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In America, the term became popularized by the Tenchi Muyo! fandom, although there were and are heated debates as to whether that series even constituted a real harem anime. The term remains somewhat subjective and should be used carefully. It has also been applied to the recent series Love Hina.
Ironically, the term does not neccesarily imply sexual connotations or that all parties involved in the series are romantically interested in each other. As the term is often used prejoratively, defenders claim some harem anime is not about the fantasy of having many female admirers. Rather, the group of girls, often stock characters exists because it gives a degree of assurance the audience will find at least one girl they like. The male character simply exists as a focal point to bring the group together, especially when the group is depicted as a family unit rather than a real harem. This is somewhat supported by the fact many such leads sometimes come from broken homes themselves, have no living relatives, or simply live on their own.
Under this opinion, the series are really no different than other bishoujo series that have an all-female cast, particularly became male characters are rarely featured on the most popular merchandise. Indeed, a few series aimed towards girls contain notably similar elements (albeit with inverted genders when appropriate) including Fruits Basket and most famously Fushigi Yugi.
Other critics cite the genre cannibalizes itself excessively, and most of the harem anime famous in America tends to be the ones who have some unique quirk or slant on the formula.
The prototypical harem anime features a number of characters, usually with a minimum least one boy and three to five girls (two would simply make a love triangle). Many are stock personalities from moe fandom, often in combinations with each other.
He may be the only non-female main character, and is usually around high school age or early college. He tends to have a fairly muted character design, and while not usually ugly may be regarded as plain. He ideally possesses a degree of social awkwardness or low self-esteem, especially with girls and romance, but as a result has a strong sense of empathy. He may be over apologenic of trival things and have various degrees of interest in ecchi or perverted things may or may not be obvious, which make him appear guilty in compromising situations. Although typically equated with being a geek , recently some leads are brash, yankeeThe term Yankee has a variety of meanings. Residents of the United States of America use it to refer to the New York Yankees baseball team, a resident of New England or the North, or more often, in the context of the American Civil War, the soldiers and r-type delinquents who bottle up their emotions and put on a tough facade. The male lead usually has one or two friends outside the group, usually envious or oblivious to the difficulties of his situation. He may or may not have a rival (or a character who precieves himself as such), who despite being popular with women has obvious negative personality traits. If he has any family featured in the series, it is usually a friendly young sister or vivacious, domineering older sister.
A notable point is his personality traits and faults are usually exaggerated for comedic value, perhaps under the assmuption if his behavior is too realistic, the audience empathizing with him may be resentful of the character's faults too cloosely reflecting their own. He mus also be 'non-threatening' enough the other female characters have no trouble interacting with him.
Examples may include Tenchi of Tenchi Muyo!, Tasuke from Mamotte Shugogetten , or Chitose from Happy Lesson .
A prominent female character, usually the most popular in the fandom, who is implied to have the 'best chance' of ending up with the lead male, although this is usually obvious very early in the story. She is usually of a more average personality than the other girls, even if she is a Magical Girlfriend . As this character does not always exist and implies a degree of focus in the male's interest which excludes other women, some fans argue series featuring her are not true harem series. She and the male lead may be arguementative, to the point of (often fan-misinterpreted) slapstickThis article is about comedic slapstick. For the percussion instrument, see whip (instrument). Slapstick is a type of comedy involving physical action. One classic piece of slapstick is the hapless slip on a banana peel. The style was explored extensively.
The rest of the (female) characters personalities vary depending on the tastes of the audience. A common device is a stock personality with some bizzare quick which may not be initially obvious. These can include domestic 'housewifey' type characters,
She is often a domestic and embodies the typical traits associated with the 'ideal' Japanese woman. In more comedic series this is usually coupled with absentmindedness or clumsiness. Famous example includes Mutsumi from Love Hina and Aoi from Ai Yori AoshiAi Yori Aoshi is a manga by Kou Fumizuki released in 1998 on Hakusensha's Young Animal''. Ai Yori Aoshi was made into an anime on 2002 and a video game was released for PlayStation 2. The title is taken from a Xun Zi's quote, Ao ha Ai yori Idete Ai yori A although the later is a star of her series.
A character who prefers to act and speak directly, often appearing rude or blunt. She may be an athlete or into weapons, and have a broody personality which frightens off men . Conversely, she may be an older, vivacious, sexy character with many vices such as alcohol. She is usually agressively sexual or lecherous, and may appear bisexual.
Typically a good-natured charactature of a westerner (usually American or French), it also includes dark-skinned characters of ambigious locations. Their personalities are usually more outgoing than typical Japanese. This role is sometimes fufilled by the previously mentioned tomboy.
Usually the youngest girl in the group who may or may not be an actual relative of the lead. Her personality can vary from extreme shyness to energetic spunk. Any romantic interest she has in the lead is strictly of the innocent or admiration variety.
This is usually an adult character who (ostensibly) is a final authority figure of the group, usually a distant relative, senior citizen, or other good-natured and non-critical advisor.