彩雲国物語 9

The Story of Saiunkoku #9

by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino, 由羅カイリ

コミックス版「彩雲国物語」ついに最終巻! 龍蓮と邵可の謎がちょっと垣間見える外伝の人気作、「お伽噺のはじまりは」と「王都上陸！龍蓮台風」をコミカライズ収録！

Genres: Manga, Shojo, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels

152 pages, Comic

First published March 26, 2012

About the author

Also known as 由羅カイリ

Reviews

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me state this now: I absolutely love this series. I watched the anime adaptation first and quickly fell in love. When I heard there was a manga adaptation, I knew I had to collect it and read it. I will always recommend this series. This is a series about a young woman whose dream is to be a civil servant in a world that looks down on women. Yet, this does not stop our heroine from climbing up to reach her dream. It’s really beautiful, but let me get into it even more without spoiling:

Plot

The Story of Saiunkoku takes place in a historical setting similar to that of imperial China. We follow our heroine, Shurei who wishes to be a civil servant to help the common folk and her country, but women are barred from being civil servants. She comes from a prestigious family, but for some circumstances she had to grow up without their reliance and was therefore relatively poor compared to other nobles. However, she remains optimistic and does what she can for her loved ones/neighbors. One day, she gets the opportunity to earn money by working in the imperial palace. The catch? She must temporarily be the consort to the foolish Emperor who does not do his duties and is rumored to be homosexual. Shurei takes up this challenge in order to knock some sense into the emperor and help him with his governing duties. This is how the series begins. It quickly develops from here as we see Shurei climb up towards her dreams of being a civil servant to help her country.

Characters

There is a whole cast of characters in this story which is expected as it is heavy on the inner politics of the palace/country. However, it is not too difficult to follow all of the characters and many are a delight to read about. I really want to get into our main female lead and male lead though since they are the biggest figures in the story.

Shurei: Our female lead who I have already discussed at length. She is a very smart, capable, and kind person. She shows a different kind of strength. While she is such a talented individual, she also carries her own trauma and insecurities. She has moments where she is unsure of herself, but is able to move forward with the support of the people around her. One could say she is a Mary Sue character, but I would counter that by stating all that she accomplishes is done through her own hard work and attitude.

Ryuki: He is the emperor of Saiunkoku who falls in love at first sight with Shurei. Now that is very stereotypical for a shojo manga, but follow me here. He is very different from other male leads. For one, he is a very soft and clumsy man who has been traumatized by growing up in a cutthroat environment which makes him act as a foolish emperor. Yet, he is also very competent and shows potential to be wise leader. Second, his relationship with Shurei is so sweet. He loves her and wishes for her to be his empress. However, what he wants most is for Shurei to be happy so he gladly helps her get closer to her dreams even though that means they will inevitably be pulled apart. His love and support for her is really touching.

Overall Thoughts

Like I already mentioned, I will always highly recommend this series. If you want a carefully constructed story with a strong female lead, then this is for you. If you like political dramas, then this is for you. If you like historical settings, then this is for you! The politics and world building is done so well. It feels like a real country with its own unique features. In addition, its themes on empowerment and following one’s dreams is moving to read about. Not to mention the small lessons embedded throughout the story. It truly is a beautiful series.

One last note, this is not the full adaptation of the story. This manga series covers even less than the anime which also does not adapt the entire story. The Story of Saiunkoku was originally a light novel series that I believe have not been translated into English. The manga is more of an added bonus, but it does end on a good note.

Overall, I have spent too much time gushing but it’s hard not to since this is one of my favorite series ever. The whole series gets a 4.3/5 stars, or 9/10.

[Estara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This only collects some side stories to the main one, but I'm still so happy to get them. One highlights how Shouka's family situation came to be - truly horrible and dramatic. The second one delves into what it's like to be Ryuren Ran and why he is so happy to have found Shurei and Eigetsu - and the fact that Reishin Hong would have been exactly in his shoes if it hadn't been for Shouka.

Finished off by a tiny jump back in time when Reishin introduced his fellow students and future friends Ko and Tei to Shoka's family ^^ and a tiny toddler Shurei.

I'm so glad we got as much as we got, although I really wish for the light novels.

[Mello ❣ Illium ✮Harry✮ ☀Myrnin☀ Torin Ichimaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts:

I thoroughly enjoyed this series, though I wish the manga continued for longer. It matches up pretty well with the first season of the anime which I love, but I want to see past that! I'm going to have to find a way to either read or watch past this point because I'd hate it if Shurei doesn't end up with Ryuki somehow. I really want to see that.

I very much enjoyed seeing these characters. I know that some people feel that the story fell apart early on, but I didn't think so. I just wanted to be able to see want comes next. I am glad that Shurei has made it to the beginning of the road that she wishes to travel on and yet there is still much to be done. I'd love to see Shurei and Eigetsu in their role as joint governors of the Province of Sa.

All in all, I really enjoyed these characters and seeing them grow. Some didn't change much while others blossomed a bit more. They were all fun to read about, though and I love them all. I hope I get to find out what really happens in the end one of these days.

[Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I'm pretty disappointed that this ended up as a collection of short stories. The main story has pretty much been abandoned. I saddened that this is the last volume as I enjoyed both the story and the artwork.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is one I still love after reading this volume although now after reading this volume, you do not necessarily have to read it if you don't want to. Volume 8 basically ends the series and this volume volume 9 gives more backstory and side stories that if you're a really huge fan would be fun for you to read. As a person who watched the anime first (and loved it) the manga was wonderful up to this volume, and the ending just felt unfulfilling in my opinion. After conducting some research, I found out that this manga had to end like this because there wasn't enough popularity in Japan which I understand. There's light novels that have gotten translated to English that also has a different ending (which is verrrrry heartbreaking). Anyway, overall, I am glad I was able to read this series and to have this be my first manga series was great 👍 3.5 out of 5 stars If you love political fantasy manga with some antics and girl power check this series out!

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like this volume left a lot to be desired. It was annoying, introducing new characters and back stories without actually wrapping anything up until one panel at the end, and it left me with more questions. It just felt like it ended abruptly with no resolution.

[Khari · Rating 1 out of 5]

ほら！

言ったよ！一緒にならなかった！って言うか話画途中で終わった！最後の巻は無意味だしなんの繋ぎもなかった！サイドストーリーばっかり！私のお金返して！返品させて！

何この中途半端な終わり方？？？これも次のシリーズあるの？？興味ない！買わない！

これがフェミニスト漫画だって、だから面白くないかも。プロットちゃんと考えて！イデオロギーだけで描くのは足りない！何でこれがアニメになったのはさっぱり分からん。ライトノベルの方が面白いかな？

期待外れが多すぎる。前の8巻戻って一星に変わりたいぐらい。

[Stephanie]

So the manga is over, but the story is not over? I guess the manga is based on Japanese light novels that I can't read since they're not available in English. So that's too bad. There is an anime though 👍🏻

[Magdalenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice side stories, but I believe that the story about general's brother should be included in main story.
My general problem with whole series is that there is too much text. I'm not sure whether all information was necessary.

[Kayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

As I didn't particularly care for this manga, I thought a whole volume of side stories was pointless.

[Amanda Setasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This entire volume was side stories and I honestly hated it.

[Carmen Peirce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why did it not end with Shurei being empress?!! WHY? They make the perfect couple:she's hardworking and overall a great woman and Ryuki is beautifully intelligent.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

COMO ASSIM TERMINOU ASSIM?
ISTO NÃO É FINAL NENHUM!

[Vya]

I've read it all.


Now, what do I do with my life :c

[Miss Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit disappointed to see Yukino elected to not actually have a conclusion. :/ I was looking forward to seeing how Shuurei performed at her first job! It felt like Volume 8 left us at the beginning of her journey, not the end.

Ah well. I suppose I can always watch the anime.

Anyways this volume ended up being a collection of side stories. They were alright although I did find myself struggling to remember all the family relationships again. Like is Minister Ko not related to Shuurei? I thought he was some kind of uncle but that makes the marriage joke make no sense. Too many dudes with flowing black hair in this series, who even knows who's who.

Also I don't remember Ryuren in the slightest and I feel like I would recall a flamboyant dude with a love for peacock feathers. :/ I repeat: too many dudes with flowing black hair.

I liked Yushin at the end though. :D Mostly for his ability to calmly handle ridiculousness but also a little bit for being blond. Good lad, I can actually tell you apart this way.

3 stars

[Yipeng · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review was deleted! Actually, it's a misnomer to call it a review in the first place, which requires deliberate thought over the quality and enjoyment of a series. I'm just babbling my thoughts all over the place.

Whatever. I had to binge-finish this because I started it years ago when I didn't know the difference between shoujo manga and shounen manga. The art is OK, but it's too girly. I think the series points deliberately at the light novels which are probably much less girly and full of political intrigue. But they were never translated into English, so I'll have to wait a few years while I finish learning Japanese before I can read them.

I borrowed these while a friend was present, and they now know that I've read shoujo manga. Please, just end it already, I can't live down the embarrassment.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The final volume ended up being a collection of short stories, which was ultimately disappointing. The series as a whole started out very strong, with great characters and drama. After that story arc ended, though, the rest of the series just sort of wandered around in aimless jokes and pitfalls. Ultimately disappointing all around.

[K J · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Story of Saiunkoku started out with such promise. The artwork was lovely and the earlier novels introduced such wonderful characters I could not wait for the story to unfold. That never really happened. Instead the story just unraveled and went off into left field. Although the characters remain enjoyable it is a shame the story arc was never properly finished.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It turns out Koyu was raised to be the husband of Shurei as Reishin took him in and trained him and Kuro plans to have him become the next successor to the Hong clan. Ryuren loses to Kocho and Ran says he will pay twice what his brother owes to Kocho.

[Ariya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not expecting the last volume to be entirely made up of short stories. Even though they were good, it left a lot to be desired.

[Laurianne Uy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was just all right because there wasn't enough Shurei! Just short stories from the side characters.

Gonna miss these series since I really did enjoy spending time with the gang.

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congratulations to the two new governors of the Sa province!

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay this was good. Interesting I guess but still good. The whole series is just that. And the anime is even better.

[Kici94]

compelling reasons

[Shurei · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good