Harem (genre)
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Harem hāremumono (ハーレムもの) (from harem) in anime and manga is an emphasis on polygamous or love triangle relationships characterized by a protagonist surrounded amorously by three or more members of the opposing gender, sex, and/or love interests.[1] When it is a male oriented harem series, the polygynous relationship is informally referred to as a female harem. When it is a female oriented harem series, the polyandrous relationship is informally referred to as a male harem, reverse harem, or gyakuhāremu (逆ハーレム).
Structure
Because romance is rarely the main focus of an entire series,[a] a harem structure is ambiguous. The most distinguishable trait is arguably the group of girls who accompany a boy and in some instances cohabitate with the boy. While intimacy is just about customary, it is never necessary. When it is present, there must be a minimum of two girls who express it. Additionally, it is not essential for there to be one exclusive boy. Many can exist as long as they are given less attention or the story calls for an unusually obscure sex ratio.[1]
Harem ending
Some visual novels offer a "harem ending" route,[2] where the main character pursues a romantic relationship with multiple other characters simultaneously. This is usually with the consent of the other characters. In some cases, the harem ending is unavoidable.[3]
Harem series
- Examples of female harem anime and manga include High School DxD, Love Hina, The World God Only Knows, Nisekoi, Ichigo 100%, To Love-Ru, Sekirei, Infinite Stratos, Is This a Zombie?, Rosario + Vampire, Date A Live, Trinity Seven , The Familiar of Zero, Muv Luv, Highschool of the Dead, Outbreak Company, Shuffle!, and Brynhildr in the Darkness.
- Examples of male harem anime and manga include Fruits Basket, Boys Over Flowers, Ouran High School Host Club, Brothers Conflict, Alice in the Country of Hearts, Diabolik Lovers, Uta no Prince-sama, and Kiss of the Rose Princess.
Notes
- a. ^ "Series" implies any that are designated as a harem.
References
- 1 2 Oppliger, John (April 17, 2009). "Ask John: What Distinguishes Harem Anime?". Anime Nation. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
- ↑ "Harem Ending". The Visual Novel Database. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ↑ "Unavoidable Harem Ending". The Visual Novel Database. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
Further reading
- Brenner, Robin E. (2007). Understanding Manga and Anime. Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited. pp. 82, 89, 112, 297. ISBN 978-1-59158-332-5. OCLC 85898238.
- Drummond-Mathews, Angela (2010) "What Boys Will Be: A Study of Shonen Manga" in Johnson-Woods, Toni (e.d.) Manga: An Anthology of Global and Cultural Perspectives Continuum International Publishing Group pp. 69–70. ISBN 978-0-8264-2938-4
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