The Story of Saiunkoku (with Dee of Josei Next Door)

Discusses all 9 volumes of The Story of Saiunkoku, written by  Sai Yukino and illustrated by Kairi Yura.

ASHLEY: I'm like, 'I could have been a better person if I'd read [The Story of Saiunkoku] 10 years ago.'
DEE: That's how we should have ended the no spoiler section! 'Read this manga, it will change your life.'

In this episode, we're going to historical China for a semi-supernatural, extremely feminist manga adaptation of a light novel series. Dee, who makes the Josei Next Door blog and writes/edits for Anime Feminist, joins to discuss why this series never got its time in the spotlight in English like it deserves, why Shurei’s journey to fulfilling the seemingly impossible dream she has of becoming a civil servant is one of hope, and how Shurei's dad may just be the best dad in all of anime/manga, despite being a killer. We also, of course, talk about the gaggle of hot men in Shurei's life and her badass boss, Kochou.

Find a full transcript of this episode here.

REFERENCES

The Story of Saiunkoku manga is available from Viz Media's Shojo Beat lineThe only version of the anime that's available legally in English is dubbed and is called Corlourcloud PalaceOther series mentioned:The Apothecary DiariesCulinary Chronicles of the CourtBasaraOuran High School Host ClubFushigi YuugiLoveComAnime Feminist articles mentioned:You Don’t Have to Kick Ass to Be Kickass: Shoujo fantasy and the value of the noncombatant heroFire Balls & Ice Rinks: How My Hero Academia reflects inequality in competitive sportsOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by Danosongs

CONTACT US

You can find Dee's writing on Anime Feminist and Josei Next DoorFollow Dee on Twitter: @joseinextdoorShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley's Tales of Xillia fanfic: Well Suited