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. Martial Peak
- 19. Wo You Jiuqianwan-yi Tian Gou Jin
- 18. Mato Seihei no Slave
- 17. Xing Wu Shen Jue
- 16. Kanojo, Okarishimasu
- 15. Tensei Shitara Dai Nana Ouji Dattanode, Kimamani Majutsu wo Kiwamemasu
- 14. Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute
- 13. 2.5-jigen no Yuuwaku
- 12. Kaifuku Jutsushi Yarinaoshi
- 11. A Rank Party wo Ridatsu Shita Ore wa, Moto Oshiegotachi to Meikyuu Shinbu wo Mezasu
- 10. Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou
- 9. Kuro no Shoukanshi
- 8. Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.
- 7. I'm The Great Immortal
- 6. Konjiki no Word Master: Yuusha Yonin ni Makikomareta Unique Cheat
- 5. Boku wa Kimitachi wo Shihai suru
- 4. Jiang Si Xiansheng
- 3. Bei Po Chengwei Fanpai Zhui Xu
- 2. Peerless Battle Spirit
- 1. Shinju no Nectar
20. 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
19. 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
18. 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
17. 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
16. 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
15. 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
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 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
13. 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
12. 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
11. 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
10. 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
9. Kuro no Shoukanshi
Losing his memories as a compensation for a transfer to another world, the curtains of the story of Kelvin rise. While steadily getting stronger, he adds new subordinates by mastering his skills in hope to get powerful enough to summon his Angel Follower who he has supposedly fallen in love previous to the memory loss, but by the time he noticed it, he had obtained overwhelming power...
Black Summoner is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 黒の召喚士, The Berserker Rises to Greatness, Black Summoner: A combat maniac's ascension
8. 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.
7. 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
6. Konjiki no Word Master: Yuusha Yonin ni Makikomareta Unique Cheat
In an RPG-like fantasy world consumed by warring nations and racial discrimination, the human kingdom summons five high school students from 21st-century Japan for assistance in their conflict with the demonkin. Now those students, with their experience of MMORPGs at their disposal, will hone their skills to protect the human kingdom of Edea.
However, this isn't their story.
Out of the five students, four of them were given the title of Hero and the fifth one the title of Innocent Bystander. He had been summoned by accident since he sat near the other four students. His name is Hiiro Okamura, an aloof bookworm with traveling and reading as his raison d'etre. Hiiro sees no reason to help the human kingdom in their offensive war with the demonkin, seeing that he isn't a Hero and that he has no real obligation to help them, and decides to leave the kingdom to go on his own adventure.
Soon, Hiiro finds out that he has the very unique skill of Word Magic: magic that can materialize the definition of a word. As he travels more and more, he finds many uses for his Word Magic and many opportunities to find books, level up, and gain some of his own companions. Even with the outbreak of war on the horizon, Hiiro stays true to his desire to travel the new world he's in.
Adaptation of the light novel series written by Tomoto Sui with illustrations by Sumaki Syungo.
Konjiki no Word Master: Yuusha Yonin ni Makikomareta Unique Cheat is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 金色の文字使い ―勇者四人に巻き込まれたユニークチート―, Konjiki no Moji Tsukai: Yuusha Yonin ni Makikomareta Unique Cheat, The Golden Word Master - The Four Heroes and the Innocent Bystander with the Unique Cheat, 금색의 워드마스터
5. Boku wa Kimitachi wo Shihai suru
Seven women, one man, a suspenseful harem story!
During a class reunion, the school became an enclosed dimension without warning. Yelling and screaming brought no response. 26-year old unemployed Haruka Sato has to survive by cooperating with seven of his former classmates. Soon, the extreme conditions began to eat away at their sanity, and Haruka's hidden desires began to take hold.
Boku wa Kimitachi wo Shihai suru is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 僕は君たちを支配する, Boku wa Kimitachi wo Shihai suru
4. 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
3. Bei Po Chengwei Fanpai Zhui Xu
A third-rate writer that is destined to go to hell because of it's novel bad ending, got reincarnated in his own novel instead, reborn as the villainous son-in-law - Li Yu Guo. The battle of wits and courage between him and the original protagonist begins now…
Forced to Become the Villain's Son-in-law is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Bei Po Chengwei Fanpai Zhui Xu
2. Peerless Battle Spirit
In the Canglan Continent, only those that who manage to awaken a Martial Spirit can walk on the path of cultivation. In this world, only those with stronger martial spirits can communicate with the heavens and earth. Qin Nan, born in Linshui City, was a peerless genius who possessed talent and was thought to become a great cultivator in the future. However, things changed when he ended up awakening a grade 1 Martial Spirit, resulting in him being considered as trash.
Fortunately enough, Qin Nan was struck by a ray of lightning while practicing his martial arts and coincidentally obtained the Divine Battle Spirit, which was capable of levelling up. Breaking the ultimate rule of the Canglan Continent, little did Qin Nan knew that his Martial Spirit possessed a great secret that will slowly unravel the mystery as the story goes on.
Now join Qin Nan and his companion along their journey, battling against various opponents, outsmarting their enemies and seeking the answers to unveil mysteries
Peerless Battle Spirit is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Jueshi Zhan Hun, Berserk Peerless Battle Spirit, Berserk Sovereign of Battle, 绝世战魂
1. Shinju no Nectar
The Principality of Adal lies devastated in the wake of the Ord Army's overwhelming invasion. Princess Sakura, a surviving member of the nobility, flees to an abandoned temple and enacts a ritual to resurrect an evil warrior.
Shinju no Nectar is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 神呪のネクタール, Nectar of Divine Curse, Nectar of Dharani