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The Best Episodes of The Story of Saiunkoku

Every episode of The Story of Saiunkoku ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Story of Saiunkoku!

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...
Genres:AnimationDramaSci-Fi & FantasyComedy
Network:NHK BS2

Best Episodes Summary

"A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean" is the best rated episode of "The Story of Saiunkoku". It scored 8.2/10 based on 9 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 4/15/2006. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons".

  • A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean
    8.2/109 votes
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    #1 - A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/15/2006

    Shuurei teaches Ryuuki about daily life by taking him on an excursion through the Imperial City.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons
    8.0/108 votes
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    #2 - The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/22/2006

    Ryuuki averts an attempt to assassinate Shuurei by drinking the poison intended for her.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • There is no Genius Without Hard Work
    7.7/107 votes
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    #3 - There is no Genius Without Hard Work

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/6/2006

    Shuurei meets Ryuuren Ran, the eccentric brother of the General of the Shaorin Army.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side
    7.4/1010 votes
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    #4 - Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/8/2006

    After being bribed by a high authority from the palace, Shuurei enters the Imperial Palace as the Emperor's consort and unofficial tutor, in keeping her promise to encourage the prince to rise to the responsiblities of the Emperor and to begin taking interest in the country and the throne.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • From a Gourd Comes a Horse
    7.4/106 votes
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    #5 - From a Gourd Comes a Horse

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 7/1/2006

    Ryuuki earns the fealty of the local crimelords by resolving trouble with a gang who had been harassing examinees. Shuurei takes the imperial examination and passes with the third highest score.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • On a Rock for Three Years
    7.4/106 votes
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    #6 - On a Rock for Three Years

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 7/8/2006

    After making a bad first impression Shuurei and Eigetsu are ordered to spend their first two months as imperial officials cleaning the lavatory and shining shoes.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes
    7.4/106 votes
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    #7 - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 8/26/2006

    In retaliation for the arrest of Shuurei and Reishin, the Kou clan goes on strike, causing half of the imperial government to shut down. Shuurei and Eigetsu rush to finish their report before the official inquiry begins at noon.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Casting Pearls Before Swine
    7.3/107 votes
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    #8 - Casting Pearls Before Swine

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/29/2006

    After participating in a swordfighting tournament, Ryuuki discovers his exiled brother Seien is closer at hand than he previously believed.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Lacking the Finishing Touch
    7.3/107 votes
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    #9 - Lacking the Finishing Touch

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/13/2006

    Shuurei is kidnapped by forces who may or may not be working against the Emperor's interests.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws
    7.2/106 votes
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    #10 - Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 5/27/2006

    Shuurei returns to her work at the temple school. Ryuuki begins writing a proposal that would allow women to take the official examinations. Ensei Rou, one of Seiran's friends, arrives from Brown Province.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
    7.2/106 votes
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    #11 - The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 6/3/2006

    Shuurei disguises herself as a boy to assist the Imperial bureaucracy during a heat wave.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
    7.2/106 votes
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    #12 - Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 6/10/2006

    The reason bandits have been attacking Ensei Rou is revealed; while acting as temporary governor of Brown province, Ensei angered the local nobility by rejecting corruption and bribes. As he has not passed the official examination required to be a high official, Ensei returns his seal of governorship to Ryuuki. Ryuuki passes a law allowing women to take the official examinations.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • There is no Cure for Lovesickness
    7.2/106 votes
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    #13 - There is no Cure for Lovesickness

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 6/17/2006

    Seiran and the rest of the household watch over Shuurei after she catches a bad cold while chasing a troublesome student. Reishin Kou continues to conceal from Shuurei that he is her uncle. Reishin fears that if Shuurei knew his identity, she would hate him as the man who took her father's place as head of the Kou clan.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Discretion is the Better Part of Valour
    7.2/106 votes
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    #14 - Discretion is the Better Part of Valour

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 6/24/2006

    Shuurei comes to the aid of thirteen-year-old Eigetsu, who is attacked by bandits while visiting the imperial city to take the official examination. A local gang challenges the city's crimelords and Kochou, the madam of a brothel and Shuurei's longtime employer.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts
    7.2/106 votes
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    #15 - Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 7/15/2006

    Kouyuu Ri ponders his course in life and his relationship with his foster father Reishin Kou, who took him in on an apparent whim.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey
    7.2/106 votes
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    #16 - If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 9/9/2006

    Ryuuki appoints Shuurei and Eigetsu as co-governors of Sa Province.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood
    7.2/106 votes
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    #17 - Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 9/16/2006

    Seiran recalls the events that led to his exile 13 years ago and the family that took him in.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Where There is Life, There is Hope
    7.2/106 votes
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    #18 - Where There is Life, There is Hope

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 9/30/2006

    Shuurei, Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seiran leave for their journey to Sa Province, all the while assassins are following them, hired by the Sa Clan. Eigetsu, Kourin, Ensei and Seiran are caught during their stay in a hotel, while Shuurei is safely hidden.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown
    7.0/106 votes
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    #19 - Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 5/20/2006

    The plot against Ryuuki and Shuurei comes to a head as the conspirators are defeated. With her task complete, Shuurei leaves the palace.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • There are no Devils in the World
    7.0/106 votes
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    #20 - There are no Devils in the World

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 7/22/2006

    A rumor spreads that Reishin Kou manipulated the imperial examination to allow Shuurei to pass. As Reishin is imprisoned, Shuurei, Seiran and Eigetsu face betrayal by a friend helping the conspiracy.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand
    7.0/106 votes
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    #21 - You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 9/2/2006

    The plot against Shuurei is defeated after she passes a verbal examination before the Emperor and assembled officials with flying colours. Shuurei and Eigetsu's report furnishes evidence against the corrupt Sa clan official who plotted against them.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant
    7.0/106 votes
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    #22 - It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 10/7/2006

    While the rest are caught at the borderguard in Sairi, Shuurei has to make her way on her own to Kinka. She seeks help from the Merchants Guild, becoming a servant to a man whom she met on the streets: Lin Senya.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Ravens in the Moonless Night
    7.0/106 votes
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    #23 - Ravens in the Moonless Night

    Season 1 Episode 26 - Aired 10/28/2006

    The real identity of Lin Senya is revealed, and Shuurei is caught in his clutches in Chrysanthemum Castle. Seiran and Ensei heads over there to rescue Shuurei and to catch Sakujun. He escapes with Shuurei's flowerbud hairpin, telling her to go to Koren.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Wise Know When to Approach Danger
    6.6/106 votes
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    #24 - The Wise Know When to Approach Danger

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 9/23/2006

    As Shuurei prepares to leave for Sa province, she, Eigetsu and Ryuuren Ran hear rumours of a ghost inhabiting the imperial palace.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Water on a Sleeping Ear
    6.2/106 votes
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    #25 - Water on a Sleeping Ear

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 10/14/2006

    Ensei and Seiran were set free from their prison thanks to Kokujun, as Shuurei and Senya were finally departing after days of waiting, on Shuurei's part. Eigetsu and Kourin were also freed by Kokujun, who volunteered to bring them to Kinka.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A