This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I was looking for a new anime and found Story of Saiunkoku intriguing. After a little research on the story and the anime for Japanese and English, I decided to give it a shot. I was pleased with my findings.
(Taken from Anime News Network) "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."
The story starts off in five episodes that are more of an icebreaker than anything. We meet the characters, see how they interact with each other and learn small bits of their pasts. All the while, a deeper story is underneath that only begins to move.
I'm intrigued enough so far by this story to keep watching and see what will happen next.
I recommend this to anyone who is interested in a romantic story of human love and growth in times of change.
