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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!

Binge this in 1d 8h•Peaking at 8.1/10

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 2 - A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean
    8.1/10(10 votes)

    #1 - A Frog in a Well Does Not Know the Great Ocean

    S1:E2

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 3 - The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons
    7.9/10(9 votes)

    #2 - The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons

    S1:E3

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 1 - Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side
    7.6/10(12 votes)

    #3 - Every Good Story Has a Hidden Side

    S1:E1

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 5 - There is no Genius Without Hard Work
    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #4 - There is no Genius Without Hard Work

    S1:E5

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 12 - Discretion is the Better Part of Valour
    7.5/10(8 votes)

    #5 - Discretion is the Better Part of Valour

    S1:E12

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 4 - Casting Pearls Before Swine
    7.2/10(8 votes)

    #6 - Casting Pearls Before Swine

    S1:E4

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Story of Saiunkoku

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  7. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 6 - Lacking the Finishing Touch
    7.2/10(8 votes)

    #7 - Lacking the Finishing Touch

    S1:E6

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 13 - From a Gourd Comes a Horse
    7.2/10(7 votes)

    #8 - From a Gourd Comes a Horse

    S1:E13

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 14 - On a Rock for Three Years
    7.2/10(7 votes)

    #9 - On a Rock for Three Years

    S1:E14

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 17 - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes
    7.2/10(7 votes)

    #10 - Let Sleeping Dogs Lie or Poking a Bush Draws Out Snakes

    S1:E17

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 8 - Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #11 - Wanting to Borrow a Cat's Paws

    S1:E8

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 9 - The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #12 - The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

    S1:E9

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 10 - Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #13 - Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

    S1:E10

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 11 - There is no Cure for Lovesickness
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #14 - There is no Cure for Lovesickness

    S1:E11

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 15 - Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #15 - Children Do Not Know Their Parents' Hearts

    S1:E15

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 19 - If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #16 - If You Love Your Child, Send Her on a Journey

    S1:E19

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 20 - Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #17 - Flowers Blooming from Dead Wood

    S1:E20

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 22 - Where There is Life, There is Hope
    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #18 - Where There is Life, There is Hope

    S1:E22

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 7 - Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown
    6.8/10(7 votes)

    #19 - Even the Strongest Swimmer May Drown

    S1:E7

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 16 - There are no Devils in the World
    6.8/10(7 votes)

    #20 - There are no Devils in the World

    S1:E16

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 18 - You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand
    6.8/10(7 votes)

    #21 - You Can't Hide by Burying Your Head in the Sand

    S1:E18

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 23 - It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant
    6.8/10(7 votes)

    #22 - It's the Company that Makes Travel Unpleasant

    S1:E23

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 26 - Ravens in the Moonless Night
    6.8/10(7 votes)

    #23 - Ravens in the Moonless Night

    S1:E26

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 21 - The Wise Know When to Approach Danger
    6.4/10(7 votes)

    #24 - The Wise Know When to Approach Danger

    S1:E21

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Story of Saiunkoku Season 1 Episode 24 - Water on a Sleeping Ear
    6.0/10(7 votes)

    #25 - Water on a Sleeping Ear

    S1:E24

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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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 8.1/10 based on 10 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/15/2006. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Talented Hawk Hides its Talons".