10 most popular Harem anime, ranked

Harem anime is a genre much-loved by anime and manga fans. It never fails to captivate viewers through its distinct blend of romance, comedy, and complex character dynamics. Usually expounded by a central protagonist surrounded by multiple potential love interests, harem anime strikes a balance between jovial humor and heartfelt emotion.

The genre’s strength is its ability to delve into themes of relationships, jealousy, and personal growth through emphasized and entertaining scenarios. Over time, several harem anime have risen to the forefront, each bringing a unique flavor to its audience. They range from action-packed adventures to slice-of-life stories and gush-worthy romances.

The following list dives into the most popular harem anime and ranks them according to fan acclaim and cultural impact. Be it a seasoned fan or a newbie to the genre, these series showcase the best.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Ranking the most popular Harem anime

10) 2.5 Dimensional Seduction

Harem anime: 2.5 Dimensional Seduction (Image via J.C Staff)

Kicking off this list is J.C. Staff's 2.5 Dimensional Seduction. Initially, it might not feel entirely like a harem anime due to the existence of a female lead, Ririsa. But as the story progresses, more characters are introduced and the roster grows, garnering acclaim from animanga fans.

Masamune Okumura, a second-year high schooler and Manga Research Club president finds comfort in anime and manga after a failed romantic confession. However, his peaceful life is disrupted when first-year Ririsa Amano convinces him to become her photographer for a Liliel cosplay project.

Diving into cosplay and photo editing leads to Masamune reconnecting with childhood buddy Mikari Tachibana, now a model aiming to woo him. Mikari joins the Manga club in hopes of impressing Masamune. However, the boy’s preference for fictional characters disputes his ability to form romantic connections in real life.

9) Date A Live

Harem anime: Date A Live (Image via J.C Staff)

Next on the list is another feature from J.C. Staff in Date A Live. But this one offers a unique setting for this genre of anime. It combines the harem aspect with impressive action sequences and a story that many will find engaging and overall different.

It takes place when a devastating spatial quake took the lives of over 150 million people on Earth. Smaller quakes continue to occur and are seemingly caused by beautiful girls called "Spirits". Shidou Itsuka (protagonist) is pulled into crisis when he runs into a spirit.

From a broader lens, the Anti-Spirit Team wants to destroy Spirits while the "Ratatoskr" aims to save them. Shidou is recruited to Ratatoskr and tasked with preventing destruction by wooing Spirits and making them fall for him. Juggling danger, romance, and duty, the world's fate rests on Shidou’s dating abilities

8) Masamune-kun no Revenge

Harem anime: Masamune-kun no Revenge (Image via Silver Link)

Up next is Masamune-kun no Revenge from Studio Silver Link. The story looks to be one that many will be familiar with a former "unfit" individual undergoes drastic transformation and wishes to take revenge on those who ridiculed him. Such a series combines high school drama, comedy, and love hilariously.

Masamune Makabe, once dubbed "Piggy" by Aki Adagaki due to his weight, transforms into a handsome but narcissistic high schooler. Given his past, he is out for revenge, desiring to woo Aki before rejecting her publicly. His initial attempts achieve no success and hitches arise when he receives a mysterious letter addressed to his past nickname. Hence, he sets out to uncover the sender's identity before his scheme unravels.

7) To Love Ru

Harem anime: To Love Ru (Image via Xebec)

To Love Ru is another unique take on harem anime thanks to the introduction of alien girls into the protagonist's life. It explores his daily life mixed with the bizarre disorder that descends following the arrival of said alien girls. To Love Ru stands as a romantic comedy with silly humor and sci-fi themes.

It follows the tale of teenager Rito Yuuki, attempting to confess his love to his classmate and crush Haruna Sairenji. His situation turns peculiar when he meets Lala Satalin Deviluke, the crown princess of an alien empire, who is fleeing her home to escape an unwanted political marriage.

Moreover, she offers to marry him in an attempt to get out of her situation. But that's not all, as her sisters too land on Earth and take a liking to Rito, further complicating situations.

6) Rent a Girlfriend

Harem anime: Rent a Girlfriend (Image via TMS Entertainment)

The next harem anime on this list is quite a popular one from TMS Entertainment in Rent a Girlfriend. If anything, the series knows exactly how to exact a reaction. The lead can be a little dense, given that he isn't the traditional "cool guy" protagonist. Instead, he gets anxious a lot. Even so, his role and the show itself are quite catchy.

Kazuya Kinoshita gets his heart broken when his lover, Mami Nanami, leaves him. To deal with the pain, he hires a rental girlfriend Chizuru Mizuhara. Initially taken up by Chizuru’s charm, Kazuya grows cynical and leans to believe that her caring demeanor is not real and scores her poorly.

This doesn't sit well with Chizuru, who responds in a fiery way. Their tense yet comedic dynamic flips on its head when Kazuya's grandmother falls ill. Hence, they need to stage a fake relationship to appease her. But despite their charade, Kazuya begins to fall for Chizuru as he struggles to deal with Mami's residual emotions.

5) Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation

Harem anime: Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation (Image via Studio Bond)

All animanga fans are familiar with Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation at this point. The story of Rudeus Greyrat is popular and continues to rake in more and more viewers with each season that is released. Not just the action, adventure, and harem aspects, but the overall charm of Rudeus and his growth intrigues many.

The story features a 34-year-old shut-in, burdened by a life of bullying and oppression. But his life changes when he passes away in a tragic accident following an act of bravery and reincarnates in another world as Rudeus Greyrat. With his memories intact, he begins life anew with loving parents and prodigious magical talent.

Mentored by Roxy and supported by Sylphiette, Rudeus wholeheartedly grabs his second chance at life and seeks to find the love he was without in his previous life.

4) The Quintessential Quintuplets

Harem anime: The Quintessential Quintuplets (Image via Tezuka Productions)

Another popular name in the harem anime genre is The Quintessential Quintuplets. This one is unique in the way the protagonist is written. He is a little more mature than usual harem heroes and the female leads introduced here too develop as the series progresses, each with their distinct personalities.

The Quintessential Quintuplets witness the Nakano quintuplets begin to improve academically, under Fuutarou Uesugi's guidance, despite the distractions and chaos in their lives. Fuutarou decides to help them out as he and his father face financial difficulty. But as Fuutarou delves deeper into their personal affairs, he learns that one of the sisters is possibly connected to his past.

As emotions blossom and entangle, their bond arrives at a crossroads - remain professional or evolve into something deeper.

3) Nisekoi

Excluding Nisekoi from this list would be criminal. This anime might be a little controversial, as many feel that it loses steam the more it progresses. But even so, it certainly does not lack great comedic moments and heartfelt romantic encounters, especially in its first season.

The Yakuza are vital to the plot of Nisekoi, as the male lead is the central piece in maintaining the peace. Raku Ichijou, a yakuza family heir, desires only an ordinary life with his crush, Kosaki Onodera. But fate puts forth other plans when he finds himself faking a relationship with Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of a rival gang.

Despite mutual dislike, they need to work together to prevent a turf war. To make matters worse, Raku's childhood sweetheart makes an unexpected entrance amidst this confusion and is followed by other girls linked to his childhood.

2) The 100 Girlfriends Who Really Love You

Harem anime: The 100 Girlfriends Who Really Love You (Image via Bibury Animation Studios)

An anime that shot up the ranks in terms of popularity in the harem genre is The 100 Girlfriends Who Really Love You. Rated a 7.74 on MyAnimeList, this one was a surprise following the hype it generated when the anime was announced. Needless to say and widely evident, the anime was a massive hit.

It follows the tale of Rentarou Aijou, who seemingly has it all - looks, intelligence, athleticism, and popularity. But these talents fall short when he just cannot find love, garnering 100 failed confessions by middle school graduation. Disheartened, he prays at a matchmaking shrine.

His prayers are answered when God predicts that he will meet 100 soulmates in high school. Understandably skeptical, Rentarou’s disbelief is doused when 2 of the 100 confess to him on his first day. God's prediction begins to materialize as more girls approach with fated encounters and romantic chaos.

1) High School DxD

Harem anime: High School DxD (Image via TNK)

Finally, topping this list is the massively popular High School Dxd. This is one show that is honest about what it wants to portray and does so with no inhibitions. Combining action, fantasy, and harem, it is at the top of this list for a reason. The characters are quite likable and the male lead is fearless in what he wants.

Issei Hyoudou's dreams of having his harem do come true, but in the way he'd expect. His life changes when he is killed by a fallen angel who entices him. He is later revived by Rias Gremory, a powerful devil, as her attendant. With a new life ahead, he must coexist in a strange world and take on adventures and bawdy situations, all while maintaining his secret identity.

Also read: Where to watch High School DxD?