The story is very simplistic. Based on a rough Chinese style of government and architecture, all of the events in the anime happen in a fictional empire known as “Saikunkoku”. Although, you might as well call it Japan and China’s love child. It’s basically ancient China with Japanese influence mixed in. It has a governor, provinces, “great families”, ministers, and the rest of whole stereotypical Chinese Japanese government from long ago.

The main story focuses on a girl named Kō Shūre who is the “princess” of the Ko (or Kou) family. There are eight families and each is named after a color with Ko being Red (although a second Ko family, yellow, is a separate kanji: 紅for red and 黄, for yellow) and the emperor being Shi or purple. The drama comes from Shūre starting as the emperor’s consort which would be something like a wife to a monarch. The emperor being a lousy ruler and Shūre being a very smart girl from a high family (from a branch that is incredibly poor) would obviously make a good couple to prod the emperor (who apparently loves guys more than women) into doing his work.

The basic premise of the first arc is that Shūre is a daughter of someone who works in the imperial court (the library and doesn’t make much money but is very respectful posistion) in an estate that is broken down and in disrepair who works at the temple school and various odd jobs to make enough money. One of the sages come and offers 500 gold to become the emperor’s consort. The emperor is the result of a massive civil war and is very naive and wants to avoid working. She accepts and begins working in the palace, somewhere she wants to go as a real member of the government.

This is what you’ll see in most teasers from the anime but it gets much much more involved in this. The entire consort arc doesn’t last very long at all and the conclusion itself leads into bigger and better things. The drama mixes well with the comedy (often random and offbeat) while the Romance plays a thick role in helping the drama progress. The fantasy based world is well laid out and is perfect in many ways.

However, what isn’t perfect is the episode length. The first season, the one we’re reviewing, weighs in at 39 episodes. That’s about three seasons and some change worth of episodes. That’s fine and dandy and for the most part needed, however some arcs drag on and on. If you’re not a complete fan of drama the first few lighthearted arcs will still be able to tug you in but the final arcs may not hold you for the full ride.

For the start of the show I would say it’s fantastic. You’ve got a mix of comedy and drama that works out perfectly. The little quirks in each character’s behavior will drive you wild with affection for them. As each plot point moves forward and more is uncovered you’ll be drawn in close to each character’s depth. Even minor characters play a large role and you’ll know a good deal about each.

Towards the ending though you may start losing your ability to pay attention to each point. Like a good book that has gone a few pages too many you’ll want to see the conclusion of a story long before the final curtain is drawn and even then, this is a major spoiler, the love story isn’t finished. That’s right! There is a second season that awaits you which another 39 episodes before the story is finished.

Overall, if you’re a fan of drama and romance without minding fantasy atmospheres (who would) then this is a show for you. Comedy has a good place throughout the series, but it’s not a major focal point more than it’s something to keep the story light and fluffy. Not only that, but the majority of the comedy comes from overused jokes based on each character’s eccentric side. The father can’t make tea properly, one character is so wacky with his flute, and a certain uncle just loves his niece so much but doesn’t dare tell her that. It gets old fast and loses the humor, but it’s not annoying.

If you’re not there is still something for you. An epic somewhat lighthearted story that is very entertaining to watch. Some action is contained here and there but there is no focus. Even if romance isn’t your thing, the fantasy setting with light magic and some combat will still tug you in.

So in summary, Saiunkoku is brimming with vibrancy and depth. The story and the characters are laid out in a very colorful manner. The overall flow is very enjoyable although I would say it could be toned down a few episodes. Each episode is required to get the amount of depth that they have, but I think trimming some of the depth away to get through the main story faster wouldn’t be a downturn.

So for those of you who love drama anime I would highly suggest this. Those of you who love romance well I’ll suggest this as well. It’s one of the best drama shows you’ll find and shouldn’t be skipped. Fans of anything else – keep moving unless you’ve got an open mind for something that has the depth of a book without the reading.

Pictures!

Brush up on what you can expect from this anime is the many uses of metaphors. They’re non-stop, from use of a dream or a direct literal use. For those who don’t want to go ahead and look up the meaning, “Fukan Fukei,’ it means, “A view from above.” Another used of metaphors that are expressed visually through the beginning credits. A weary butterfly following an energetic dragonfly.

As they can use these symbolical images, or messages some might start to ponder if this anime is combined with action, fantasy, supernatural, or fable. It is. This is but one of a few of their episodes.

Continue to get to know the main characters:

The main characters are always an important part of an story so let’s say hello to Shiki Ryōgi. Not shown in this movie, Shiki is a young teenager who has a male ‘personality.’ Getting into the details about her, Shiki’s family usually hade male children with two personalities. A young woman with a stubborn attitude. The only person that seems to ever change her mind on the most simplest things is the ever so calm, pretty boy -”Mikiya Kokutō,” of this story. Might be because she has feelings for him?

I did say this was a supernatural and perhaps even fictional anime, so what makes it that way? Well what other could we do than have our character have the ability to kill almost anything by just looking at them? That’s an exaggeration, but her eyes have a skill, called the Mystic Eyes of Perception, that allows her to see the very spots that can destroy any being. At least we assume.

Mikiya Kokutō, our… actual male character is seen from the very beginning as a caring and calm friend of Shiki. Whether he is searching just to teach Shiki with all his ‘metaphorical’ uses or to be her possible best friend is hard to define. However, it’s most likely there is a… thing. He promised to go to college with Shiki but a turn of events sends Shiki into a coma and changes the possibilities, to his dismay. Strangely this man is head over heals about a certain empty doll. The creator of the doll, Tohko Aozaki is then introduced by Mikiya’s fascination over the doll.

Tohko Aozaki, the doll maker, and an expert needed in aiding Shiki. Shiki for now is known to have a wooden like arm that would be similar to a doll’s only moderated to work with her functioning body movements and covered in a material to look like skin. She is both help for metaphorical amusement, craftsmanship, and a supernatural inspector. Though there really isn’t any sign of her in this movie that she does come in contact with supernatural business. Though she and Mikaya share the same interest of the sort, and also share a building.

The plot of the video:

Shiki, and Tohko- nothing more than bystanders to gain information from the media come across an interesting case of a continuous pattern in suicides of high school girls. There’s no connection between any of them, mental problems, or even a note left one them. Though their friend, Mikaya seems to be out cold for a good portion of the film, and might have been involved with the case. The only thing that the girls have in common is being female, from a high school, and jumping off the same building.

Mostly, suicides are selfish attempts to get noticed, and if not to get noticed then to leave nothing but not be noticed. This would have justified a hint of confusion as to why the girls were doing it, since they didn’t have any connection, conspiracy, or medical problems. Something had to connect. Shiki actually takes interest in the case after some convincing with Tohko, and searches the area, and discovers what may lead to help the inspection. However she also discovers the uncontrolled numbers of deaths.

Continue to get into the details?

Every time she visits the site she experiences further information. You’d kind of wonder why she didn’t at least stay, but maybe the deaths kept happening just each night, and who has the time for that? Being too late the first time she only looks above the building to see a bunch of figures. She counts eight and assumes this may be the number to be expected to be killed.

Images from the film: