Harem
Harem is an entertainment-related trope which is characterized by three or more characters, normally female, who for some reason are in the presence and under the influence of one character, generally male, according to a few genre-defining guidelines; here it will be assumed, for simplicity of language, that the harem lead is a male character and the members are female characters. Though that is the rule, there are exceptions; a story in which there is one female character and several male characters is normally called a “reverse harem”, or sometimes also “male harem”. Aside from the swapping of the characters’ genders, the trope’s details are mostly the same, with the majority of the changes relating to the differences in behavior between men and women of the characters’ age range. It is also possible to create harems with homosexual relationships, again with very few changes to the main antics themselves. The harem may not have more than only one lead, as that would be a love polygon, or less than three members, as one would form a couple and two would make a love triangle. As a defining rule of harem, the interactions between the lead and each of the individual members are filled with romantically or sexually loaded content, either implicitly, through innuendo or subtext, or explicitly, through text or actions, and those actions are a key plot element. Generally, the female characters’ looks and personalities will vary a lot among the ones present in one single series, but quite rarely will they actually differ from the common stock archetypes, which are known, well-defined, and easy to copy; for this reason, the genre as a whole is often considered repetitive. Usually, the characters involved directly in this trope are in the late teenager to young adult age range, but that is not mandatory. Sexually charged behavior on the lead’s part pretty much can’t be avoided, and it’s typical to see him stamped as a pervert by some or all of the members, regardless of whether he is one; the sexual tones also applies to the depiction of the harem members, often leading the genre to labeled sexist. The lead will often suffer very violent retribution for his behavior, which has attracted criticism of gratuitous violence as well. Most of the harem members will be romantically or sometimes sexually interested in the one male character, and in him alone; that, however, is not an absolute rule, and indeed sometimes none of the female characters are really interested at first, so the protagonist has to build relationships with them from scratch. That idea comes in large part from visual novels; it is quite common for visual novels to revolve around controlling the male lead and have him build relationships with either as many female characters as possible or with one of them, the latter being more common for visual novels with branched story paths; a large portion of those visual novels also feature erotic content, which may be hard to adapt to TV series. It may be also possible that the harem is only a support to the existing or predictable relationship between the lead and the most important member; additionally, the lead may end up in relationships with most or all of the harem members, with the agreement of all, in a setting normally called “harem ending”
-
Completed
Jitsu wa Watashi wa
One day after school, Asahi Kuromine stumbles upon the truth that Youko Shiragami, the girl he has a crush on, is actually a vampire. According to her father’s rules, Youko…
-
Completed
5-toubun no Hanayome ∬
Through their tutor Fuutarou Uesugi’s diligent guidance, the Nakano quintuplets’ academic performance shows signs of improvement, even if their path to graduation is still rocky. However, as they continue to…
-
Movie
5-toubun no Hanayome Movie
Futaro has led five quintuplets to the point where they can graduate and pursue their own dreams. Now, finally, they had reached their final school festival. Having decided to make…
-
Specials
Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou 2nd Season: Arifureta Yorimichi de Sekai Saikyou
Unaired episode included in the first Blu-ray volume.
-
Completed
Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou 2nd Season
After rescuing his former classmates from the perils of a labyrinth—a mythical place that grants a divine magic to whosoever triumphs over its trials—Nagumo Hajime emerges victorious, while the new…
-
Manga
Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (Digital) Vol.28
A junior at Suzaku High, Ryuu Yamada is infamous for being a hardliner and a delinquent. One day, after being reprimanded for his poor performance and attitude toward school, he…
-
Manga
Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu (Digital) Vol.15
An elite but socially-stunted gamer finds himself in another world, inhabiting the body of his character Diablo. Despite his powers, his awkwardness keeps getting in the way, so he decides…
-
Completed
Kaifuku Jutsushi no Yarinaoshi
When Keyaru acquired his powers as a Hero who specialized in healing all injuries regardless of severity, it seemed that he would walk the path to a great future. But…
-
Completed
Yuusha Party wo Tsuihou sareta Beast Tamer, Saikyoushu no Nekomimi Shoujo to Deau
Among all the beasts that roam the world, there are unique types of “ultimate species” that harbor immense strength and magical prowess considered to be at the top of the…
-
Manga
Kekkon Yubiwa Monogatari (Digital) Vol.13
Satou has been in love with his childhood friend and neighbor, Hime, ever since she and her grandfather appeared out of nowhere 10 years ago. Now a dazzling, yet mysterious…
-
Manga
Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! (Digital) Vol.16
Kazuma Sato is a video game-loving shut-in-or at least he was, until a humiliating traffic accident brings his young life to an untimely end. But after his death, a beautiful…
-
Completed
Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to The Animation
Yuuki Aito is a perverted manga artist who appreciates panties, wishing to draw as many as he can. Being surrounded by numerous female assistants, he is constantly asking to use…
-
Completed
Sekirei: Pure Engagement
The second stage of the battle royale known as the Sekirei Plan is underway. Shintou Teito has been closed off; no Sekirei or Ashikabi may leave. Minato Sahashi and his…
-
Completed
Sekirei
Struggling yet brilliant 19-year-old Minato Sahashi has failed his college entrance exams for the second time, resulting in him being regarded as worthless by those around him. However, the course…
-
Completed
Maou-sama no Machizukuri!: Saikyou no Dungeon wa Kindai Toshi (Digital) Vol.06
Beings that create and control monsters and demons, beings that build and reign over malicious labyrinths, the chosen individuals to possess an overwhelming Unique Skill—they are the Demon Lords. Demon…
-
Manga
Toaru Majutsu no Index (Digital) Vol.27
The story is set in a world where supernatural powers exist through science, and magic exists through religion. In the story, Touma Kamijou is an ordinary high school boy with…
-
Specials
Tayutayu: Pure My Heart
Special Tayutama -Kiss on my Deity- episodes added to DVDs and Blu-rays.
-
Completed
Tayutama: Kiss on My Deity
Yuuri Mito is a typical, normal Japanese teenager. He goes to school, works on people’s motorcycles and performs exorcisms. Okay, that last part’s a little bit unusual, but his family…
-
Completed
Shukufuku no Campanella
The story takes place in a trading city Ert’Aria. Leicester Maycraft is an item engineer belonging to an adventurer guild “Oasis.” One night, he is at a party with his…
-
Completed
Busou Shoujo Machiavellianism
The Private Aichi Symbiosis Academy was originally a high school for high-class girls. When it became co-ed, the girls, out of fear, asked to be permitted to bring weapons to…
-
Completed
Kakkou no Iinazuke
Nagi Umino and Erika Amano, a studious high school student and a social media star, had nothing that linked them together—until they found out they were swapped at birth. When…
-
Completed
Strike the Blood IV
Fourth season of Strike the Blood.
-
Completed
Nyan Koi!
Junpei Kousaka is a second-year high school student who has an allergy for cats—a predicament that has made him hate cats and everything related to them. Unfortunately for him, though,…
-
5-toubun no Hanayome
Fuutarou Uesugi is an ace high school student, but leads an otherwise tough life. His standoffish personality and reclusive nature have left him friendless, and his father is debt-ridden, forcing…
-
Movie
Sora no Otoshimono Final: Eternal My Master
The second movie of Sora no Otoshimono that concludes the anime series.