I saw some set in ancient China which seemed pretty cool. I'd love to find it and get some subtitles going.
One show had an evil character that was a woman with many lower ear piercings. Starting on her ear lobes, trailing up the edge of her ear. She seemed like a power hungry royal who'd slap and punish other women a lot. Really pretty show. Her looks and character's tendencies are why I remember it.
The Founder of Diabolism is pretty good, if you like anime. It's set in ancient China.