These 7 Series Prove Anime’s Most Hated Genre Can Still Be Great

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I’ve always found the harem genre in anime to be a bit of a mixed bag, and it’s not hard to understand why it gets a bad rap. Often, these shows rely heavily on fanservice, and the stories themselves don’t usually go very deep. The characters who make up the ‘harem’ rarely feel fully developed – their entire purpose often seems to be revolving around their affection for the main character, and honestly, he doesn’t usually do much to earn it.

Harem anime often gets a bad reputation, but many series are surprisingly well-made and deserve more credit. Some cleverly challenge typical tropes, while others simply present potentially sensitive themes in an enjoyable way. A handful of these shows really showcase the best the genre has to offer and are worth checking out.

7) There’s No Freaking Way I’ll be Your Lover! Unless…

Studio Mother’s animated series, *There’s No Freaking Way I’ll be Your Lover! Unless…*, centers around Renako Amaori, a timid girl who tries to transform her high school experience by making friends with the popular crowd. However, Renako struggles to maintain the image of a confident, popular student due to her social anxiety, and the situation becomes even more difficult when her friends begin to develop romantic feelings for her.

“There’s No Freaking Way I’ll be Your Lover!” follows a familiar harem anime formula, but its same-sex romance and well-developed characters make it stand out. It was a hidden gem of the summer 2025 season, and thankfully, more content is on the way.

6) Clannad

I recently watched *Clannad*, and it centers around Tomoya Okazaki, a high school student who feels lost and doesn’t have any clear plans for the future because of some difficult things happening at home. He unexpectedly gets involved in helping a girl named Nagisa Furukawa restart the school’s drama club. Nagisa is repeating her final year due to health problems. Watching them work together, I saw how much they both changed – it was really impactful and definitely not what either of them expected.

Even though *Clannad* started as a dating simulator, it doesn’t feel like a typical harem anime. The story focuses mainly on Nagisa’s genuine feelings for Tomoya. However, the anime is still incredibly moving thanks to its deep writing, beautiful animation, and stunning visuals, which explain why it’s so beloved by fans.

5) Kanon

In the anime *Kanon* by Kyoto Animation, Yuichi Aizawa returns to a city he left seven years ago to live with his cousin. As he rediscovers the city’s charm, he meets several girls who are linked to his past and possess strange, supernatural connections that only he seems able to handle.

While *Kanon* and *Clannad* share similar stories and themes, *Kanon* leans more into its harem aspects and arguably delivers even more emotionally resonant writing. It’s a surprisingly good anime that’s often overlooked, and worth checking out for anyone who enjoys romance or harem stories.

4) Tenchi Muyo!

AIC’s *Tenchi Muyo!* centers around Tenichi Masaki, a young man training to be a priest, who unintentionally frees Ryoko, a playful space pirate who’s been imprisoned for 700 years. This sets off a series of wild, galaxy-spanning adventures for Tenichi, often involving the many alien women who develop feelings for him.

With its escalating action, stunning animation, and detailed world, *Tenchi Muyo!* stands out as a truly enjoyable and memorable harem anime. It fully embraces its core concept, and with over three decades of content, there’s a lot for fans to discover and enjoy.

3) Urusei Yatsura

David Production’s *Urusei Yatsura* follows Ataru Moroboshi, who accidentally wins the heart of an alien princess named Lum after defeating an alien invasion in a playful game. Even though he already has a girlfriend, Ataru now has to juggle the challenges of relationships with both humans and aliens, a task made more difficult by his mischievous and often inappropriate behavior around women.

Urusei Yatsura is a groundbreaking series often credited with popularizing the harem genre. Though it might not be overly complex, its delightful writing keeps it consistently entertaining. Even today, decades after its initial release, Urusei Yatsura remains a fantastic watch, whether you prefer the classic anime or the newer reboot.

2) Ranma ½ 

MAPPA’s new anime, *Ranma ½*, centers on Ranma Saotome, a skilled martial artist unexpectedly engaged to the headstrong Akane Tendo. Between their clashing personalities, a host of admirers, and a curse that turns Ranma into a girl when touched by water, building a relationship proves incredibly complicated.

Like Rumiko Takahashi’s earlier hit, *Urusei Yatsura*, *Ranma ½* is a classic harem anime filled with romantic comedy. However, *Ranma ½* also stands out for its exciting martial arts sequences. With a reboot currently airing its second season, the series is enjoying renewed popularity and feels better than ever.

1) The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You

The anime *The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You* from Bibury Animation Studios centers around Rentaro Aijou. After being rejected by 100 girls, Rentaro is promised 100 soulmates in high school by the God of Love. However, there’s a catch: he must genuinely love all of them equally, or they’ll die from not having a partner.

With its dedication to its unique premise and skillful blend of wacky humor and genuine emotion, *100 Girlfriends* stands out as a truly different harem anime—and it just keeps improving. It’s easily the best harem anime created in recent years, proving that the genre can be surprisingly good.

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2025-10-10 14:12