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. [2026 List]
- 20. Martial Peak
- 19. Mato Seihei no Slave
- 18. Above Myriads
- 17. Release That Witch
- 16. Cong Goblin Dao Goblin Shen
- 15. Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute
- 14. Kanojo, Okarishimasu
- 13. My Girlfriend is a Zombie
- 12. Tensei Shitara Dai Nana Ouji Dattanode, Kimamani Majutsu wo Kiwamemasu
- 11. 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!
- 10. Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.
- 9. Sono Akuyaku Kizoku, Mama Heroine ga Suki Sugiru: Shinshi na Doryoku de Saikyou to Nari Fuguu na Oshi Chara Tasukemakuru
- 8. Fengaotian Xiaoshuo Li De Huangmao Fanpai Ye Xiang Xingfu
- 7. Caifu Ziyou Hou, Tamen Xianshangle Zhongcheng
- 6. Mayonaka Heart Tune
- 5. Konjiki no Word Master: Yuusha Yonin ni Makikomareta Unique Cheat
- 4. Ore no Ie ga Maryoku Spot datta Ken - Sundeiru dake de Sekai Saikyou
- 3. Valhalla Saga
- 2. Soul-Slaying Girl: All the Contracts I Contracted Are Ancient Divine Weapons
- 1. Imaizumi-chi wa Douyara Gal no Tamariba ni Nattteru Rashii: DEEP
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. 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
18. Above Myriads
I keep saying that I don't have any spiritual power, but they won't believe me! The random doorkeeper claims that I'm the greatest martial artist in the world, and they take his word for it! Wake up guys! I'm really not the martial god you're looking for!!
Above Myriads has finished publishing and it has 314 Chapters. It is also Known as: Beyond a Myria of Peoples, Beyond Myriad Peoples, Who Is Your Daddy, Wan Ren Zhi Shang
17. 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’!
(Source:MU)
Release That Witch has finished publishing and it has 695 Chapters. It is also Known as: Release That Witch
16. 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 and has Chapters. 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〜
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. 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
13. My Girlfriend is a Zombie
Faced with doomsday, the special power inside Ling Mo was woken up. He found out that he could control zombies. Therefore he could walk through the zombie crowd safe and sound using his power, and eventually he met his beloved girlfriend - Ye Lian, but only to find out that she has already been transformed into a zombie. To help Ye retreive her memories, Ling Mo started his survival in doomsday.
My Girlfriend is a Zombie is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Guardian Girlfriend, Virus Girlfriend
12. 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
11. 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 and has Chapters. 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
10. 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.
9. Sono Akuyaku Kizoku, Mama Heroine ga Suki Sugiru: Shinshi na Doryoku de Saikyou to Nari Fuguu na Oshi Chara Tasukemakuru
The mature female characters in this game were relegated to supporting characters, doomed to unfortunate endings.
"Why...... must the cute mommy die?"
Our protagonist spent days seeking a redemption route for these women, but he was disappointed when it didn't work out. However, one day, he was suddenly transmigrated into this game world as a villainous aristocrat who only appears on the bad-end route.
The man who loves in-game MILFs, in order to save them (and himself), must find a way to escape certain death, while living a happy harem life!!!!
The Villainous Noble Loves Mom Heroines Too Much: Becoming the Strongest with Sincere Effort to Save Misfortunate Fave Chars is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: その悪役貴族、ママヒロインが好きすぎる ～真摯な努力で最強となり不遇な推しキャラ助けまくる～, That Villainous Aristocrat Loves Mama Heroine Too Much., Ngài Quý Tộc Phản Diện Yêu Các Bà Mẹ Nữ Chính Quá Mức: Trở Nên Mạnh Nhất Bằng Nỗ Lực Chân Thành Để Cứu Các Nhân Vật Yêu Thích Bị Bất Hạnh., Sono Akuyaku Kizoku, Mama Heroine ga Suki Sugiru ~Shinshi na Doryoku de Saikyou to Nari Fuguu na Oshi Chara Tasukemakuru~
8. Fengaotian Xiaoshuo Li De Huangmao Fanpai Ye Xiang Xingfu
Transmigrating into the body of a blonde-haired villain at the start of a yuri novel, Mu En just wanted to survive. But… why does the story seem to be going off track?
The princess is drugged and unclothed — so why hasn't the heroine shown up to save her yet? Why does the heroine’s childhood friend, a noble and pure saint, keep giving me flirtatious looks? Even my obedient personal maid has started looking at me in alarming ways!
Where is the heroine?! Please save me!!
"If you're going steal my women, you better be prepared to take responsibility…" the protagonist told me, with a kind smile on her face and a sharp machete in her hand.
The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix's Novels Also Desires Happiness is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: The Blonde-Haired Villain in Girl Overlord Novel Also Longs for Happiness, The Yellow-Haired Villain in the Female Main Character's Novel Wants Happiness
7. Caifu Ziyou Hou, Tamen Xianshangle Zhongcheng
Handsome rich kid Shen Yuan's family business collapses, turning him into someone in deep debt. His gold-digging ex-girlfriend ruthlessly dumps him. However, this leads him to obtain the Perfect Life System. As long as he spends money on women around him with a favorability rating of 60 or higher, he can get double the cashback. From then on, he cleverly utilizes the system, winning the hearts of beautiful women and earning a fortune. The more money he spends, the richer he becomes, living a life of extravagant spending as a top-tier tycoon, enjoying happy entrepreneurship and a harem of beauties.
Caifu Ziyou Hou, Tamen Xianshangle Zhongcheng is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: After Becoming Financially Free, They Offered Their Loyalty, They Offered Their Loyalty to Me After I Obtained Financial Freedom
6. Mayonaka Heart Tune
When Arisu Yamabuki was all alone in bed at night, he was able to find solace in the voice of a radio host who went by “Apollo.” However, one day, she simply stopped broadcasting without any explanation.Years then passed, and Arisu is now a second-year high-schooler. He makes it his mission to search for Apollo, as there is something he wants to tell her. He doesn’t know what she looks like, or even what her real name is, but he manages to get some leads on her in his school’s broadcasting club. That’s where he meets four girls who all dream to get a job where they can make full use of their voices! Just who is Apollo, and how will those four’s dreams pan out
Tune In to the Midnight Heart is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 真夜中ハートチューン, Mayonaka Heart Tune
5. 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
4. Ore no Ie ga Maryoku Spot datta Ken - Sundeiru dake de Sekai Saikyou
Living carefree at home is the greatest shortcut...my house is the world's greatest Magic Power Spot. That being the case, both my house and I were summoned to another world by some guys who were aiming for it. However, I've been living in this place for many years and my body is, apparently, abnormally overflowing with magic. Due to some unforeseen circumstances by those guys who summoned me, they quickly ran away. Be that as it may, there are still some ill-mannered people who covet the magic leaking out of my house. I won't give up my house to those people! I'm going to wield my power as I please!
My House is a Magic Power Spot - Just by Living there I Become the Strongest in the World has finished publishing and it has 233 Chapters. It is also Known as: 俺の家が魔力スポットだった件~住んでいるだけで世界最強~, My House is a Magic Power Spot, Ore no Ie ga Maryoku Spot Datta Ken ~Sun de Iru Dake de Sekai Saikyou~
3. Valhalla Saga
A professional gamer dies unexpectedly during an E-Sports tournament and is sent to Valhalla, a heaven reserved for only the greatest of warriors.
The warriors of Valhalla are pitted against a struggle for survival in the face of a common enemy. Fortunately, within each warrior lies the roots to their own saga, a legendary tale of their ascendence to fame and feats of great achievement alike.
Witness the birth of an epic saga as this gamer challenges legends and carves a path toward the ultimate glory.
The story itself revolves around Nordic mythology and incorporates a gaming system alongside magical wizards and mighty warriors.
Valhalla Saga is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Valhalla Saga
2. Soul-Slaying Girl: All the Contracts I Contracted Are Ancient Divine Weapons
Han Zhan traveled through time and space, where the girls could transform into magic weapons and fight under contract. The boy would awaken and become a spiritual contract master, and make a contract with them to resist the insect tide together. As a time traveler, he was shocked when he saw that those who were despised were actually famous ancient magic weapons. [Fuxi Qin], [Demon Refining Pot], [Shennong Ding], [Kunlun Mirror], [Nuwa Stone].
Soul-Slaying Girl: All the Contracts I Contracted Are Ancient Divine Weapons has finished publishing and it has 30 Chapters. It is also Known as: Master of Ancient Divine Weapons, I Have Contracted All the Ancient Divine Weapons
1. Imaizumi-chi wa Douyara Gal no Tamariba ni Nattteru Rashii: DEEP
Imaizumi lives a life that most high school boys could only dream of! During the day, he attends his classes like any dutiful student, only to return each evening to a home full of hotties! It seems his home has become the go-to hangout for the coolest gyarus in town. From endless gossip fests to snack binges to getting downright physical with his three new housemates, his once-quiet abode is now buzzing with non-stop energy and exciting escapades. Can Imaizumi keep up with the lively antics of his lusty gal pals?
Imaizumi Brings All the Gals to His House is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 今泉ん家はどうやらギャルの溜まり場になってるらしい〜DEEP〜, Imaizumin's House Is a Place for Gals to Gather
