Not a Reverse Harem

The protagonist is a female? Check!
The supporting cast are predominantly males? Check!
Romance? None!
Almost a reverse harem, but not a chance. Here are some of the successful titles that didn't bank on the universal theme of love.

By ayreesa

1. Gokusen- (abbreviation of Gokudo no Sensei,which means Gangster Teacher)

Yamaguchi, a Yakuza heiress, fulfills her dream and becomes a teacher to delinquent highschool boys. Though there are some characters who are in love with Yamaguchi in Kozueko Morimoto's manga, it wasn't distorted in the anime and the live series at all. I was disappointed with the doomed 'Shinkumi' pair that I didn't even finished the anime and the drama. I'm now trying to finish the anime and then maybe the dramedy.

By ayreesa

2. Azumi

Azumi is raised with her childhoods friends to become assassins. It is based on Yu Koyama's manga, but the original storyline are girls being trained to become killers. Being a slasher noir slash historical film, it is not surprising which prevails in the sequel "Azumi 2: Death or Love". I've seen this way,way back and I was amazed to found that her friend/love interest was played by Shun Oguri. Not only that, check the pictures below. These are Shun Oguri's six degrees of separation among reverse harem and non-reverse harem characters.

By ayreesa

3. Juni Kokuki (The Twelve Kingdoms or Record of 12 Countries)

Youko Nakajima is a highschool student brought to another dimension and learns that she is actually a queen from this mysterious world. The premise is like "Fushigi Yugi" but as far as it goes they're at the opposite ends of the spectrum . Yuoko is actually only one of the many characters in Fuyumi Ono's novel where it was based from. I'm currently watching this and I've already set my mind not to be personally involved with any character so as not to repeat the "Gokusen" incident. (Sob!)

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Light Novel Review: I Reincarnated as Evil Alice so the Only Thing I'm Courting is Death!

I Reincarnated as Evil Alice so the Only Thing I'm Courting is Death~( Akuyaku Alice ni Tensei Shita node, Koi mo Shigoto mo Houki Shimasu!) Written by Chii Kurusu Art by: Minato Yaguchi Translated by: Emma Schumacker While carrying out her secret executioner duties Alice bumps her head and realized she is reincarnated into her favorite otome game which won the Deadliest Game of the Year award. Together with the bad boy butler, Jack; sinful man, Leeds; the Tweedle twins and walking death flag, Earl Knightley. Disclaimer: A digital review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. She knows the ins and outs of the story but the routes are not moving forward just like it goes in the game. I felt lost at first too with the story and was wandering aimlessly with Alice. And when she decided her purpose, I was not convinced. It is fast-paced it's just that the premise was different in how the story played out. But those who are patient are rewar...

Light Novel Review: The 100th Time’s the Charm: She Was Executed 99 Times, So How Did She Unlock “Super Love” Mode?! Vol. 1

The 100th Time’s the Charm: She Was Executed 99 Times, So How Did She Unlock “Super Love” Mode?! Vol. 1 ~story by Yuji Yuji, art by Nami Hidaka and translation by Stephanie Liu Princess Alphina has been reliving her life up until her execution. But on the 100th time, she started suddenly hearing all the inner voices of the people and they all love her! Disclaimer: A review copy was provided by the publisher The blurb is clearly a reverse harem but my mind keeps lingering back on the line: she discovers that she can hear people’s true feelings—and that everyone secretly loves her. What if it's just like the generic love of everyone surrounding her? As the reality sinks in that it's another miss, things started to turn around more than halfway through. Yes, reverse harem takes a win for the day and no, we're not going to do a rundown of the guys. Now, enjoy the beautiful characters' illustration above and take a guess. I love her reaction when she hears their love litan...

Anime Review: 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy

7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy anime-12 episodes- based on a light novel Rishe Irmgard Weitzner is now on her 7th life after always being killed in one way or another by Prince Arnold Hein. But on the 7th time loop, her enemy has taken an interest in her. This is a mix of my first impression here on the blog, mini-impressions, and mini-review from Patreon. And with some new insights. 7th Time Loop is entertaining and exciting. It makes you think of the possibilities and the interconnections. Her past six lives were summarized without being long-winded but just enough to pique our curiosity. The critical timing of each action or decision will lead to different outcomes or probable "romance routes". Or so I thought. No reverse harem romance but there's a bishonen for each life. Think Amnesia. And this is by far, the fastest turn of events from a "love at first sight". I've been avoiding saying this is my...

Reverse Harem Anime 2024, 2025 and TBA

Here is the updated reverse harem anime list for 2024, 2025, and TBA. I will also be pausing Patreon newsletters for October and maybe November. But I would still be posting Freshest News and maybe First Impressions? We'll see. --Iris Purchase titles/ related to the titles mentioned: (a s an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases ): The Demon Prince of Momochi House: Succession, Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/3YjGXUL The Demon Prince of Momochi House (16 book series) manga https://amzn.to/48glqkp 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (Light Novel) (7 book series) https://amzn.to/405lzVo 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (6 book series manga) https://amzn.to/3ZXClFW Vampire Dormitory (12 book series) manga https://amzn.to/3ZZV18i I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History, Vol. 1: It Seems Turning Into a High-Born Baddie M...

Manga Review: Alice in Bishounen-Land Vol. 2 (final volume)

Alice in Bishounen-Land Volume 2 by Yushi Kawata Art by Yukito With the help of a new member or two, Alice and the newly-rebranded idol group Triple S progresses in the battles. Disclaimer A review copy was provided by the publisher. Check out the first volume review . The first volume is so weird but trust me it gets weirder. But once you got used to the humor, everything seems funnier this time around. The randomness of the backstories, the non-stop comical situations, and cheesy jokes. I'm loving them all now including the minor characters. The one thing that balances it all out is Alice. She's the shining beacon of reason and her spot-on observations make it more laughable. For something crazy, it briefly touches 'beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder'. And it's not in your face at all. It is refreshing and satisfying to get some key takeaways from both volumes when you're least expecting one. The isekai element of the story is set inside an otome ...

Manga Review: Anyway, I'm Falling In Love With You Vol. 1

Anyway, I'm Falling In Love With You Vol. 1 by Haruka Mitsui Mizuho grew up with her friends in Koigama Highland. The springtime of her youth awaits her as she turns seventeen. Disclaimer: A review copy was provided through Netgalley. Her childhood friends are Shuugo, the sharp-tongued bookworm; Shin, her study buddy; Kizuki, the baby of the group from the swimming team and stylish Airu. At first, I thought it was two flowers as I'd breezed through it in one sitting. (Only 1 or two guys after her. See more on Levels of Reverse Harem ) Two of the characters became one character in my head and I missed the hint from the other guy. It was a nice surprise that wow it looks like it will be four flowers after all. (More than 2 guys after her/All the guys after her.) There's a main guy but at one point I find him too pushy so I'm looking forward to the development for the other guys. But don't get me wrong he's sweet all thought-out and especially that last arc m...

Anime Review: Kiskis! My Boyfriends are Mint Candies!

Kiskis! My Boyfriend are Mint Candies!- 4 episodes Tang Tang meet guys who each represent a flavor of mint candies. It has a catchy, cute opening. At first there's a different feel on it which I can't pinpoint. And then I realized that they are talking in Chinese! This is my first completed Chinese animation. Well since it was way too easy to finish it. It's 5-minute ONA for 4 episodes. I think this premiered last June 4. But the first Chinese animation I watched is still currently airing (unconfirmed reverse harem), Phantom in the Twilight, which is a collaboration between Japan and China. Oh back to back Chinese reviews after The Flame's Daughter. Is China going to be booming with reverse harem now?

Levels of Reverse Harem

The video above is Levels of Reverse Harem version 2 (also posted here ) Reverse Harem titles were very limited when I first started the blog eleven years ago. I was flexible with many titles where it's only one or two guys interested in the female protagonist and other gray areas. But we are now at a point where I can be strict with labeling reverse harem. Let's start with the classification of reverse harem-ness. This is for my sake too if in case I run off course again. 1. Five Flowers - This is literally reverse harem. The heroine has a harem of her own in her inner chamber. And we only have one example for this, manga and drama, Ooku. UPDATE: Please check STAGES OF REVERSE HAREM for more examples.

Reverse Harem Anime 2024 and TBA

Here are the reverse harem anime for 2024 and TBA. Some may not be full-blown reverse harem, while others are not confirmed. Please subscribe!

Drama Review: I Have Three Boyfriends

I Have Three Boyfriends kdrama- 10 episodes The story starts with Ra Hee going on a date after another with her three boyfriends. She's frantically trying not to get caught. The drama will unravel how she got herself into this dilemma. This is the first reverse harem I've seen about cheating female main character. Certainly, this is bound to happen in reverse harem. BTW, My favorite boyfriend is the domineering director. It was not believable at first but it got me hooked. The story is milking the coincidences to the hilt. The ending is unexpected and here all along I was under the impression that it's going to be open-ended. Sorry, to keep this review short as it's a short drama with 15 minutes runtime per episode. This is the last of my backlog reviews from a couple of years ago. And what are the odds it would fit perfectly in the Stages of Reverse Harem . It is meant to be. Love Reverse Harem Garden? Follo...

Reverse Harem Garden

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