Have you played reverse chess? In reverse chess, your goal is to lose or be stalemated, instead of to win. Reverse harem animes give somewhat the same idea. It’s a harem anime but in reverse. Let’s take a look at some of the best reverse harem animes of all time.
What Is Reverse Harem?
Since most anime fans are males, the idea of the harem genre telling the story of a man with multiple women in his life is satisfying for them. But, harem’s reverse version, disrupts the status quo in such a way that its stories are about a female protagonist with several male love interests. Easy to understand, right?
The Greatest Reverse Harem Animes Of All Time
Here are some of the best reverse harem animes ever created.
1. ‘Kamisama Kiss’
“Kamisama Kiss” starts with Nanami Momozono’s dad losing their residence because of gambling addiction, so she finds herself homeless. Fortunately, she gains her composure shortly after and ends up serving as a rundown shrine’s goddess.
She doesn’t like her role, but she stays in it as it is better than being a vagrant. But, she has to learn how to get along with the mythical Tomoe (whose appearance resembles Inuyasha), together with many other supernatural beings craving her attention, romantic or non-romantic.
2. ‘Fruits Basket’
Yes, the popular anime Fruits Basket is reverse harem, if you’re not aware ‘coz you’re too engrossed with its story.
Faithfully adapting the manga, it follows the life story of Tohru Honda with the strange Sohma family. Aside from the vivid animation and hypnotic soundtrack, you’ll love how the characters portray relationships, their backstories, and their struggles, striking the right balance between humor and touching moments. It’s a timeless masterpiece that deserves your attention.
3. ‘Ouran High School Host Club’
“Ouran High School Host Club” is so fantastic that it’s been adapted into a stage musical. Why wouldn’t it be? Its story is light and airy, yet pierces through the hearts and emotions of the viewers.
When Haruhi Fujioka accidentally breaks a pricey vase, she is compelled to participate in a club to pay off what she did. As a member, she must present herself as a guy and flirt tenaciously with female clients. As she becomes more familiar with her new “job,” she also begins forming relationships with other members of the club, male and also developing some feelings for her.
4. ‘Romantic Killer’
The title reads tough, but it’s soft on the inside. Believe it or not, “Romantic Killer” is a comedy. This reverse harem anime features a related and vibrant heroine, but very different from other female anime protagonists. The anime incorporates meta-humor (jokes that explicitly talk about other jokes) and parodies dating sim games, which is a breath of fresh air for the fans.
Fans will also love its well-rounded character development. Unlike other reverse harems, the male leads are not just props around the female protagonist, but have past lives, insecurities, and compelling arcs. A must-watch.
5. ‘Kamigami No Asobi’
Next is “Kamigami No Asobi.” This anime showcases the connection between deities and humans. Here, the gods have grown distant and unsympathetic toward the people they created. That’s a huge problem already. Plus, gods are responsible for overseeing human beings, so if they’re distant, you can just imagine what’s about to happen.
To address this issue – brace yourself to hear something weird – Zeus (no other name) enrolls his co-gods in a school with a human classmate. That’s Yui Kusanagi. Kusanagi is tasked to teach these gods how to love again. If that made you curious, you better be streaming this anime.
6. Tales Of Saiunkoku
This anime bravely defies the viewers’ expectations. It’s not your typical happy-go-lucky reverse harem anime. While the pilot episode may be misleading, the anime will unfold into a historical drama with detailed political intrigue and a well-rounded story. The plot twists are not to be missed.
Like “Romantic Killer,” its character development is remarkable. Both the female protagonist and the guys around her have their past told and chopped down to pieces, adding depth and substance to the narrative. This doesn’t just enrich the characters but also contributes to the overall depth of the plot.
7. ‘Uta No Prince-Sama: Maji Love 1000%’
That’s the title? Yes, that’s the title. Takes a bit of effort, but considering its story, it’s all worth it. It revolves around the female lead, Haruka Nanami, whose goal in life is to make music for her favorite male idol. To reach this goal, she enrolls in Saotome Academy, a performing arts school. But, before she can graduate, there’s a requirement. She must form a partnership with a classmate who seeks to be an idol. But, with seven distinct boys vying for her attention, this won’t be an easy task for her. Want more? Stream this anime today.
8. ‘The Wallflower’
We’re capping off this list with “The Wallflower.” This reverse harem anime isn’t light, but it stands out for being captivating. It combines romance and comedy quite well. The story revolves around a Gothic girl, Sunako Nakahara, an introvert, who lives with four handsome young men who want to turn her into a lady. Meaning, not Gothic.
The anime blends comedy and art. Its aesthetic and character designs are out of this world, notable for its stylized and almost chibi-liked quality. Some find this anime great, while others do not. You better see it to judge it.
The list can continue with “Hakuoki,” “My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom!,” and “Brothers Conflict.”
Overall, reverse harem animes will push you to challenge the norms. The common story is finding a guy as the protagonist surrounded by female love interests. But here, it’s woman power as she shows how she can captivate the hearts of several men. Wherever you are, stream these reverse harem animes right now and disrupt the anime status quo.
