What is this genre all about? 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".
We present you the list of Harem manga you should read right now.
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Top 20 Harem manga you should read right now. [2024 List]
- 20. Sayounara Ryuusei, Konnichiwa Jinsei
- 19. Martial Peak
- 18. Wo You Jiuqianwan-yi Tian Gou Jin
- 17. Kanojo, Okarishimasu
- 16. Mato Seihei no Slave
- 15. Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute
- 14. I was Stuck on the Same Day for One Hundred Thousand Years
- 13. Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.
- 12. A Rank Party wo Ridatsu Shita Ore wa, Moto Oshiegotachi to Meikyuu Shinbu wo Mezasu
- 11. Xing Wu Shen Jue
- 10. Kaifuku Jutsushi Yarinaoshi
- 9. Tensei Shitara Dai Nana Ouji Dattanode, Kimamani Majutsu wo Kiwamemasu
- 8. 2.5-jigen no Yuuwaku
- 7. Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou
- 6. Lian Ti Shiwan Ceng: Wo Yang De Gou Dou Shi Da Di
- 5. Isekai NTR: Shinyuu no Onna wo Saikyou Skill de Otosu Houhou
- 4. I'm The Great Immortal
- 3. Jiang Si Xiansheng
- 2. Wo Zai Yi Shi Chi Ruan Fan
- 1. Yuusha Shoukan ni Makikomareta kedo, Isekai wa Heiwa deshita
20. Sayounara Ryuusei, Konnichiwa Jinsei
The strongest and oldest dragon who had lived through eternity allowed himself to be killed by Hero. Just as he prepared for eternal sleep, he realized himself reborn as Dran, a villager in the frontier.
Working the field, hunting forest animal, and having a warm life has filled his heart with joy he never experienced in his whole dragon life.
One day, when he's patrolling the forest near his village, he encountered a powerful demon army...
Good Bye, Dragon Life is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: さようなら竜生, こんにちは人生, Goodbye Dragon Life, Hello Human Life, Goodbye Dragon Life, Hello Human Life
19. 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 and has Chapters. It is also Known as: MP , Wu Lian Dian Feng , Wǔ Liàn Diān Fēng , Wǔ Liàn Diānfēng , Вершина боевых искусств , Пик боевых искусств
18. Wo You Jiuqianwan-yi Tian Gou Jin
Chen Yuan, a college boy, worshiped Lin Shutong like a goddess for three years, but he was treated like a loser and kicked to the curb. In despair, he accidentally activated the Simping Fund system. It gave him an account with nine-quadrillion dollars. This money can only be used to simp for women. The more you spend, the more rewards you will get back, and you can also earn various attribute bonuses to eventually become super-boy.
It’s called the Simping Fund System, but do I really want to to be a simp? If I spend enough, I'll be the king here. With enough money to prove my love, I can make those goddesses simp for me! With this new realization, Chen Yuan will embark on a remarkable new life!
Wo You Jiuqianwan-yi Tian Gou Jin is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Have Nine Quadrillion Simp Gold Coins, I Have 90 Billion Licking Gold
17. 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 and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 彼女、お借りします, I'd like to Borrow a Girlfriend
16. 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 and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 魔都精兵のスレイブ, Slave of the Hell Soldiers, Matoseihei no Slave
15. 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 and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 陰の実力者になりたくて！, The Eminence in Shadow, Восхождение в тени
14. I was Stuck on the Same Day for One Hundred Thousand Years
When Lin Yue was transported to the Hong Meng Continent, he was forced to live the same day for 100,000 years. No matter how much he struggled, he would still return to the same day at sunrise. In a hundred millennia, Lin Yue learned everything there was to know about the world, unlocking the secrets of countless mighty warriors from numerous sects.Gradually, he had to accept the fact that he would never escape his endless loop of reincarnation.However, on the final day of the 100,000th year, Lin Yue snatched away the Seven Demons Emperor’s fiancée and chopped off the arm of a sect elder’s son. After stirring up such a catastrophe, he suddenly found that a brand-new day had opened its doors for him…
I was Stuck on the Same Day for One Hundred Thousand Years is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: The Time of Rebirth, I Was Trapped on the Same Day for a Hundred Millennium, Wo Bei Kun Zai Tong Yi Tian Shiwan Nian, I was Stuck on the Same Day for One Hundred Thousand Years, 10만 년째 오늘을 살던 놈, 十万年の無限ループから脱出した
13. Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.
It's genius vs mediocrity. When three genius sisters meet our average main character, love blossoms... or maybe not?!
is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 帝乃三姉妹は案外、チョロい。, Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.
12. A Rank Party wo Ridatsu Shita Ore wa, Moto Oshiegotachi to Meikyuu Shinbu wo Mezasu
Red Mage Yuki left the A-rank party "Thunder Pike" without a word after being a member for 5 years. After years of being insulted and called useless, he finally lost his patience. As he headed to the Adventurer's Guild to look for a new party, he met his former student Marina. She invited Yuki to join her new fledgling party which had only girl members. While capturing the dungeon, Yuki’s true ability was revealed. In fact, his magic and skills were non-standard! A fantasy adventure where the non-standard hero aims for a happy ending starts here!
Source: NU
After Leaving the A-Rank Party, I Aim for the Deep Part of the Labyrinth With My Former Students is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Aランクパーティを離脱した俺は、元教え子たちと迷宮深部を目指す, A Rank Party wo Ridatsu Shita Ore wa, Moto Oshiegotachi to Meikyuu Shinbu wo Mezasu
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 and has Chapters. 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
10. 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 and has Chapters. 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
9. 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...(source: MU)
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince So I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability is currently publishing and has Chapters. 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
8. 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 and has Chapters. 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
7. Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou
When a classroom of students is transported to another world to act as its saviors, Hajime Nagumo finds himself the weakest link. As his friends and classmates are granted strong classes and impressive abilities due to their existing skills, he is given the weak title of Synergist. When a dungeon quest leaves him separated from his group, Hajime must discover his own talents or be left to rot in this world forever.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ありふれた職業で世界最強, From Common Job Class to the Strongest in the World
6. Lian Ti Shiwan Ceng: Wo Yang De Gou Dou Shi Da Di
Five thousand years ago, a young man worked tirelessly for cultivation, but because of his special physique, was unable to break through the physical training period and enter the next realm of cultivation. He has been practicing from the ancient era to the modern day. Now living in the big city, Xuan Yuanming sits at body refining level ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine. He set a small goal for himself: first to cultivate his body to level 100,000!
Lian Ti Shiwan Ceng: Wo Yang De Gou Dou Shi Da Di is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 100,000 Levels of Body Refining: All the Dogs I Raise Are the Emperor, One Hundred Thousand Layers of Body Refining: All the Dogs I Raise Are the Emperor
5. 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 and has Chapters. 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
4. I'm The Great Immortal
The previous life was a peerless genius in the world of immortality. He was killed by 3 celestial beings. He was accidentally reborn to his 20s by the book of heaven. All he wanted to do was to become an immortal and return to the immortal world, and he became the strongest man on the earth, turning his hands into clouds and covering his hands with rain, provoking anyone who defies him! He is the venerable one! the ruler of 3000 worlds! the guy
who is 10 000 times better than Thanos! He is Taixuan Taizun! the Great Immortal!
I'm The Great Immortal is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I'm Daxianzun
3. 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 and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Jiāng Sī Xiānshēng, Mr. Jiang Si, Mr. Zombie
2. Wo Zai Yi Shi Chi Ruan Fan
Zhang Hao fainted after watching the rare blood moon in a century. After waking up, he found that the whole world had changed... The attributes and concepts of men and women are completely reversed. When a woman marries a man into a man marry a woman, the woman has to pay a gift. It has become very normal for women to make money to support their families. It has become normal for a man to be a housekeeper at home. A woman without a car or a house will be looked down upon, and even no man will be found. Men have become precious. It's normal for women to chase men, but men chase women back... "It's really not that I want to eat soft rice! I also want to be a real man!"
Wo Zai Yi Shi Chi Ruan Fan is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I Eat Soft Rice in Another World, Tôi ở thế giới khác dựa dẫm vào phụ nữ, Wǒ Zài Yì Shì Chī Ruǎn Fàn, 这里的妹子都想攻略我？！, 我在异世吃软饭
1. Yuusha Shoukan ni Makikomareta kedo, Isekai wa Heiwa deshita
Suddenly appearing in a different world, it looks like I got caught up in a Hero Summoning. And of course, I’m not the Hero, but it’s another guy……and while being very cautious and scared of the cliche of the cliche-like development, I was thrown into the maelstrom of war……or not.
The Demon Lord? It was defeated a thousand years ago. Hero? He’s just the main actor in a festival. Nobles? They’re kindly taking care of us. The Demon Race? They have good relationships with Humans. Wars? It’s already 800 years since the last one. Monsters? The Guild and Order of Knight are takin...
I Was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but That World Is at Peace is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 勇者召喚に巻き込まれたけど、異世界は平和でした, Yuusha Shoukan ni Makikomareta kedo, Isekai wa Heiwa deshita
