Anime Help Wanted

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

Okay so I'm wanting to make a list. Er that's an awkward place to start.

Harem anime. I dislike them for the most part, for many reasons. However I do think the general idea is possible to make entertaining. So I want to make a list (ah much better) of anime that fit certain criteria.

 

1.) For this specific list I am looking for harem, however I don't want ones with too many characters. I don't have a specific number but preferred 3-5 I suppose.

2.) I don't want the vast majority of the humor to be slapstick and/or ecchi. I know this is the easiest way for anime to get cheap laughs but it really gets boring after a while.

3.) A proper ending. As in, none of that "He/she chooses them all!" or "He/she chooses none!". I'm sick of that cop-out. I want an actual ending, with feeling and emotion. Even if they don't end up with a canon pairing, if the....members of the "harem" end up with a happy ending, where they get over/find someone else/are okay without being with the MC in some way, would be acceptable.

4.) Decent characterization. Now this doesn't mean I'm looking for amazing characters. I don't mind tropes and cliches if used well. But I don't want an anime where the characters get small bits of screen-time each, are one-dimensional, or written just to be sex objects/gags and that's it.

5.) There's reason for the character to have a harem. As in, it's not just "They're the MC so here they get all these girls/guys after them". Also this reason can't be completely superficial.

 

Optional criteria:

1.) Non-straight sexuality represented in a non-fanservice way. Be it male or female, just some representation might be nice.

2.) I'd like a mixture of cuteness and legit feels honestly. Too much drama is bad.

 

 

I think that's all. If anyone can find something that fits all, or at least most, of the criteria that'd be awesome. idk if it's even possible but...I figured I'd ask. Cause I don't want to totally dislike this genre.

[Northern Sage]

I now also want this list.

[Thar]

Only harem animes I know are the ones that you don't want, so idk

 

Though if reverse harems count, Ouran High School Host Club is top tier.

[Mr. Hyde]

Monogatari Series

[Spinny]

My friend strongly recommended this anime called aki sora. I think he was trying to trick me but maybe you could check it out?

[Aix]

Monogatari Series

This.

My friend strongly recommended this anime called aki sora. I think he was trying to trick me but maybe you could check it out?

He's tricking you.

 

 

Hard to really have a good harem series because they don't expect most harem viewers to care about good writing. Just bewbs.

 

Monogatari only exists because it's essentially a parody.

 

EDIT: Although, I can't really say the characters are deep, The World God Only Knows is pretty different from standard fare. Same with Clannad. Can't say they completely fit your criteria though.

[Hallohallo]

The only harem anime I can think of according to your criteria are Monogatari series and Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo, but the former might be more suitable for you.
 

My friend strongly recommended this anime called aki sora. I think he was trying to trick me but maybe you could check it out?

LOL that's practically hentai.

[Nicο]

I can think of ones that fit one or more of those criteria, but not all of them. Mostly just a couple of them where the MC actually chooses.

 

1 I know that fits the most: Mashiro-iro Symphony. Not massive load of joking at all (here's something that seems pretty rare for a harem, it's not even in the comedy genre), very subdued, very cute, biggest problem is that it might be too much drama (due to aforementioned subdued...ness), but I don't personally see it as such. MC chooses one you probably wouldn't expect from the first few episodes (probably the one thing I shouldn't have said, but not really a spoiler, idk). There's like a few bathing screens but it comes pretty rarely iirc and there's only 1 obvious instance of ecchi for laughs. I'd cry again if I watched the last ep again. 

 

The small number of characters would be difficult to pull off with any series, but I'm assuming you mean main characters. Still probably not gonna happen if you want enough of the rest of things... (this has 6 mains, I know Monogatari has quite a bit more)

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

The size doesn't matter too much as long as the characters don't get shafted and left for only a bit of screentime for each

 

So far

Monogatari series

Mashiro-iro Symphony

Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (Maybe?)

Ouran High School Host Club (Maybe?)

[Draconus297]

I know this violates Rule #1 (so many characters, both in and outside the harem), but if you're up for heavy reading Mahou Sensei Negima! is utterly fantastic.

Let's go over each criterion one by one, shall we?

 

#2: In terms of humor, we have ecchi and slapstick (most heavy in the earlier chapters, which are the only ones to get an anime adaptation), of course, alongside puns, reversals, videogame and movie references, and some snark. Also, we have a mind-reader in the cast, so there's always those sub-branches.

 

#3: Don't want to spoil it, but Akamatsu did a fantastic job considering he had to abort an arc to end it before his publisher stole his work from him. There are a few loose threads here and there, but it's overall decently satisfying.

 

#4: There is a considerable side cast, some of whom don't get much screen time (for reason, see #3) but most of the cast is surprisingly well-developed and/or likable. The only characters that might be offputting are A- Someone bring intentionally as frustrating as possible, B- someone who's just plain creepy. Not naming names, to prevent spoilers.

 

#5: Oh yes. Negi, our main character, is a young mage who needs backup to distract potential enemies while he does mage things. He also happens to be literally supernaturally attractive. Do the math. More reasons exist, but are spoilers.

 

Opt-1: Both (or all 3 if you like to read into things) are surprisingly well-represented, and have large followings to them. There's actually a crapton of "will they or won't they" with our resident lesbian couple, augmented by a few outside forces, and the other one(s) involve characters whose existence is a spoiler unto itself.

 

Opt-2: It comes in rolls. Cute moments abound . . . Then a massive drama dump . . . Then all's good again . . . As you do.

 

It's best in its manga, but then again, what series isn't?

 

Also, just saying: my personal favorite characters who can be said to be part of the harem are Nodoka and Chachamaru. So you have people to look forward to if you start reading.

[Nicο]

It's best in its manga, but then again, what series isn't?

I know this should be obvious but considering there are some people who actually seem to think you can only adapt an anime from a manga, I'll say this. If the original was not a manga, and there are both anime and manga of it, then it's far more likely the anime is better.

[Fusion X. Denver]

Any Key show will do you well, for the most part. That's Air, Kanon, Clannad, Angel Beats, and Little Busters. They don't completely line up with your criteria, but I guarantee they'll make you feel and you'll probably be satisfied with most of their endings.

And I'll second Ouran. It was funny, feelsy, and a very pleasant surprise. 

[Tourmaline]

Yeah, Monogatari is the best written harem (and probably only actually good one).

 

Watch Ef regardless.

[Draconus297]

I've yet to see a series with both an anime and a manga where I preferred the anime entirely over the manga. It's a books/movies situation: visual media leaves out details. A LOT of details, in some cases. In some cases, they're about equal, but I've yet to see an anime greater than the manga, or a movie greater than its book.

[Mr. Hyde]

If you want a feely one, go with Clannad.  Key's masterpiece!

 

Angel Beats is garbo :^], and the rest aren't as good as Clannad imo...even though I haven't seen air

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

If you want a feely one, go with Clannad.  Key's masterpiece!

 

Angel Beats is garbo :^], and the rest aren't as good as Clannad imo...even though I haven't seen air

idk man it's hard to take your word with such trash opinions ::

 

Ouran is more solidified onto the list

As for Draconus. Specifically going for anime this time around, so how is the anime of that manga? Is there one?

[Draconus297]

There are 3 adaptations, of varying adherence to the manga canon. None go beyond the first 30 chapters of the manga, though, which is where all the most interesting stuff begins.

 

Arguably, the best is "Negima?!" which goes and says "screw the manga" and makes up its own sequence of events. It's not too bad, and brings in a few running gags. Sadly, it omits a few of my personal favorite moments from the manga, including Nodoka using her mind-reading on herself, but it's not too bad.

 

It's available both subbed and dubbed, depending on your preferences.

[Nicο]

I've yet to see a series with both an anime and a manga where I preferred the anime entirely over the manga. It's a books/movies situation: visual media leaves out details. A LOT of details, in some cases. In some cases, they're about equal, but I've yet to see an anime greater than the manga, or a movie greater than its book.

Not always. Not always in a bad way, either. First Mardock Scramble movie had greater detail... in a disturbing way (the manga had a different example of greater detail, which is definitely what you actually mean). But that's why I didn't continue, so I think there are much better examples.

[spoiler=Saving space]

• All the Zettai Karen Children anime was more or less the same as the manga that I've seen so far, only it was executed much better via what order it did things in and not showing panties of 10 year olds. Thankfully they get older so I have that to look forward to.
• Not saying much but Sword Art Online definitely had a lot more detail than it's Aincrad manga. Which sucked art wise too.
• Angelic Layer is the master of adaption expansion in a way that vastly improves upon its manga, and I already loved the manga.
• Usually K-On!'s manga actually skips performances, and even when it doesn't, you can't hear it. Not as much as others but it's still far more detail than the manga considering it really doesn't give the right emotional push a music series should. Seems unlikely they couldn't do justice expanding the College and High School arcs had they been adapted.
• Besides SAO, this is the only one I have that isn't actually a manga first and as such makes more sense as a reply considering what I first said. I didn't actually read the light novel, but what I've heard them actually add in Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!, while not extremely plot integral, makes it a lot livelier and I certainly don't think I'd have been as into it had it been so bare-bones.

That's just what I found, which likely has nothing to do with you if you never watched/read both anime/manga of any of these (and as such probably wasted my time getting so into this xD). But I know it's out there.

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

Not always. Not always in a bad way, either. First Mardock Scramble movie had greater detail... in a disturbing way (the manga had a different example of greater detail, which is definitely what you actually mean). But that's why I didn't continue, so I think there are much better examples.

[spoiler=Saving space]

• All the Zettai Karen Children anime was more or less the same as the manga that I've seen so far, only it was executed much better via what order it did things in and not showing panties of 10 year olds. Thankfully they get older so I have that to look forward to.
• Not saying much but Sword Art Online definitely had a lot more detail than it's Aincrad manga. Which sucked art wise too.
• Angelic Layer is the master of adaption expansion in a way that vastly improves upon its manga, and I already loved the manga.
• Usually K-On!'s manga actually skips performances, and even when it doesn't, you can't hear it. Not as much as others but it's still far more detail than the manga considering it really doesn't give the right emotional push a music series should. Seems unlikely they couldn't do justice expanding the College and High School arcs had they been adapted.
• Besides SAO, this is the only one I have that isn't actually a manga first and as such makes more sense as a reply considering what I first said. I didn't actually read the light novel, but what I've heard them actually add in Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!, while not extremely plot integral, makes it a lot livelier and I certainly don't think I'd have been as into it had it been so bare-bones.

That's just what I found, which likely has nothing to do with you if you never watched/read both anime/manga of any of these (and as such probably wasted my time getting so into this xD). But I know it's out there.

I appreciate the passion/dedication you have to anime and manga :3

Also K-On needs to animate the college stuff >.>

[Raine]

OMG! Oh my god! I was hoping that my pick would get through all your requirements and it did! I know an anime that does everything you want! No joke! 

 

 

Now... is it good? Eh... it could have been SO MUCH WORSE. Just look at KissxSis... actually, don't do that. 

[Mr. Hyde]

OMG! Oh my god! I was hoping that my pick would get through all your requirements and it did! I know an anime that does everything you want! No joke! 

 

 

Now... is it good? Eh... it could have been SO MUCH WORSE. Just look at KissxSis... actually, don't do that. 

ahhhhh I can't believe I didn't think of it.  Oreimo is the bomb!  

 

Good one raine

[LordCowCowCowCowCowCowCowCow]

Does that actually fit the criteria? Cause I'd totally watch it. XD

[Mr. Hyde]

tbh it kinda does xD

[Rodrigo]

Oreimo's amazing. It being "trash" anime is just a meme. Definitely check it out

[Nicο]

I appreciate the passion/dedication you have to anime and manga :3

Also K-On needs to animate the college stuff >.>

o-ok... >///<

 

I preferred the high school myself. Rather than say college arguably took my least fav character, since I liked them all, it added the 2 I like best of the newer ones. I'm dead for this but it also kept my favorite <3