Hello, wallflowers! 🌸 This is Ayreesa. Anime has always been the heart of Reverse Harem Garden. My favorite when I first started watching anime was Fushigi Yuugi, and for years, I searched for another anime that could capture the same magic, but nothing came close.
Then, almost a decade later, in January 2007, a random watch led to the same lightbulb moment. It's the iconic line of Kirimi: “It’s a reverse harem in here!”, in Ouran High School Host Club.
That sparked nine months of reverse harem anime marathon, and once I’d watched them all, I launched this blog. From there, it evolved into exploring manga, manhwa, manhua, dramas, otome games, why-choose/reverse harem novels, light novels, webtoons, and vertical dramas.
This is Part 4 of 4 of Reverse Harem Garden 18th birthday series. In the Philippines, a debut ball includes dancing with 18 boys who each offer a rose—known as the 18 Roses—and receiving 18 candles and messages from girls. Some even add their own twist with 18 gifts, 18 bills, or even 18 shoes! The 18 Roses theme couldn’t be more perfect for the Reverse Harem Garden, right? Now, here are my top 18 reverse harem anime listed in the order I watched them.
Disclaimers:
- Some are kinda reverse harem. See Levels of Reverse Harem.
- As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Miaka Yûki is an ordinary junior-high student who is suddenly spirited into the world of a book, The Universe of the Four Gods. There she becomes the priestess of the god Suzaku, and is charged with finding all seven of her Celestial-Warrior protectors.
Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play, Vol. 1: Priestess manga https://amzn.to/4nWVnFX
Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden, Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/4gY3eA0
Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki, Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/48e3x7J
In this screwball romantic comedy, Haruhi, a poor girl at a rich kids’ school, is forced to repay an $80,000 debt by working for the school’s swankiest, all-male club—as a boy! There she discovers just how wealthy the six members are and how different the rich are from everybody else…
Ouran High School Host Club Box Set (Vol. 1-18) manga https://amzn.to/3KFqo28
3. La Corda d'Oro~ Primo Passo-based on otome game
La Corda also has a college arc manga with multi-ending but no English translation. Viz media please???
Kahoko is a normal student in the General Education department with absolutely no musical skill, but all that changes when she catches a glimpse of an elusive fairy who lives on campus. The fairy grants Kahoko a magic violin, and before she knows it, she's nominated to participate in the school's music competition with five very attractive boys. Will she win love and fame, or will bitter rivalry rule the day?
Corda d'Oro, Vol. 1 (La Corda d'Oro) manga https://amzn.to/4pOTvjE
4. The Wallflower (kinda reverse harem) based on manga
It’s a gorgeous, spacious mansion, and four handsome, fifteen-year-old friends are allowed to live in it for free! There’s only one condition—that within three years the guys must transform the owner’s wallflower niece into a lady befitting the palace in which they all live! How hard can it be? Enter Sunako Nakahara, the agoraphobic, horror-movie-loving, pockmark-faced, frizzy-haired, fashion-illiterate recluse who tends to break into explosive nosebleeds whenever she sees anyone attractive. This project is going to take more than our four heroes ever expected: it needs a miracle!
The Wallflower 1 manga https://amzn.to/46EFs8R
5. Saiunkoku Monogtari-based on light novel
With upcoming cdrama titled The Legend of Rosy Clouds.
Shurei enters the palace as Ryuki's consort, but he has yet to seek her out. It is rumored that men, not women, share the emperor's bedchamber. Shurei must think of a way to stop the emperor from shirking his responsibilities, but she has to find him first!
The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/42vrP9D
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6. Blood+ - based on original anime film
Set several decades after the events in the popular Blood: The Last Vampire anime film, an amnesiac Saya Otonashi lives as a seemingly normal high school student with her adoptive family in Okinawa. Horrible nightmares are the only hints at the violent life she once led, but her past is about to catch up with her and awaken the merciless warrior within. Chiropterans--powerful shape-changing creatures who need and crave blood-threaten humanity once more, and a mysterious organization called the Red Shield needs Saya's deadly sword skills and mysterious powers to aid in the fight against these beasts. As her submerged abilities begin to reawaken and as she seeks to regain her memories, Chiropteran warriors are guided by a mysterious leader to threaten Saya and her loved ones. Asuka Katsura's manga series successfully expands upon the original Production I.G/Aniplex feature, delivering moments of jarring violence and thrilling action in a tale that spans several centuries.
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7. Shugo Chara! anime- based on manga
With upcoming Shugo Chara! Jewel Sequel manga and 20th anniversary edition. Pre-order below.
Amu Hinamori is known among her fellow elementary students as a "cool girl" with a spiky personality, but behind closed doors she's actually extremely shy and wishes she could be brave enough to embrace her feminine, cutesy side. Her wish is granted in the form of three character eggs that hatch into Guardian Characters—mysterious entities that not only encourage her to achieve her potential but can even power her up by granting special abilities. Together with the student council, Amu must use her newfound powers to stop the evil forces feeding on the darkness in people's hearts...
Shugo Chara! 20th Anniversary Edition 1 manga https://amzn.to/4mO6UWF
Shugo Chara! Jewel Joker 1 manga https://amzn.to/3Wrsu8q
8. Yumeiro Patissierie- based on manga
Ichigo Amano is an average, sweets-loving, 14 year old girl who dreams of becoming a pâtissiere like her grandma. One day, she is scouted by a genius pâtissier to enroll in St. Marie Academy - an elite patisserie school. Here she meets new friends and the Sweets Spirits, which partner with humans to help make their dreams come true.
As if being student council president of a predominantly male high school isn’t hard enough, Misaki Ayuzawa has a major secret—she works at a maid café after school! How is she supposed to keep her image of being ultrasmart, strong and overachieving intact once school heartthrob Takumi Usui discovers her double life?! Can Misaki trust Usui to keep her secret from the rest of the kids at school? And why the heck is he always showing up at the maid café? Maybe she should start taking him seriously when he says he likes her—especially when he throws in an unexpected kiss!
Maid-sama! (2-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/4qcRjCW
10. Kamisama Hajimemashita- based on manga
Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a man she's just saved from a dog offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity! Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a man she's just saved from a dog offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity! Nanami has all kinds of new responsibilities she doesn't understand, dangers she's unaware of, and a cranky ex-familiar who's...actually pretty hot. What's a new-fledged godling to do?
Kamisama Kiss, Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/47auloi
11. Brothers Conflict- based on otome game
Ema Hinata is lonely. As an only child and the daughter of a famous explorer, for most of her life her closest companion has been Juli, her talking pet squirrel. But her father is getting remarried, and her new family is…a little unorthodox. Now, she’s got 13 gorgeous guys as her stepbrothers, and they’re all after her heart! But is romance what she wants, or is it family?
12. Akatuski no Yona-based on manga
Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family! Yona reels from the shock of witnessing a loved one’s murder and having to fight for her life. With Hak’s help, she flees the palace and struggles to survive while evading her enemy’s forces. But where will this displaced princess go when all the paths before her are uncertain?
Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/4o91oyW
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Kiss Him, Not Me Reviews
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Anyway, I'm Falling In Love With You. Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/4mUHZ3E
Hi there! My name is Serinuma Kae. I’m the kind of girl who loves checking out boys and fantasizing about them getting friendly (and more) with each other—I’m what you might call a fujoshi. One day, my beloved (yes, he’s an anime character) died, and the shock of it all was more than I could have ever prepared for! My grief over his passing resulted in some ridiculous weight-loss! And you won’t believe what happened next! Soon after my change, the four most divinely gorgeous boys in my school asked me out on dates! I accepted them all, and you’d think I’d be happy with my sudden popularity, but the truth is, my heart only yearns for a prince to be next to his prince. Ahh, yes, boys, I’d much prefer that you turn your affections elsewhere and KISS HIM, NOT ME!
Kiss Him, Not Me 1 Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/4o038Kw
14. My Next Life as a Villainess All Routes Lead to Doom- based on light novel
Some people may treat life like a game, but when young noblewoman Catarina Claes accidentally bumps her head, she has a horrifying revelation. In a previous life, she was an avid otaku and game player, and the life Catarina is living is that of the villainess of the game FORTUNE LOVER... a character doomed to be either killed or exiled no matter how the game is played! Forewarned and forearmed with the multiple plots of the game in mind, Catarina sets out to re-code her fate. Can she not do what she would have done, befriend people she'd never befriend, and change her entire outlook on life? And will even that be enough to roleplay her way out of her destiny? She's literally in the game of her life in MY NEXT LIFE AS A VILLAINESS: ALL ROUTES LEAD TO DOOM!
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! -Pirates of the Disturbance- - Nintendo Switch https://amzn.to/46zZCy1
My Next Life As A Villainess, All Routes Lead To Doom (Blu-ray) https://amzn.to/46aqy7H
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Vol. 1 (manga) https://amzn.to/3LICa9w
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Vol. 1 (light novel) https://amzn.to/46dXJay
My Next Life as a Villainess Side Story: Girls Patch (manga) https://amzn.to/3Q06zTD
My Next Life as a Villainess Side Story: On the Verge of Doom! Vol. 1 (manga) https://amzn.to/3LJvg46
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15. Ooku- based on manga
Please somebody sub season 2 of Ooku drama!
In Edo period Japan, a strange new disease called the Redface Pox has begun to prey on the country's men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male population has fallen by seventy-five percent. Women have taken on all the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the shogun. The men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected. And the most beautiful of the men are sent to serve in the shogun's Inner Chamber... In Edo period Japan, a strange new disease called the Redface Pox has begun to prey on the country's men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male population has fallen by seventy-five percent. Women have taken on all the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the shogun. The men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected. And the most beautiful of the men are sent to serve in the shogun's Inner Chamber...
Ôoku: The Inner Chambers, Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/3IAwUGX
16. The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior-based on light novel
With an upcoming Season 2 in April 2026
Pride Royal Ivy is only eight years old when she realizes that she's been reincarnated, destined to become the future wicked queen and final boss of an otome game. She's got it all in this new life: razor-sharp wit, boss-tier powers, and influence over the kingdom as a crown princess. Determined to sow despair and destruction across the land, she... Wait, what kind of a rotten future is that?! Princess Pride decides to drop the maniacal villainess act and protect the male love interests instead, cheating her way to saving everyone she can! Will this final boss end up earning the adoration of her kingdom?
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior (Light Novel) Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/46IKMIt
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior (Manga) Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/46YPNLN
17. 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (kinda reverse harem) - based on light novel
Being reborn once may sound impressive, but Rishe is already on her seventh time around! She has had all kinds of excitement in her previous lives, from peddling goods as a merchant to locking blades as a knight, so now she's determined to kick back and enjoy. But to savor the high life, she first has to marry the handsome prince...the same one who happens to be her murderer! It will take six-plus lifetimes of experience and skills for Rishe to break the time loop and make her extravagant dreams come true!
7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (Light Novel) Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/46WiEAb
7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (Manga) Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/4n0oTJr
18. Anyway, I'm Falling in Love With You- based on manga
With an upcoming Season 2 in January 2026
It's 2020, and Mizuha's seventeenth birthday is the pits. Her dad forgot, the sempai she likes isn't interested, and her social calendar is getting cleared out by a mysterious virus. But when her longtime childhood friend asks her out, Mizuha has to sort out what this change could mean. And her feelings may not be the only ones changing...! Romance stands up to a global pandemic in this series about how to maintain the hopes and joys of high school life when everything is upended. But romance is resilient, and crushes and confessions flourish among Mizuha's friends. A brand-new school love story from the author of I Fell in Love After School!
BONUS PICKS:
High schooler Anzu Hoshino has a great life. Every day she plays video games, pigs out on snacks, and pets her beloved cat. But this blissful existence is turned into a confusing mess when a magical creature transports her to an altered reality bereft of her favorite things. Now she’s stuck with hot guys instead! How can she possibly survive in such an awful world?! Anzu must play along in this altered reality before she can return to her normal life, so she begrudgingly makes friends with Tsukasa Kazuki. He unfortunately happens to be one of the hottest and most popular guys at school, and what’s worse, she realizes that he might not even be that bad of a person!
Romantic Killer, Vol. 1 manga https://amzn.to/47e0J9z
Could workaholic office lady Sei be a legendary Saint? Not according to the crown prince of another world who summoned her and quickly declared a different girl was the real Saint! That suits Sei just fine--she would much rather spend her days quietly helping people with her unbelievably powerful magic. But how long can Sei live her ideal life of leisure before her true nature is revealed?
The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent (Light Novel) Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/4qfgXXI
The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent (Manga) Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/48qzE4h
The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent: The Other Saint (Manga) Vol. 1 https://amzn.to/48gJa9W
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Sugar Apple Fairy Tale- (kinda reverse harem) based on light novel
RUSH TO THE ROYAL CANDY FAIR!Anne Halford is a candy crafter determined to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a Silver Sugar Master―a title bestowed only by royalty―by winning first place in the Royal Candy Fair. The journey to the capital will be dangerous, however, so she purchases Challe, a handsome but foulmouthed fairy, to be her bodyguard. Anne wishes to befriend her new companion, but in this kingdom where fairies are treated as property, Challe wants nothing to do with humans. Will this journey with her change his mind? And will Anne arrive safely at the fair?
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, Vol. 1 (light novel): The Silver Sugar Master and the Obsidian Fairy (Volume 1) https://amzn.to/4nOh8aU
OTHER HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Legend of Basara – Considered one of the most iconic shojo, but it’s been so long since I last watched it that I’ve forgotten much of the reverse harem aspect and my old review was way too vague. But here's a pic of the harem from @thehorsecharles on X.
- Fruits Basket – Not a reverse harem, but kinda one because of the cohabitation setup which I know isn’t really what the anime is about.
- My Happy Marriage and Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun- I'm really stretching it with the kinda reverse harem. But nevertheless, these are a must-watch.
- All the otome game anime adaptations – Hakuouki, Amnesia, Code: Realize, Meiji Tokyo Renka, Kenka Bancho Otome. Kamigami no Asobi, Arcana Famiglia, Prince of Stride, Mr. Love: Queen’s Choice, and so many more! Most otome adaptations follow a predictable pattern, introducing each bishonen one by one. But that’s part of their charm. And yes, they’re definitely meant to make you want to play the game!
If your favorites didn’t make the list, it’s not you. It’s just me! 😅 Share yours in the comments; I’d love to know which ones you adore too.
Thank you for being part of this journey! Whether you’ve been here for years or just discovered the Garden, I’m so glad you’re here!
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