I was reading about the Heian period, and I was particularly interested by the Fujiwara clan, who dominated the imperial line and the court as regents by marrying their daughters to imperial heirs. I'm looking for a work where the main theme is the power struggle among families (in the literal or figurative sense) to take control. The genre doesn't matter as long as there is a sense of realism (a fantasy manga can still be realist in that the characters are morally ambiguous, no clear cut good and evil etc.) I would prefer if the story covers a large timespan, generations even

yoroshiku!

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If it's just a power struggle, then maybe Sengoku Strays. There's nothing about marrying into bloodlines though.

Magi - The Labyrinth of Magic - Instead of families, it's kind of a power struggle among different kingdoms

Reimei no Arcana - the mc get married for political reasons to the enemy kingdom


These probably aren't exactly what you're looking for but they were the first to come to mind

It doesn't necessarily have to include marrying into bloodlines haha; I was just interested in their slow but sure strategy of taking over the imperial court. Thanks!

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If you don't mind anime I would suggest Legend of Galactic Heroes.

oooh interesting, thanks!!

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In Full Bloom (YON Jae-Won)
Song of the Long March one of my recent favourites.
Joou no Hana and the main story of Ninohime no Monogatari
Akatsuki no Yona
maybe Godly Bells

Also Vinland Saga,
Cesare


Last edited by ImaginaryWishes at 10:58 pm, Jan 10 2014

It's been forever since I read it, but Princess comes to mind... spans generations, politics, etc.. If I remember correctly.

Fight for a throne

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+1 Princess
Scarlet Palace - The focus is a bit more on the side of romance though.

Thank you everyone! These are all fantastic recommendations!

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I highly, highly recommend Saiunkoku Monogatari (Novel). It's political intrigue in a shoujo-esque setting. There's romance, but it's not even the main part of the story. It's about a woman who studies to take a national exam that no female has ever taken before, and she becomes wrapped up in politics and struggles and all sorts of crazy things. Well you can read the description haha.

But I actually suggest watching the anime. It's based on a series of light novels rather a manga. The first season has a good bit of humor, and the second one gets a little darker.

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WEBTOONS ヽ( ★ω★)ノ

thanks! I've added it to my reading list

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Seconded Song of the Long March & Joou no Hana

Gunka no Baltzar has a really interesting political struggle. The first one or two chapter is more to military side, but later the political power struggle become the stronger theme. I find it really nice that it also include the use of image/mass media manipulation to influence the citizen, not only power struggle between the higher ups/nobility.
+C: Sword and Cornett
If you're ok with yaoi, Yuuutsu na Asa is not about throne fight, but rather about the use of connection and economy power to get higher nobility title.

I'm not sure that these mangas are what you're looking for but here we go. ^^

Historie - Centers in Creece
Ares - A lot of violence
Shin Angyo Onshi - A fantasy manga but a good one.
Red River - I never got to the end of this because I didn't like the art very much.
Maybe Saver and Yeonmo

And I second
In Full Bloom (YON Jae-Won)
Vinland Saga
Cesare

If you can read yaoi then I recommend Feng Yu Jiu Tian (Novel).

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God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things...
At this point I am so far behind, I will never die.


Fufufufu..

There is Sanctuary which talks about Japanese political system and the Yakuza.