The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 6

The Story of Saiunkoku #6

by Kairi Yura, Sai Yukino, Su Mon Han (Translator)

Shurei Hong, destitute but of noble birth, has always dreamed of working as a civil servant in the imperial court of Saiunkoku, but women are barred from holding office. The emperor Ryuki, however, refuses to take command, leaving everything to his advisors. Shurei is asked to become a consort to the emperor to persuade the ne’er-do-well ruler to govern.

The Blue Scarf Gang continues its attack on Kogaro. Yogetsu’s strength during the battle gets the notice of the underworld bosses who want to recruit him, but Ryuki says the boy is already promised to him...?!

Genres: Manga, Historical Fiction, Shojo, Romance, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics

172 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2010

About the author

Also known as 由羅 カイリ

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Ryuuki and am still a bit upset that Shuurei wants to put her career aspirations before him and leaving him all alone. GASP! I know! I just wish that she could somehow have both - her career and Ryuuki, that is. I wish that she didn't have to choose.

[Miss Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what Saiunkoku reminds me of right now? Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small. Specifically in its portrayal of a woman entering a male dominated field and gritting her teeth to push through all the unfair behaviour and outright attempts to get her to fail. I find Shurei (and Keladry of Mindelan) amazingly admirable this volume, I want to cheer her on and take her as a role model. Ryuki appears to good effect too (showed leadership ability in his resolution of the city gang storyline and he's handling his inability to help Shurei as much as he'd like relatively maturely) but Shurei was definitely the shining star of this volume. 4 stars

[Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent volume, though a bit on the short side (at 162 pages) and disjointed, since it serves as the intermediary between that random Kogaro Arc from volme 5 and the start of Shurei and Eigetsu's time as Initiate civil servants. Still had some truly fantastic moments--loved Kocho's "always be proud that you are a woman" words of wisdom and that moment at the end where Shurei tells Seiran she won't come crying to him or let him rescue her this time--not from this, which is the dream and path she had chosen for herself. It was truly a crossroads for Shurei and showed a huge amount of growth. Seeing her and Eigetsu get discriminated against by all the bigots in court was pretty painful, but I'm really thankful they encouraged each other and pulled one another through (love Eigetsu SO MUCH! XD), and that in the end, they were starting to win over some of their peers (or at least Hakumei--what a fantastic first entrance! I love him already. ^^).

I love that the court is getting fleshed out and the groundwork has been laid for some really exciting court intrigue and political maneuvering. Also, I sense more Koyu-Reishin storyline coming up, which is sure to be awesome. I love this series!

[Amanda Setasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting this manga to turn into straight up bullying and only one character basically standing up for the ones being bullied. That's kind of a huge disappointment.

[Khari · Rating 3 out of 5]

もう6巻読みましたが、まだこの話の筋が分からない。
もし誰かが「この話はどういう話？」をきいていたら、どうやって返事するのはさっぱり分からん。恋愛？ではない。政治的な話？ではない。ファンタジー系？ではない。昔の中国フィクション？ではない。
何なんだろこの話？

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gaaaaah I want to kick some asses!

[Estara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, to me, is one of the hardest volumes Shurei has to survive, because I find insidious bullying much harder to take and read than open animosity and action. Shurei and Eigetsu reach incredibly high ranks in the civil servant exams and because Shurei is a woman and Eigetsu is a young boy they get mercilessly bullied from their direct superiors and everyone else. Ryuki is well aware of the fact and also knows that any exterior help he or one of the others might give would destroy Shurei's and Eigetsu's achievements in the eyes of the court (and maybe themselves?). Even the unthinking support of Seiran is something Shurei realises she can't lean on this time.

It's a harsh growing up lesson in the cut throat world of court politics but at the end there's a light at the end of the tunnel as the other beginning examinees and new civil servants are starting to show support and respect for their work.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eigetsu recovers his tablet and the Blue Scarf Gang is thwarted from taking over the brothel. Eigetsu places first in the civil exam and Shurei places third. Ryuki helps Shurei and Eigetsu get to the meeting on time despite the soldiers planted at the door. Both Shurei and Eigetsu suffer from constant bullying, but it seems worse for Shurei as she literally has to clean up a shit show. Not all of the other civil servants are jealous them, as Hakumei takes on both Shurei and Eigtsu's work so they can get some rest.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this story more and more with each volume. Shurei continues to break ground for women in politics in her society, but that doesn't mean she won't continue to encounter opposition. That there are men in power who could step in at any time (and who really want to) to aid her but don't because she has to climb her way up on her own makes the story even stronger with characters that you really feel for in this frustrating situation. Go Shurei! Yay girl power! :)

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shurei is now a new civil servant.
And now has to put up with all those nasty bullies!

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good volume. This series does have its moments and you can't help but like it.