
Shuurei is flattered by this change of heart, but is taken aback when she realizes that Ryuuki cut his hands up when he gathered the roses for her. One evening, out of the blue, Ryuuki pays a visit to the Royal Harem carrying roses in his hand. Ryuuki kept his promise to Shuurei and gradually started to get involved with political affairs. One month has passed since Shuurei became a royal consort. " Nō Aru Taka wa Tsume o Kakusu" (能ある鷹は爪を隠す) After learning that Ryuuki has never gone into the city, she secretly takes him out to the downtown area in order to show him the lives of the common people. On the contrary, she feels that he may turn into a good king if given the right opportunity and education. As she spends the days with him, she has the inkling of an idea that he isn’t the fool everyone makes him out to be. Shuurei enters the Royal Harem as the consort and person-in-charge of educating the new Emperor, Ryuuki. " I no naka no kawazu taikai o shirazu" (井の中の蛙大海を知らず)

Dazzled by the chance to be allowed in the Imperial compound and the high compensation rate, she readily accepted his offer and becomes a consort and tutor for the new Emperor of Saiunkoku.Ī Frog in the Well Knows Not About the Ocean One day, a high official from the Imperial court, Advisor Sho, arrives with a once-in-a-lifetime offer. A stunning young lady from the honorable Kou Clan, she makes a living by teaching children and struggles to make ends meet. Kou Shuurei lives in Saiunkoku’s Imperial City, Kiyo. " Umai hanashi ni wa ura ga aru" (うまい話には裏がある) For the ending theme, "Saikou no Kataomoi" by Sachi Tainaka is used for the first season, while "Asu he" by Teruya Miho is used for the second season. "Hajimari no kaze" by Ayaka Hirahara is used for the opening theme for both the first and second seasons.

The series uses three pieces of theme music.

In July 2008, Funimation Entertainment announced that it will distribute several Geneon titles, including The Story of Saiunkoku. In September 2007, after only two volumes had been released, Geneon closed its North America operations. In May 2007, Geneon Entertainment announced it had acquired the licensed to releases the anime in North America with English language options.

The series' second season, referred to as Saiunkoku Monogatari 2nd Series, premiered on Apand ran for another 39 episodes until its conclusion on March 8, 2008. The first season ran for 39 episodes until its conclusion on February 24, 2007. Produced by Madhouse Studios and directed by Jun Shishido, the series premiered in Japan on NHK on April 8, 2006. The anime series The Story of Saiunkoku is based on the series of Japanese light novels written by Sai Yukino.
