best and worst Harem-anime

[treatment]

~a little bit of Tsukasa in my life
a little bit of Aya by my side
a little bit of Kita(ouji)'s all I need
a little bit of Kozue's what I see ....~

harem-anime == one lead-guy + many girls (more than two) who are after him

list both your favorite and your worst harem-anime titles.

It can be licensed and unlicensed titles. Yeah, even hentai-titles. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif /images/graemlins/devil.gif

<font color="red">***NO REVERSE-HAREM titles***</font>

so y'all know what to do. go team venture!!! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Splitter]

Favorite: Girls Bravo

Worst: Sister Princess

[golthin]

[ QUOTE ]
Splitter said:
Favorite: Girls Bravo

Worst: Sister Princess

[/ QUOTE ]
I am going to go with recent stuff.
BEST: I agree with Girls bravo, because it was open ended.
WORSE: I would say Negami. This is of course the anime. I love the manga.

[Victor Lewandowski]

Favorite: Girls Bravo

Worst: Sister Princess, though I am tempted to put Love Hina in this category.

[gnikdrazil]

Based upon the titles I've seen

Favorite - Tenchi Muyo - gotta go with the classic

Worst - Girls Bravo - the spinless twerp and airheaded bimbo really made me hate this series.

[Mateo_home]

Best: Ai Yori Aoshi
Worst: Girls Bravo

Yeah, I got strange tastes. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[VanG]

best - Love Hina
worst - Girls Bravo

[pianocello]

Best: Saber Marionette
Worst: Happy Lesson (I'm sure there's something worse but I can't think of it right now).

[evilarrex]

Worst - Angel Tales.
Runner up Bad - Sister Princess

Best - Dual!

[Nosredna]

Since this is our own personal favorite....

Favorite: Sister Princess (yes, that's right /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif).
Worst: Girls Bravo

[gpn]

Arrex knows what he's talking about.

Favorite: Dual!

Worst: Angel Tales

[AbeChinchilla]

Best: Tenchi Muyo!, Saber Marionette J-to-X
EDIT: Oh, that's right. Ai Yori Aoshi /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Worst: Love Hina (anime), Sister Princess

[jaylee]

Best: Hand Maid May
Next best: Ai Yori Aoshi(&amp; Enishi)

Worst: Love Hina

[something]

Hmm, harem eh? Not sure...

Best would be, I guess, Tenchi Universe, just because I can't think of any other true harem shows that really developed a strong separate story as well, outside the "arc for each girl" deal. Shuffle is a good harem show too, although weak in the end. Oh, Da Capo was awesome as well... ::dodges tomatoes and insults:: Hey, I liked it damnit. Kage Kara Mamoru is looking pretty good now too. Someone else mentioned Saber Marionette, and I did indeed like those series a lot as well. Anyways, there are more but those come to mind now. I guess it's Tenchi Universe closely followed by Da Capo then.

Worst? I can't think of any that were bad that I watched all the way through, but Futakoi (not Alternative) was about as stereotypical and cliche as they get, from the eps I saw.

[martod]

Favorite-Sister Princess(it's easily the cutest harem out there, and it's pure harem without trying to be something else.)

Worst-Angel Tales(didn't like the character designs, and the three brats get way too much screen time.)

[Mr. Nail Bat]

I'm amazed at how many people are choosing Girls Bravo for worst: I've found it to be maybe the funniest harem comedy to date.

Worst harem show? I'm guessing that Sister Princess may win the title, but I'll never know: I was too bored by volume 1 to even think about getting the rest of the show.

Best: Not sure. Probably Saber Marionette J -&gt; X.

[bci110]

Since I've only seen four harem series, I'll list them from most favorite to least favorite:

Favorite Harem - Sister Princess (12 of the most charming, cute, and eclectic group of girls I'll ever meet.)

2nd Favorite - Maburaho (mainly because of Yuna. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif)

3rd Favorite - Yumeria

Least Favorite - DearS

[EmperorBrandon]

My favorites are Tenchi Muyo, Hand Maid May, and Mahoraba. My least favorite is Steel Angel Kurumi.

[something]

[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:
and Mahoraba

[/ QUOTE ]

Does Mahoraba really count as harem though? There are never any serious romantic contenders -- from the get go it's all about Kozue and whatshisname (I'm not good at remembering guys' names =P), and where their relationship goes, or doesn't go.

If it does count, then it's easily my favorite, but it seems more like a straight one on one romance to me. Unless the center of the harem is Kozue, with the guy and Tamami being the harem? =P Heh.

[DanielJr]

Favorite: Tenchi Muyo!
Don't care for: Ai Yori Aoshi

[Buster Darkwings]

Lots of Sister Princess love (and some hate) here, that's good to see. A pity that ADV doesn't seem to have any intention of bringing RePure over.

As for my fav, it'd have to be the show that got me heavily into anime back in the day, Tenchi Muyo OVA series 1 &amp; 2. Least favorite... does Maze count since it has male and female characters lusting after a male/female character? I normally love Akahori Satoru shows, but gender-bending and big horny 50 year old mercenaries aren't quite my thing...

[Njr Scrawl]

Worst - Futakoi (not F. Alternative which is better). Vandread.

Best - If Ah!/Oh! My Goddess is condidered one, it gets my vote. Otherwise, the Tenchi original 2 OVA series.

OK - Love Hina, only Naru really irritates me, but her treatment of Keitaro is gentle compared to what poor Ataru gets from Lum in UY (which is a reverse-harem title).

Please Twins, though its not general enough to be true harem.

[vtr9kvictor]

Best Harem Anime: Nadesico (but then Nadesico fits into the "Best of" a lot of categories).

Worst: Love Love. Cute character designs, interesting story concept, and yet still I found it unwatchable.

favourite- Hand Maid May, Girls Bravo, Magikano
worst- Mouse

[B-Rad Lascelle]

Best = <font color="blue">Ai Yori Aoshi</font>
Worst = Everything Else /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
An Offense to Humanity = Angel Tales /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[Hakaisha]

I love seeing all the differences in opinion, for example all the love/hate for Girls Bravo, Love Hina, and Sister Princess in particular. It would be great to set up a poll with the top ten mentioned series in a love category /images/graemlins/noseblee.gif and a hate category /images/graemlins/devil.gif.

Best - Tenchi OVA/Love Hina

Worst - Sister Princess/Angel Tales (the only two harem shows I couldn't watch a whole season of)

[tangent]

Best = Nothing.
Worst = All harem anime. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[chloes_fork]

[ QUOTE ]
Tangent said:
Best = Nothing.
Worst = All harem anime. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Haha. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I used to avoid harem stuff myself, but I recently caught the first volume of Yumeria (having bought it supercheap when Media Play was closing down), and damned if it wasn't pretty enjoyable. Volume 2 is now high on my backlog list, and I've ordered the first volume of Girls Bravo as well.

[bci110]

[ QUOTE ]
Tangent said:Worst = All harem anime. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I take it you're not a fan of the genre, eh? /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[tangent]

[ QUOTE ]
I take it you're not a fan of the genre, eh? /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
How'd you guess? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[TheGreenMan]

Best: Love Hina (manga)

Worst: Girls Bravo (but I still like to watch it /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif)

[AdyHart]

Best Harem Anime = SHUFFLE! far out infront as my favourite

Worst Harem Anime = Cant Really think of any as I tend to like most harem anime on some level. I either like a character or I like the story which saves the anime overall /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif.

[EmperorBrandon]

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:

Does Mahoraba really count as harem though?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen Mahoraba characters mentioned on the Japanese Wikipedia page for "harem anime", so I just kind of count it as one in my mind, even if not really pure type in that all the girls are going after him.

Even with Tenchi, though, it's really debatable if any more than two of the girls are actually really wanting to be with the main male character (even if there's some hints of interest from the other girls at time)

[akcoll99]

Favorite: Love Hina (with Girls Bravo a close second...)

Least favorite: I've never seen one I outright hated, but Angel Tales really did nothing for me and I never even bothered to watch Sister Princess...

[2old2care]

Favorites: Dual! &amp; Love Hina

Not so much: Hand Maid May, AYA

[ohtori_akio]

Ok Harem: Hand Maid May
Horrible Cliched Harem: Elfen Lied
Bad Harem: Love Hina

Haven't seen anything else and I don't think I will...

[bci110]

[ QUOTE ]
shounen kakumei akio said:
Horrible Cliched Harem: Elfen Lied

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/stunned1.gifElfen Lied's a harem? I though it was a horror series.

[ohtori_akio]

[ QUOTE ]
bci110 said:
[ QUOTE ]
shounen kakumei akio said:
Horrible Cliched Harem: Elfen Lied

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/stunned1.gifElfen Lied's a harem? I though it was a horror series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Look a bit closer and you get all the harem cliches... except it's not funny!

[Splitter]

[ QUOTE ]
shounen kakumei akio said:
[ QUOTE ]
bci110 said:
[ QUOTE ]
shounen kakumei akio said:
Horrible Cliched Harem: Elfen Lied

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/stunned1.gifElfen Lied's a harem? I though it was a horror series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Look a bit closer and you get all the harem cliches... except it's not funny!

[/ QUOTE ]

Elfen Lied is a harem anime that doesn't want to be rememebered as a harem anime... it actually is more than a harem anime. And besides, there's only two girls after Kouta. Nana and Mayu seem to not even care.

Although I did love it when Yuka saw Mayu and said "They're growing..."

[something]

[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:
I've seen Mahoraba characters mentioned on the Japanese Wikipedia page for "harem anime", so I just kind of count it as one in my mind, even if not really pure type in that all the girls are going after him.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, I wonder if sometimes "bishoujo show with one main male character" is automatically considered harem though. Some might say AIR, for example, is harem, but I'd say no. The romance isn't there, outside of Yukito and Misuzu's strange relationship. Kanon... I can't remember actually /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif There's Ayu and Nayuki, but I think the rest were sort of like the other AIR girls. I'd have to rewatch.

[ QUOTE ]
Even with Tenchi, though, it's really debatable if any more than two of the girls are actually really wanting to be with the main male character (even if there's some hints of interest from the other girls at time)

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed, thus I wasn't sure if I should include it or not, but I did because it's just traditionally considered harem. There's Ayeka and Ryoko, and as you said, some "interest" from others. And in Tokyo, you have Sakuya or whatever her name is (which would probably make that one the most harem of the Tenchis).

I guess part of the question is, how many girls have to like the guy for it to be harem? More importantly, I think of it as "how do they act?" Mahoraba could be seen as a harem of good looking ladies, but only one was ever seriously interested in the guy. I think Tenchi is more definite on that point, although no, it's not the best example of a harem show.

[SnowfairyX]

[ QUOTE ]
Splitter said:
[ QUOTE ]
shounen kakumei akio said:
[ QUOTE ]
bci110 said:
[ QUOTE ]
shounen kakumei akio said:
Horrible Cliched Harem: Elfen Lied

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/stunned1.gifElfen Lied's a harem? I though it was a horror series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Look a bit closer and you get all the harem cliches... except it's not funny!

[/ QUOTE ]

Elfen Lied is a harem anime that doesn't want to be rememebered as a harem anime... it actually is more than a harem anime. And besides, there's only two girls after Kouta. Nana and Mayu seem to not even care.

Although I did love it when Yuka saw Mayu and said "They're growing..."

[/ QUOTE ]
If Elfen Lied is a harem anime (I think it's "bishoujo" according to another particular forum member who insists on it) then it would definitely be my favorite, although the only other harem anime I've watched are the first three Tenchi series which I also loved, except for Tenchi in Tokyo which I absolutely hated at first but it partially redeemed itself in the last several episodes, turning out to be decent instead of bad. So that's basically all I've seen as I'm not particularly interested in the genre for the most part.

[perigee]

I was going to refrain from my usual defense of AYA, but since the definition of a harem anime has been opened for discussion, let me interject - <ul type="square"> The two protagonists of AYA, Kaoru and Aoi, have a solid commitment from the very beginning. Neither is wishy-washy nor tempted to cheat on the other.
Both are strong characters, willing to fight for each other and their friends and stand up to their families, whatever the odds. And yes, that includes Aoi. She is not a doormat. She is an heir to the powerful Sakuraba empire. She could have dozens of retainers seeing to her every need if she wanted. She serves as manager of the residence and looks after her tenants simply because it pleases her to do so.
There is no miscommunication between the main love interests. They aren't jealous of one another, don't bicker over petty differences and they don't have trouble expressing affection. As a matter of fact, they engage in physical intimacy in both series.[/list]

Ai Yori Aoshi is a ren'ai [true love] series, not a harem series. It's such a rare example in the anime world that it's easy to mistake for harem but it's not.

[hijacka22]

If Tenchi is a harem series, then what about El-Hazard? That's easily my favorite "harem-esque" series.

[treatment]

[ QUOTE ]
Nabeshinji said:
If Tenchi is a harem series, then what about El-Hazard? That's easily my favorite "harem-esque" series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tenchi (Ryoko/Ayeka/Mihoshi/Tenchi) and El Hazard (Makoto/Ifurita/Nanami/Shayla^2) are both harem-anime.

[Isuzu Inugami]

[ QUOTE ]
Splitter said:

Elfen Lied is a harem anime that doesn't want to be rememebered as a harem anime... it actually is more than a harem anime. And besides, there's only two girls after Kouta. Nana and Mayu seem to not even care.


[/ QUOTE ]

Okay, I think you have to have more than just a love triangle for it to qualify as harem anime. I mean, by that standard, Kimagure Orange Road is a harem anime.... /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

Although, if you count Nyu and Lucy as two separate people....

[lostnomad84]

Favorite: Tenchi Muyo, with Love Hina coming in a close second.
Worst: Shuffle!

[Sensuifu]

[ QUOTE ]
treatment said:
[ QUOTE ]
Nabeshinji said:
If Tenchi is a harem series, then what about El-Hazard? That's easily my favorite "harem-esque" series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tenchi (Ryoko/Ayeka/<font color="red">Mihoshi</font>/Tenchi) and El Hazard (Makoto/Ifurita/Nanami/Shayla^2) are both harem-anime.

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif though I think Sasami, Kiyone, Washu, and even Ryo-ohki made more passes at Tenchi than Mihoshi ever did. As for another good series, GXP does a pretty good job defining harem anime.

[Mateo_home]

If AYA doesn't count as harem, then I'll change my favorite to um...uh...Love Hina only because it's the only other harem I've seen. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif Unless Elfen Lied, Steel Angel Kurumi, or Vandread count I'll go with one of those.
I did like the LH manga better though. &lt;-Might be a cliche answer on that but that is my opinion.

[EmperorBrandon]

I think another important aspect of what defines "harem anime" is whether all or most of the female characters live in the same house or very near the male protagonist. And even though not all of the female characters in Tenchi and Mahoraba have a romantic attraction to the main character, it is true that most are at least interested in him in some way.

[martod]

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:
and Mahoraba

[/ QUOTE ]

Does Mahoraba really count as harem though? There are never any serious romantic contenders -- from the get go it's all about Kozue and whatshisname (I'm not good at remembering guys' names =P), and where their relationship goes, or doesn't go.

If it does count, then it's easily my favorite, but it seems more like a straight one on one romance to me. Unless the center of the harem is Kozue, with the guy and Tamami being the harem? =P Heh.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't consider Mahoraba to be a harem show for the reason above. If it was, it would be my favorite. Mahoraba is a bishoujo show since a plurality of characters are bishoujos, but it's not harem. Heck one of the reasons Haibara/Johnny is there is to prevent it from being a harem. Take him away and the description changes from "Ryuushi Shiratori moves into an inn with a bunch of weirdos" to "Ryuushi Shiratori moves into an inn with five cute girls".

[Pfil]

[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:

I've seen Mahoraba characters mentioned on the Japanese Wikipedia page for "harem anime", so I just kind of count it as one in my mind, even if not really pure type in that all the girls are going after him.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is probably a bit off topic, and it's not directed to anyone in particular but... personally I don't like the term 'harem anime' very much. First, because many seem to use it as a derogatory term to put down any anime which happens to have a lot of cute girls in it, overlooking the fact that they may have other qualities that make them worth watching. Second, because the term gets applied to some shows that don't deserve it (see Tenchi, which is not 'just another harem anime', but has a real backstory, a real emotional core, and several interesting sci-fi aspects to the story). Third, because I think the term is misguided anyway. It's a setting, not a genre. And the term 'harem' leads you to think that there is a main character, and he has a bunch of girls as his love slaves. But the main characters in 'harem anime' are really the girls. The male is just there for them to play off, and is otherwise kept out of the way so we can concentrate on the wonderful cute girls as much as possible, which is exactly why the male is usually made as meek and anonymous as possible. (There's obviously also an element of the 'otaku will identify with this loser character' way of thinking on the part of the people who make those kinds of stories.) Bishoujo anime is a better term if you absolutely must define it as a genre. But for those who keep getting disappointed about how weak-willed the male is, and why he doesn't pick anyone, you're looking at the wrong kind of show. What you want is to look at real romance anime like those that used to be made, such as Adachi's anime (Touch, Hiatari Ryoukou, Miyuki etc).

That turned into a bit of a rant, sorry. /images/graemlins/happy.gif It's late and I'm tired...

[ QUOTE ]
Even with Tenchi, though, it's really debatable if any more than two of the girls are actually really wanting to be with the main male character (even if there's some hints of interest from the other girls at time)

[/ QUOTE ]
I think OVA Sasami probably wouldn't mind having a go at him when she gets older. /images/graemlins/happy.gif Although she probably mostly sees him more as an older brother, but she does seem to have a bit of a crush on him. At least that's how I remember it (been at least 5 years since I watched the OVA...)

[EmperorBrandon]

Johnny doesn't play as prominently in the series as you'd expect, though (at least not compared to the girls). Not trying to put down Mahoraba Heartful Days by noticing a few harem anime similarities as I really think it's a great show and trying to mention it as one of the best that is somewhat connected to the theme at hand (whether it be "harem" or "bishoujo" or whatever...) /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[bci110]

[ QUOTE ]
Hunter Pfil said:This is probably a bit off topic, and it's not directed to anyone in particular but... personally I don't like the term 'harem anime' very much. First, because many seem to use it as a derogatory term to put down any anime which happens to have a lot of cute girls in it, overlooking the fact that they may have other qualities that make them worth watching. Second, because the term gets applied to some shows that don't deserve it (see Tenchi, which is not 'just another harem anime', but has a real backstory, a real emotional core, and several interesting sci-fi aspects to the story). Third, because I think the term is misguided anyway. It's a setting, not a genre. And the term 'harem' leads you to think that there is a main character, and he has a bunch of girls as his love slaves. But the main characters in 'harem anime' are really the girls. The male is just there for them to play off, and is otherwise kept out of the way so we can concentrate on the wonderful cute girls as much as possible, which is exactly why the male is usually made as meek and anonymous as possible. (There's obviously also an element of the 'otaku will identify with this loser character' way of thinking on the part of the people who make those kinds of stories.) Bishoujo anime is a better term if you absolutely must define it as a genre.

[/ QUOTE ]

You made some good points, but I think you're confused as to the true definition of genre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genre). In general, genre is divided into three types: Those of setting, those of mood, and those of format. My calling harem a genre of anime is in reference to all aspects of the definition - setting, mood, and format. Bishoujo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishoujo) is not a genre; it's a classification of characters.

[pianocello]

[ QUOTE ]
piano_cello_conducting said:
Best: Saber Marionette
Worst: Happy Lesson (I'm sure there's something worse but I can't think of it right now).

[/ QUOTE ]

Going over some of the other folks' posts, I have a few more to add:

Really good: Gun x Sword, Negima, Kanon, Koi Hime.
Bad bad bad: Da Capo, Original Futakoi, Maburaho.

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
shounen kakumei akio said:
[ QUOTE ]
bci110 said:
[ QUOTE ]
shounen kakumei akio said:
Horrible Cliched Harem: Elfen Lied

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/stunned1.gifElfen Lied's a harem? I though it was a horror series.

[/ QUOTE ]

Look a bit closer and you get all the harem cliches... except it's not funny!

[/ QUOTE ]

And it sure did ruin the last three volumes of the show for me.

[touma]

[ QUOTE ]
perigee said:
Ai Yori Aoshi is a ren'ai [true love] series, not a harem series.

[/ QUOTE ]
AYA is one of my favorites, and I agree that it is not harem because Kaoru-sama has no interest in any girl other than Aoi.
But it does fit the definition that is being used in this thread: "harem-anime == one lead-guy + many girls (more than two) who are after him." Aoi, Tina, Mayu, and even Chika are all after Kaoru.

I do not really have a "best" because none of my favorite shows are harem. I guess that Love Hina might be the harem show that I like the most, though I have not put much thought into it.
I cannot think of any that I really dislike.

[O-chan]

I believe any of the AIC shows (Tenchi, Dual, El-Hazard) make good use of the harem angle because the harem is hardly the main focus but it does keep the story and characters moving along.

AYA is a good "exception to the rule" type harem because the main couple is already established.

Anything past the Love Hina generation I can hardly stomach because they all seem like carbon copies with very little going for them.

O-chan

[touma]

I just realized that my favorite harem show (not counting Ai Yori Aoshi) is probably Hanaukyo Maid Team La Verite.
It has a lot of cuteness, comedy, and fanservice. And Taro-sama has a real harem available to him. It really is a shame that he never takes advantage of it. Oh, if only I were in his position... /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif

[Hakaisha]

[ QUOTE ]
Touma said:
I just realized that my favorite harem show (not counting Ai Yori Aoshi) is probably Hanaukyo Maid Team La Verite.
It has a lot of cuteness, comedy, and fanservice. And Taro-sama has a real harem available to him. It really is a shame that he never takes advantage of it. Oh, if only I were in his position... /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

As far as having the largest group of hot women living with the male lead goes, Hanaukyo has to win hands down. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Njr Scrawl]

I wish the Maid Team TV series was licensed. Surprising its not been really.

[lostnomad84]

[ QUOTE ]
Touma said:
[ QUOTE ]
perigee said:
Ai Yori Aoshi is a ren'ai [true love] series, not a harem series.

[/ QUOTE ]
AYA is one of my favorites, and I agree that it is not harem because Kaoru-sama has no interest in any girl other than Aoi.
But it does fit the definition that is being used in this thread: "harem-anime == one lead-guy + many girls (more than two) who are after him." Aoi, Tina, Mayu, and even Chika are all after Kaoru.


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree as well. It isn't a harem, more of an akward situation that results in great enertainment value. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif But, I wouldn't consider AYA one of my favorites, but I did enjoy it though!

[pianocello]

[ QUOTE ]
Touma said:
I just realized that my favorite harem show (not counting Ai Yori Aoshi) is probably Hanaukyo Maid Team La Verite.
It has a lot of cuteness, comedy, and fanservice. And Taro-sama has a real harem available to him. It really is a shame that he never takes advantage of it. Oh, if only I were in his position... /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually that's one of the reasons why it is such a good show. At least Taro's not spineless and he knows who he likes. And Konoe and Yashima make such a great secondary couple. /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif

[Yukino Miyazawa]

I'm not really a fan of "one guy surrounded by beautiful girls" type anime, but here are my picks:

Favorites: Tenchi Muyo, El Hazard, Pita Ten
Worst: Love Hina (physical abuse)

[Shsway]

Best: Anything Tenchi, barring GXP. I have yet to see another harem show that gets me as emotionally involved or makes me chuckle/laugh so often.

Worse: Steel Angel Kurumi 2. Bleh. Its overall message aside, it mostly feel cheap and lame to me. The dub kind of redeems it, but the effect isn't strong enough.

[touma]

[ QUOTE ]
Shsway said:
Worse: Steel Angel Kurumi 2.

[/ QUOTE ]
I actually enjoyed watching this. But, aside from that, is it really a harem show?
Kurumi is hot for her "master," who is a girl and is not interested in Kurumi.
Saki is, still, hot for Kurumi, who is, still, not interested in Saki. I don't remember what Kirinka was doing in this one.
But, who is the guy, and who is in the harem?

[Scribble]

[ QUOTE ]
Touma said:
the definition that is being used in this thread: "harem-anime == one lead-guy + many girls (more than two) who are after him."

[/ QUOTE ]

By that definition, I guess FLCL is a harem anime (Naota lives with Haruko, he makes out with Mamimi, and his classmate Eri has a crush on him). So I guess that makes it my favorite.

[Doyen]

Favorite: Tenchi Universe because it has Kione. /images/graemlins/noseblee.gif

Least Favorite: Angel Tales. I won't use the word "worst". Harem shows are some of my favorites and I like most of them. A lot of peoples worst shows I have not seen yet such as Sister Princess.

[aniki21]

I'd put Ai Yori Aoshi in as the absolute worst harem anime ever.

As anime, it's not thatbad (well, yes it is; I still can't figure out why I watched the entire first series - the dialogue was basically just "Kaoru-sama... /images/graemlins/shy00000.gif" "Aoi-chan... /images/graemlins/happy.gif " exchanges the whole way through), but as a harem show it seems to be trying its hardest to get Kaoru to cheat on Aoi.

There wasn't really any choice to be made, there was little or no guessing who he'd end up with, because he made up his mind before half the women had even been introduced.

As for best... I'd probably go with Tenchi.

[treatment]

[ QUOTE ]
Scribble said:
[ QUOTE ]
Touma said:
the definition that is being used in this thread: "harem-anime == one lead-guy + many girls (more than two) who are after him."

[/ QUOTE ]

By that definition, I guess FLCL is a harem anime (Naota lives with Haruko, he makes out with Mamimi, and his classmate Eri has a crush on him). So I guess that makes it my favorite.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup. So does Nadesico (Akito/Yurika/Ryoko/Megumi), you know. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Pfil]

[ QUOTE ]
bci110 said:
You made some good points, but I think you're confused as to the true definition of genre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genre). In general, genre is divided into three types: Those of setting, those of mood, and those of format. My calling harem a genre of anime is in reference to all aspects of the definition - setting, mood, and format. Bishoujo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishoujo) is not a genre; it's a classification of characters.

[/ QUOTE ]
(Sorry about the late reply)

'Bishoujo' is a classification of characters; 'bishoujo anime' is a classification of anime, referring to anime with and about (well, maybe not always about) pretty girls. I don't disagree with your definition of genre, I'm just not convinced that this type of anime warrants its own genre, since bishoujo anime already covers it. Anyway, you may disagree with me on that, but in any case, my major gripe with the harem term (not that I stay up nights thinking about it) is still that people tend to use it in a derogatory fashion, and that sometimes it gets applied to shows that don't deserve it, etc... like I was going on about earlier. Anyway, I'm probably boring anyone reading this to sleep now so...

[Shsway]

[ QUOTE ]
Touma said:
I actually enjoyed watching this. But, aside from that, is it really a harem show?
&lt;snip&gt;
But, who is the guy, and who is in the harem?

[/ QUOTE ]

Aw, bugger. I just noticed that stipulation that it be a "guy w/ many girls" series. In the case of SAK 2, I was thinking of Nako as the central desire, with pretty much everyone else thrown in doing the lusting after.

I suppose I don't have answer for "Worst", given the condition. Maybe a situation in the El Hazard OVA might count? I surely hated that show, and probably the male lead as well.