If you are new to reverse harems, it is when the protagonist is surrounded by two or more men with romantic intentions. While some may refer to reverse harems as ecchi (smut), it is a dynamic and broad category in anime. The characters are enjoyable and charismatic. The art is compelling and the stories are alluring. There is more to reverse harems than meets the eye. Reverse harems are a girl’s best friend for plot and romance. There’s nothing wrong with a little eye candy 😉.
8. Hiiro no Kakera ("Scarlet Fragments")
2 Seasons, 13 Episodes, 1 Special
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo, Supernatural
Tamaki Kasuga is a teenage girl who revisits a small village she remembers from her childhood and gets caught up in her family's history and the supernatural dangers surrounding it.
Scarlet Fragments is a reverse harem based off a visual novel or otome. Like any adaptation it is very difficult to capture the essence of the visual novel and adapt it correctly; especially when the visual novel has multiple love interests and endings. Furthermore, this animes target audience are females. This is important in regards to rating and reviews. The female demographic is significantly lower than the male demographic. Affecting the rating and reviews of reverse harems. This series has a lot of negative reviews surrounding it, but it isn’t awful. This series is really slow in building up the plot and the character development. It is heavy in dialogue making seem boring and underwhelming. However, as young female in her mid to late 20s’, the idea of being protected by some handsome young men does have its appeal. Moreover, the characters have their flaws, especially the female lead. She is pretty useless but that is not uncommon in reverse harems. A highlight of this anime, is the art style and the soundtrack/OST. The scenery in the anime is stunning and characters are drawn beautifully. Even though, this anime has a lot of negative reviews surrounding it; it kept me invested enough to watch both seasons. So, give chance and create your own opinion.
7. Magic-Kyun! Renaissance
1 Season, 13 Episodes, 1 Special, 1 OVA
Genres: Music, Magic, Romance, School
In Hoshinomori Private Magical Arts High School, where Artistas are taught, a strange new student named Ohana Aigasaki transfers into the school. Ohana spends her romantic school life with six other boys who aim to become entertainers in the future.
This was a fun anime to watch. The character design, the color scheme and the songs were fantastic. It is a light-hearted and playful romance. The story is building but is simple and charismatic. The characters are charming and likeable. I feel like this a is a knock off version of Uta No Prince Sama but with better art. This series wraps you in a warm light making you happy as you watch it. A great feel good anime.
6. Libra of Nil Admirari
1 Season, 12 Episodes
Genres: Harem, Historical, Romance, Fantasy, Josei
Kuze Tsugumi agrees to be married to save her family from decline. But before she goes through with it, her younger brother Hitaki gets her involved in an incident caused by a "maremono.” As a result, Tsugumi gains the power to see "aura," a light that represents the emotions that dwell within a maremono. Her destiny has now changed forever.
This is an intriguing anime with its supernatural elements and dark undertones. Like any other adaptation, this series is not without its flaws. Although, it is a fast paced when it comes to throwing our female MC into the crisis affecting her family and how we are introduced to the other characters. It is a solid story that keeps you entertained throughout its entirety. The twist and turns keeps you wanting more. The art and men helps too 😉. Overall, this a fun and enjoyable. Isn’t that what anime is all about.
5. La Corda D'Oro ~primo/second passo~
1 Season, 25 Episodes, 2 Specials, a Spin-off
Genres: Harem, Music, Comedy, Drama, Magic, Romance, School, Shoujo
Kahoko Hino has her normal life turned upside down when she encounters, Lili the fairy of music. Lili gifts her a magical violin and her musical journey begins.
This is an older anime. You may have never heard of it since it was released about 15 years ago. However, it is a great reverse harem. In this series, we follow Kahoko who has been bestowed with a magical violin by a fairy. From this point, we are taken into the world of classical music. The music is fantastic and well done. The art style isn’t comparable to today’s animation but for the mid-2000s it is solid animation. The characters are charming and pleasing to the eye. The female lead is a bit annoying, but I do enjoy has she develops throughout the series. We see her grow and struggle as she tries to understand music and better herself at the violin. I personally felt that the characters need a bit more in character development. I feel like we just scratched the surface. For an anime, I started on a whim I don’t regret starting it and neither will you.
4. Bonjour♪ Sweet Love Patisserie
1 Season, 24 Episodes
Genres: Comedy, Harem, Romance, Shoujo, Slice of Life
The story follows Sayuri Haruno, a girl who attends an elite confectionery school Fleurir on a scholarship to follow her dream to open a pastry shop. There she meets several charming young men.
This is a great reverse harem to watch if you are short on time but want to watch a sweet romance. Bonjour Sweet Love Patisserie is a short anime with a running time of 5 minutes per episode. The premise of the story is simple but lovely. The characters are straightforward but charming and alluring. The art is phenomenal for such a short anime. I was so sad when I finished this series. I was like that’s it? This series is a great break from longer and more complex animes. It makes you laugh, smile and feel relaxed. Go spare 5 minutes and check out this series.
3. Code: Realize Guardian of Rebirth
1 Season, 12 Episodes, 1 OVA
Genres: Military, Harem, Historical, Romance, Fantasy, Josei
Cardia lives her life in isolation. Her body carries a deadly poison that rots or melts anything that her skin touches. One day, her quiet solitude is interrupted when the Royal Guards and a thief Arsène Lupin try to capture her.
Remembering, the target audience for this genre are females. Meaning the rates and reviews for this series are at a great disadvantage. Code: Realize Guardian of Rebirth (Code), is another visual novel that was adopted into an anime. This was an interesting and fresh take in the reverse harem genre. The setting takes place in Victorian London with hints of steampunk aesthetics. The art alone makes the series but add some handsome characters and interesting story. You got me hooked. What makes this series even more intriguing, is the fact that we do not have the traditional set up for a reverse harem. Yes, we have a ditzy, yet charming female lead that has the ability to dazzle all the handsome men around her. However, we do not have multiple love interest like in other reverse harems. As we watch, the series we can clearly see who she will end up with. Personally, I feel like it takes away from the fantasy but don’t get me wrong I do enjoy all the extra eye candy. So put your preconceptions aside and give this series a shot. You’ll be hooked before you know it.
2. Dame x Prince Anime Caravan
1 Season, 12 Episodes
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
Ani, a princess from the minor nation of Inaco, has been sent to the signing ceremony in Selenfalen, meant to bring peace to the nations of Milidonia, a mighty military country, and Selenfalen, a powerful theocracy.
This is truly an underrated reverse harem. This isn’t your typical romance anime but instead a comedy romance. It is outlandish, whimsical, and enjoyable. My favorite character is the female MC because of her WTF attitude and how normal she is in comparison to the other characters. It is a breath of fresh air from my other anime series. This is an outstanding reverse harem with likeable characters, a good story and exaptational art. A 10 out of 10!
1. Kiss Him, Not Me!
1 season, 12 Episodes
Genres: Harem, Comedy, Romance, School, Shoujo
Kae Serinuma is a female otaku who loves reading yaoi and imagining men in romantic relationships. When one of her favorite anime characters is killed off, Kae is so shocked that she locks herself in her room for a whole week. When she eventually comes out, she discovers that she has lost a lot of weight. She becomes a beautiful girl catching the attention of four boys. Competing for her affection, her daily life gets thrown upside down.
This is currently one of my favorite reverse harems. I enjoyed the anime so much, I went and read all the manga. Our protagonist, Kae is very relatable as an anime lover and BL fan. The supporting cast is comical and charismatic. They remind me of the anime Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun. The animation is well done and easy on the eyes. It is fun and quirky. Like any anime, there are flaws within the series. A case can be made for fat shaming in the series. We have out MC miraculously lose weight to the point where she is unrecognizable. Since she lost all the weight, all these characters now want her. I see why viewers would get upset. However, you are able to see which characters love Kae for who she is and not what she looks like. This anime is light-hearted, hilarious, and very cute. A great series to check out.
What about sengoku night blood and it's no prince sama