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".
Top 20 Harem Manga to read
- 1. Martial Peak
- 2. Shinjiteita Nakamatachi ni Dungeon Ouchi de Korosarekaketa ga Gift "Mugen Gacha" de Level 9999 no Nakamatachi wo Te ni Irete Moto Party Member to Sekai ni Fukushuu & "Zamaa!" Shimasu!
- 3. Yuan Lai Wo Shi Xiu Xian Da Lao
- 4. Cong Goblin Dao Goblin Shen
- 5. Release That Witch
- 6. Parallel Paradise
- 7. Mato Seihei no Slave
- 8. Tensei Shitara Dai Nana Ouji Dattanode, Kimamani Majutsu wo Kiwamemasu
- 9. Kanojo, Okarishimasu
- 10. Wo Mei Zhou Suiji Yi Ge Xin Zhiye
- 11. Xing Wu Shen Jue
- 12. Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.
- 13. Jiang Si Xiansheng
- 14. Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute
- 15. 2.5-jigen no Yuuwaku
- 16. Isekai Saikou no Kizoku, Harem wo Fuyasu Hodo Tsuyoku Naru
- 17. Kaifuku Jutsushi Yarinaoshi
- 18. Isekai NTR: Shinyuu no Onna wo Saikyou Skill de Otosu Houhou
- 19. Amagami-san Chi no Enmusubi
- 20. Masamune-kun no Revenge
1. Martial Peak
The journey to the martial peak is a lonely, solitary and long one.In the face of adversity,you must survive and remain unyielding.Only then can you break through and and continue on your journey to become the strongest. Sky Tower tests its disciples in the harshest ways to prepare them for this journey.One day the lowly sweeper Yang Kai managed to obtain a black book, setting him on the road to the peak of the martials world.
Martial Peak is currently publishing . It is also Known as: MP , Wu Lian Dian Feng , Wǔ Liàn Diān Fēng , Wǔ Liàn Diānfēng , Вершина боевых искусств , Пик боевых искусств
2. Shinjiteita Nakamatachi ni Dungeon Ouchi de Korosarekaketa ga Gift "Mugen Gacha" de Level 9999 no Nakamatachi wo Te ni Irete Moto Party Member to Sekai ni Fukushuu & "Zamaa!" Shimasu!
A kid named Light is the only human member of the adventuring party Legion of Races, but humans are by far the weakest race in his world. When his comrades abandon him to the lowest levels of a dungeon, Light resorts to the gift of Infinite Gacha to create a harem of Lvl 9999 allies! With his powerful and beautiful new friends by his side, can Light escape the dungeon and exact vengeance upon the Legion of Races…and the entire world?
Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon: My Party Tried to Kill Me, But Thanks to an Infinite Gacha I Got LVL 9999 Friends and Am Out For Revenge is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 信じていた仲間達にダンジョン奥地で殺されかけたがギフト『無限ガチャ』でレベル9999の仲間達を手に入れて元パーティーメンバーと世界に復讐＆『ざまぁ！』します！, My Gift LVL 9999 Unlimited Gacha, Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon
3. Yuan Lai Wo Shi Xiu Xian Da Lao
Li Nianfan transmigrated into the world of immortal cultivation with a mortal body. After learning that he had no talent for cultivation, he settled down to live an ordinary life. But only to find...
The dog he adopted watched his writing and painting, and became the demon lord that ruled half the world. The tree he planted in the backyard listened to him play and sing, and grew into the world tree that held up the bridge between heaven and earth. A casual conversation enlightened a passing traveler to become the immortal sage that defined the era...
I'm Actually a Cultivation Bigshot is currently publishing . It is also Known as: I Am a Cultivation Bigshot, I'm Actually a Cultivation Big Shot, Nguyên Lai Ta Là Tu Tiên Đại Lão, So I Am the Godfather of Immortal Cultivation, Turns Out I'm an Immortal Cultivator, Turns Out I’m a Great Cultivator, Yuán Lái Wǒ Shì Xiū Xiān Dà Lǎo, 転生から5年、いつの間にか最強になってました
4. Cong Goblin Dao Goblin Shen
Lin Tian reincarnated as a goblin, the lowest rank of magical creatures, and initially, he had to lie low. Later, he fully unleashed the true nature of a goblin. Blessed with many offspring, the more children he has, the stronger he becomes thanks to the blessings from the gods!
Cong Goblin Dao Goblin Shen is currently publishing . It is also Known as: Cong Ge Bu Lin Dao Ge Bu Lin Shen, Cóng Gē Bù Lín Dào Gē Bù Lín Shén, Chuyển Sinh Thành Goblin, De duende a Dios Goblin, From Goblin to Goblin God, From Goblin to Goblin-God - Goblin's Life Simulator, Goblin's Life Simulator, God Goblin, ゴッドゴブリン〜異世界で始まる無双ライフ〜
5. Release That Witch
A male engineer transmigrated into another world, and became a prince. This place strikingly resembles the Middle Ages of Europe, but at the same time, it seems kind of different? Witches truly exists, and they even possess magic powers! Magic powers are productive forces! Save the witches, liberate the productive forces! Open map, fight demons, break conspiracies, climb up the science and technology tree, and open the path of hardcore ‘farming’!
Release That Witch is finished and has null Volumes and 695 Chapters.
6. Parallel Paradise
Youta "The Sun" Tada is an ordinary high schooler who dies and finds himself in a fantasy world where he is the only male. Can Youta survive in a world which has no resistance to him?
Parallel Paradise is currently publishing . It is also Known as: パラレルパラダイス, 平行天堂, Parareru Paradaisu
7. Mato Seihei no Slave
When entrances to a different dimension known as the "Mato" emerge all over Japan, a new resource known as "Peaches" are discovered which give unique abilities only to women. However, dangerous monsters called "Yomotsu Shuuki" also roam throughout the Mato and have been responsible for various disasters ever since. To combat the Yomotsu Shuuki, the government formed the Anti-demon Corps, an elite group of women who have received power from the Peaches.
One day, a high school student named Yuuki Wakura was walking home from school when he suddenly gets lost in a Mato entrance. When he calls for help, he is immediately rescued by Kyouka Uzen, the chief of the Seventh Unit of the Anti-demon Corps. Recognizing his potential while also needing him to make her Peach power more effective, she ask that Yuuki join the Anti-demon Corps by becoming her slave, a position he might find more enjoyable than he initially would have thought..
Chained Soldier is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 魔都精兵のスレイブ, Slave of the Hell Soldiers, Matoseihei no Slave
8. Tensei Shitara Dai Nana Ouji Dattanode, Kimamani Majutsu wo Kiwamemasu
A magic nerd's life came to an end after a dreadful encounter with the nobles who ended his life with a powerful spell. His last wish, being able to study and master more magic, has been answered when he was reincarnated as Lloyd de Saloom, the 7th prince of Saloom Kingdom. Now he'll be able to perfect his magic as he pleases...
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince So I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 転生したら第七王子だったので、気ままに魔術を極めます, Tensei Shitara Dai Nana Ouji Dattanode, Kimamani Majutsu wo Kiwamemasu
9. Kanojo, Okarishimasu
Kinoshita Kazuya is a regular college student who was just dumped by his girlfriend for another guy. Feeling down in the dumps, he decides to use an app called Diamond to hire Mizuhara Chizuru, a rental girlfriend, to make himself feel better. From their first meeting, she seems to be the perfect girl for him, but is there more to her than meets the eye? And how will their not quite typical relationship develop?
Rent-A-Girlfriend is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 彼女、お借りします, I'd like to Borrow a Girlfriend
10. Wo Mei Zhou Suiji Yi Ge Xin Zhiye
Experience the job as a driver and gain the reward of a Pagani. Experience the job as a university teacher and gain the reward of ten buildings. Experience the job as a landlord and gain 160 million dollars. Experience… This story is also called Why Are the People Who Like Me So Nice, Urban Beauties, and I Am Tired of Being Rich.
I Randomly Have a New Career Every Week is currently publishing . It is also Known as: I Get An All-career Experience System, Каждую неделю у меня появляется новая профессия, Tanpaile, Wo Quan Zhiye Xitong!, Wǒ Měi Zhōu Suíjī Yīgè Xīn Zhíyè
11. Xing Wu Shen Jue
In the whole world there lays twelve paths to climb Tower of God, and in legends these twelve pathways leads toward legendary road of immortality. However these paths in the Tower of God, are far too long, without end. In ancient times there once were many types of martial arts, sadly the world underwent terrible changes, and only three were left: Flame, Dragon and Star Martial Arts. Generations of experts of those three martial arts are searching for the road of immortality.A Star Martial Arts practitioner on his journey of lifetime, plans to become the Highest God.
Star Martial God Technique is currently publishing . It is also Known as: Astral Sutra, Dewa Silat Bintang, El secreto del Guerrero Estrella, SMGT, Tinh Võ Thần Quyết, Xīng Wǔshén Jué, Техника Бога звёздных боевых искусств
12. Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.
It's genius vs mediocrity. When three genius sisters meet our average main character, love blossoms... or maybe not?!
Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi. is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 帝乃三姉妹は案外、チョロい。, Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.
13. Jiang Si Xiansheng
1000 years ago, the MC became a normal zombie in the apocalypse. In order to survive the constant hunting of humans, he continued to train himself until he became immensely powerful. After 1000 years passed, he is now ready to enter human society again.
Jiang Si Xiansheng is currently publishing . It is also Known as: Jiāng Sī Xiānshēng, Mr. Jiang Si, Mr. Zombie
14. Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute
Just like how everyone adored heroes in their childhood, a certain young man adored those powers hidden in shadows. After hiding his strength and living the mediocre life of a mob character by day while undergoing frenzied training by night, he finally reincarnates into a different world and gains ultimate power. The young man who is only playing at being a power in the shadows, his misunderstanding subordinates, and a giant organization in the shadows that gets trampled….. This is the story of a young boy who had adored powers in shadows possibly eventually reigning over the world of shadows in another world.
To Be a Power in the Shadows! is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 陰の実力者になりたくて！, The Eminence in Shadow, Восхождение в тени
15. 2.5-jigen no Yuuwaku
"I have no interest in real women! My wife, Lilliel, is a 2D girl!" But something unexpected appears in front of Okumura, the president of the Manga Research Club... A real Lilliel? An exciting cosplay love comedy begins!!
2.5 Dimensional Seduction is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 2.5次元の誘惑, 2.5 Jigen no Ririsa, Ririsa of 2.5 Dimension, 2.5D Seduction
16. Isekai Saikou no Kizoku, Harem wo Fuyasu Hodo Tsuyoku Naru
Yuuto is suddenly reincarnated into the other world in a smartphone game and becomes the third son of a noble family. “Skills” exist in that world, and Yuuto was reincarnated with “Noblesse oblige.” When Yuuto, who has become an adult, embraces a woman as a ceremony, “Noblesse oblige” is activated.
That is a rare skill, the skill that lets him copy the skills of the woman he embraces. Yuuto embraces women possessing skills one after another, becoming the strongest with the skills he acquires, and building a harem of women who fall in love with him. Furthermore, it was discovered that “Noblesse oblige” can awaken skills and evolve skills, and the cheating keeps on coming! All the women and skills I want are mine. The strongest cheat harem begins here.
The Best Noble In Another World: The Bigger My Harem Gets, The Stronger I Become is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 異世界最高の貴族、ハーレムを増やすほど強くなる, The Strongest Harem of Nobles
17. Kaifuku Jutsushi Yarinaoshi
Healing magicians cannot fight alone.’ Keare, who was bound by this common knowledge, was exploited again and again by others.But one day, he noticed what lay beyond healing magic, and was convinced that a healing magician was the strongest class. However, by the time he realized that potential, he was deprived of everything. Thus, he used healing magic on the world itself to go back four years, deciding to redo everything.This is a heroic tale of one healing magician who became the strongest by using knowledge from his past life and healing magic.
Kaifuku Jutsushi Yarinaoshi is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 回復術士のやり直し, Kaifuku Jutsushi Yarinaoshi: Sokushi Mahou to Skill Copy no Chouetsu Heal, The Rework of Healer, Redo of Healer, Kaifuku Jutsushi Yarinaoshi, Kaifuku Jutsushi no Yarinaoshi
18. Isekai NTR: Shinyuu no Onna wo Saikyou Skill de Otosu Houhou
This shitty world that's nothing but a trashy game, he and I will definitely escape it together. So, all these annoying women trying to take advantage of him are just a nuisance. What's worse, it seems like he's beginning to have some feelings for them. That's why, for his sake, I'll eat them up first. But, just what is this power?
NTR in Another World ~Sullying My Best Friend's Women With the Strongest Skill~ is currently publishing . It is also Known as: 異世界NTR~親友のオンナを最強スキルで堕とす方法~, Isekai NTR
19. Amagami-san Chi no Enmusubi
Uryuu Kamihate, orphaned since childhood, receives an invitation to stay at the local Shinto shrine. All he wanted was a quiet place to study so that he can fulfill his dream of making it into a top medical school, but after arriving there, he comes across three beautiful shrine maiden sisters... and the head priest requests that he marry one of them and take over the shrine. A tale of love and miracles is about to unfold!
Matchmaking of the Amagami Household is finished and has 22 Volumes and 194 Chapters. It is also Known as: 甘神さんちの縁結び, Сватовство в доме Амагами
20. Masamune-kun no Revenge
As an overweight child, Makabe Masamune was mercilessly teased and bullied by one particular girl, Adagaki Aki. Determined to one day exact his revenge upon her, Makabe begins a rigorous regimen of self-improvement and personal transformation.
Years later, Masamune re-emerges as a new man. Handsome, popular, with perfect grades and good at sports, Masamune-kun transfers to Aki's school, and is unrecognizable to her. Now, Masamune-kun is ready to confront the girl who bullied him so many years ago and humiliate her at last. But will revenge be as sweet as he thought?
Included Side Chapters:
Chapter 9.5: Investigative Report into Aki Adagaki
Chapter 12.5: A Fine Tradition of Stewardship
Chapter 14.5: Tsunade Island Incident Part 2
Chapter 20.5: Kojuurou Wants To Become A Dandy
Chapter 35.2: Piggy's Memorial Part 2
Masamune-kun's Revenge is finished and has 10 Volumes and 54 Chapters. It is also Known as: 政宗くんのリベンジ, Masamune-kun no Revenge
