GAAAAH, I'M SO FAR BEHIND!!!!!
Which is to say I have an enormous backlog of pics to put up-- these, the altered panels from book 5 of the manga, and now chapter 25 as well! Bleeeeeh. Sorry, guys, my time lately has been eaten away by friends and cherry blossom season respectively. I have sooooo muuuuuch to dooooo it's kind of insane.
So commentary might be a bit sparse this time around, my apologies . . . I'll try to get everything up as fast as I can.
Saiunkoku manga chapter 24 camera pics
First, here's the extra that came with this month's book-- an extra book cover to go on manga volume 5. Since they're images we've seen before, I didn't bother with close-ups.
The "cover page" is new, though! Shuurei's going ice skating, how fun and romantic! Though her date's a little on the small side. Still, it gives me all kinds of hopes and ideas for the future.
The scene starts with Ryuuki sitting around looking kingly. Wearing a crown'll do that for you.
He's talking to Shuuei, who gets a close up for being hot while bowing.
Here's a close up of His Royal Highness, for being hot while wearing a crown.
Alas for us, it's not a very long conversation. Ah, well . . .
But hey, let's have a close up anyway!
And another one! Opportunity is limited, and since I'm the one taking the pictures, and it's already clear to everybody in the whole world who my favorite is . . .
They're not the only ones talking, fancy that! Heh, it's fun seeing Kouyuu talk to Reishin, Kouyuu's reactions are so funny.
So I'll close up for the LOLs.
And I know Reishin's got his fans, too, so here's one of him being pretty. Although I like him better with his hair down.
I just realized that my above comment was a terrible pun. RUN, IT'S THE NARN BAT SQUAD! AAAAHH--" *WHAM* *WHAM* *WHAM* *WHAM* *WHAM*
Yeah, no one gets my lame obscure outdated scifi jokes. I don't care, Babylon5 was an awesome show.
Apparently any material regarding the exams themselves is just being skipped, because here Shuurei and Eigetsu are entering their "apprenticeship" already. And so now everybody who's somebody gets to comment on it! Pundits, oy.
Including the Minister of Finance, so here's a close up!
Yes, and Reishin and his fan. ::refrains from any further puns::
Well, what's a good story without some commentary, right?
Huzzah for more emperor-ly-ness! Fortunately there's no threat of beatings from excessive punctuation use . . .
And a close-up of the Emperor between his most senior advisors. Ryuuki looks very solemn and sad . . . perhaps because he realizes that in helping Shuurei achieve her dream, she's moving farther and farther away from him . . .
But you gotta admit, Ryuuki, she's sure impressive with that fire in her eyes.
So I've close-upped!
And here's two of the three top graduates. With feathers! And exposition!
So focused and proud! A round of applause, everyone!
Of course every action has consequences-- as Shuurei is learning.
Oooooh yeah! ::kicks in the Sexy Back soudtrack::
::coughs:: Er, sorry about that. I just can't help myself. Shoulder blades and all. There's sad Shuurei face, too!
Eigetsu is clearly not doing that well, as Shuurei has found. Beware her ire! Even when it's on your behalf!
ESPECIALLY when it's on your behalf.
Eigetsu needs the help, though. Poor little guy.
oh hai Seiran! Gotta love a man who can cook.
You can help out in my kitchen any day. Oooh yeah.
Shuurei is dangerous with a kitchen knife, that she is. Her father's daughter indeed. heheheheh.
Brrrrr. I would not mess with her.
That I would not. Aaaaand a mysterious appearance by the figurative elephant in the room.
So I'll close up! Aaaah, Ryuuren, I do like your hair.
It just keeps getting more fabulous! And this time with a daruma, too! Hm, do they have those in fantasy medieval China?
A bit closer, so we can see the details. Someone should make a gallery of Ryuuren's hair, really.
It's obviously been a while since Eigetsu's had a good meal, although granted Shuurei's cooking deserves that kind of reaction. And a pretty shot of Seiran's back, too!
Aaaah, Shuuhei is reminded of his prodigal brother. Heheheheh, and a shot of Shuurei and Ensei preparing for the exams. I love Shuurei's expression in that flashback, oh yes I do. Oh the hilarity.
So guess what? Yeah, that's what happens when I'm the one taking the pics-- you get the images I like best. Sorry about that!
Two pretty boys and a cute one!
So, yeah. Guess what?
nom nom nom!
More exposition . . .
And our first brief glimpse of the forces that shaped Eigetsu!
I'll try to get on the next entry ASAP, but please don't expect too much from me . . . I think it'll be sometime next week. I'll probably do the entry for book 5 first. Thanks for your patience, everyone!