. ^_^
Now that I’ve just watched the first ep of Trinity Blood, I now get Thirteensugars’ nickname! Cool reference.
apexantapex added these pithy words on Jan 31 07 at 11:33 amOne other source for English subs: Shadow Dreams. I slightly prefer her subs as she leaves some phrases appropriately untranslated which are already readily understandable to the anime viewer, e.g. leaving Shuurei-san or Shuurei-sensei as-is, rather than translating it to Miss Shuurei and Instructor Shuurei. Sometimes I think overtranslating can take some of the flavor out of the content. But both groups are doing a mighty fine job and many thanks to both of them.
http://kagedreams.livejournal.com/87908.html
http://we-suck.blogspot.com/search/label/Saiunkoku
Aaahhh! You got it! (woots & hurrays then hands sugar cookies to Apexantapex.)
I’m surprised by all the sympathy for Sakujun. He planned to make himself immortal in Shuurei’s memory by making her inadvertently responsible for his suicide. (He could have made the damn tea for himself if he wanted to live.) He must have known how much that would hurt her; even if she doesn’t love him—and she doesn’t, thank God—she wouldn’t want to be responsible for his death. This is going to haunt Shuurei forever. Who does that to someone they love? Oh right, the mass-murdering psychopath. Sakujun’s cruelty is mind-boggling. Being a fratricide was the GOOD part of his character.
I loved the way Seiran dealt with Sakujun—subtle, elegant, cruel and effective. Seiran/Seien is fascinating. On the one side, there’s mild-mannered, kindly Seiran, who’s happy to putz around Shouka’s estate chopping wood and running errands; on the other, ruthless and brutal Prince Seien, who grew up in the most treacherous atmosphere imaginable and spent a year as the slave of a band of murdering thugs, whom he then murdered in order to escape. I think being Seiran is a huge relief for him. And keeping Shuurei from harm is a big part of being Seiran. The first words he ever spoke as Seiran were in Shuurei’s defense, and defending her transformed Seien’s horrible experiences by giving him a way to use them for good. I think he desperately needed to believe something good could still come out of his broken life. Shuurei is that good thing, which is why he’s so desperate to protect her.
Great discussion here. Love your summaries, Impz. Many thanks!
vesper added these pithy words on Jan 31 07 at 2:48 pmVesper: quite an excellent point. Thoughtprovoking. So I examined my thoughts about it….
I don’t think many characters’ hands are clean and blameless in this story, but that doesn’t necessarily prevent one from liking a character for other aspects or the way his/her character develops. Sa Taiho killed his entire clan and then tried to dethrone Ryuuki and let Shuurei and others get killed in the process. Shou Taishi let an entire nation go to ruin in the interest of finding ONE man he thought worthy of being emperor. Shuurei’s father is an assassin. God knows how many people Seiran has killed in his past. Ensei too. Rou Ensei? Sends out assassins for fun, seems like. To Impz’ original point, who’s evil and who’s good? Half the cast here has committed murder, so is it now not a case of deciding if you’re murdering for good or for evil?
However, to your point, Sakujun’s case is much more clearcut than most of them. ^_^ I don’t think he ever murdered for anything else than self-interest.
The thing about his character is that we don’t actually witness his considerably evil acts — we only see him interacting with Shuurei, and those are solely romantic scenarios, which probably are the basis of most people’s feelings about him. Character preferences aside, his real value is being a plot device to get Shuurei to evolve as an emotional human being. Frankly I don’t think he *really* thought he could win her. Given the situation, he may have felt he should just pass on, as he stated he didn’t really value his life anyway. Death seemed to be in the cards for him, either by someone’s hand or his own planning.
I agree that this event will stay with her for a long time, but as the governor of a rough outpost, this is probably the first of many challenging experiences that will mold her character.
(anyway, I’m rooting for Ryuuki, but wouldn’t be unhappy about Seiran. ^_~ I think the foreshadowing is just too great for Ryuuki’s eventual success with Shuurei, so I don’t really seriously consider anybody else winning the horse race on that.)
I should say that I’ve only viewed the series with dialogue through ep29, anything beyond that is based on what’s discussed here, so I might be offbase on some of my secondhand interpretations.
I have gabbed way too much about this today… I guess Sakujun’s death is a special occasion. ^_^
apexantapex added these pithy words on Jan 31 07 at 4:52 pmFirst I would like to thank you for having this blog. If it wasn’t for you I would have not seen ep. 35 of Saiunkoku till the fansub came out, and who knows when that will be. I watched it after reading this post, and got to comprehend the unsubbed dialogue, thus thoroughly enjoyed the episode.
I must say that Sa Sakujun has become my most favorite villian. The way he died was so genius, he catapulted to number: 1 in ‘the list of villians’ of my heart. lol. I loved his obsessive love for Shuurei and the scenes leading to his death was so beautiful. I think it was the most beautiful death episode I have seen in anime or in any cartoon for a long time. The tea irony, the hair loosing, the “what number”-ing, the blood lipstick, “Where’s the moon/love?”-ing. Everything was so beautiful. I guess the romantic in me is a sucker for unrequitted love. Sakujun epitomizes ‘unrequitted love’. Like the heading of one of the earlier episodes says “There is no medicine for the lovesick”. Sakujun could have made the flower tea himself if he really wanted to live. But he didn’t. Why? Because he is stupid for love. He reached the level of hopelessness, where it seemed that Shuurei would only think of him if he died for her. A sad way of thinking but apparently he believed in it. I personally enjoyed every appearance of Sakujun and am sad that he won’t be there to entertain me in the following episodes. Oh well. He died beautifully, so I’m happy. *laughs sadistically* Sakujun, I love you. Come, let me do your hair.
About the “Where’s the moon?” part. Do you think it was play on words like I think it is. Tsuki(moon) also means love/like in Japanese. So do you think Sakujun was doing word play with that sentence? I thought it was funny when he said that. “Where’s the love?” lol Awww. Poor Sakujun, you evil man you. You nearly died with a pun.
Well, keep up the lovely bloging. Hope to read more of your summaries. Take care. *waves bye*
Maria added these pithy words on Feb 04 07 at 10:10 amwow, I am writing my entry for episode 36 as we speak (which will probably be out on Tuesday morning or night) and is popping by to response since I learned quite a bit of information from the last few commentors. I was telling Lupus how some of the commentors are perhaps better writers than me and I must really improve and think more.
I am personally very impressed by Vesper’s analysis of Seiran, which is right on the spot. The vicious Seien, as contrasted by the gentle Seiran are two different people due to different experiences with different interactions. It makes Seiran much more complex and this arc is supposedly Sakujun’s arc, but in fact, it is also Seiran’s arc as we see him on so many different fronts. I think this arc really explores Seiran and makes him a much more interesting character than he is.
I do think that Shuurei is fully impacted by Sakujun and it will be explained a bit more in the next episode, which I thought will be interesting to see, especially when Seiran feels to be sensing it too of sorts.
I never knew about the pun and it now feels clear when he wants to see the love of his life. That is what you get when Impz does not understand a single bit of Japanese. Oh well.
Glad that you enjoyed the entry though, Maria, and I like your thoughts, as well as every single commentor that has commented in this post. It really helps me to develop my thoughts on the series much more than anything else.
Oh Gosh! Yes! I’m so happy that you are going to update us soon. Man, I feel like I’m going through SaiMono Withdrawl Syndrome. I really want to know what happened. I read somewhere that according to the novel, supposedly Sakujun has not met his end just yet. Damn. And here I thought he died beautifully. Well, whether dead or alive I can’t wait to read your summary on Tuesday. See ya. *waves*
Marai added these pithy words on Feb 04 07 at 5:16 pmYes. I’m the idiot who spells her name wrong. Heh heh.
Maria added these pithy words on Feb 04 07 at 5:17 pmhahaha, no worries. I am still wondering he has met his end but that is a question that is in my next entry. Yes, i actually finished it but it’s still on the editing period, so it will be a while to collect all my thoughts on it.
Soon….soon.
Impz added these pithy words on Feb 05 07 at 9:19 amI love Ryuuki and Sakujun the same way…they’so kakkoi!!! Thoungh i believe Sakujun is a more deep and complicate character…i’ve not understand yet if he’s still alive or not (please be alive!!). He’s so elegant in manner, so misterious and capable of deep and truly love since he accepted to die T_T because of Shuure. He might have saved himself…
lucrezia_artemisia added these pithy words on Feb 28 07 at 10:02 amWait, lucrezia, the thing is that wontaek once said something really logical.
“If they never show the body, he isn’t dead.”
I got a feeling that there is still much to extract from Sakujun and I have the feeling that he will appear later on in the show. I am sure of it and Sakujun does impresses.
Impz added these pithy words on Feb 28 07 at 10:18 amI cried so hard when I watched this. Even though I was really hating on Sakujun for being a nasty son of a gun, I was so sad after this (I still kind of am xD). This was such a beautiful episode.
Larien added these pithy words on Mar 19 07 at 2:45 pmWell, it’s perhaps the way that the two characters are portrayed. If anything, Sakujun can be a really evil character but his heart for Shuurei is true. There is little wonder why you feel that way
i love this anime so much. for the first time in my life i actually cried over an emotional scene. but something puzzled me. sakujun drank the poison because he wanted to secure a position in shuurei’s heart. But he changed his mind because he didnt want to earn her sympathy. However at the final moment he says to her “it’s not your fault, but since i have the chance, i’ll give you sa sakujun”. doesnt that implied that he’s giving shuurei his life. Thus indicating that it was her who decides whether he should live or not. Shuurei then instantly understood his wise implication.
another confusion: Sakujun admitted that for the first time in his life he has done something for the sake of other; shuurei. But he knows that no matter what he does, to shuurei he is her “greatest hindrance.” Is that why he feels that it is nearly impossible for her to welcome his love. If she was to be with him, that would conflict with her job as governor.
Finally. i dont know why alot of people say that Seiran is scary because of his dark side. His past might have being tainted but considering what he went through, i would say that he is righteousness (if that’s even a word but i like to use it). I really like his hidden personality. And all taht he does was for the sake of Shuurei. To ensure her happiness.
But what caught me by surprise was his converstation with Sakujun. Exposing to Sakujun that shuurei has revealed to Seiran that he was her second most favorite person in the world, after her father. I thought that was a low tactic. This shows how desperate Seiran is. Why is he so intimidate by Sakujun’s present.
1. he is afraid that Shuurei will respond to Sakujun. Knowing that Sakujun is a very wicked and devious person.
Does taht mean he will be ok if shuurie ended up falling in love with his brother, Ryuuki. Or he is not intimidated by Ryuuki?
Please correct me if im wrong!!!!
lovesaiunkoku added these pithy words on Mar 21 07 at 7:48 amThis is prolly coming a bit late, but since Sakujun has in fact, returned from the dead (oh, like we couldn’t see THAT coming…), it should be said.
I hate Sakujun, simply put. If I were to meet this person in real life, I would think of him so dangerous that if I were in a position to, I would eliminate him, by my own hands if required.
Perhaps its also the way that SM handles death that makes his character so annoying. Here, ‘death’ has become a deux ex machina for ‘poignant moment time’, with the off-chance that if you’re major enough you prolly can find your way back onto the show.
Now, Sakujun would have been an obvious, annoying, but significant point of Shuurei’s development had he remained dead, and despite my misgivings, a character is required for Shuurei.
Of course, this comes to the point that I’m sick and bloody tired of people being goddamn ‘forgiven’ in whatever small way because of ‘love’. Everyone ‘loves’, everyone freaking ‘dies’. Sakujun may not have much ‘love’ in his life, but many people are deprived as well, so why would a cad like him be given so much leeway in the sympathetic treatment of his character?
He has caused death, he has caused suffering; if you feel the way that his past affects him is sufficient for tears then the only reason we’re not tearing for his victims is simply because they’re not on-screen and they aren’t pretty.
Now, about his ‘return’. His demotion from ‘bit-character-major-death’ to ’skeleton-from-the-closet’ just annoys me as well. Content as I was to accept his necessary character death, this just makes me laugh. What am I suppose to regard his character with now? The only thing left is that he should have an ignoble and direct death! I have not watched/read beyond my knowledge that he’s back, but my mind is reassured that he is no longer in fact, important at all.
If I were to express my feelings, it would be a long and violent mode of death for Sakujun at the hands of someone with legitimate hatred for him, to remind everyone that just because someone is beautiful or acts in a way that’s ‘touching’, doesn’t abolish any punishment he so richly deserves. If we had a Justice Bao character in SM (which, as it’s in China-like setting, would be fitting), then his attitude is what should be adopted. Justice is blind, even to ‘love’, because pain and suffering is often hidden and forgotten by the foolish who pursue it relentlessly without regard.
Byakko added these pithy words on Oct 02 07 at 4:42 am@Byakko: And since you made a long reply, it is only fair that I discuss with you a little bit. ^+^
I believe that rather than being sympathetic treatment of his character, the very fact is that he could have been used for good if only Shuurei appeared much earlier. God forbid, I do not really like Sakujun at all. However, I think that there is still a huge development waiting for Sakujun, especially if he is to be back as a hero, rather than a freaky screwball. That will be redemption, one that he might or might not deserve (that is debatable by any means of gauge).
I am not so evil to wish that he has a violent mode of death because he does not even know how to love. If you do not know how to love, what do you do? Do of him as a villian that is taught since young to be malicious and the likes, and when he finally understands the goodness of love (or romance), he dies. It’s painful. However, there is no clue whatsoever whether he will really return.
For now, I see it as possible, but remote.
P/s: You are definitely a lawful good character I am but chaotic good ^+^
i hv a strange feeling when i 1st saw sakujun….
i could say i quite hate him bcoz he is such a spoiler between shuurei n ryuuki… n a VERY IMPORTANT THING is THAT HE LoOKS LIKE A WOMAN !!! it REALLY FREAKS ME OUT….
does’nt anyone notice it ??
i’m VERY GLAD HE `DIED’…. if he shows up again…. i dUnno what wiLL happen… the relationship between Shuurei n Ryuuki will be further apart… sob…sob… i reaLLy wish that Shuurei n Ryuuki will b 2gether in the end…
Love RyuukixShuurei !! (^_^)
Oh my God….Poor Sakujun…..If im not mistaken, I’ve read somewhere on the internet that he’ll appear again in the next season…..He is hot though….hehehe…
Matt Shadows added these pithy words on Dec 21 07 at 1:26 amoh my goodness!!! I jst feel so sad about sakujun’s death… i never want any charactor to come to death at all.. And, what i really want now is to see seiran and shuurei get married and live happily ever ever after.. lol…. i just don’t feel a thing about ryuuki, he just seems useless for me, after all, he never does anything to help shuurie at all. unlike seiran, he’s always been there for her, always.
saya fr cambo added these pithy words on Dec 26 07 at 11:38 pmi really like sakujun his so handsome and vey manly, althoug he is not a good character in the anime but still i like him…its so sad thouhg that shuree doenst return his love for him. i like this episode
lynneth added these pithy words on Feb 05 08 at 6:30 pmAh! With a heavy heart, I write too. He was my beloved character and I adored the relationship between him and Shuurie. I think they both needed each other and they both changed each other’s life. We don’t know about Sakujun childhood and why he became evil but Shuurie’s love changed him and softened him, don’t you think? Like Seiran if he didn’t meet Shuurie and her family, he would have turned up more evil than Sakujun. Also, Sakujun was Shuurie’s awakening for her womanhood. He is a very experienced man unlike Ryuki and so manly and she couldn’t help but to fall in love with him. I really wanted them to be together and see how much more he will change but alas! They hastened his death and spoiled the most beautiful relationship in this anime. Even if he returned, he will never end up with her other than killing him again by her. I don’t wanna see that.
Enam added these pithy words on Feb 08 08 at 6:13 amI agree with everything that you said, also ths is the only part wher iI cried. I just want to share this yto you coz when I red what you said felt completely understood.
van added these pithy words on May 25 08 at 6:23 amI love this part. i cryed so badly like i lost someone. his an evil man but his beautiful and sweet as well..he never ment to hurt her he just want her by his side. she thought he was juz toying with her n she hates him but lastly she falls for him aswell. dats the sad part of it, both of them loved eachother but they can never be…i liked sakujun juz bcoz his evil but becoz his sweet too. he never forced her to do anything but juz to make him tea comb his hair and play that string thingy.
i wish i was her, so many ppl love her so much..she can even turn an evil guy to a sweet nice man…his goodlooking n cute too..
Liz added these pithy words on Jul 04 08 at 6:14 am