Kikyou from InuYasha. : A very powerful priestess (not to mention brilliant archer) and Guardian of the Shinkon No Tama. She protected the sacred jewel from demons who tried to take it from her. She usually killed them, but made an exception in the case of the half-human Inu Yasha, who followed her around, until one day, both of them realized that they had fallen in-love. So, they deviced a plan to rid one another of the constraits that bound each of them. The plan was almost successful, until a demon named Naraku came into the picture. Kikyou died thinking that it was her beloved Inu Yasha who killed and betrayed her, thus hating him forever...but then... ^_^

What I admire about Kikyou was her personality. A very strong woman. A person of integrity and honor. She deeply adhered to her duty, but was ready to make exceptions in the name of mercy or humanity, perhaps. Actually, I prefer her to the more talkative Kagome. No offense to Kagome fans. Moreover, she exhudes quiet dignity. But like all of us, Kikyou was a human being. She was not immune to anger or hurt. No matter how brilliant, independent and powerful she was. You'll find out the rest of my opinion, when I feature her next.

Mukuro from Yu Yu Hakusho. : One of the three Demon Lords of the Makai (the other two being Yomi and Raizen). The Northeastern territory belongs to the enigmatic Mukuro. She summoned Hiei, as preparation to the threat of an impending war between the three territories. Possibly putting him in the position of "General". Much of her past was shrouded in mystery. No one knew Mukuro was a "she", until the first day of the "tournament" (orchestrated by Yusuke Urameshi), when she finally decided to reveal her true nature.

Yui Hongou from Fushigi Yuugi. : Perhaps one of the few realistically depicted characters (the other one was Nakago) in the whole show, IMO. Starts off as the best friend of the "heroine", Miaka Yuki (read: the voice of reason and logic). After much confusion regarding who came back for whom, Yui becomes the Seiryuu No Miko and Miaka's (the Suzaku No Miko) enemy, until she managed to redeem herself.