Gotta admit I'm thinking of Eye and 7 as Prof. Farnsworth now. While I like the suggestions so far I feel they're lacking something. Like the Lover's messenger should have gouged out eyes after seeing someone so tempting yet unable to attain they blinded themselves in despair.
Walker's would...
I was playing in a Silver Pact Solars game. I think the Solars are quite capable of joining the Pact, they just have to prove themselves first. My Zenith had to pass the initiation tests like any Lunar then the circle of Solars had to further prove themselves with a mission they undertook...
There's also the elemental powers of the Kuei-jin or there was before they got so corrupted and became Blood, Bone, etc. The Ten Thousand bit fits as well.
Barker's books are great inspiration for games, not always Exalted though. Much of them would make great WoD games. Still, The Damnation Game and Hellbound Heart show characters dealing with powers beyond their imagining. You could use Yozi or Malfean influence on mortals or possibly DBs...
While I haven't actually gotten to use them yet, thanks to one games falling apart, I've found the Wyld Hunt needed quite often. In most cases they are a powerful force that demonstrates the power the Realm (and DBs) still wield. However, they are not quick to respond. Assessing the situation...
Some anime for Exalted combat: Ikki Tousen and Tenjho Tenge (I've seen the latter with about 5 different spellings). TenTen is the better of the two IMO with a great manga.
Ran by Akira Kurosawa is an adaption of King Lear and a great representation of the Realm's bickering leading to outright...
I'm going with Lunars. Mainly for the shapeshifting and wilderness stuff. I'm a sucker for werewolves too. I love me some Abyssal, Solar, and Fire Aspect too, but can always come back to the animals.