The Story of Saiunkoku

The Story of Saiunkoku
Cover of the first light novel volume
彩雲国物語
(Saiunkoku Monogatari)
Genre
Light novel
Written bySai Yukino
Illustrated byKairi Yura
Published byKadokawa Shoten
ImprintKadokawa Beans Bunko
DemographicFemale
Original runOctober 31, 2003March 26, 2012
Volumes18 + 5 side-stories
Manga
Written bySai Yukino
Illustrated byKairi Yura
Published byKadokawa Shoten
English publisher
MagazineMonthly Asuka
DemographicShōjo
Original run20052012
Volumes9
Anime television series
Directed byJun Shishido
Produced by
  • Yūji Shinoda
  • Ikuko Shimokawara
Written byReiko Yoshida
Music byKunihiko Ryo
StudioMadhouse
Licensed by
Original networkNHK, Animax
English network
Original run April 8, 2006 February 24, 2007
Episodes39
Anime television series
Saiunkoku Monogatari Second Series
Directed byJun Shishido
Produced by
  • Yūji Shinoda
  • Ikuko Shimokawara
Written byMiho Maruo
Music byKunihiko Ryo
StudioMadhouse
Original networkNHK
English network
Original run April 7, 2007 March 8, 2008
Episodes39

The Story of Saiunkoku (Japanese: 彩雲国物語, Hepburn: Saiunkoku Monogatari; lit.'Tale of the Kingdom of Colored Clouds'), also known as Colour Cloud Palace, is a series of Japanese light novels written by Sai Yukino and illustrated by Kairi Yura set in a fictional country based on ancient China. As of July 2011, the eighteenth and final volume was released, concluding the series. Four side story anthologies have also been released, collecting stories originally published in The Beans magazine.

A manga version, also illustrated by Kairi Yura, was serialized in Beans Ace, which is published by Kadokawa Shoten. However, when Beans Ace ended, the manga was moved to Monthly Asuka. Nine tankōbon volumes have been released. The series has been licensed by Viz Media for an English release in North America as part of their Shojo Beat imprint.

The anime adaptation series, produced by Madhouse and directed by Jun Shishido, was broadcast on the Japanese television network NHK on Saturday mornings. The first season began airing on April 8, 2006, and completed its run on February 24, 2007, airing a total of 39 episodes. The second season, titled Saiunkoku Monogatari Second Series (彩雲国物語 第2シリーズ) began airing on April 7, 2007, and consists of another 39 episodes, ending its run on March 8, 2008. A live action Chinese drama adaptation was set for release in 2024.