I’m sure you’ve all seen this tag already. Cactus Matt created it a few weeks ago but it’s already made the rounds because it’s so much fun!!! And not only does Matt have these great creative ideas all the time, he is an absolute dear who nominated me in the first round. I, on the other hand, am an absolute bum which is why I’m only answering this now. I have an excuse though. It was hhhhaaaarrrddd !!!
Medium time readers of this blog may already know that I am a generous harem owner who believes in giving (super hot) characters a chance… As a result my harem has grown far and wide with multiple levels, little private subharems, exclusive secret groups even I’m not allowed to join…
Moreover, I also have The Worst Tastes in Anime and husbandoes, often favoring variously sociopathic characters that wouldn’t touch me with a stick unless it was really pointy and maybe poison tipped. I also dislike breaking up cannon couples. I may have some issues…
Here are just a few of my favorites:
As you can imagine, picking just 5 that all fall into different harem archetypes was a challenge. I may have failed..
But first, what’s the point of playing if there aren’t any rules…
- Link back to the original post on Anime QandA so they can check out everyone’s picks! OK!!
- Use the ‘Build A Harem’ logo somewhere in the post. DONE
- Make sure to mention the person who nominated you too! MATT!
- Pick 5 Anime Characters (any show & any gender) that would be in your ideal harem if you were the main character of a harem anime, explain a little bit as to why they are your picks (if you want). I TRIED
- Make sure each character you pick falls into some of the following harem character types: Childhood friend, tom boy/girl, genki girl/boy, loli/shota, trap, tsundere, yandere, kuudere, dandere, etc. (If there’s a character you’ve picked that doesn’t specifically fall into one of these types or falls into multiple types that’s fine too!) ECT.
- Nominate 5 people to participate in this tag!
The Childhood Friend:
Mephisto Pheles – Blue Exorcist
I won’t deny that part of this choice certainly has to do with the fact that I recently watched the Kyoto arc and my enthusiasm for this franchise got somewhat renewed.
Although my heart belongs to Shiro now and forever (decent father figures will get me every time man)… I can’t help but be drawn to the sneaky and perpetually snarky archdemon with a permasmirk. Sure he’s the embodiment of evil who never shows his cards and has 18 aces up his sleeve and he may be plotting To Take Over the World. But he’s got a great sense of humor and is a real snazzy dresser! Priorities are important.
He’s been around long enough for me to have known him since childhood and an ill advised friendship formed before either of us knew any better is probably the Only way we could ever stand each other. What my own imaginary childhood was like that I was befriending Satan’s kids is a story for another time.
The Genderbent
Ruka & Ringo
I have already proclaimed my love for androgynous characters in general with two top 5 posts but even then I only got to scratch the surface. Let me take this opportunity to add a couple more. Ruka . Steins;GATE and Ringo UtaPri.
Although from very different franchises, both these characters fill out the same basic role with panache. Namely they balance out a cast of strong willed eccentrics with a touch of calm and fragility. Identity issues aside, both are kind, patient inherently soft characters that I want to support and help… I mean they’re both hopelessly in love with men that are unable to reciprocate but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
The Genki Boy
Shusei Kagari – Psycho Pass
I love Psycho Pass..i think all of the main characters are in my harem… Except for Kogami. Yeah…I told you: issues.
However, sweet and very callous Kagari is the only one I could fit into a recognizable category. In fact it’s probably a bit of a stretch but you will admit he is the most genki of the cast. Is there such a thing as bitter genki? He’s that…
Kagari was a whirlpool of color and surprising good humour in an otherwise dour universe and rather morbid story. You could usually count on him to find the black comedy in a situation and when push comes to shove he’s a really friendly and relatable guy. I still miss him.
The Kuudere (maybe)
The Mediator – Humanity has Declined
Although I’m fascinated by dere types, I rarely find myself attracted to them. Until they come up with a dere types for “troll” that is. I guess tsunderes can occasionally be cute if they err on the side of dere but I don’t understand the yandere appeal at all. This said, I figured I would try to fit one in….
Well, to be honest I just wanted to find a way to include my generally overlooked best girl ever. I wasn’t sure where to fit her in. As far as archetypes go she’s The Stoic. However, though she tends to keep a straight face, we know through her inner dialogue that she’s basically entirely made up of sarcasm. In fact, I’m not sure there’s any dere in her at all.
Unsurprisingly, I absolutely love this character and I never get the chance to talk about her. From the cute character design to the razor sharp wit and the no nonsense attitude, I found myself wanting to be the mediator almost as much as I wanted to be with the mediator (I have similar feelings for Utena). As I was going through options in my head for “becoming” someone specific, it sort of dawned on me that I may not be attracted to yandere because I’m already the yandere in the relationship… well that’s not good. (For those less familiar with my brand of *humor*, that was a joke)…
The Monster Girl
Hevlaska – D.Gray-man
Since Matt left the door open for any other harem character archetype, I figured I’d try one I hadn’t yet seen in other build a harem posts (as of writing, one of you has probably published a post exclusively on this type since): the monster boy/girl. I really considered any of the lovely aquatic boys from Orenchi…, (Don’t worry, they are in my harem), however I decided to embrace my weird and go with Hevlaska from D.Gray-man.
I read the manga first and despite D.Gray-man being a veritable brothel of bishies I was almost supernaturally fascinated by Hevlaska. The innocence corrupted girl completely captured my imagination and I found (find) my mind wandering back to her on a regular basis.
I don’t think I can properly explain this one. It was sudden but deep infatuation and it lingers still.
So did I convince you to never trust my tastes on anything from now on?
You’ll probably need a few “good” harems to balance this out, I hope these guys can deliver:
ED – This will teach me to schedule posts way in advance, all my original nominations were taken (some have even published heir tags already…) so last minute change:
- Leap250 : It can be idols – that would be interesting!
- Curiously Dead Cat: I’m very curious here
- BiblioNyan: I can’t wait to read this one
- MangaKast: A Manga Harem sounds pretty yummy too
- Shokamoka: I don’t care – I’m still nominating Shoka
These are going to be such great reads!
