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Enla · **04-26-2015, 08:03 AM**

Hmm... I'll probably have to recommend three that I don't think will ever make this forum otherwise - as much as I'm tempted to recommend Berserk or Cowboy Bebop they're pretty much guaranteed to appear at least once.

Therefore, I present to you three anime that are essential for anyone who loves character driven narratives and ESPECIALLY strong female protagonists. Juuni Kokki/Twelve Kingdoms, Saiunkoku Monogatari, and the newest one Akatsuki no Yona.

Twelve Kingdoms

This story actually handles the trope of 'girl and friends' being pulled into another world and turns it completely on it's head, showing exactly what would happen if such a thing were to occur. You will HATE every single character in the beginning, save Rakashun, and that's because each of them must do horrible things to simply survive in a world they do not understand and the mental stress that comes from being hunted due to their status as outsiders. However if you can make it through the first eight episodes, you'll find a series that isn't afraid to break it's characters in order to force them to grow - and Youko, once a whiny pill of a girl, slowly develops into one of the strongest protagonists I've ever seen regardless of gender. It's well worth the 'break the cutie' moments in the beginning to see what they set up for the rest of the series.

Saiunkoku Monogatari

Less 'break them and then watch as they develop' than the above series, this one none the less deals with politics in a setting similar to ancient China and a lone woman doing her utmost to become a government official in a society where such a thing is outright frowned upon. I loved this series, though the romance could be a tad... Cloying at times. Shuurei isn't nearly as beloved as Youko is in my book, but this little series is a fun diversion if you're looking for historical romances where the main heroine isn't a completely helpless twit.

Akatsuki no Yona

The newest, though a definite favorite that I know I'll still be watching for years to come. It's currently unfinished, it's first season just ending on Crunchyroll a few weeks ago, but with the manga still ongoing. Like Twelve Kingdoms, the main characters are not very likeable in the beginning and much like it as well this entire anime is primarily character driven. It does have smatterings of romance, but at all times the development of Yona and the people around her are paramount. It's also really damn funny, so it'd be a fun diversion when you're looking for story driven content with additional comedy. Tongue

Can you tell I like historical series yet...?

Recommend an Anime!

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes