The BEST episodes of The Story of Saiunkoku

Every episode of The Story of Saiunkoku ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Story of Saiunkoku!

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.

Last Updated: 1/14/2024Network: NHKStatus: Ended
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Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown
star
7.50
4 votes

#1 - Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/20/2006

The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.

Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side
star
7.40
5 votes

#2 - Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/8/2006

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 prince to rise to the responsiblities of the Emperor and to begin taking interest in the country and the throne.

A Woman's Word is Her Bond
star
7.33
3 votes

#3 - A Woman's Word is Her Bond

Season 1 - Episode 32 - Aired 1/6/2007

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 staunchly declares her unwillingness to cooperate with the Sa clan.

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The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
star
7.25
4 votes

#4 - The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/3/2006

Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.

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Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
star
7.25
4 votes

#5 - Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/10/2006

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 bribes. As he has not passed the official examination required to be a high official, Ensei returns his seal of governorship to Ryuuki. Ryuuki passes a law allowing women to take the official examinations.

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There is no Cure for Lovesickness
star
7.25
4 votes

#6 - There is no Cure for Lovesickness

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/17/2006

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 her uncle. Reishin fears that if Shuurei knew his identity, she would hate him as the man who took her father's place as head of the Kou clan.

Discretion is the Better Part of Valour
star
7.25
4 votes

#7 - Discretion is the Better Part of Valour

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/24/2006

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 city's crimelords and Kochou, the madam of a brothel and Shuurei's longtime employer.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes
star
7.00
3 votes

#8 - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 8/26/2006

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 report before the official inquiry begins at noon.

Up and Down Seven Times
star
7.00
2 votes

#9 - Up and Down Seven Times

Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 8/4/2007

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 by Ryūki to Shūrei. As Shūrei and Seiran depart for Kiyou, they are sent off by all the people in Kōrin. After arriving home, they witness the first buds from the Sakura tree they got from Ryūki, with Spring now approaching.

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If Justice is not allowed to be seen, There will be no Heroism
star
7.00
2 votes

#10 - If Justice is not allowed to be seen, There will be no Heroism

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 6/30/2007

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 is needed or lacking. As more patients enter the town, the doctors continue to operate nonstop, saving most of them. As Shūrei and Dr. Yō prepare to leave for Sekiei Village, Shūran and Riō joins the group to guide them, while Seiran finishes preparations to go to Sekiei Village as well. Meanwhile, Eigetsu discovers the intentions of the Jasenkyō while Ryūki comes face to face with the head of the Hyō Clan.

The husband is always the last to know
star
7.00
2 votes

#11 - The husband is always the last to know

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/16/2007

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, headed by Shuon, rebel against Taishu’s orders and is determined to prevent them from entering the town. Will Shūrei and the doctors be able surpass this hurdle to save the people in time?

The Awaited Person Finally Comes
star
7.00
2 votes

#12 - The Awaited Person Finally Comes

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/9/2007

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. Preparations for the treatment are being done by the doctors on the side of Shūrei, while Shuuran leads the people of Sekie village to Kōringun to speed up the treatment process. Shūrei and her company however receives some harsh welcome as they enter Kōringun, with people still believing the rumors spread by the Jasenkyō.

Exhausting Human Abilities, One Waits for Heaven's Will
star
7.00
2 votes

#13 - Exhausting Human Abilities, One Waits for Heaven's Will

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/26/2007

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. Realizing how in the process a great deal of lives could be lost, Shūrei convinces him to allow her to deal with the cult on her own despite the risk to her own life. After everything was settled, Shūrei breaks down under all the stress, but she recovers in time to bid farewell to Ryūki and promise him that she will return safely.

Wholeheartedness Penetrates Stone
star
7.00
2 votes

#14 - Wholeheartedness Penetrates Stone

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/19/2007

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 of the doctors present knew how to perform it. Shūrei hears of one who can and remembers that he is an old family friend. Dr. Yō agrees to go to Sa Province and to also train all the doctors along the way. Using Dōshu’s texts as an incentive, Shūrei gets the Merchant’s guild to agree to send aid as well.

Meeting is the Beginning of Parting
star
7.00
3 votes

#15 - Meeting is the Beginning of Parting

Season 1 - Episode 35 - Aired 1/27/2007

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.

You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand
star
7.00
3 votes

#16 - You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 9/2/2006

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 evidence against the corrupt Sa clan official who plotted against them.

There are no Devils in the World
star
7.00
4 votes

#17 - There are no Devils in the World

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 7/22/2006

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 helping the conspiracy.

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On a Rock for Three Years
star
7.00
4 votes

#18 - On a Rock for Three Years

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 7/8/2006

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.

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From a Gourd Comes a Horse
star
7.00
3 votes

#19 - From a Gourd Comes a Horse

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 7/1/2006

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 highest score.

Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws
star
7.00
4 votes

#20 - Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/27/2006

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, arrives from Brown Province.

The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons
star
6.75
4 votes

#21 - The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/22/2006

Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.

Lacking the Finishing Touch
star
6.75
4 votes

#22 - Lacking the Finishing Touch

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/13/2006

Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.

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Casting Pearls Before Swine
star
6.75
4 votes

#23 - Casting Pearls Before Swine

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/29/2006

After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.

A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean
star
6.75
4 votes

#24 - A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/15/2006

Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.

Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts
star
6.67
3 votes

#25 - Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/15/2006

Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.