
Shi Ryuuki
Shi Ryuuki |
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Japanese | 紫 劉輝 |
Rōmaji | Shi Ryūki |
Personal Information | |
Title | Emperor (国王 Kokuō) His Majesty (陛下 Heika) |
Occupation | Emperor of Saiunkoku (Former) |
Gender | Male |
Age | 19 years old (Beginning of Series) 50 years old (End of Series) |
Family | Shi Seien (Older Brother) Shi Senka (Father) Kou Shuurei (Wife) Shi Chouka (Daughter) Hyou Riou Jr (Adoptive Son) Sixth Consort (Mother) |
Debut | |
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Anime | Episode 1 |
Portrayal | |
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English Voice |
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Personality and Characteristics

Kou Shuurei and Shi Ryuuki
Shi Ryuuki is a complex and emotionally driven ruler, shaped by a traumatic childhood and a lifelong yearning for acceptance. Despite his gentle and seemingly naïve demeanor, he possesses a hidden depth of intelligence, cunning, and resilience, traits that likely helped him survive the brutal fight for succession. His devotion to Kou Shuurei reveals his ability for subterfuge and strategic maneuvering, as he carefully navigates political challenges while attempting to win her heart.
Ryuuki’s childhood trauma left deep emotional scars, particularly his fear of rejection and abandonment. This fear extends even to children, as seen when he refused to touch Yuushun’s children and later hesitated to hold his own daughter, as doing so reminded him of the events surrounding his wife’s death.
At the beginning of his reign, Ryuuki deliberately avoided governing, choosing to portray himself as a foolish and indifferent ruler. His actions were motivated by his hope that his half-brother, Prince Seien, would return from exile and take the throne instead. However, as time passed and with Shuurei’s encouragement, Ryuuki accepted his role as emperor and worked diligently to reform Saiunkoku.
Though he is highly intelligent and well-versed in statecraft, Ryuuki initially lacked practical experience in governance and political maneuvering, often miscalculating the consequences of his policies. Over time, however, he grew into a capable and just ruler, proving himself worthy of the throne.
Appearance
Shi Ryuuki is widely regarded as a handsome young man, bearing a striking resemblance to his father in terms of facial features and stature. He stands at an average height of 178 cm (5’10”), with a lean yet elegant build befitting an emperor.
He has warm brown eyes that often convey gentleness and sincerity, yet they can also reflect deep sorrow or determination depending on his emotions. His long, dirty blonde hair cascades below his waist, adding to his regal and graceful presence. Unlike many nobles who keep their hair tied up, Ryuuki often lets it flow freely, a trait that further emphasizes his youthful and unconventional nature.
As the Emperor of Saiunkoku, he is always seen wearing the formal robes of his position, which further enhance his majestic yet approachable aura. His appearance exudes both nobility and kindness, making him a striking and memorable figure in the imperial court.
Plot
Shi Ryuuki was the youngest of the previous emperor’s six sons, each born from a different mother. As a child, he was severely mistreated by his mother and most of his half-brothers, who subjected him to physical abuse and isolation. They often beat him and locked him in storage houses for days, leaving him emotionally scarred. The only person who showed him kindness was his second brother, Prince Seien (Shi Seiran), whom he deeply admired and loved.
During his childhood, Ryuuki sought refuge in the imperial garden and archives, where he first met Kou Shouka, Shuurei’s father. Shouka tutored him, nurturing his intellectual growth and exposing him to literature. Around the same time, War General Sou Shungai took an interest in him and trained him in swordsmanship, ensuring that Ryuuki would be capable of defending himself.
When his father passed away, Ryuuki unexpectedly ascended the throne, as his father’s dying wish had named him emperor. By that time, Seien had already been exiled for treason, and the remaining four princes were executed, leaving Ryuuki as the only viable heir. However, he never truly desired the throne, secretly hoping that Seien would return to take his place.
For many years, Ryuuki avoided any involvement in politics or governing the empire. He wandered the palace aimlessly, making himself difficult to locate and refused to engage in state affairs. He intentionally fueled rumors about his preference for men, allowing speculation that he was incapable of producing an heir, further reducing expectations for him to marry or govern properly.
However, everything changed when he met Kou Shuurei, whom he brought to the palace as a temporary consort and tutor. Her dream of creating a better future for Saiunkoku deeply inspired him, awakening his desire to become a true ruler. Encouraged by her kindness, intelligence, and determination, Ryuuki took his responsibilities seriously for the first time.
After Shuurei left the palace, he enacted a historic reform allowing women to take the imperial exams, paving the way for her return to the court as Saiunkoku’s first female official.
As Shuurei became an official, Ryuuki tested her abilities by assigning her difficult tasks, knowing that if she succeeded, her influence and popularity would grow. However, his rule soon became the target of the noble faction, who orchestrated his downfall through cunning political maneuvering. One by one, Ryuuki’s supporters—Ran Shuuei and Li Kouyuu were removed from power, leaving Prime Minister Tei Yuushun, a key figure within the noble faction, as Ryuuki’s only remaining advisor.
In an attempt to repair his fractured relationship with the Kou clan, Ryuuki made a politically driven decision, asking Shuurei to abandon her career and enter his harem as the eldest princess of the direct Kou bloodline, a move suggested by Ryou Anju. Although Shuurei consented, she insisted that Ryuuki also marry Princess Ran Jyuusan of the Ran Clan, since Shuurei could not bear children and thus could not provide an heir.
However, as time passed, Ryuuki realized that his actions were no different from the tyrants of history, forcing Shuurei into a life she never desired. The weight of this decision depressed him, as he understood that he was stealing away her freedom and dreams. Eventually, after Ki Kouki harshly reprimanded him, Ryuuki recognized that Shuurei, as a Censorate official, held the power to accuse even the Prime Minister of corruption making her one of the few individuals who could have protected him from the noble faction’s grasp.
During his reign, Ryuuki’s earlier negligence led to a catastrophic locust plague, which devastated the land. As a result, he was held accountable for his past inaction, causing him to lose political authority and favor in the court. This allowed Ou Ki, a powerful noble, to seize control, branding Ryuuki as an incompetent ruler.
With Ou Ki taking over the imperial court, Ryuuki was forced to flee the castle, plunging Saiunkoku into a civil war. Despite his defeat, Ryuuki still protected Tei Yuushun, the very man who had previously manipulated him, an act that changed Yuushun’s perception of the emperor.
During the final battle, Ryuuki and Ran Shuuei faced off against Ou Ki and his army of 50,000 troops, severely outnumbered. Just as all hope seemed lost, Yuushun and the Eight Coloured Clans defected to Ryuuki’s side, shifting the tide of battle. With their combined strength, Ryuuki emerged victorious, reclaiming his place as emperor and ushering in a new era for Saiunkoku.
Years later, Ryuuki finally married Shuurei, and the two had a daughter, Shi Chouka, who was born on December 20th. However, Shuurei died in childbirth, leaving Ryuuki devastated and heartbroken. Despite his grief, he never remarried nor took on any concubines, choosing to live the rest of his life in solitude.
His daughter, Shi Chouka, eventually succeeded him, becoming the next ruler of Saiunkoku, marking the beginning of a new dynasty. Ryuuki’s reign, though fraught with hardship and betrayal, ultimately transformed the empire, paving the way for a future shaped by reform, justice, and equality.
Skills & Talents
Koto
Ryuuki was taught to play the koto, a traditional stringed instrument of the Shi clan, under the instruction of Ou Ki. However, his musical abilities were limited, as he could only perform two pieces. His lack of natural talent was later noted by his daughter, Shi Chouka, who observed that he was not a particularly gifted player.
Swordsmanship
Ryuuki received formal training in swordsmanship from War General Sou Shungai, one of the most renowned warriors of Saiunkoku. Throughout the series, Ryuuki demonstrated exceptional skill with the sword, proving to be an adept and capable fighter. His training allowed him to fend off enemies in battle, particularly during the civil war, where he showcased his ability to stand his ground against overwhelming odds.
Cunning Intellect
Despite his initial reputation as an idle and naïve ruler, Ryuuki was highly intelligent and strategically adept when necessary. Early in the series, he cleverly evaded assassination attempts, displaying tactical awareness and quick thinking. His intellect was also evident in how he maneuvered political situations, such as securing Shuurei’s position as an official and implementing groundbreaking reforms.
However, Ryuuki’s short-sightedness and impulsivity often hindered his ability to govern effectively. He had a tendency to act on emotion rather than foresight, which frequently left him vulnerable to manipulation, particularly by the noble faction. Due to this, he often required strong advisors like Tei Yuushun, Ki Kouki, and Kou Shuurei to guide and protect him from political traps. While his intelligence was undeniable, his inability to plan for long-term consequences remained one of his greatest weaknesses as an emperor.
Relationships
Kou Shuurei
From the moment Ryuuki first met Shuurei, he fell deeply in love with her. However, Shuurei never returned his romantic feelings, viewing him solely as her emperor and a trusted friend. Despite his persistent confessions of love over the years, she remained firm in her dedication to her career as an official, rejecting him for over a decade.
Ryuuki’s love for Shuurei was genuine and unwavering—he often stated that he did not want her to be below him as a concubine, but by his side as an equal. Even though she consistently refused him, he respected her decisions and continued to support her ambitions. It was only when Shuurei realized that her life was nearing its end that she finally accepted his proposal, leaving behind her role as an imperial official to become his wife. Their marriage was tragically short-lived, as Shuurei passed away during childbirth, leaving Ryuuki heartbroken and alone for the rest of his life.
Shi Chouka
Shi Chouka, Ryuuki and Shuurei’s daughter, was deeply attached to her father from infancy. She was unable to live without him, and whenever Ryuuki was not around, she would cry loudly until the ladies-in-waiting were forced to find him and bring her to him. As a result, Ryuuki was often seen carrying her around the palace, even during morning court sessions, much to the annoyance of court officials. He also placed a cradle in his office, ensuring that she could always stay close to him.
Despite Ryuuki’s own traumatic childhood making it difficult for him to express affection, he deeply loved his daughter. However, their relationship remained somewhat awkward, as both struggled with emotional expression. Nonetheless, Ryuuki fully supported Chouka’s feelings for the Purple Immortal, even going so far as to ask the immortal to take responsibility for her.
Hyou Riou Jr.
Ryuuki first encountered Hyou Riou Jr. in the Imperial Archives, initially mistaking him for a ghost. Intrigued by the mysterious boy, Ryuuki quickly became fond of him, often sharing his personal thoughts particularly his complicated love for Shuurei. He admired Riou’s blunt honesty and intelligence, and was shocked to discover that he was not a supernatural being but a normal child.
Despite Riou’s sharp tongue and often critical attitude, it became clear that he truly cared for Ryuuki’s well-being. Recognizing his wisdom and abilities, Ryuuki later made the unprecedented decision to adopt Riou and declare him Crown Prince, ensuring that he would one day succeed him as the ruler of Saiunkoku.
Legacy
Shi Ryuuki’s reign is one of transformation, perseverance, and idealism. Though he begins as an unwilling ruler, he grows into a wise and just emperor, leaving behind a legacy of reform and justice. His love for Shuurei, while unfulfilled in the traditional sense, reflects his deep respect for free will and ambition, making him one of the most selfless characters in Saiunkoku Monogatari.
Ultimately, his decision to rule with compassion and wisdom ensures that Saiunkoku flourishes beyond his time, with his daughter, Shi Chouka, carrying on his legacy after his death.