This is just to try something new. As I tend to come across a number of new and interesting things I thought I might highlight some current unknown or interesting gems.Be they visual novel, manga or light novel.
Abnormal-kei Joshi
Description: High-schooler Shiina Shinya thinks that all girls are pretty much good-for-nothing, mostly because he doesn’t understand them at all. That doesn’t stop him from being surrounded by strange girls! Tsubasa Tooka, a cute, much-admired girl, stalks him. Shikimura Masami is majorly into masochism, and has recruited Shinya into her play sessions. Ikari Satsuki seems suspiciously interested in the recent serial stabbings, and seems to want to drag Shinya into it. Banjou Yoruko, a normally quiet, bookish girl, has decided she and Shinya are bound up in some fantasy setting. Uchida Yumeji is the school’s sleeping beauty, who spends all of her time in the infirmary because she requires so much sleep. Shinya brings her newspapers, so she can keep up with current events in the short time she spends awake. Lastly, Okui Akane is convinced she is a vampire. For all Shinya knows, it could be true, but in practice it just means that he has to let her drink his blood. How will Shinya deal with all these good-for-nothing girls that complicate his life?
The good: This guy has the most twisted and odd line-up of haremettes to date. A narcoleptic, a masochist, a stalker, a girl who thinks she’s a vampire…and that is the hook. Seeing our protagonist interact with these twisted creatures.
The bad: The manga does not have a ongoing main plot and the protagonist doesn’t have much of a personality. The harem is already set up from the start so we don’t even see how our protagonist got involved with these girls. So while the novelty is nice there not much else going for it.
Current number of translated chapters: 10
Recommendation level: 50%
Shinigami 4 nin no kanojo
Description: Minaguchi Kaoru is nothing special. He’s no good at sports or school, isn’t in any clubs, and he’s not popular. He has no friends and isn’t even interested in any of the girls he knows. He’s also teased due to the fact that he loves shoujo manga. Unlike the harem daydreams of his peers, he dreams of finding his true love. Unfortunately, a shinigami comes to kill him, simply because he’s a “forever alone” sort of guy. When he gasps out his intention of embracing life with his final breaths, though, she takes it back! As long as he follows through on his intentions, he won’t be killed. To convince the shinigami that his plans are genuine, he declares that he will confess to the girl he likes, the very next day. Expecting failure with confessing to random girls in his school, he sends out love letters to four different girls. To his surprise, they all agree to be his girlfriend. Now, this shoujo-manga-loving guy has ended up in a kind of harem story, quadruple-timing four girls! Will he be able to stay involved enough with society to avoid an early death?
The good: So far the most well executed harem deconstruction. Genuinely funny and a plot that keeps you interested. The girls may not have the deepest characterisation but their quirks are far from the norm. This is a personal favorite of mine.
The bad: Its been axed. Its confirmed that chapter 18 will be the last and considering the untapped potential of the story it is a great shame. Those 18 chapters are a great read though.
Current number of translated chapters: 17
Recommendation level: 90%
Mousugu Shinu Hito (Haruse Hiroki)
Description: Kominato Riku is a high school student who aims to be a game designer. The girl next door is his childhood friend Haju, is in love with him, but he has fallen head over heels for the school idol Riko. And lastly, there is the transfer student, Nodoka. With that all said you’d think this is the start of some love-comedy harem, but a rumor spreads that Nodoka’s received a message that says, “you will die soon”. Riku and the gang’s fate will change in a major way. Who will live, and who will love?
The good: Psycho girls scheming and fighting each other in a harem which is a matter of life or death? Whats not to love? While not perfect by any means its a very entertaining read with plenty of twists and turns. The supernatural mystery is intriguing as well. But the highlight is seeing just how far these girls are going to go to get chosen.
The bad: The girls personalities change too rapidly. Going from perfectly sane to downright psychotic in a matter of pages. The art heavily dramatises the story as well. Subtlety is not the name of the game here. Parts of the story are downright ridiculous. Also not for those who are not good with gore or disturbing concepts
Current number of translated chapters: 12
Recommendation level: 80%
New and interesting
- Dead Tube
- Boku no Hero Academia
- Inuyashiki
I have been avoiding harem shows for the last 3 years, but I guess I might check out those manga. Thanks.
For light novel, how about Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria? Thanks for the recomms!!
Inuyashiki is decent. Abnormal-kei Joshi is okay (only just), but the rest aren’t my thing.
That’s why all of you guys should just read Tower of God.
and whats up with these ugly face pictures that have been chosen for us. Like really? http://gyazo.com/ee71d985d8340cc015be4ae40ccf9744
I read tower of god, it started good but I lost interest fairly quickly after the first arc so to speak. It was similar to hunterxhunter with how the tests were laid out.
And those are the covers. I just assumed that the people here were not the type to judge a book by it’s cover.
Oh wait, I see you mean the avatars(Only managed to check the link now)…yep they are quite ugly.
Is there a way to change it?
If you keep reading Tower of God it’ll get a lot better. Trust me.
It changes a lot!
First arc as in the entire first season?
Pretty sure I didn’t read the full first season. I read though the crown game part and a bit after that I think. I may be somewhere between chapter 30 and 40. I rememebr not reall being that into it. I thought it was ok and I could see why it was popular but it wasn’t striking a cord with me.
Excuse me for not understanding, but why does the title state, “Anti-harems,” when clearing all of these manga series are harems? So confused.
I thought it was fairly straightforward. This series have harems however this is shown as an undesirable situation. The woman in them are either disfunctional or crazy and in this case the protaganist must keep up the harem againest their will as if they don’t theirs a high chance they will die. It’s Anti-harem because these are not portrayed as a desirable situation. Instead it’s showing just how damaging and undesirable it is.
Thanks for recommending these Aidan. I’ve really enjoyed all three of them so far. This is arguably my favorite genre in all of manga/anime and I’m glad to see that it seems to be having a surge in popularity finally. If you know of any other good manga like this, I would be eternally grateful if you would also list those titles.
I’ve been lurking in the Shoutbox for quite some time now and you guys always make interesting recommendations, so I’ll definitely check these out. I hope you keep on doing recommedation posts.