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The Story of Saiunkoku #2
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 2
Reads R to L (Japanese Style) T audience.
Shurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne’er-do-well ruler to govern.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 2, 2011
I'm really grateful we get the manga, too. This volume ends up the first light novel volume I believe, the initial stay of Shurei at the Imperial palace and the poisoning intrigue is cleared up - it is also made clear that Ryuki will stay on as emperor now, he makes a bargain to that effect with Lord Advisor Sho (whose probable identity is revealed in a very heartbreaking scene with Lord Advisor Sa).
The anime portrayed these goings on really well in episodes 1 to 13 of the first series, so not much was new - although I delight in the freedom Kairi Yura has, to show much more intricate clothing because she doesn't have to animate it.
Where the manga comes into its own is in the asides, in the explorations and added panels that give more room to the dialogues and relationships between people. The Black Wolf comes across much more menacing in his talk with Lord Advisor Sho, the added bonus pages show more of Shurei's mom than we get in the whole first series, I believe, and definitely show more of how her father and her mother interacted.
We get more internal views of Seiran and his inherent, unrepentant two-facedness - in the anime I really was only aware of that in the second arc of the first series.
The one downside of this particular volume is that Shurei is mostly in a token position here, after having set off all the interior growth in the first volume: Ryuki really shines in this one. Having seen the anime I know that this will change again, but this volume only reaps the climax from the set-up of the first one. Lots of action here for this story.
OH and can I just say THANK YOU to the translator and editors at VIZ for staying with the royal we for Ryuki () and with the elegant conversation used at the court! It really helps with the atmosphere.
The anime portrayed these goings on really well in episodes 1 to 13 of the first series, so not much was new - although I delight in the freedom Kairi Yura has, to show much more intricate clothing because she doesn't have to animate it.
Where the manga comes into its own is in the asides, in the explorations and added panels that give more room to the dialogues and relationships between people. The Black Wolf comes across much more menacing in his talk with Lord Advisor Sho, the added bonus pages show more of Shurei's mom than we get in the whole first series, I believe, and definitely show more of how her father and her mother interacted.
We get more internal views of Seiran and his inherent, unrepentant two-facedness - in the anime I really was only aware of that in the second arc of the first series.
The one downside of this particular volume is that Shurei is mostly in a token position here, after having set off all the interior growth in the first volume: Ryuki really shines in this one. Having seen the anime I know that this will change again, but this volume only reaps the climax from the set-up of the first one. Lots of action here for this story.
OH and can I just say THANK YOU to the translator and editors at VIZ for staying with the royal we for Ryuki () and with the elegant conversation used at the court! It really helps with the atmosphere.
read-seq-art
February 7, 2011In this volume: Shurei is kidnapped! Seiran's true identity is revealed! (No one is surprised.) The Black Wolf's true identity is revealed! (I am very surprised.)
My very favorite thing, though, is the side story about Shoka and Ryuki's first meeting, because (a) Shoka! (b) Ryuki! (c) adorable wee Ryuki! Shoka crying because he misses his dead wife! Ryuki earnestly steaming pork buns in a stolen helmet! Bruised empty-eyed wee Ryuki! Purple-faced choking wee Ryuki who has just had his first taste of Shoka's tea (Illustrated. Note how he is clearly purple-faced despite being a black and white drawing.)!
... I was trying to take notes so I could remember what happened in which volume, but I just cannot contain myself from tangents inaccessible to anyone who hasn't read the series and/or insufferable to anyone who doesn't already adore the characters.
My very favorite thing, though, is the side story about Shoka and Ryuki's first meeting, because (a) Shoka! (b) Ryuki! (c) adorable wee Ryuki! Shoka crying because he misses his dead wife! Ryuki earnestly steaming pork buns in a stolen helmet! Bruised empty-eyed wee Ryuki! Purple-faced choking wee Ryuki who has just had his first taste of Shoka's tea (Illustrated. Note how he is clearly purple-faced despite being a black and white drawing.)!
... I was trying to take notes so I could remember what happened in which volume, but I just cannot contain myself from tangents inaccessible to anyone who hasn't read the series and/or insufferable to anyone who doesn't already adore the characters.
May 24, 2017
Shuurei and Ryuuki and Seiran and everyone else ... <3 <3 <3 I LOVE THEM
February 16, 2014
The artwork is beautiful. I had a little trouble keeping track of certain details, including the elderly characters, though. I loved the bonus story - very touching. I recommend this shojo manga, especially for fans of historical manga and romance. :-)
July 24, 2018
This manga was a great continuation for the series and if you need to not continue it is an excellent stopping point. I love the artstyle and the relationships between the characters. In addition there were a lot of reveals that occurred in this volume that were interesting and unexpected. There was only one part that truly confused me but it confused me in both the anime and the manga so.... anyhow because of these points i would have to give this manga 4 out of 5 stars i cannot wait to read more from this series
September 13, 2023
The graphics can be rather impressive. Sometimes the layering or counterpoint visuals can take a minute to breakdown into actual action but it is nice to see some artistry applied to the panels beyond borders or texture tape. Transition panels are simplified and thus it can be difficult to identify characters since most have multiple names and similar looks. The manga is again text heavy. So just take your time to really appreciate the nuance of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2024
I gave 3 stars, because side story was coherently written. Otherwise it would be two stars.
I don't know if it is translation problem, but some parts of narration are unclear. Things just happens so fast, as if some pages were missing. Generaly I believe that if the story was a bit slowly paced, but chatavrer growth added, it would make more sense. So after that volume I'm more frustrated than excited for next one.
I don't know if it is translation problem, but some parts of narration are unclear. Things just happens so fast, as if some pages were missing. Generaly I believe that if the story was a bit slowly paced, but chatavrer growth added, it would make more sense. So after that volume I'm more frustrated than excited for next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2024
For me, this manga was just plain boring. Is it unfair of me to say so, since I haven't read volume 1? I don't think so. The pictures are mostly static (portraits) and they spout long, boring sentences. That might work for Shakespeare, but not in a manga. I'm glad I didn't have to plow through volume 1!
December 8, 2017
I don't really know what this was about because all of them look the same and their names sound the same. No spoiler, but when the rival came back... wtf? Who was that? How did that happen? I will not be continuing this series.
June 3, 2018
I love this manga so much: the story, the characters, the art. It's funny and sweet and touching and intriguing... simply wonderful. In this volume, I was really surprised by who the Black Wolf turned out to be!
May 19, 2019
One of my new favorites
This series is so incredibly refreshing to the genre. The story is enthralling, the characters are so well done, and... it has my heart.
If you are a fan of romance stories, give this series a chance. Can't wait to read the next one.
This series is so incredibly refreshing to the genre. The story is enthralling, the characters are so well done, and... it has my heart.
If you are a fan of romance stories, give this series a chance. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 23, 2022
Another great volume of Saiunkoku!
These characters are genuinely some of the best I've read in a long time, and I appreciate the author's style of pacing more and more with each book. It never seems too slow or too fast.
I hope the next volume brings even more fun and adventure!
These characters are genuinely some of the best I've read in a long time, and I appreciate the author's style of pacing more and more with each book. It never seems too slow or too fast.
I hope the next volume brings even more fun and adventure!
December 25, 2017
Exellent!!
August 11, 2017
Reminds me a little bit of Yona of the Dawn, with Shurei as a strong willed and capable young lady & and emperor who is more competent than he seems. Looking forward to reading more of the story.
August 3, 2018
Beautiful illustrations but a bit graphic in this volume.
November 14, 2018
This story is pretty funny. A lot of the battle scenes aren't drawn that well. A lot of the characters look too much alike for me to keep up with who is who.
It's not overly terrible though.
It's not overly terrible though.
December 30, 2018
In a mythical kingdom that resembles China but isn’t China, the fairy tale continues to make you squee with delight at its cuteness.
February 22, 2019
Slightly confusing.
June 3, 2021
うん、せいらんは王の兄よね。最初の王の生まれ変わりかどうかまだ分からないね。
このシリーズもギャプが多い。ストーリーははっきりより黙示的な展開。ちょっとめんどくさい。
一番分からないことは裏切ったの役人は他の人と出会って、その人は若くて役人を殺した、魔法みたいに殺した。その人は本当に存在したの？役人の妄想？ わけわかんない。
このシリーズもギャプが多い。ストーリーははっきりより黙示的な展開。ちょっとめんどくさい。
一番分からないことは裏切ったの役人は他の人と出会って、その人は若くて役人を殺した、魔法みたいに殺した。その人は本当に存在したの？役人の妄想？ わけわかんない。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2022
Sweet and cute with a dash of intrigue
May 14, 2018
4 Stars
So dang cute!!
So dang cute!!
April 7, 2014
Synopsis:
hurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne'er-do-well ruler to govern.
After realizing Ryuki has been faking his ignorance, an enraged Shurei demands to be sent home immediately. Ryuki then locks Shurei in her room, unaware he has now put his consort in great danger...
My Thoughts:
A very nice second volume.
Ryuki continues to show just how competent he really is. Shurei is not one bit happy about it when he tells her he's just been pretending the whole time.
The plot of trying to kill Shurei comes to a head in this volume and we discover who was behind it all. It was more complicated than expected. I saw all of this unfold in the anime, but I'd completely forgotten aspects of it. It was like a plot within a plot and some secrets about characters are revealed. Seiran's identity really isn't a surprise, but that man doesn't have an evil bone in his body. He'd do you in for hurting Shurei or Ryuki, though. Then there's Shoka and Shusui. Those two were really surprising. I'd completely forgotten about their roles in all of this. And then there's Sho. I'd forgotten about his real identity as well. When Shoka confronted him, I wanted to punch Sho in the face. He may have gotten what he wanted out of all of this, but it wouldn't be wise to manipulate Ryuki too much or to involve Shurei and piss Shoka off, either. Granted, would they even be able to kill him? He's not exactly normal...
One thing I was happy about is that Ryuki and Seiran got to talk alone. They can't openly acknowledge their relationship, but knowing Seiran is around should help Ryuki quite a bit. Ryuki isn't happy that Shurei is going back to her home, though. Her job is over, granted, it was basically a sham job, anyway. She did come to care for Ryuki and he's totally in love with her. I think her own insecurity about her looks and status are holding back her own feelings, though.
Shurei's leaving doesn't seem to be discouraging Ryuki, though. He's determined to bring her back home, though. He considers her place to be with him. Good luck, Ryuki!
hurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne'er-do-well ruler to govern.
After realizing Ryuki has been faking his ignorance, an enraged Shurei demands to be sent home immediately. Ryuki then locks Shurei in her room, unaware he has now put his consort in great danger...
My Thoughts:
A very nice second volume.
Ryuki continues to show just how competent he really is. Shurei is not one bit happy about it when he tells her he's just been pretending the whole time.
The plot of trying to kill Shurei comes to a head in this volume and we discover who was behind it all. It was more complicated than expected. I saw all of this unfold in the anime, but I'd completely forgotten aspects of it. It was like a plot within a plot and some secrets about characters are revealed. Seiran's identity really isn't a surprise, but that man doesn't have an evil bone in his body. He'd do you in for hurting Shurei or Ryuki, though. Then there's Shoka and Shusui. Those two were really surprising. I'd completely forgotten about their roles in all of this. And then there's Sho. I'd forgotten about his real identity as well. When Shoka confronted him, I wanted to punch Sho in the face. He may have gotten what he wanted out of all of this, but it wouldn't be wise to manipulate Ryuki too much or to involve Shurei and piss Shoka off, either. Granted, would they even be able to kill him? He's not exactly normal...
One thing I was happy about is that Ryuki and Seiran got to talk alone. They can't openly acknowledge their relationship, but knowing Seiran is around should help Ryuki quite a bit. Ryuki isn't happy that Shurei is going back to her home, though. Her job is over, granted, it was basically a sham job, anyway. She did come to care for Ryuki and he's totally in love with her. I think her own insecurity about her looks and status are holding back her own feelings, though.
Shurei's leaving doesn't seem to be discouraging Ryuki, though. He's determined to bring her back home, though. He considers her place to be with him. Good luck, Ryuki!
March 19, 2011
The second volume of this series is filled with even more beautiful art, intrigue, danger, and romance. I'm still torn between who I like more: Seiran or Ryuki! This reminds me a bit of Fushigi Yugi, which is a series I have yet to finish, but loved.
I like the main story involving Shurei, but I want to know more about the side characters, especially Shuei and Koyu. They seem to have an interesting relationship, and I want to know more about it. There are three characters that seem to have been adopted into families after being found abandoned, and that is another aspect of the story I would like to see explored.
I cannot wait for the next volume to be released, and I hope VIZ decides to publish the novel versions in America. This is a series I adore in all aspects, and I can't get enough of it.
I like the main story involving Shurei, but I want to know more about the side characters, especially Shuei and Koyu. They seem to have an interesting relationship, and I want to know more about it. There are three characters that seem to have been adopted into families after being found abandoned, and that is another aspect of the story I would like to see explored.
I cannot wait for the next volume to be released, and I hope VIZ decides to publish the novel versions in America. This is a series I adore in all aspects, and I can't get enough of it.
March 16, 2014
Lbh berbobot dan padat dari buku pertama. Tapiii, nama2nya itu bikin bingung, uda bejibun, mirip2 lagi. Terutama nama para tokoh pendamping seperti nama pelayan, penasihat, tetua, dll. Misalnya, Shuuei dgn Shuurei. Ada lagi yg namanya Shusui.
Contoh lainnya, Shou dan Sou. Ini nama para tetuanya. Muka mrk pun hampir mirip dgn tatanan rmbt yg hampir mirip, sama2 digerai gitu....coba kalo salah satunya disanggul atau diekor kuda kan jadi bisa ngebedain...tsk...
Imho, alur plot di buku 2 ini juga terlalu cpt... Mestinya mangaka membiasakan pembaca dgn muka dan nama para tokohnya dulu sampe 2 volume, seperti apa karakter2 mereka, kehidupan mereka...ga cuma kehidupan pasangan utama aja yg disorot... Lalu baru di volume 3 dimulai klimaksnya...
Tiap kali nama seseorang diungkit dlm percakapan mrk, aku sering kali bertanya2, "Siapa?" O_O
Contoh lainnya, Shou dan Sou. Ini nama para tetuanya. Muka mrk pun hampir mirip dgn tatanan rmbt yg hampir mirip, sama2 digerai gitu....coba kalo salah satunya disanggul atau diekor kuda kan jadi bisa ngebedain...tsk...
Imho, alur plot di buku 2 ini juga terlalu cpt... Mestinya mangaka membiasakan pembaca dgn muka dan nama para tokohnya dulu sampe 2 volume, seperti apa karakter2 mereka, kehidupan mereka...ga cuma kehidupan pasangan utama aja yg disorot... Lalu baru di volume 3 dimulai klimaksnya...
Tiap kali nama seseorang diungkit dlm percakapan mrk, aku sering kali bertanya2, "Siapa?" O_O
September 12, 2013
Good grief, this series moves fast! I finished this volume and was left wondering what else the series could possible have to talk about! If you liked the first volume, this picks up where it left off with lots of new information to cram inside your brain.
Again, I love this series but I REALLY can't stand Shurei sometimes. She is heartless at times, though I don't think she truly means to be. I really love the emperor and hope we can see him grow as a character and as a leader in future volumes. Maybe by then, Shurei will wake up and quit being stupid!
Again, I love this series but I REALLY can't stand Shurei sometimes. She is heartless at times, though I don't think she truly means to be. I really love the emperor and hope we can see him grow as a character and as a leader in future volumes. Maybe by then, Shurei will wake up and quit being stupid!
December 18, 2014
Isi buku kedua ini masih melanjutkan cerita buku pertama hingga tamat. Sepertinya di buku ketiga nanti akan mulai dengan babak baru.
Di buku kedua ini, akhirnya terungkap (walaupun udah bisa ditebak sih) identitas asli beberapa tokoh. ~~Nggak usah disebut namanya, nanti nggak seru bacanya :D~~ Tapiiiiii, ada momen yang bikin hati fujoshi-ku menjerit2 fangirling-an pas baca komik ini. Aku nggak bakal kasih spoiler di sini, silakan baca sendiri yaaa. Adegannya mulai di story 7 sampai story 8 :D
Sekarang nggak sabar nunggu buku 3-nya terbit :D
Di buku kedua ini, akhirnya terungkap (walaupun udah bisa ditebak sih) identitas asli beberapa tokoh. ~~Nggak usah disebut namanya, nanti nggak seru bacanya :D~~ Tapiiiiii, ada momen yang bikin hati fujoshi-ku menjerit2 fangirling-an pas baca komik ini. Aku nggak bakal kasih spoiler di sini, silakan baca sendiri yaaa. Adegannya mulai di story 7 sampai story 8 :D
Sekarang nggak sabar nunggu buku 3-nya terbit :D
August 20, 2020
When Lady Shurei finds out the truth about Ryuki she refuses to see him. Shurei is missing along with Seiran, Shurei was kidnapped by Lord Advisor Sa. Seiran goes to find her followed by Ryuki but Korin poisoned her. It turns out that Shurei's dad Shoka was the black wolf of the emperor. Lord Advisor Sho give Ryuki the antidote for Shurei but it's not for free. Shurei and Seiran recover and Ryuki tries to send Shurei off with a kiss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2014
yak, ceritanya wakin kaya dengan intrik walau tidak terlalu berat. sisi komik shojonya yg berbunga indah di mana mana masih ada yg menjadi penyeimbang. hanya ada satu kata terjemahan yang sedikit mengganjal "MUMPUNI" .... ini bukan salah ketikkan yah ? yak sampai vol ini masih semangat untuk menunggu vol selanjutnya.
like it
like it
December 25, 2014
Akhirnya ketahuan juga siapa pelaku yang mengincar nyawa Shuurei dan dalang dibaliknya.
Keren deh ngeliat Ryuuki ambil tindakan dan usahanya nyelametin Shuurei. Selain itu di volume ini terungkap jati diri Seiran, dan juga
Keren deh ngeliat Ryuuki ambil tindakan dan usahanya nyelametin Shuurei. Selain itu di volume ini terungkap jati diri Seiran, dan juga
May 3, 2016
2-3 Stars
Given up after 4 books.
I love the artwork, I really do - because it’s stunning. Somehow though I’m just not connecting with this series – it’s not bad but after the third book I getting bored and I decided by the end of the fourth that it wasn’t worth continuing. Might return later to try again.
Given up after 4 books.
I love the artwork, I really do - because it’s stunning. Somehow though I’m just not connecting with this series – it’s not bad but after the third book I getting bored and I decided by the end of the fourth that it wasn’t worth continuing. Might return later to try again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews