There are too many cooks in Shurei’s kitchen, as she ties up loose ends in preparation for the civil service exams.
Creative Staff
Story: Sai Yukino
Art: Kairi Yura
Translation/Adaptation: Su Mon Han
What They Say
Shurei falls ill and a group of indulgent yet inept men try to tend her. But while her family and the ministers from the court debate how to nurse her back to health, the emperor seizes the chance to sneak into her bedchamber for a visit.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Shurei can sometimes come across as a bit too perfect, if not damn lucky. Of course having a gaggle of doting young men as friends can have negative consequences, especially when they attempt to help out. This volume of The Story of Saiunkoku starts out with Shurei suffering a cold and fever, and all the men in her life descend upon her in a fit of concern. Of course, she’s fine, and it gives Ryuki a chance to see the object of his affection once again.
Shurei spends much of the bulk of the volume saying her goodbyes and giving notice to all her part time jobs before taking the civil service exam. It’s not exactly explained where she’s going if she passes the exams, but clearly it’s not back to work in the town. One of her students takes it hard, as does a young man from town who fancies Shurei.
We’re introduced to one of Shurei’s employers, the beautiful and powerful Madam Kocho. It’s hilarious to think that clan princess is working as a brothel accountant to make ends meet, but Shurei’s only concern is that her father and Seiran would find out. (Shurei’s pretty naive to think that they wouldn’t find out, as I’m sure the whole town must know the daughter of the Hong clan is working there.)
We also meet a young man, named Eigetsu, who’s come to the city on business from his village only to find trouble once arriving in town. A stroke of luck puts him in contact with Shurei, who always tries her best to help out whoever crosses her path. General Ran seems to know more about who this boy really is and what his trouble might be. Eigetsu appears to have a demonic doppelganger who messed with a local gang and got him into a tight spot. Before we can find out exactly what’s going on, the story pauses on a cliffhanger as a gang storms Madam Kocho’s brothel. The volume finishes with two short stories, the first focused on what it was about Shurei that attracted Ryuki to her, which is cute but not very enlightening. The second is a flashback focusing on Shurei’s father and his relationship with his younger brothers, which provides some explanation for their slightly strained family relations.
In Summary
Not much happens in this volume of Saiunkoku. The introduction of two new characters keeps the plot interesting, but the story arc moves so fast that this volume is over before you know it. The two short stories at the end are a nice touch, if overly sentimental, unfortunately they’re taking up valuable main story space! Even a weak volume of Saiunkoku is still a great read, and the art is as fantastic as ever, I just wish this volume was a little meatier.
Content Grade: B +
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: B +
Text/Translation Grade: A –
Readers Rating: [ratings]
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: November 1st, 2011
MSRP: $9.99
