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Did they end in a fairy tale manner? Will it be left in the second season?
The answer is within for the end of this wonderfully done first season.
Episode summary
Shuurei sent a letter to Ensei and the others in Sa province, informing them about the acceptance of the offer as they delighted in the news. Shuuei and Kouyuu informed Ryuuki that they were going to Shouka’s residence to visit Shuurei, but Ryuuki declined the offer citing work. As they arrived, Shuurei was out for Yuushun for business, as the two were embarrassed to come visiting so hastily and would send a letter. Shouka told the two that Shuurei did not want them to think that she came back to play, as the two realized that Shuurei had grown up. Before they left, they asked Shouka whether they had any communication with Ryuuki, but Shouka said no.
Shuurei was thinking how she had not seen Ryuuki except in the throne, as she discussed the plan with Yuushun. Yuushun was going to visit the red light district as Sai Rin had a business discussion there. Shuurei tagged along and Kochou charged into a hug on her as Kochou was delighted that Shuurei finally came back. As they went in, Shuurei and the other courtesans played a tune for the business partners as the event went well. At the end of the event, Kochou complimented Sai Rin, saying that someone as pretty as her was the head of the merchant guild. Sai Rin said it was a far cry when they were young, as the oppressive growing power of the Sa Clan had reduced her clan’s powers, and she had to break through patriarchal prejudice and circumstances to succeed as merchants.
Kochun said she was similar to Shuurei, but Sai Rin said Shuurei had done much more and protected the future of Sa province, a goal that she never reached. Sai Rin then added that if Yuushun could manage his career and love life, she could also do it when she stepped down from her reign soon. As Shuurei returned home, Seiran was actually out. Shuurei said that she was only able to get here due to the support of everyone, as she invited everyone for dinner tomorrow to thank them and tell them that she’s bad.
At the snow forest where Shuurei and Ryuuki first met, Seiran saw Ryuuki waiting there as he lamented that he failed in protecting Shuurei and he was angry that he did not do anything. Shuurei had been safe simply due to herself and he was actually reliant on him. Ryuuki said he still admired Seiran, as he did not even have the opportunity or the right to be angry at such a failure. The next day, Shuurei dragged Seiran to her mother’s grave, as she said that she had initially thought she should not be thinking about her old home when she was already the Sa governor. However, it was important as her dreams started her, which made her appreciate this place even more.
At home, Shuurei was preparing food while Seiran was cleaning the windows. Shouka said that he finally felt deeply that the two were back, as Seiran said he could never believe that he felt like he was home and had important people. He told Shouka happily that he was back at home. Later at night, Shuurei wondered why Shouka organized the eating session in the palace as everyone arrived less Shouka, Ryuuki, Ryuuren and Reishin. As everyone started to eat, Shuurei told everyone that she was finally back. Everyone was glad and it was clear that she had matured from the little girl a few months ago. Ryuuren also came to the dinner, forcefully grabbing Kokujun along.
We saw a distance away that Reishin was hoping so much to come, as Kurou went over to the dinner abandoning Reishin. Shouka asked why Reishin would not honestly say that he was her uncle. Reishin said he was a lonely man but Shouka said there was someone who could not even escape his loneliness. It was Ryuuki as the more he became like a king, the lonelier he would get with the work he was piled with. As he became more like a king, most people would stop regarding him as a normal person. Shuurei would be the only person that will call him by his name. It was Ryuuki’s actions that had created different fates for everyone, as he allowed himself to be “abandoned
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very new to this blog, so I can’t say to have followed everything that has been said. But I am very grateful for the summary for the last few episodes since I felt the need to find out what was in store for Shuurei.
It broke my heart to see the effect Sakujun had on her. Whatever her feelings for him were, and it was highly likely physical since she knew next to nothing about him, the fact that he disappeared from her life so abruptly, before she could make a firm decision about him, well… it makes for a great deal of confusion. Sakujun was admittedly an awful man (to put it lightly) but he was very charming and Shuurei responded to that.
In reference to Ryuuki, I love him. He is growing into his power and is devoted to Shuurei, and that I think would be quite seductive. However his position is in many ways constricting, there is only so much freedom he would have, and yes he can say he’ll wait as long as it takes for Shuurei, but how long would his advisers allow him that freedom. He is creating a better kingdom, but it’s not worth much if there are no heirs, he can’t just leave it hanging placing everything they’re striving for in jeopardy. Yes they are young, but considering disease, wars and other unforseen occurrences, can they afford to take chances? And at this point I think Shuurei sees Ryuuki as a very dear friend and would be in no great hurry to change the status quo. She is aware there is more to life than just her career, but I think doing the best for her province will consume her life for the forseeable future, as far as you can predict something like this, but she always throws all of herself into each task. and also it is a fair distance to Ryuuki from the Brown Province so how often would she make the trip anyway? …
But then again maybe Ryuuki will make huge inroads into Shuurei’s feelings, so that Shuurei herself will make an effort to forge something other than friendship. Anything is possible.
But if anything does develop it better be something worthy of Ryuuki.
And there is my two cent’s worth (probably less), and once again thank you very much for taking the time to provide us with these summaries, especially as you give your take on the actions of the characters. More often than not it gave me something to think about, or provided details and nuances that I missed so thank you. (btw . sorry for the length of this thing^^)
First of all, welcome to the little haven of mine ^+^
Hey Vree, even though Sakujun used his physical charm to flirt with Shuurei, it was perhaps the only way he knew to make Shuurei fall in love with him. On a outsider’s point of view without caring much, it just seems to us that he is a serial flirt. However, for him, it is probably something that is the most purest for her. Yes, he is evil but you cannot deny that they have some strange chemistry, hehe.
*no, i am not a sakujun x Shuurei supporter*
Well, I guess if anything, the unresolved situation of Shuurei and Ryuuki will not come anything soon. Even though this series is based loosely on history, as well as romance, I do not yet see romance coming deep into it . We did have clues that Shuurei has fallen in love with Ryuuki but it is merely her own conviction as an official.
Thanks for blogging the whole first season of SaiMono. I had really enjoyed reading your episode summaries and watching the fansubbed version as well.
Now I can’t wait for a fansub group to sub the second series.
Thanks and keep up the good work
whaa~
thanks for blogging Saiunkoku~! I didn’t follow through with all your posts (sadly) cuz i only found this blog recently.
anyways my thoughts:
i had hoped the Sakujun had more of an impact on Shuurei and how she would be around Ryyuki, but i guess his death never really did. It actually felt like Shuurei totally forgot about Sakujun in the last 2 episodes, haha. Not that his death didn’t impact her (it did), but well.. considering how similar Ryuuki and Sakujun were (regarding thier affection for Shuurei and how they both regarded her and acted similar), i was kinda thinking that Shuurei would back off a bit when Ryyuki told her that she loved him, and how he brushed his fingers over her lips (Sakujun did the same thing before).
Anwyays, as you can tell, i liked Sakujun, even though he was evil. The only thing i disliked about him was his purple lipstick that he had on after it was revealed that he was of the Sa clan.
I don’t get it, are evil characters suppose to have purple lips? is it, like, a characteristic of theirs that tells us readers that he’s the bad guy? Cuz i don’t udnerstand why they couldn’t just leave them like they were before, he looked better that way.
I feel sorry for Ryuuki, being the emperor means having to lead a lonesome life *sigh*, and he’s so young too, to take such a role. Even Shuuei and Kouyuu regard Ryuuki as “Shi Ryuuki the emperor”
=(
so i’m happy that Shuuhei called him by his name~
hehe.
i kidna think that there’s really no way that Seiran and Shuuhei could be together, even though Seiran does have the freedom (which Ryuuki dosen’t), i don’t think that Seiran will like Shuurei in that way, cuz there’s Ryuuki to consider. And i’m pretty sure Seiran knows that if he would to ever like Shuurei in that way, he would break Ryuuki. And well, i doubt he’d want to break his brother’s heart.
=P
I think i’m analyzing this a bit too much x___x” haha. Anyways, thanks for blogging Saiunkoku!!
=)
@Ois: No problem and I am going on with the second season as well, so I hope you enjoy viewing my entries from there too ^^
@LockVII: LOl, DON’T WORRY. i THINK I am the only person here who will over analyze things quite a bit but as stated earlier, Seiran and Shuurei are more like siblings rather than a couple, so you are right in speculating it.
However, I doubt that the reason will be to fear hurting Ryuuki. If anything, Seiran will do anything to win it over, but he cares more about Shuurei’s happiness than anything else. ^^
Heya! I’ve been following your blog for a while since it’s one of those rare ones on Animeblogger.com that actually covers Saiunkoku, and I just wanted to say that I really enjoy reading your thoughts on the series. Its fun to be able to see what other people think of this awesome show. And even though I don’t really read your summaries since I prefer not to spoil the episodes for myself,I must say I’m very impressed with how much detail you put into each one.
Anyway, I personally thought that as heart-warming an episode this was, it was also incredibly sad – when you contrast the cheery welcome scene with the solitary Ryuuki, and the fact that he’ll probably be alone for a very long time to come (I shan’t say forever since I’m being optimistic and hoping that the author has a good ending in mind for him.
), it just makes his situation all the more stark. Even though it seemed obvious at the start that Ryuuki and Shuurei were the “destined” pair, now after so many episodes it ironically seems as if it’ll be even harder for the two to end up together than before. Quite an unusual development for a shoujo story, and although I welcome the refreshing change, I can’t help but feel really sorry for poor Ryuuki. ^_^;; I really wonder how the author is going to develop the story in the future to make it plausible for Ryuuki and Shuurei to end up together. (Although I can’t quite decide whether I like Shuurei better with Ryuuki or Seiran, as I said before it seems hinted that Ryuuki and Shuurei are meant to be the eventual couple. The anime ED certainly seems to think so anyway. :p)
I really hope to see the actual face of that eccentric guy behind the face lol…
i thought the ending was really good. at first i was watching it and i didn’t realize it was the end of the first season and thought….wait, this doesn’t seem right….and then i found out it was the last episode for the first season, and that there was going to be a second season. i was so happy!!! i’m so excited!!!!!!!! i can’t wait for then.
Thanks for the summary…I really liked it even though they did not confessed their love for each other…I AM so happy that I FOUND SOMEONE to tell me about the last episdde.thanks so much!!!!You made me happier….
uhhh, i love shuurei and ryuuki.. i actually bought the whole thing, like from the beginning to end.. i do hope there’s a second part, i mean its like unfinished..
hello! just stumbled upon this site while searching for saiunkoku monogatari stuff… recently gounf myself hooked on this series and actually finished the entire of season 1 during my exam period =.= but it’s almost compulsive mwahaha this is a really gd series! love especially how the relationships are portrayed and the development of the characters. shouka’s words at the end about ryuuki’s oneliness were really beautiful in a melancholic way..
Is it true that in the end Ryuuki won’t be marrying anyone?
Zna ktoś Polski??????????????????Czy tylko ja jestem geniuszem?
Please, onegai shimasu, tell me if in the last episode of the second series Shuurei will accept Ryuuki. I am very curious because I haven’t found yet the last espisode translated to english.
Arigatou godzaimasu!