Short Synopsis: Tadaima.
Good: A perfect moment for nostalgia.
Bad: Bad? This episode? No way. ^^
Overall Enjoyment Value: 8.5/10
Those who’ve read my entries about the latest episodes might remember my small comments about how I disliked the old characters being written out of the main plot. After this episode, there is no way for me not to fanboy. Shuurei finally has the time to relax, after she accomplished all the tasks she set out to do, and finally has the time to socialize with everyone she met in the first arcs of this anime. That was SO cute. đ
I loved Shuurei’s expression when she finds out that she can see Kouyuu again, and their reunion was just as good. The dinner-party with everyone was really sweet (I loved it when the old guy got drunk and started throwing people into the water), but the definite highlight was the reunion of Shuurei and Ryuuki. I can’t believe it’s been around twenty episodes since they had a talk between the two of them. And it looked perfectly. You could already see the positive influence Sakujun has had on her, and Ryuuki’s reaction to this was so cute.
The episode also really was nostalgic. Especially the scenes which referenced back to the first episode. Boy, I almost forgot that Sho Taishi started everything. Apparently, Shuurei’s manju still stick in his mind. I also nearly forgot that Ryuuki´s first gift to Shuurei was a twig he plucked from a tree. Great stuff, really great stuff. Iâm really rooting for Ryuuki, Ran, Kouyuu, Shouka, Sho Taishi, Reishin, Kijin and all the others of the first seasons to play a more active role in the second season, which just started yesterday. Quite a good timing of We Suck-fansubs. I can’t wait till the second season. :)]]>
Saiunkoku Monogatari – 39
This last episode was so great.. And certainly the Shuurei*Ryuuki part was the best *.* I was so~~ looking forward to their meeting again… even if they didn’t kiss đ Ryuuki is in disadvantage when compared to Sakujun đ
Have u seen the 1st raw of the 2nd season? Sugoi! I didn’t understand most… my jap sucks but 1 thing I can tell u ..I never laughed so much in 1 ep xD I won’t spoil u much… but the forced pairing Shuurei*Kouyuu was something I was not expecting O.O
Kisses***
Forfirith
Hehe, I gave up on watching Saiunkoku Monogatari RAW after the first season. I’m glad to see that the second season starts of so great, can’t wait for it. đ
(*god, that was one horrible typo…*)
so there will be the second season?i thougt there wasnt so i was a little bit upset bout not knowing episode 39 was the ending eventhough this episode was so sweet.so thnx for this info.can’t wait to watch 2nd season.=)
I agree with you, one of the things I absolutely love about Saiunkoku is how the old characters actually play a part in the series, and aren’t even the antagonists. (Most of them, anyway) In fact, one of my favourite old people in the series has to be Eiki – she rocks. XD It’s good to know that they’ll continue to play a role in the upcoming story.
I’ve just finished watching this wonderful anime. First I had the impression that this’d be just one soap-opera and I found many unreasonable moments. Anyway, upon following the story all became more and more logical and understandable. This episode ends the 1st season of this anime in a very beautiful way. The reunion moment is beyond my words. I just love it! >.
can’t wait for shuurei and ryuuki to be united… in love.
I really love this anime more than anything(even load)I really like there love teams they are so cute together specially Shuurei and Ryuuki love team
Wow. I must confess that I browse your blog regularly. If I’m at a loss for something to watch, I’ll usually come here and trawl through your posts for something that might strike my fancy. I think I may have even commented once or twice to thank you for reviewing a series I greatly enjoyed but wouldn’t have even looked at if you hadn’t reviewed it.
This, however, is going to be the very first time when I have to say that I’m incredibly grateful I *didn’t* read your reviews of a series before I watched it.
Saiunkoku Monogatari is fabulous. I’m in love with this series. I’ve watched the whole of the first season in three evenings while dragging myself to work the next day with eyes burning from lack of sleep. I’ll probably watch the second season over the next few days as well. If I’d read your reviews before-hand, though, I don’t think I’d have even glanced at it. Your portrayal of Ryuuki–a description of a character featuring nearly every personality trait that I loathe in the ubiquitous male lead–would have left me not wanting to touch it with a ten foot pole.
It turns out Ryuuki is my favourite character! Sure, it’s an ensemble cast, but I find an episode just slightly less complete if it doesn’t contain a scene or two of his child-like innocence, his quiet wisdom and his courageously vulnerable heart. A character whose entire childhood was spent being rejected and abused by those whose affections he most desired would more commonly be presented as guarded and distant, afraid to get close to people for fear of being hurt. Ryuuki’s past is prime material for the male tsundere, the character whose prickly waspishness increases in direct relation to the strength of his feelings for someone. Ryuuki, however, is just about the bravest character I think I’ve ever seen in an anime series. He gives his all to those in his heart, and he leaves them in no doubt of their importance to him. He recognises Shuurei for who she is, a young woman with undeniably admirable qualities, but also a young woman whose passion is her career, so much so that she’ll throw everything else to the wayside including her heart (and his). Despite this he wears his heart on his sleeve, and in his position, perfectly able to keep her close to him, he pushes her out into the world to fulfil her dreams while denying his own. He’s a truly awesome character. I’m not sure why you seem to dismiss him so much.
Shuurei’s a great character. There’s no denying that there wouldn’t be much of a story without her in the lead. She’s intelligent, she knows what she wants and she’s willing to work hard to get it, and I love that she does what she does and is confident enough to acknowledge her own limitations and let others step in to do what *they* do. She’s not going to pick up a sword and throw herself into the middle of a fight. She’s strong enough to stand back and let Seiran and Ensei protect her, and not get all fragile and sensitive over the fact that she can’t beat up an armoured man twice her size. She works hard, no doubt, and she’s forging her own path, but it’s Ryuuki’s constant self-sacrifice for the sake of her happiness that has opened the doors to let her do that.
In terms of Shuurei’s Sakujun/Ryuuki confusion, I found Shuurei’s lack of perception in this case to be very disturbing. She spent six months in close company with Ryuuki. Regardless of the fact that Sakujun showed only his nicest faces to Shuurei, it annoyed me that she kept thinking how similar he and Ryuuki were when it was patently obvious long before the truth of his villainy was revealed that they were completely different. Sakujun’s echoing of Ryuuki’s words only served to highlight that they were nothing alike. It’s astounding how two characters can speak exactly the same words and yet convey completely different intents. All credit to the seiyu here.
The thing I liked most about Episode 39–other than the meeting between Ryuuki and Shuurei–was the scene where Sai Rin says that if her husband can find the balance between work and love, then she should be able to find it too. Shuurei’s startled expression was priceless, but it seems she’s still not mature enough to truly grasp what that means. Oh well, she’s still only 16. Three years may not seem that much, but the difference between 16 and 19, particularly Shuurei’s 16 and Ryuuki’s 19, is huge. I’m hoping that the second season will show her growing up a bit more, hopefully enough that she starts to realise that work isn’t everything.
Hey there can you tell me the timing when shuurei shows her happy expresssion to see kouyuu?