Whirlpool of Light

S1 : E2 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 04.16.02

Youko, captured and on her way for judgement as an evil kaikyaku from the sea, meets up with classmates Yuka and Asano.

Danger in the Woods

S1 : E3 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 04.23.02

Attacked on their way for judgement, Youko uses the mystical sword Keiki gave her.

Betrayals

S1 : E4 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 04.30.02

Takki, their apparent saviour, has less innocent plans for Youko and Yuka than getting them work in an inn.

Thieves

S1 : E5 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 05.07.02

Yuka believes herself to be the chosen one instead of Youko, and takes up with the kirin Kourin.

Half Man, Half Beast

S1 : E6 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 05.21.02

Rescued by the rat half-beast Rakushun, Youko recovers and Rakushun tells her about the world of the 12 Kingdoms.

One Life to Live

S1 : E7 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 05.28.02

Youko saves her travelling companions, but Rakushun is hurt.

Voyage to Sea

S1 : E8 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 06.04.02

King Kou changes Yuka's appearance so she can fight Youko without being recognised.

School Days

S1 : E9 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 06.11.02

Youko and Rakushun are reunited, and go to see a kaikyaku teacher who, with Rakushun, explains more about the world.

The Sword

S1 : E10 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 06.18.02

King En takes Youko and Rakushun to his palace, where more explanations of how the royal system works are given.

The One

S1 : E11 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 06.25.02

En's minister explains to Youko and Rakushun Enki's story, and how he came to choose the King of En.

The New Queen

S1 : E12 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 07.02.02

Finding out about the last queen of Kei, Youko doubts her own ability to rule wisely.

Vengeance

S1 : E13 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 07.09.02

King Kou defeats himself: King En and Youko rout the false queen of Kei and Youko, reluctantly, agrees to take her rightful place.

Recollection

S1 : E14 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 07.16.02

Rakushun instructs Youko in the history of the world in which she is to play such an important role, and summarises the story so far.

The Rumor

S1 : E15 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 09.03.02

Keiki and Youko travel to Mt Hou for the new queen's coronation.

On The Mountain

S1 : E16 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 09.10.02

Taiki learns more of the history of the 12 kingdoms, and of his own nature and destiny.

Transformation Practice

S1 : E17 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 09.17.02

Keiki and Taiki meet at Lady Gyokuyou suggestion, and although their first meeting does not go well, they soon become friends and learn from each other.

Choosing the King

S1 : E18 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 09.24.02

Taiki's first attempt to find the ruler of Tai from among those assembled at the solstice fails.

Monster Battle

S1 : E19 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 10.01.02

Taiki tames his first demon - one of the most dangerous in the 12 kingdoms - and chooses the king of Tai, but not in accordance to the will of the heavens.

The Winds of Time

S1 : E20 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 10.08.02

Keiki, Enki and King En conspire to prove Taiki correct, causing great relief.

The Future of the 12 Kingdoms

S1 : E21 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 10.15.02

Enki tells us more about the 12 kingdoms, then reveals that King Tai and Taiki went missing - presumed dead, although Enki doubts it - after only a year of ruling.

A Letter

S1 : E22 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 10.20.02

Rakushun and Youko correspond: Rakushun is doing very well, and Youko is coping, although finding the complexities of the royal court confusing.

In The Distance

S1 : E23 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 10.29.02

The kaikyaku Suzu has lived as a slave to the harsh Lady Riyou for 100 years.

The Sky at Dawn

S1 : E24 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 11.05.02

Ruling a kingdom wisely is full of difficulties and pitfalls, as the new queen swiftly finds out.

A Deadly Punishment

S1 : E25 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 11.12.02

Suzu dreams of Youko welcoming her as a sister.

Targets

S1 : E26 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 11.19.02

Suzu escapes to Sai, and is made welcome.

To Kyo Kingdom

S1 : E27 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 11.26.02

Shoukei is forced to work as a slave in Kyou.

Travelers

S1 : E28 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 12.03.02

As Youko travels through Kei, learning the realities of the kingdom, Shoukei escapes Kyou, intent on taking the Queen of Kei's place and regaining her own kingdom.

Web of Danger

S1 : E29 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 12.10.02

Wise old Enho teaches Youko about the basics of ruling the kingdom.

Blood in the Streets

S1 : E30 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 12.17.02

Shoukei bribes her way free and she and Rakushun set off to find Youko.

A New Life

S1 : E31 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 01.07.03

Rakushun explains how the world of the 12 kingdoms works to Shoukei, which starts to change her whole attitude.

Bloodlust

S1 : E32 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 01.14.03

Believing Youko to be responsible for the death of Seishuu, Suzu arms herself and determines to face her.

Investigation

S1 : E33 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 01.21.03

Suzu joins the resistance against Shoukou.

Tyrants

S1 : E34 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 01.28.03

Asano leads Shouko to where Youko has been staying, with disastrous results.

The Raid

S1 : E35 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 02.04.03

Suzu and Shoukei finally connect and find they have the same objectives.

Destiny

S1 : E36 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 02.18.03

The fighting begins, with the resistance proving itself tactically brilliant.

Corruption

S1 : E37 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 02.25.03

Shoukou surrenders to the queen.

Living By The Code

S1 : E38 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 03.04.03

Youko reveals her identity to Suzu and Shoukei, and their developing friendship is confirmed.

Courage & Respect

S1 : E39 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 03.11.03

Queen Kei, having learned much about her world, her kingdom, and most of all her people, takes her rightful place, on the throne and in control.

In the Moonlight

S1 : E40 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 07.05.03

Queen Kei sends a wise messenger to Gekkei, who has been ruling Hou after killing its king but refusing to take the title.

The Monsters Son

S1 : E41 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 07.26.03

En starts to tell Kei and Rakushun a story about his early years as king, when Enki was kidnapped to force him to act like a true ruler by Kouya.

The Dawn of War

S1 : E42 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 08.02.03

Showing surprising astuteness and wisdom, En starts to do what is needed at the same time as advancing to Gen Province to rescue Enki.

The Great Flood

S1 : E43 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 08.16.03

Trying to escape, Enji finds Atsuyu's father imprisoned and starving - though unable to die as he's an immortal sen-nin.

Uprisings

S1 : E44 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 08.23.03

Atsuyu reveals his true nature to the court and in the face of condemnation admits defeat, but fails even then to be honest.

The Showdown

S1 : E45 | TV-14 | 26 min | Aired: 08.30.03

Reviewing King En and Atsuyu's story provides a thoughtful Queen Kei with more to consider in governing her own kingdom.