I'm looking for an manga, anime or novel like The Twelve Kingdoms. I really like the anime and am going to read the novel, but also want to read more like it. I really like the politics and the character development in the anime.
Hope for something good guys

p.s. anyone know a good site to read the novels from online?

come on people, doesn't anyone has any advise?

I'm sorry to say, but there really is nothing that comes even close to The Twelve Kingdoms.
I've looked and queried, but despite it's popularity the novels are discontinued, the anime is sort of dropped (and no mention of it ever seeing a second season), and fan-fiction is no longer being produced (to my knowledge).

The usual "recomendation" I get is Fushigi Yuugi, which in my opinion is miles off.

Twelve kingdoms just has things not often seen in other manga (and definitely not combined):
- Solid world building (with lore)
- Interesting and "realistic" political system (semi-original), without all the court intrigues and such.
- Good combination between the realistic and the divine.
- Very good character building and development
- Focus on more than one thing (there is more going on than just what's happening to the protagonist, and the protagonist is just our link to the story - not the story itself).
- etc.

I've both seen the anime and read the novels, and must say that I preferred the novels (just google for Eugene Woodbury).

Last edited by Joentjuh at 5:21 am, Jun 26 2012

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Twelve Kingdoms is in my opinion... Diverse...
I have never read something before and even as of now that even comes close... A few probably resemble/remind me of Juuni Kokki but it stops there...

So far the only manga that I've read that somehow resembles Juuni Kokki in terms of Character Development and some politics is Historie

I guess A-kun (17) no Sensou - I, the Tycoon? shows some promise but only a few chapters have been translated...

Also Gunka no Balzer and Mismarca Koukoku Monogatari I guess...

Anyway, those are only my opinions... I don't know if they're gonna interest you but I have yet to see any manga that is similar to Juuni Kokki.

Edit:

I forgot about the anime ones...

There might be some resemblance in anime like Utawarerumono, Escaflowne, Saiunkoku Monogatari, Guin Saga, and probably Jyu-Oh-Sei!



Last edited by rheinxvv at 6:14 am, Jun 26 2012

Seirei no Moribito

Utawarerumono, not really. It primarily focuses on action with an odd twist at the end (obviously story was written with RPG / visual novel in mind).

Escaflowne, could have been... But the other world is underdeveloped, lacks political structure, has some weird science fiction elements going on, is fast-paced, and primarily focussed on action/battle.

Saiunkoku Monogatari, believable world and good character development, was glad to see that whilst romance was important to the story, it was not what it was about. Just as with Twelve Kingdoms, very open ending and everything feels unresolved. Also, the world is smaller and less well developed (being set in realistic version of historical China, there was no need).
More like a mostly friendly childrens version of Twelve kingdoms, the right direction but not even close.

Guin Saga... How do you figure? (was not able to watch past episode two due to lost interest and lack of entertainment).

Juuousei, It's been a looong while since I've seen that one, but from very vague memories, how does this match Twelve Kingdoms?

You might try looking on tv-tropes. I've been able to get a few halfway decent recommendations that way. Maybe you'll be able to find something that matches your tastes?
Or try a combination of:
- Inter-dimensional schoolgirl
- Empire building
- Imperial China
- Story arcs
- Feudal Warfare
and the other usual tags like adventure/action/fantasy/epic/...

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Who they, what are, and why?
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Kanata Kara is what you are looking for. One of my favorite manga, just like 12 Kingdoms is one of my very favorite anime.

Some novels that might sort of fit...
Tinker - feature parallel worlds, magic and mundane... protagonist becomes sort of caught between the two, undergoing a physical transformation (sort of like Youko's) that results in this rather than a displacement...
The Moon's Shadow - protagonist suddenly finds himself ruler of a vast (enemy) empire... lots of political intrigue

Last edited by jedinat at 2:09 pm, Jun 26 2012

I said in my post that it bears some resemblance but not necessarily similar since some aspects of the Twelve Kingdoms are superficial... Like the Fantasy/War/Historical/ setting that Juuni Kokki has...

Utawarerumono - how? The transition of the protag from being a common village folk to a full time ruler... (Yoko has the same experience if I'm not mistaken...)

Escaflowne - The same dimensional travelling escapade...


Saiunkoku Monogatari - Just like you've said but as long as it bears something that could make you remember Juuni Kokki then it merits a recommendation is what I think...

Guin Saga -

Jyu-Oh-Sei -
Same as Utawarerumono the transition from being a commoner - leader...

And just like what I've said:








Last edited by rheinxvv at 9:17 pm, Jun 26 2012

Thanks for the tips guys, i'm going to try some out.
The only thing simular that i have found is the serie game of thrones, which is awsome and has the same good aspects

anyone knows where to read the twelve kingdoms novels online?
i'd like to read them but reading them free is even better

If you're willing to try out novels instead of manga, then I'll reccomend...

The Dark Materials Series by Phyllip Pullman (the first book is the Golden Compass, which is far more amazing than the movies) It has an interesting fantasy world and a likable and strong heroine.

Also, check out Abarat by Clive Barker, which is also about a girl who goes to a different world. The islands kinda remind me of 12 Kingdoms. I remember loving this when I was a little kid.

I heard that Sabriel by Garth Nix is another great fantasy novel with a strong female lead. I haven't gotten around to reading it, but maybe you'll enjoy it. I heard lots of good things about the series.

As far as manga-anime recommendations, the anime series Erin gave a similar vibe to Twelve Kingdoms. The world in Erin is very detailed and believable and the female lead also grows and matures through out her trials in the series just like Yuko.

Twelve Kingdoms is a series written by Fuyumi Ono, so if you like this, there is a chance you might like other stuff written by her like the anime Ghost Hunt. You could also find free english translations for her some of her works here: link .

If you specifically want to read the free english translations for the Twelve Kingdoms light novels, then this link is organized less confusingly then the first: link2

Last edited by crumpets_and_tea at 8:31 pm, Jun 29 2012

Japan is not a bastion for serious fantasy. It's not quite as prevalent a genre as in the west. Aside from Berserk, there's not much in the way of fantasy. Atleast in my opinion. Pretty much what other people have suggested is what there is. Try Game of Thrones or Wheel of Time series, or Discworld books if you want a laugh. And yes, definitely read Eugene Woodbury's translation of the twelve kingdoms. It's by far the best one there is, and that's including the official translations in english.

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Thanks for the novel tips, i'll try them out, same for the link btw.

i've read the wheel of time serie and watch game of thrones already. which i think were awsome. The Sword of Truth is also a very good serie in line with the others.

Last edited by benniemen at 2:43 am, Jun 30 2012

I happened to find this forum by chance, but it seems to be similar to what you're looking for. They have some good recommendations for epic fantasies with political games: http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29814

try Jura Tripper a old anime but old is gold pals <3

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