The Tale of Saiunkoku [Season 2] - Comprehensive review and recommendation of The Tale of Saiunkoku [Season 2] ■ Public Media TV anime series ■ Original Media novel ■ Broadcast period April 7, 2007 - March 8, 2008
NHK BS2 April 7, 2007 - March 8, 2008 (Episodes 1-39) Every Saturday 9:00-9:30 ■Broadcasting station NHK BS2 ■Frequencies half an hour ■ Number of Episodes Episode 39 ■Original Story Yukino Sae (Kadokawa Shoten "Kadokawa Beans Bunko") ■ Director Jun Shishido ■ Production・Animation production cooperation: IMAGIN
Animation Production: Madhouse Production Supervisors: Atsuko Kashiwagi, Hideo Ihara Co-production: Sogo Vision Production, copyright: NHK ■Works ©Yukino Sae, KADOKAWA/NHK, NEP ■ Story I've come to support you.
By your side,
To support you as King.
The story is set in the Chinese-style fictional country of Saiunkoku. Shuurei enters the harem as the tutor of the new king, and with her natural cheerfulness she helps the young king get back on his feet, and then she achieves her own dream and becomes the first female government official in history. Shuurei is then posted to Chazhou, far from the center, and the story follows her struggles as a rookie government official. She also gets caught up in a conspiracy by the Ao family, a clan of supernatural powers that casts a shadow over Saiunkoku, and experiences setbacks and separations, but grows to the point where she can support the king...
*Quoted from Bandai Channel ■Explanation I've come to support you.
By your side,
To support you as King.
The story takes place in a fictional Chinese-style country called Saiunkoku. Shuurei, the daughter of the prestigious but poor Kou family, dreams of becoming a government official who can help people due to her memories of the turmoil of her childhood, but women are not even allowed to take the civil service exam. One day, she is tasked with tutoring the newly crowned king, and this opens the way for her to take the civil service exam.
A familiar story of love between Shurei and the new king and his brother, as well as the friendship between Shurei and a classmate who is aiming to become a government official, is intertwined with the power struggle at court and the secret activities of powerful clans, creating a splendid and luxurious court romance.
The second series will center on Shurei's assignment to Chazhou, far from the center, and her struggles as a rookie government official. She becomes embroiled in a conspiracy by the Hyou family, a clan of supernatural powers that casts a shadow over Saiunkoku, and experiences setbacks and separations, but also grows to the point where she can support the king. ■Cast・Hong Shuli/Kuwashima Houko/Shi Liuhui/Seki Tomokazu/Maya Seiran/Midorikawa Hikaru/Ai Shuei/Morikawa Tomoyuki/Li Kangyou/Hiyama Nobuyuki/Hong Shaoke/Ikeda Shuichi/Shao Taishi/Ishii Koji/Ai Ryuren/Kiuchi Hidenobu/Lang Yanqing/Ito Kentaro/Huang Qi Ren/Nakada Kazuhiro/Hong Lishen/Madono Mitsuaki/Dou Kagetsuki/Namikawa Daisuke/Kourin/Sendai Eri/Rin Chiya/Koyasu Takehito/Cha Katsun/Toriumi Kosuke/Cha Haruhime/Shishido Rumi/Hong Kuryou/Okiayu Ryutaro/Tei Yushun/Kanna Nobutoshi/Shiba Rin/Sasaki Yoko/Doushu/Yusa Koji/Hyo Rio/Seki Toshihiko and Suou Haruna / Anri Katsu and Kiyomasa Riku / Showtaro Morikubo and Juzohime / Megumi Toyoguchi and Hayato / Masaya Onosaka and Jusui / Akemi Okamura ■ Main staff・Original story by Yukino Sae (published by Kadokawa Shoten's "Kadokawa Beans Bunko")
・Director / Atsushi Shishido・Series Composition / Reiko Yoshida・Character Design / Kairi Yura, Miho Maruo・Character Design / Miwa Oshima・Art Director / Chikara Nishikura・Color Design / Chiharu Tanaka・Director of Photography / Shinya Matsui・Editor / Yoshiko Kimura・Music / Kunihiko Yan・Sound Director / Fusanobu Fujiyama・Producers / Yuji Shibata, Ikuko Shimokawahara・Animation Producers / Masao Maruyama, Satoshi Yoshimoto・Animation Production Cooperation / IMAGIN
Animation Production: Madhouse Production Supervisors: Atsuko Kashiwagi, Hideo Ihara Co-production: Sogo Vision Production, copyright: NHK ■ Main Characters・Kou Shuurei
The protagonist. The eldest princess of the direct line of the Kou family. She is the daughter of the prestigious Kou family, which is on a par with the Ai family, but she has become frugal due to years of poverty. Attracted by the high salary, she enters the harem as a consort to tutor Shi Ryuuki, the new king of Saiunkoku, who is rumored to be a useless king, and her life changes. She is a bright, reliable, hardworking 16-year-old.
・Shi Ryuuki
The young king of Saiunkoku. As his half-brothers were all killed in a battle for the throne, he was the sixth son and had no right to the throne, but he ascended to the throne six months ago after the death of the previous king. He pretended to be a useless king who had no motivation or interest in government affairs, but he changed after meeting Shurei. 19 years old.
・Shi Seiran
A servant of Shurei and his son. A guardian of Shurei, who excels in both the arts and martial arts. A young man who has let go of his past. But what is his true identity?
・Ran Shuei
Military officer. General of the Left Feather Forest Army. Born into the prestigious Lan family, which rivals the Hong family. He has been friends with Li Kangyou, who also assists Ryuuki, since their days of civil service examinations. He is always teasing Kangyou, which makes him annoyed.
・Li Kangyou
Civil servant. Official of the Ministry of Personnel. He is a capable official who is known as "the most talented man in the imperial court", but he is quick to anger due to his serious personality. He cannot stand up to his adoptive father and superior, Hong Lishen. He has a genius sense of direction.
・Hong Shaoke
The head of the Hong family. Shuuri's father. His job is to manage the palace treasury. He is a gentle intellectual, but he lacks the ability to live independently and cannot even make a proper cup of tea. At first glance, he seems like a lazy man, but in fact...
・Shou Taishi
The head of the imperial court officials. An old vassal who holds the honorary title of "Three Imperial Teachers." A strategist who hired Shurei to be Ryuuki's tutor in the harem.
・Ran Ryuren
Kyoei's younger brother. Although he has natural talent, he is often treated as a weirdo due to his eccentric clothes and unique sensibilities. He opens up to Shurei.
・Wave Ensei
Originally from Chazhou. By chance, she was found collapsed in front of the gates of Shao Ke's residence and was saved by Shuli. She has a carefree and easy-going personality, and is skilled in martial arts. She seems to have known Seiran for a long time, but...
・Huang Kijin
Minister of State for Respect. He was called a "weird man" because of his unusual behavior, such as not tying his hair up and always wearing a mask, which is unbecoming of an official. Few people know his real name, Huang Fengzhu.
・Koreishin
Minister of Personnel. Shao Ke's younger brother and head of the Hong family. Li Kangyou's adoptive father and boss. He is a sharp-witted man who shows no mercy to anyone, but he is smitten by his beloved brother Shao Ke and his niece Xiu Li. He is a contemporary of Huang Qiren.
・To Eigetsu
A boy from Seika Village, Kuroshu. He passed the national exam at the top of his class at the age of 13, the youngest in history. He developed a deep bond with Shurei, who was in the same class as him.
・Kourin
A girl who served as a maid to Shuurei when she entered the harem. After a certain incident, she formed a bond with Shuurei. She accompanied Shuurei, Kagetsuki, and the others to Chashu.
・Rin Senya
On her way to Chashu, Shurei is saved from a difficult situation by a handsome young man from a merchant family. His true identity is mysterious...
・Sa Kokujun
He is the third son and grandson of Cha Chujo, who is aiming to become head of the tea family. Cha Taiho (Cha Okinosuke), one of the three great-uncles of the Imperial Court.
・Sa Shunki
Granddaughter of Cha Taibao (Cha Yuanxun) and Hyoeinghi. She is in hiding somewhere due to her personal danger. She is childhood friends with her cousin, Ketsu.
・Kou Kurou
The third son of the Hong family. He serves as the head of the Hongshu family in place of the current head of the family, Hong Lishen, who serves at the palace in the royal capital. Perhaps because he has two unique older brothers, Shao Ke and Lishen, he is a hardworking and reliable person.
・Tei Yushun
A contemporary of Hong Lishen and Huang Qiren, he is a brilliant man who passed the Zhuangyuan exam. He is recognized by the former king for his outstanding talent and conviction. He has served as the assistant governor of Chazhou for many years.
・Rin Shiba
He is active as the head of the Chazhou branch of the All Japan Chamber of Commerce (All Japan Chamber of Commerce). His twin brother is Shiba Akira, the head of the All Japan Chamber of Commerce Jinhua Special Zone. As his name suggests, he is dignified and has a talent for invention. He is married to Cheng Yu-shun.
・Head of the temple
He is the head priest and doctor of Suikyoudoji Temple in Seika Village, Kuroshu. He helped and raised the young Kagetsuki. He is like a teacher and a father to Kagetsuki.
・Hyou Riou
The head of the Ao family, a clan of gods who control supernatural powers. He has a deep connection with Hong Shaoke in the past.
・Shin Suou
A fellow idiot of Shurei. When he came to Shurei to make a half-hearted marriage proposal at his father's request, he was carrying a golden raccoon dog, hence the nickname "Tintin."
・Riku Seiga
A fellow vagrant of Shurei. A genius with good tactics, he is the polar opposite of Shurei.
・Thirteen Princesses
She is the princess of the Ai family and the half-sister of Shuei. She was sent by the Ai family as a candidate for Ryuuki's bride. She is an active woman who excels in horsemanship and martial arts.
・Falcon
A one-eyed ex-death row inmate. A mysterious man who continues to spend his time in prison, refusing to claim innocence despite being falsely accused.
・Shusui
She is the head lady-in-waiting of the harem, both intelligent and beautiful. She was once picked up by Shao Ke, and has an unrequited love for him. In fact, she is of the blood of the Sui family, a clan of supernatural powers. ■Subtitle・Episode 1: There's no place like home (2007/04/07)
Episode 2: Tears and laughs are the same in life (2007/04/14)
Episode 3: Birds of a feather flock together (2007/04/21)
Episode 4: When Winter Comes, Spring Is Not Far Away (2007/04/28)
Episode 5: Love is given generously (2007/05/05)
Episode 6: A Bolt from the Blue (2007/05/12)
Episode 7: The Spirit Penetrates Rocks (2007/05/19)
Episode 8: Do your best and wait for the will of heaven (2007/05/26)
Episode 9: Meeting Buddha in Hell (2007/06/02)
Episode 10: The One I'm Waiting For Arrives (2007/06/09)
Episode 11: Only the husband is unaware (2007/06/16)
Episode 12: He who sees what is right and does not do it is a coward (2007/06/30)
Episode 13: Haste Makes Mistakes (2007/07/07)
Episode 14: Entering the Tiger's Den (2007/07/14)
Episode 15: A Moment of Time (2007/07/21)
Episode 16: A Flame in the Wind (2007/07/28)
Episode 17: Seven Ups and Downs (2007/08/04)
Episode 18: The Sun Sets and the Road Away (2007/09/15)
Episode 19: Counting chickens before they hatch (2007/09/22)
Episode 20: Pushing Against the Curtain (2007/09/29)
Episode 21: Like a frog, like a frog (2007/10/06)
・Episode 22: A worm in the lion's body (2007/10/13)
・Episode 23: Adding insult to injury (2007/10/20)
Episode 24: Kindness is not for the benefit of others (2007/10/27)
・Episode 25: When you're young, you should make the most of it (2007/11/03)
・Episode 26: The Great Wise Man is as Foolish as a Man (2007/11/10)
Episode 27: Better to wait than to be waited for (2007/11/17)
・Episode 28/Peach and chestnut three years, persimmon eight years (2007/11/24)
Episode 29: The further away we get, the stronger my feelings for you (2007/12/01)
Episode 30: The silent firefly burns itself (2007/12/22)
Episode 31: What You Get (2008/01/05)
Episode 32: Reluctant to Leave Behind (2008/01/12)
Episode 33: Changes in Time, Changes in Attitude (2008/01/26)
・Episode 34: Bluer Than Indigo (2008/02/02)
・Episode 35: Crossing a Dangerous Bridge (2008/02/09)
Episode 36: Aoyama is everywhere in life (2008/02/16)
Episode 37: Eyes are the mirror of the soul (2008/02/23)
・Episode 38: The Cross of the Neck (2008/03/01)
Episode 39: If Fate Comes, It Will Take a Thousand Miles (2008/03/08) ■ Related works・The Story of Saiunkoku ・The Story of Saiunkoku: The Scroll of Saiunkoku ・The Story of Saiunkoku: The World of Saiunkoku ・The Story of Saiunkoku: The World of Saiunkoku II ■ Theme songs and music・OP1
・The Wind of Beginnings ・Lyrics by Himari Michikawa ・Composition by ID
・Arrangement: YAMAGIMAN
・Singer: Ayaka Hirahara
・ED1
・Tomorrow・Lyrics by Miho Teruya・Composition by Miho Teruya・Arrangement by Fabien Reza Pane・Singer by Miho Teruya A comprehensive review and recommendation of The Story of Saiunkoku [Season 2] The Tale of Saiunkoku [Season 2] is a TV anime series based on the novel by Sae Yukino, which aired on NHK BS2 from April 7, 2007 to March 8, 2008. The series is set in the fictional Chinese-style country of Saiunkoku, and follows the story of the protagonist, Hong Shuli, who enters the harem as a tutor to the new king and grows up while achieving her dreams. In Season 2, Shuli is transferred to Chazhou, far from the center, and the story focuses on her struggles as a rookie official and her involvement in the conspiracy of the Aoi family, a clan of supernatural powers. Story and Characters The story of Saiunkoku Monogatari [Season 2] depicts Shuli's growth as she is transferred to Chazhou and struggles as a rookie government official, becoming embroiled in a conspiracy by the Hyou family and experiencing setbacks and separations. Shuli's cheerfulness and hardworking side are emphasized, and it is moving to see her overcome difficulties while working together with the people around her. In addition, characters such as Zi Liuhui, Seiran, Lan Shuying, and Li Kangyou are also appealing, and their growth and changes in their relationships enrich the story. In particular, the relationship between Shurei and Ryuuki is an important element in the second season, and the process of their bond deepening is carefully depicted. There are also many mysterious elements, such as Shizuran's past and the Aoi family's conspiracy, and the storytelling that draws viewers in is highly praised. Animation and Music The animation was produced by Madhouse, and is characterised by beautiful visuals and detailed character designs. In particular, the scenery of Saiunkoku and the luxurious decorations of the palace are depicted in great detail, making for a highly visually appealing work. The music by Kunihiko Yanagi also adds to the atmosphere of the story, and the theme songs "Hajimari no Kaze" by Ayaka Hirahara and "Tomorrow" by Miho Teruya are also memorable. These elements combine to leave a deep impression on viewers. Cast and voice actors The cast of The Tale of Saiunkoku [Season 2] is impressive, with the performances of the voice actors who play each character, including Kuwashima Houko as Hong Shuli, Seki Tomokazu as Zi Liuhui, Midorikawa Hikaru as Shizuran, Morikawa Toshiyuki as Lan Shuei, and Hiyama Nobuyuki as Li Kangyou, enhancing the story. In particular, Kuwashima Houko's voice for Shuli expresses her brightness and strength, and has the power to deeply empathize with the audience. Seki Tomokazu's voice for Liuhui also realistically depicts his growth and change, making the relationship between the two characters feel even deeper. Ratings and Recommendations The Story of Saiunkoku Season 2 has been highly praised for its story, characters, animation, music, and cast, and is especially popular among female viewers. The story development and character growth are carefully depicted, making it a work that deeply moves viewers. In addition, the Chinese-style fantasy elements and court political drama are also appealing, making it a work that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people. The recommended points are as follows: - Shurei's growth and hard-working attitude are inspiring
- The relationship between Shi Liu Hui and the two is depicted in depth, allowing you to empathize with the bond between them.
- The mysteries surrounding Shizuran and the Ayane family add depth to the story.
- Beautiful animation and music for a visual and aural experience
- The voice acting by the gorgeous cast brings out the characters.
The Tale of Saiunkoku [Season 2] is a fascinating work that combines fantasy and political drama, and is highly recommended especially for female viewers and fantasy fans. There are also many original novels and related works, so you can enjoy the world view even more deeply. Please try to experience this wonderful story. |
