#1 Akashiya Moka Fan
Author
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Where magic is real
Age: 35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen
Now that's an interesting statement Lets use 2011 as a sample since it's the most recent complete year, by my count there are 24 harem shows ( or shows with harem elements in them).... If I missed out one let me know, after all I don't watch everything...
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Heh... looks like I'm still mostly in 2009/2010 in terms of anime, with a few from 11
Anyways, here's my version of that list... and I'm going to add in some criteria for what qualifies as a strong male lead (keep in mind this could degenerate, since my criteria may be different from others):
First off, the ideals of leads: Tenchi, Tsukune (Rosario + Vampire manga, the anime is pure FAIL), Touma* (ToAru), Sai Akuto (Daimou)... and I'm not sure whether or not to include Ayumu (Zombie desu ka), because of the fact that he is kinda forced to crossdress...
The criteria they pretty much fit:
-Although they tend to upset their girls, they generally don't just take the infamous punishment, but actually attempt to defend themselves/fight back
-Actually respond to the girls' feelings
*Touma is the only possible exception to this- he's definitely one of the most dense leads out there, but I think Mikoto is slowly getting to him (in the novels, at least)
-If shit starts to hit the fan, they are able to hold their own in a fight and not rely on the girls... and can protect the girls if need be
-Have their power through most of the series, and actively use it... not just gain and use it near the end of the series
-Aren't overshadowed by the girls for majority of the show
... there's probably more, but these are the ones off the top of my head. Note too that most of the harem stuff that I watch has at least an action plot in there somewhere as well
So here's my list for the past several years, and note that quite of bit of recent anime is missing, because even I haven't seen every single out out there:
Spoiler for BIG list:
Spring 09
Tears to Tiara- Technically a harem, and the lead is badass, but there's very little in the way of any actual romance. Still a highly recommended show, though.
Tayutama- Again, I think it was technically a harem, but between it being mostly focused on a certain love triangle and comedy, the guy was mostly in training for the series and didn't shine until he end. And the way it ended... well, it confused anyione who hadn't played the VN
Summer 09
Bakemonogatari- Actually a really good series, and the only thing that keeps Araragi from being an ideal is that he doesn't tap into his vampire abilities very often (for obvious reasons). So this is one of the rare ones.
Princess Lover- a TnA fest, with slight plot kicking in at the end. Puts it on the lower tier.
Seitokai no Ichizon- a comedy/parody series more than an action-orientated series, so as awesome as Ken is, he doesn't make the list.
Fall 09
The Sacred Blacksmith- Luke is badass when he gets his moments, but 90% of the show is about Cecily, who is relatively useless with Luke around... and it didn't even have an ending. Again, low tier.
Nyan Koi- I'm just going to say it was a fun series... about mid-tier in terms of harem (I also happen to be rooting for the osananajimi in this one...)
11eyes- The guy can fight alright, but the way they did the ending... about mid-tier. Not too bad, but could've been a lot better.
Heaven's Lost Property (Sora no otoshimono)- Haven't seen, but I understand it's a TnA fest. Mid to low-tier.
Winter 09/10
Haven't seen much, only Omamori Himari. And that... was a case of the girls are powerful, and the guy only gets his power (which is really just an enhancing power) at the end. Low tier.
There are probably a couple other shows from that season that are harem, but I haven't seen them yet (such as Qwaser).
So at the end of that year for 09, only Bakemonogatari stood out.
Spring 10
Only seen Angel Beats, Daimaou and Working. And Daimaou has Sai Akuto, so see the start of my post.
Summer 10
Amagami SS- haven't seen it
Sekirei SII- haven't seen it. Probably mid-tier IMO
Asobi ni Iku yo- Currently watching, in English, with the anime club I'm part of at home. It's fun, but the power lies all with the girls (so far... haven't seen beyond ep. 5). Mid to low tier based off what I've seen so far.
Fall 10
Samurai girls- guy only gets his power at the end. Low tier.
ToAru SII- haven't seen, but it has Touma. 'Nuff said.
Sora no otoshimono SII- Haven't seen, sounds again like a TnA fest. Low tier.
OreImo- Um... honestly, I don't think it exactly counts as a harem, having seen it, despite what anyone in the OreImo thread might say. Or at least, not this first season.
Motto TLR- I'm guessing it's a TnA fest? Rito is just your average student, through and through. Maybe a bit fun, but low tier.
TWGOK- I'm not sure if this is technically a harem, since mindwipe is employed everytime. Good, but only mid to low tier.
Winter 10/11
IS- Sure, Ichika is one of the strongest characters. But he's also one of the most dense characters in all of anime history, right of there with Naruto. I enjoyed the series, but as a harem lead he fails.
Freezing- Kazuya doesn't do anything until the final episode for all intents and purposes, with the girls doing all the fighting. Fail.
Zombie desu ka- if it weren't for the fact that Ayumu has to crossdress, this was pretty epic. Still, top-tier.
Dragon Crisis- not bad, but could've been better. Mid-tier.
So from what I've seen in 10, Daimaou, ToAru and Zombie were the epic ones, and all have my ideals. IS is down on the next rung, and that's all (from what I've seen, again)
Spring 11
Have only seen TWGOK II and Dog Days. Dog Days was good; I just wish that Lo wasn't the only one with a good rack. Still top-tier.
Summer 11- have yet to see anything.
Fall 11- seen Persona 4 and Working'!!, neither of which is harem (in my book, though P4 almost fits the bill). And I can already tell you that Maken-ki is Fail, based on the manga. And Maji de watashi ni koi shinasai has the guy being brilliant (in fact, he's called the Tactician), but he's surrounded by insanely strong women who generally overshadow him.
Winter 11/12
Having only seen the first half of Moretsu Pirates, which is practically an all-girls anime, and Brave10, which is reverse harem and suffers from Asspull ending (though I'm not completely complaining)... this has the best line-up in a while, from High School DxD, to Zero no Tsukaima F (I enjoy the Zero series), and Nizemonogatari as well... I wish I had more time to see all of it
In other words, I've got a lot to see
Spring 12 (current)- Have yet to see anything, but Zombie looks like the only clear-cut harem winner, with Shining hearts also being possible harem but no idea on how it is. The other interesting titles (like Tasogare Otome, Jormungand, Houka) don't seem to be harems.
Summer 2012
So far, only my list are Dog Days II, Hagure Yuusha, Campione, and possibly Date a Live. I know Dog Days will be a winner, but no clue about anything else.
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