
Ran Shuuei
Ran Shuuei |
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Japanese | 藍 楸瑛 |
Rōmaji | Ran Shūei |
Personal Information | |
Title | General (将軍 Shogun) |
Occupation | General of the Left Habayashi Army (左羽林軍 Hidari Uringun) (Former) |
Gender | Male |
Age | 24-25 (Beginning of Series) |
Family | Ran Ryuuren (Younger Brother) Ran Jyuusan (Younger Half-Sister) Ran Setsuna (Oldest Brothers) Ran Gyokuka (Sister-In-Law) Hyou Shusui (Wife) Ran Shijaku (Eldest Son) Two Younger Unnamed Sons |
Debut | |
Manga |
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Anime | Episode 1 |
Portrayal | |
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English Voice |
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Personality and Characteristics

Appearance in Anime
Ran Shuuei is a calm and composed man with a playful and teasing nature. He enjoys provoking those around him, particularly Li Kouyuu, whom he claims as his best friend, despite Kouyuu’s constant denial of their friendship. Shuuei often mocks Kouyuu’s aversion to women and terrible sense of direction, finding amusement in his reactions.
Although Shuuei is known as a flirt and womanizer, this habit is largely a facade a way for him to distract himself from a painful past love. Beneath his lighthearted and charming demeanor, he is deeply intelligent, observant, and fiercely loyal to those he cares about. His strategic mind and military experience make him an invaluable asset to Shi Ryuuki’s administration, and despite his apparent nonchalance, he takes his responsibilities as a warrior and court official very seriously.
Appearance
Ran Shuuei is a remarkably handsome man, often described as a lady-killer due to his charming looks and effortless charisma. His striking features and confident demeanor make him highly popular among women, and he frequently uses his natural charm to his advantage. His long, dark hair is typically tied back, giving him a refined and noble appearance, while his sharp eyes and well-defined features add to his aura of elegance and strength.
Shuuei is often seen wearing formal military attire, befitting his status as a high-ranking general. His posture and presence exude confidence, making him an imposing yet effortlessly charming figure in both the battlefield and court.
Plot
As a child, Ran Shuuei was sent by his elder brother, Ran Setsuna, to Kiyou to assist one of the imperial princes, later revealed to be Prince Seien. During his first encounter with Seien, Shuuei found him under attack in an alley and attempted to help, but his swordsmanship skills were too weak to fend off the assassins. Seien mocked his incompetence, calling him weak and useless, and even defeated Shuuei in a sword duel in front of Setsuna and Emperor Senka, humiliating him. Determined to prove himself, Shuuei retreated to Ran Province, where he trained rigorously alongside his childhood best friend, Jin Shiba. However, by the time Shuuei returned to Kiyou, Prince Seien had already been banished for treason. Ordered by his brothers to track down Seien, Shuuei failed to locate him, leaving him with lingering regret.
Shuuei later participated in the Imperial Exams, where he achieved the second-highest honor, earning the title of Bōugen a distinction later earned by his younger brother as well. It was during this time that he met Li Kouyuu, and despite their vastly different personalities, the two formed an uneasy friendship.
At the beginning of Shi Ryuuki’s reign, Shuuei initially worked as a civil official. However, he was disappointed by the young emperor’s apparent disinterest in politics and his tendency to vanish from court affairs. Frustrated, Shuuei abandoned his civil post and joined the military, quickly rising through the ranks to become Shogun (General) of the Left Uringun Army. His path crossed once again with Kouyuu, when both were assigned as Emperor Ryuuki’s personal guards and advisors though the emperor himself was nowhere to be found, leaving them idling in the imperial library for an entire month.
Eventually, Ryuuki entrusted both Shuuei and Kouyuu with a symbolic gift—a purple iris, which Shuuei later engraved onto his sword. The iris represented the emperor’s unwavering trust, solidifying Shuuei’s place as one of Ryuuki’s most trusted retainers.
As Shuuei’s influence in the empire grew, he became increasingly conflicted between his loyalty to the emperor and his duty to the Ran Clan. This inner turmoil led him to return the iris sword to Ryuuki and temporarily withdraw from court affairs, retreating to Ran Province. However, his loyalty to Ryuuki was ultimately stronger than his family ties, and upon realizing that Ryuuki was truly committed to his role as emperor, Shuuei returned to his service.
However, by this time, the noble faction’s schemes had weakened Ryuuki’s control over the court. Shuuei was stripped of his position as general and humiliatingly demoted to a subordinate under Shi Seiran, much to his frustration. The loss of his military authority left him powerless to aid Ryuuki, forcing him to watch as the emperor struggled against political conspiracies.
After Kou Shuurei’s sudden disappearance, Shuuei overheard a harsh critique from Ki Kouki, Ryuuki’s chief advisor. It was then that he realized that, after both he and Kouyuu had fallen from power, Shuurei was the only person who could have protected the emperor from the noble faction’s grasp. However, they had selfishly cast her aside, prioritizing Ryuuki’s personal happiness over the political stability of the empire. Filled with guilt and regret, Shuuei took a dangerous risk—he infiltrated the Hyou Clan to confirm Shuurei’s condition and to locate Hyou Shusui, a woman he deeply cared for.
During his time with the Hyou Clan, Shuuei saved Shusui’s life and secretly aided Shuurei in her work, ensuring that she could continue fulfilling her role despite her exile.
Upon returning to the imperial capital, Shuuei found himself on the battlefield once again, this time facing Ou Ki’s 50,000 soldiers alongside Ryuuki. Despite being severely outnumbered, they stood their ground, fighting with unwavering determination.
With the arrival of Tei Yuushun and the Eight Coloured Clans, the tide of the battle turned in Ryuuki’s favor, ultimately leading to Ou Ki’s defeat. With the empire finally restored to peace, Shuuei was reinstated as a Ran Clan member, as his brother Ran Setsuna finally acknowledged Ryuuki’s legitimacy as emperor.
Following the war, Shuuei remained a steadfast ally of Ryuuki, serving him until the very end. However, his ultimate fate was tragic—he died protecting the emperor, fulfilling his lifelong vow of loyalty.
At some point during his life, Shuuei married Hyou Shusui, and together, they had three sons, the eldest of whom was named Ran Shijaku. His legacy as a warrior, strategist, and loyal servant of the empire endured long after his death, cementing his place in Saiunkoku’s history as one of Ryuuki’s most trusted and devoted retainers.
Skills & Talents
Swordsmanship
Ran Shuuei is renowned for his legendary swordsmanship, having received rigorous training from the Shiba Clan, a powerful family known as the retainers of the Ran Clan and masters of the blade. His exceptional combat abilities place him among the strongest warriors of his era, and he is considered one of the greatest military officials of Shi Ryuuki’s reign.
Despite his formidable skills, Shuuei acknowledges that there are only two men capable of surpassing him in battle Grand General Koku Yousei and Grand General Haku. However, against nearly any other opponent, he is an unmatched force on the battlefield.
Shuuei also possesses a keen eye for recognizing fighting styles. Upon witnessing Seiran’s swordsmanship, he immediately identified his hidden past as Prince Seien, proving his deep knowledge of different martial disciplines. His deadly precision, speed, and adaptability in battle make him an indispensable asset to the empire.
Relationships
Hyou Shusui
Shuuei fell in love with Shusui at first sight when she helped him in the past, but she had no recollection of their meeting. Despite this, his devotion to her never wavered, and he later rescued her from the “prison of time”, earning her respect and admiration. Over time, their bond deepened, and Shusui eventually reciprocated his feelings. They later married and had three sons together, solidifying their place as one of the most significant couples in Saiunkoku’s history.
Shi Seiran
Seiran and Shuuei share a strong yet humorous friendship, with Seiran frequently referring to Shuuei as “Saifu #1” (Wallet #1) due to Shuuei always paying for ingredients whenever he dined at Shuurei’s house. Despite their lighthearted banter, the two men were fiercely loyal to each other and to Emperor Ryuuki, serving as his personal guards. As two of the greatest military officials of their time, they shared a deep mutual respect and fought side by side in many battles.
Ran Gyokuka
During their childhood, Ran Gyokuka and Shuuei were close companions, often spending peaceful days together outdoors. However, while Gyokuka was unaware of Shuuei’s romantic feelings for her, his siblings could see it clearly. Unable to confess his love, Shuuei attempted to suppress his emotions and move on, but he struggled to truly escape his feelings for her. His past love for Gyokuka played a significant role in shaping his flirtatious nature, as he sought distractions from the pain of unrequited love.
Legacy
Ran Shuuei is one of the most trusted and influential figures in Emperor Ryuuki’s reign, serving as both a brilliant strategist and a loyal friend. His decision to prioritize justice over noble politics makes him one of the most honorable characters in the series, proving that true leadership is defined by conviction, not bloodline.
His commitment to Ryuuki, his expertise in military affairs, and his devotion to his wife, Shusui, cement his legacy as a man of integrity, wisdom, and strength.
Though he eventually steps down from his role as General, his impact on Saiunkoku’s history remains profound, making him an irreplaceable part of Ryuuki’s inner circle and a key figure in shaping the empire’s future.