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• Saiunkoku Monogatari Anime Series

The Main Characters

Kou Shuurei

Kou Shuurei, the heroine of the story, was born into the noble Kou clan, but lives in poverty as an after-effect of the civil war that ended only recently. Her family had generously drained their own coffers in order to supply the local citizens with food. However, even with their help, it wasn't enough to stave off a lot of death by starvation. Shuurei grew up in this environment, and learned that the most effective changes needed to be made from the top, and from then on, strove to become one of the top.
It wasn't until later that she realized her own gender would hinder her from reaching that goal. However, after demonstrating her ability to take challenges and succeed, and most importantly her ability to think as a politician with the people's best interest at heart, she gets a chance of a lifetime to take the official exams at the palace.
Perhaps the most attractive characteristic about Shuurei is her determination. She becomes a sort of Mulan in a political battleground.

Seiran Shi

Seiran Shi is most popularly summarized as "Shuurei's mysterious companion." And he is mysterious. As the episodes become clearer about his background, it becomes pretty obvious that he was the former Prince Seien who was unjustly banished by the jealousy of the Emperor's other wives.
Mysteries aside though, his intentions towards Shuurei seem good. He grew up with Shuurei, and is a little obsessed with the idea of repaying his debt to her family for taking him in. He proves himself to be a good swordsman, protector, and friend.

Ryuuki Shi

Ryuuki Shi, the young emperor of Saiunkoku who gets plenty of tongue-lashings for his immature behavior from Shuurei. Not long after he meets Shuurei though, he begins to show his true colors - apparently he was only playing the part of stupid emperor.
As he begins to take a stronger role in politics, he falls in love with Shuurei, who tries to stop his advances. He doesn't seem ready to give up yet, and in the meantime, proves to be a very helpful friend to Shuurei as she fights for her dream.

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