As expected of Saiunkoku Monogatari, the plot goes on a vicious movement toward the crust of the matter, with some very interesting characters appearing and a few unexpected twists that will make us wonder what the future lies for our main characters. I find myself laughing at the start to middle of the series, before turning all gloomy-like with the various twists of the story that forces you to re-evaluate the choices.
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Comments (29)
When will they shift their focus from the sa clan?I don’t want shuurei to go back,because that will mean less screen time of ryuuki and his merry friends!
reishin-sama added these pithy words on Apr 22 07 at 7:59 amyay~!…. ryuuren’s back~! I want more Ryuuki screen time though
ps: all the best for the exam Impz… i have one 2moro as well.
Kimmie added these pithy words on Apr 22 07 at 8:36 am“Shou Taishi was talking to another person (who?)”
Great summary, as always! The small old man that Shou was talking to, I believe, is an imperial doctor, You. He should appear again when Shuurei travels back to Sa Province.
Hopeless added these pithy words on Apr 22 07 at 8:52 amSorry to double comment!
I also don’t think Senya can possibly be Sakajun - the glimpse of him we saw did not even have purple lips! I think this may be the original Senya whose name Sakajun stole, because I do not think he would oppose Shuurei and her governance after the events of episode 35 (he had no real loyalty to the Sa clan and its power), even if he did want to stop her becoming an official so that he could try to make her his. I do think he will return, but in a more benevolent role given his character development throughout the latter stages of his arc.
I actually really like Riou, perhaps because he seems so mysterious and powerful. I don’t think his involvement will be malignant, but of course that remains to be seen.
As you Kai You, I must wonder if he still wants to take over Sa province. If so, he could become a problem for Shuurei in the future, especially with the robed group opposing her. That could be the perfect excuse to claim the province better under his experienced hands.
Hopeless added these pithy words on Apr 22 07 at 9:17 amWhich reminds me that I still have to watch the first series x___x Argh…. no time…
natsuneko added these pithy words on Apr 22 07 at 10:20 amEloquent summary *nods*
It does sadden me that Shuurei will be going back to Sa Province 
*less shuureixryuuki makes me a sad fangirl*
Reishin is head-over-heels for his niece (shakes her head)
I hope Ryuuki gets his girl in the end and would love to see the expression on Reishin face when that day comes lol
Poor Kourin I agree she does have a hard time of it! I hope Eigetsu survives because they are so damn cute as a couple.
D.J added these pithy words on Apr 22 07 at 4:14 pmReishin talking about marrying Shuurei himself strike me as very weird, because come on! She’s his niece! It’s called incest in every living culture. I don’t know about him being lolicon (because after all Shuurei is old enough to marry) but he is definitely weird. *grimaces*
Ryuuki didn’t appear in this episode. Neither has Seiran, for that matter.
So how many ongoing plot threads do we have now?
1) Shuurei and Ryuuki’s love (basic theme for both seasons, I think)
2) Kouyuu and Shuurei’s potential marriage.
3) Eigetsu’s eventual death (!), as well as the Kourin and Eigetsu relationship. (also includes the books Kaiyou-sama is bringing to Shuurei)
4) The snow fox and the mysterious illness
4b) Possibly related: the cult with Senya as the leader
5) Riou, white haired bishie with mysterious powers.
Did I miss anything?
I actually think that the snow fox and the illness is a plague, one that is spread by the snow fox (instead of the rat like in the Manchuria Plague early 20th century, or the Black Death). If it’s a plague, then there will be reason for Eigetsu to panic, because he was brought up by a doctor, and is studying to be a doctor himself, so he is well aware of the devastation a plague can cost. Perhaps he has encountered this plague before with his adopted father, probably around that area.
I hope Eigetsu willn’t die, but it’s really hard to say anything about this, because Yougetsu is a fascinating character in his own right. However, according to the Chinese fansub I watched, it is distinctly said that Eigetsu’s (影月, literally Shadow Moon）real name is literally Moon (I didn’t quite get the Japanese name, but the subtitles say 月, which means moon). Yougetsu’s name is 阳月, which literally means Yang (as in Yin Yang) Moon. I think 影 (shadow) and 阳 (Yang, the sun, or just positive energy) is literally opposites of each other. In Chinese culture, it takes both Yin and Yang to make a whole, as they balance each other. So I’m hypothesizing that it takes both Eigetsu and Yougetsu to make up the being that will live on — a being that is whole and simply known as Moon. So in essence, I think Eigetsu wouldn’t die, he will merge with Yougetsu to form a new, whole, complete man.
(I’m sorry, I realize reading the above without knowing Mandarin is sort of hard. Many apologies for my lack of better expression.)
Briar added these pithy words on Apr 22 07 at 8:16 pmFor a second there, I thought Eigetsu WILL die, as in his whole body down to the grave haha So basically, Yougetsu will just take over his body. I don’t have a problem with that because I honestly find Yougetsu personality to be way more interesting than Eigetsu’s goody two shoes self. It will be interesting to see how Yougetsu and Kourin’s relationship progress, or rather, see if something progresses lol Did Yougetsu mention that Eigetsu real name was just Getsu? I think he did. That means that Yougetsu IS Eigetsu and vice versa. I’m definitely not worried with Eigetsu predicament right now. In fact, I wish it worsens haha Kourin will definitely be able to manage the worst case scenario. *waves Yougetsu flag*
Please someone tell me Reishin didn’t literally mean that he’s in love with his own niece when he said he’ll marry her. I’m trying to tell myself that he wants to protect his niece from the ‘wolves’ so bad to the extent that he would marry her…er..that still doesn’t sound right. Is there even a custom in Old China that you can marry your niece? lol Shouka didn’t even get angry.
And I just can’t bring myself to hate the silver-haired bishie. No matter how forboding he looks, I’ll forgive him because he looks hot. That should a good enough reason. ^.^ It looks like my Seiran and Ryuuki are being pushed to the background while they are so prominent on the ED and OP themes. 
Oh well, I wish they become more important in the later episodes.
@Reishin: I do wonder and it feels with Sai rin telling her that all is done, feels to me that they will have to wait for the Ko’s governor to reach for the approval sign before leaving, since that’s the last thing on their agenda.
@Kimmie: Good luck to you, i guess i had some luck with my exam. Also, Ryuuren having more screen time and Ryuuki too will be good. I doubt Ryuuki will have too much though, not with this plot.
@Hopeless: Arr, an imperial doctor, You. I was assuming it’s some random immortal, haha! Hmm, actually with that, i finally understand why it is not Sakujun. Darn, I am so going to lose the bet with my wifey on this and the torture is quite scary to be honest. I think that it does make sense with the resolution at the very end that Sakujun will return in a more benevolent role. Maybe, he will become the purple lipped savior in gay armor? Bad joke.
That said too, Kai You seems very unlikely to take over Sa province. He respects and knows about Eigetsu, as well as the commendation of Eigetsu’s benefactor about Shuurei. It seems rather inplausible that he will try to disturb the status quo for now.
@Lady Kou: Hahaha, I am glad that you like the summary and it seems to me that Ryuuki will once be thrown aside. He better appear a bit more because he’s the cutest one among the bishies, imho, other than Seiran.
@DJ: Yes, poor kourin. I really adore the pairing of the two and I wish they survive. Yougetsu is such a harsh cynic.
@Briar: Nope, I don’t think you have missed out anything. I think that your explaination on the Eigetsu-Yougetsu is really excellent, and I have nothing to add per se. However, the merge on the personalities is something I disagree with. I believe that it’s more like an engulfing of Eigetsu until the point that the Yang part of Getsu overwhelms Eigetsu, the yin of the moon. I think it might be possible that they become one person, but I find it unlikely. I do wonder what form of disease it is though, and maybe it has a link with the fox as well.
@Ricaryx: Hmmm Reishin is IN LOVE WITH HIS OWN NIECE, HE’S A PEDO! Just joking, he says it more like being rather annoyed at others stealing her niece rather than really falling in love with him. Shouka did not get angry because he knows that Reishin is just extremely protective.
Why is everyone not hating the silver haired bishie. I hate him so much because he has that arrogant feeling and I see Briar, Ricaryx, my wifey and so many already showing support for him. Why why why! T_T
Impz added these pithy words on Apr 23 07 at 6:50 amActually, I don’t have much feelings for the white haired bishie per se. 
My heart is full of Ryuuki, and just another pretty face wouldn’t turn my face that easily, because Ryuuki is just too cute to be overwhelm by the bishie.
But ok, I definitely don’t hate him. I’m more of a intrigued-slightly sort of thing.
Where on earth is Ryuuki????
i think maybe Ryuuren has some type of power or something i mean how else would he know who that silver hair guywas and wht he was up to????
raincloud added these pithy words on Apr 23 07 at 4:55 pm@Raincloud: I highly doubt that Ryuuren has any power. However, he is one that is considered to be the genius of the Ran clan and probably has a lot of contacts and informants, as well as the ability to sniff out information and knowledge like no other. Remember, the members of the Ran clan exist literally everywhere. You cannot run, hide or escape from them, just like the Kou clan.
@Briar: I think Ryuuki is like emo-ing in his own throne, thinking about Shuureiiiiiiiiii~ That said, when people said about the white bishie, Riou, I just got a feeling that he’s an observer, one that is definitely not benevolent, but also not malicious by any extend. However, I have no clue about it, and since I don’t like him in the first place, I doubt i can be objective ^_^
Impz added these pithy words on Apr 23 07 at 5:58 pmdoes anyone think seiran is out of the picture with shuurei yet? hopefully not cant stree enough but let’s hope he gets her? though can someone kindly tell me howzit going in the manga for seiran? thankie
ymseiran added these pithy words on Apr 23 07 at 6:08 pmMaybe Ryuuren is a spy or what?
If Reishin is serious about taking Shuurei as his wife,wouldn’t Shuurei be his second wife?
reishin-sama added these pithy words on Apr 23 07 at 6:34 pmHello im new to thiz blog
since im one of SaiMono fan i’ll join this forum
too bad for me that i still can’t watch the episode
but thx to lmpz(i do some mistake?)
i can still follow the track of Saimono
i think reishin isn’t serious
i feel his feeling toward shuurei pure the feeling of an uncle although he make it like bomb explosion
well i hope that shuurei and ryuuki will end together
i’ve watched epi 39 od season 1 and always cried in the session of confession between ryuuki x shuurei
Oh no I haven’t watched the episode yet :((. Must download it now…
But it’s so hard to watch without fansubs :(. And I just barely managed to watch ep 1-2 with little understandings. I’ll have to rely on Impz’s summaries to survive somehow. ‘Coz I want to comment too :D.
Nothing wrong with liking the white-haired guy since he’s a real bishie and has an overwhelming aura that attracts people (girls):D. But I must say that I still like Ryuuki the most.
@Ymseiran: I believe he is and I think that he will never have any chance with Shuurei to be honest. A little dream is worthy but nothing more. I am not sure about the manga since I do not like to read the manga. @_@
@Reishin-sama: I highly doubt so, HAH! I think he is just very well-traveled, getting information that most others cannot due to his wanderlust and talent. Nothing too much. I think Reishin is hardly serious, as much as we wish it to be so.
@Nakaya: First, welcome here to the blog, and Reishin is definitely not serious even though he’s definitely an extremely protective uncle to say the very least. I did wonder why Shouka did not give him a little kick for saying that, it will be hilarious when he goes O_O;;;. Still, I am not sure whether Shuurei and Ryuuki will eventually be together. Yes, this is an oriental romance drama, but Shuurei is so slow that it’s silly. Maybe, that’s her ability.
@Fuuka: Hah, I think Saimono is one of those series that is close to impossible to watch raws unless you are very good at Japanese, or something. Hah, I am not sure since I am a guy and bishies ain’t my thing at the very least. I still think that he does not give me a vibe that I really enjoyed and I hope he disappears soon. Yes, I am a huge meanie, hahaha! ^+^
Well, I do want to go back about the epidermic and that the fox is a spreader. It sounds queer though, since it seems like a single fox is in the action rather than a herd. Foxes usually do not linger around alone, if you ask me.
Impz added these pithy words on Apr 24 07 at 2:31 amI read somewhere that
SPOILER AHEAD
Kou Kijin wear mask because the woman he loved rejected him and married Reishin instead.And i dont think they will reveal his face because i just couldn’t see how they would draw his face since other characters in anime is drawn so beautifully.I wonder if this part of Kou Kijin will be shown in the second season.That wil be interesting.And recent chapters in the SaiMono manga reveals more about the Ran clan.It is interesting,and i hope the anime will cover that.If the anime follows the novel closely,we would not be seeing Ryuuki that much.We will be seeing a lot of Ensei and Seiran instead.*sigh*
reishin-sama added these pithy words on Apr 24 07 at 5:16 amhi at all i have a great proble, i want to commente saiunkoku monogatari’s episode too, but i haven’t found a site where i can find the english sub, please help me, pleasee, thax anyway
whitesoul added these pithy words on Apr 24 07 at 10:24 am@Reishin-sama: That is not exactly a spoiler but already been revealed in the early part of the first season.
@Whitesoul: we do not entertain requests on where to get it and I am sure a google search will suffice. That said, Shadow Dreams have not picked up the second season too.
Impz added these pithy words on Apr 24 07 at 5:30 pmWill We Suck continue subbing the show?
reishin-sama added these pithy words on Apr 24 07 at 10:48 pm“does anyone think seiran is out of the picture with shuurei yet? hopefully not cant stree enough but let’s hope he gets her?”
I know Ryuuki is more likely to end up with Shuurei than Seiran but I certainly will not accept it if they are going to make Seiran a background character to Shuurei. I will spit fire. lol I still need to see Shuurei’s face once she finds out Seiran’s true identity and all. She should atleast find out this time. =_= There are still a lot more to explore about Seiran’s insecurities. Right now, he is troubled, isn’t he? It might be not right now, but I think Seiran will be important in the later episodes. ^_-
“Why is everyone not hating the silver haired bishie.”
Haha as for me, it’s the same reason why I love Sephiroth from FF7. He burned babies, stabbed Cetras, beheaded his beloved mom, and he was insane, but despite all that you just gotta love the one-winged angel. *__*
I really wish We Suck will stop covering their ears and sub the second season too. -_-
Ricaryx added these pithy words on Apr 24 07 at 11:04 pmSeiran is an interesting character in his own rights… but I can never see him together with Shuurei. Shuurei treats him like a big brother! A love-love relationship between them will be too much like incest for me. But I do hope some fortunate lady will come along and love him. He deserves happiness too.
However, Ryuuki is still the one who deserves happiness the most. So Saimono, when it ends — whenever it ends — has to end with Ryuuki getting together with Shuurei.
Briar added these pithy words on Apr 25 07 at 2:12 am@Richaryx: I personally believe that Seiran is probably going to have even more insecurities, especially when Shuurei becomes increasingly independent in her work, which she is actually. I think the supposed “reliance” Shuurei looks for when she has Seiran has become in fact something that Seiran considers to be a haven. It’s worrying because as you said, Shuurei has never seen anything of his evil side.
Well, not really evil side, but more like a devastating side, one that only exists and manifests in stressed areas.
@Briar: hah,ya, it feels like a big brother but that’s also perhaps the charm yes? 
I think Ryuuki will be the most lonely person, without any true support unlike the others. He’s the emperor, after all -.-
@Briar : yes I agree with u that seiran deserves happiness and moreover ryuuki. he’s the lonellinest man in saimono although he is the emperor he have to meet happiness
well i rather confuse with the plot of saimono
if ryuuki doesnt end up with shuurei then it will b so weird for that kind anime (romantic, josei and comedy)
the plot is si twisted untill i can’t stop thinking it isn’t the kind of “fairy tale anime”
i’ve read japanese literature, it’s common for girl to feel so proud to be emperor’s concubine (although at the first time she seem to refuse to b together with the emperor). compare it with shuurei, i think she’s unordinary women at that time. look like the chara is mix between modern and ancient time
when shuurei 1st time enter the palace, she is consort right? and when ryuuki take shushui, she is the concubine right? whats the different?
nakaya added these pithy words on Apr 25 07 at 8:41 pmI would love to watch these episodes too, in my city its very impossible to see JP channels.
green added these pithy words on Apr 27 07 at 3:32 am“when shuurei 1st time enter the palace, she is consort right? and when ryuuki take shushui, she is the concubine right? whats the different?”
Thats what i was wondering as well!!
Oopps…Im new here hi everyone!
I found it weird that she was allowed in and out of the “harem” (although she WAS the only one there) so easily. She was THE consort after all! Being first wife ( i assume as there was no mention of any other and also they thought he was gay) it just confuses me… I managed to watch the whole of series 1 in 1 1/2 days…really loved it and re-watching it.
And what’s this business with Shushui? I thought she was just the help and she liked Shouka anyway..am i missing something…shud really go read your other summaries.
Just realised that your S2 is in chinese!!! yay..need to find it!!
Just kinda commenting on the Rishin issue…i always liked him very much, just because he was sooooo protective of her but it is really getting slightly creepy…lol. Like most of u guys i think he considers that no one ( inc. Ryuuki) is good enough for Shuurei. WDoubfull that he will even consider letting Kouyuu marry her! lol
Looking forward to more of the reviews as i am enduring the sub-less season 2! Keep up the good work!
PS - Go Ryuuki!!!
kurixkuri added these pithy words on May 01 07 at 5:53 pm@Nakaya: I believe that Saiunkoku Monogatari has its slightly influenced writing in terms of modern feminism in the state of an pre-modernized (oriental) setting to bring up the irony of such concepts in a mainly patricheal society. In a way, it is definitely a proud thing for any girl to be the emperor’s concubine because it will promise a life of luxury.
However, that is not something that Shuurei yearns for. She is like the modern female, working hard and moving forward to achieve her own goals, rather than being behind the man like how most women live in ancient times.
I believe that the difference why Shusui is a concubine is because a concubine does not need to be the first wife and reduces the uncertainty felt by Ryuuki since we know how he feels emotionally toward Shuurei. Shuurei is being a consort as she is one that is more of an accompanier/teacher and a concubine seems to be more sexual in nature if you ask me.
@Green: We do not entertain download requests ^^ as noted, email us if required.
@kuri: first of all, welcome and I hope that you enjoy the little discussion that we have in this anime blog. I have also sent you the email for your reply and I apologize for the lateness of it, I just have been rather busy with *procrastination*…
The part about Shusui is not in the anime episodes yet, and I believe they are spoilers. ^^
Hmm, the deal about Shuurei being the consort is that she is allowed in simply to reform the emperor and hence it is perhaps logical that she gets to leave when she is done since she is not keen on any form of marriage. She will probably run and escape if she is given that problem. The cash part too, ahaha~
Reishin is a very hilarious character but I believe that he will let Kouyuu marry Shuurei because he knows that he can be a shadow character behind Kouyuu (he’s the father-in-law after all) and stalks the hell out of Shuurei.
I cannot wait to see that materialize, it will be funny.
Impz added these pithy words on May 01 07 at 9:59 pm