Manga like Sabaku no Harem

Yume no Shizuku, Kin no Torikago

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance

Beginning of 16th century, Alexandra was captured by slave traders in Ukraine during one of their many raids. When the traders arrived in Greece to sell the female slaves, a young handsome man named Mateus bought her and promised to give her true freedom. He hired countless teachers, scholars, and palace ladies to train her into the one perfect woman of her time. Mateus's kindness has caused Alexandra to deeply fall in love with him, and she secretly wishes to be his concubine. But cruel fate! Mateus has already promised her to his best friend, who is Suleiman the Great, Emperor of the Ottoman Empire! Mateus promised Alexandra of true freedom, but where is freedom when she is in another man's harem and can only look at the one she loves from afar?

Not willing to endure this agony, Alexandra promises herself that one day, she will free both of them from their bird cages. But Mateus is the Grand Vizier, a power only second to the Emperor himself. So Alexandra must become the most influential concubine in order to have any hope—which also means bearing Suleiman's son. However, Suleiman already has a son by another concubine, and this woman is determined to keep her son as the only prince and only heir.

Thus begins the story of a slave that becomes the story of one of the greatest empresses of all time, Alexandra, the woman who would one day be known as Roxelana, Empress of the Ottoman Empire.

Tags: Historical , Josei , Politics , War , Kingdom Management , Biographical , Coming of Age , Parenthood , Female Protagonist , Foreign , Slavery , Love Triangle , Heterosexual , Royal Affairs , Unrequited Love , Arranged Marriage , Assassins , Class Struggle , Crime , Espionage , Maids , Marriage , Time Skip , Revenge , Nudity , Female Harem , Tragedy

Kuroorihime To Kawaki no Ou

Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Romance

Setia is prisoner of Azurite, the tyrant king. She has a fiance waiting for her but the king seems to have taken a fancy in toying with her! But under his ruthless facade there appears to be...

Tags: Shoujo , Heterosexual , Royal Affairs , Desert , Female Protagonist

Hoshi Furu Oukoku no Nina

Also known as Nina the Starry Bride.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance

Nina had a rough start to life, stealing to survive—and eventually being sold into slavery by her own brother. But to her surprise, her captor, Prince Azure, ordained that she would live the life of a princess...specifically, that of the recently deceased princess-priestess, Alisha. But despite her changing fortune, Nina won't give up her old life without a fight...and Azure might just be the one to finally match her wits. But how much can she trust Azure? And can she stop the feelings budding in her heart, knowing she must eventually marry another...?

Note: Won the 46th Annual Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shoujo Manga.

Tags: Josei , Female Protagonist , Kingdom Management , Love Triangle , Politics , Foreign , Heterosexual , Royal Affairs , Adoption , Arranged Marriage , Crossdressing , Tragedy , Marriage , Prison , Matriarchy , Nudity

Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Fantasy , Romance

The long-lasting war between the Northern and the Southern Kingdoms is unbearable. So the northern Prince Johane and the southern Princess Euda decide to tell everyone they are in love, because their marriage can stop the war. But the truth is they don’t get along at all!

Tags: Shoujo , War , Tsundere , Historical , Female Protagonist , Conspiracy , Foreign , Politics , Episodic , Heterosexual , Royal Affairs , Desert , Fake Relationship

Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori

Also known as Red River.

Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Romance

Yuri, a pretty Japanese girl, is ecstatic after passing her college entrance exam and having her first kiss with her childhood friend-turned boyfriend. However, her luck soon changes. She starts to notice that water becomes agitated whenever she goes near it. One night, hands appear out of a puddle on the street and drag her into the water! Transported to an ancient village in the Middle East, she is then captured by armed troops and taken to the Queen's palace for a human sacrifice.



Notes:
Winner of the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shoujo category.
Chapter count includes 3 extra chapters

Tags: Historical , Foreign , Female Protagonist , Shoujo , Royal Affairs , Heterosexual , Kingdom Management , Isekai , Time Manipulation , Politics , Slavery , War , Nudity , Desert , Love Triangle , Tragedy , Swordplay , Medicine , Body Horror , Marriage , Class Struggle , Crime , Assassins , Magic

Urareta Henkyou Haku Reijou wa Ringoku no Outaishi ni Dekiaisareru

Also known as The Margrave's Daughter & the Enemy Prince.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Romance

Anna, daughter of the Margrave of Halmich, is tired of the expectations placed on women in court. She has no interest in marrying a nobleman because society expects it of her. Instead, she works hard on her swordsmanship and dreams of joining her father on the battlefield someday. Unfortunately, fate deals her a heavy blow: when the hostile forces of the Kingdom of Albion invade and take the Halmich heir prisoner, she is given to the enemy prince in exchange for her brother's life. But even in the face of these tragic circumstances, Anna still has plans of her own: "I'll infiltrate their ranks as a tribute, and then... I'll defeat the man who killed my father."

Tags: Female Protagonist , Josei , Tomboy , Politics , Heterosexual , Royal Affairs , Marriage

Odayaka Kizoku no Kyuuka no Susume.

Also known as A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation.

Status: Releasing
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Slice of Life

When Lizel mysteriously finds himself in a city that bears odd similarities to his own but clearly isn't, he quickly comes to terms with the unlikely truth: this is an entirely different world. Even so, laid-back Lizel isn't the type to panic. He immediately sets out to learn more about this strange place, and to help him do so, hires a seasoned adventurer named Gil as his tour guide and protector.

Until he's able to find a way home, Lizel figures this is a perfect opportunity to explore a new way of life adventuring as part of a guild. After all, he's sure he'll go home eventually... might as well enjoy the otherworldly vacation for now!



Tags: Isekai , Josei , Male Harem , Male Protagonist

Oushitsu Kyoushi Haine

Also known as The Royal Tutor.

Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Accepting the post of Royal Tutor at the court of the king of Grannzreich, Heine Wittgenstein is a little professor with a big job ahead! Each of the kingdom's four princes has a rather distinct personality. Does their diminutive new instructor have what it takes to lay down some learning? It's a comedy of educational proportions!



Tags: Historical , Shounen , Teacher , Primarily Male Cast

Present wa Shinju

Status: Finished
Genres: Romance

Edward, the son of baron Lobel, is a spoiled “young master” who knows nothing of the real world and has his head in the clouds. The servants want him to learn how to handle women, so they find for him the perfect woman! She is called “Pearl” and is very cute, but she also has an amazing secret!



Tags: Shoujo , Historical

Akuyaku Reijou, Brother Complex ni Job Change Shimasu

Also known as Goodbye, Overtime! This Reincarnated Villainess Is Living for Her New Big Brother.

Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Romance

After being forced to work overtime for the umpteenth time in a month, Yukimura Rina drags herself home, exhausted and in need of some relaxation. She downloads an otome game, starts playing, and passes out...only to wake up as Ekaterina, the villainess of the game! Her new reality overwhelms her, but she soon recovers thanks to the care of her handsome, kind, and responsible new big brother, Alexei. There's one little issue, though. If the game follows its original scenario, only the worst awaits her and her dearest brother! Rina, or rather, Ekaterina, now has two goals: find a way to avoid doom, and protect her new big brother from the horrors of overwork!



Tags: Shoujo , Isekai , Villainess , Female Protagonist