Hello people! Today I'm looking for a manga that shows, just like the title says, the hardships of being a ruler or a future ruler. It doesn't have to be the main point of the story, take as an example Reimei no Arcana. I like the way it shows how hard things are for Caesar, even though it's not what the story is about. Another good example would be Canute in Vinland Saga.

In case you haven't read any of those, I basically want to see a male character (yes, male please) who is not necessarily the protagonist and currently is/going to be king/any kind of ruler. The manga should show the hardships he has to go through and how he tries to overcome them. I don't mind if he succeeds or not, I just want to see a ruler/future ruler having a hard time, hehe ^^.

If you're lazy and didn't read anything I said, here's the most important stuff:

-Male lead
-He is gonna be king, or already is one.
-He is not necessarily the main character.

Please, I don't want any ecchi, yaoi or yuri... I think anything else is fine with me. I don't care about demographics. Thanks in advance!

You can try Akagami no Shirayuki Hime - male MC is a prince (so there are some decisions he must make and manga shows this whole "member of a royalty falling in love with a commoner" theme)

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I second Akagami no Shirayukihime and raise:
+C Sword and Cornett
TAL
Tower of God (somewhat)
Vampire Juujikai (somewhat)

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Thank you all for your replies, all of them look very good and I haven't read any of them so there's lots for me to read ^^ If anyone thinks of anything else I'm still interested in adding more things to my wish list, so keep them coming!

Something like Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen or Hyakunen Renbo

Oneshots:
Gar to Oujisama
Sleeping Prince
Ipaasha
Ouji to Ken , kinda different but still a good read

Seconding Akagami no Shirayukihime, +C: Sword and Cornett, and Vampire Juujikai

Also...
Akatsuki no Yona
Antimagia
Aruosumente
Cesare (a bit of a stretch, but absolutely brilliant)
Historie

Also adding Basara. Will add more when I remember some

Paladin
- hardships and tragedies of leaders being tormented into losing their roles as leaders and hoping for someone extraordinary to save and protect them.

Basilisk may be a match, because ...





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"It's like love is a bonus in your life. Even without it, I'm just fine. I don't feel like pointlessly searching for it. You don't have to make yourself unhappy." (Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji)

"Why does it rain?" - "To create drama." (Drops (Andou Yuki))

Feng Shen Ji seems to fit.

The only problem is that the scans have just started coming in. Chapter 12 was just translated, but with the sequel, it has 96 chapters. So, if you want something that is finished or close to it, then this is not the story for you.

I was thinking Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann might fit. When becomes 'ruler', he's faced with the reality of politics... and then it gets worse...

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Try Joou no Hana. Its my favorite manga right now even though there are only 3 chapters so far. Its still ongoing in Japan.

It has a warrior princess kind of theme....how she has to fight for her position in the palace...try it out.

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I also second Vampire Juujikai

Also try Break blade - I've only just started this, but it deals with the balance of old friendship and new responsabilities when war breaks out. The main character is a commoner, but his close friends are a king and commander of opposing armies.

For none manga references I recommend Code Geass and Avatar, both of which deal with the responsabilities of leadership.

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The pen is mightier than the sword...and considerably easier to write with.

Thank you so much, people! All of your suggestions look good, I've never had such good and accurate recommendations. I'll be sure to read them all in time, so thanks!

I'm still open for suggestions, since there's never enough to read. As always, thanks in advance!