Harem is a genre of light novels, manga, anime and video games focusing on a main character surrounded by multiple potential romantic or sexual partners. The term derives from the historical harem, a secluded part of a household reserved for women, and refers by analogy to a man associated with multiple women. It originated in Japan in the 1970s, and its popularity increased during the late 1980s and 1990s with the advent of dating simulator games.
Facts
Place of Origin Notable Example Defining TraitA single protagonist surrounded by multiple different characters treated as options for a sexual or romantic relationship 1 Defining Trait FAQs
Where does the harem genre come from?
It originated in Japan in the 1970s and grew in popularity with dating simulator games.
It originated in Japan in the 1970s, and its popularity increased during the late 1980s and 1990s with the advent of dating simulator games. The term derives from the historical harem, a secluded part of a household reserved for women, and refers by analogy to a man associated with multiple women.
Which media does the harem genre cover?
Light novels, manga, anime and video games.
It is a genre of light novels, manga, anime and video games focusing on a main character surrounded by multiple potential romantic or sexual partners.
Connections
In the Other Atlases
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Sources
1. Harem (genre) - Wikipedia
Lead section, sentence 2
Originating in Japan in the 1970s, its popularity increased during the late 1980s and 1990s with the advent of dating simulator games.
Same-sex relationships section
An example of a same-sex harem anime would be Kyo Kara Maoh!, which features a male protagonist with male characters comprising his harem.
Structure section
The most distinguishable trait of harem works is the presence of a single protagonist surrounded by multiple different characters who are treated as options for a sexual or romantic relationship.
Lead paragraph
Originating in Japan in the 1970s
Lead paragraph, defining sentence
Harem (ハーレムもの, hāremumono; "harem works") is a genre of light novels, manga, anime, and video games focusing on a main character surrounded by multiple potential romantic or sexual partners.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
Choose a year to see this entry's facts and connections as the atlas records them at that moment: what it held then, what it held instead, and what it had not yet adopted. Choose Present for the current record.