Stance on Harems and what do you think make them bad? Also if you were to write a Harem, how much do you think would be the number limit of members.

[GabrielTenma]

In my story, I can either go the harem route or another route which will surely get me hunted down like the plague by mostly all my readers.

I've read a good deal of comments from all over the place with most people saying that they hate harems. I have a general understanding why people hate harems. (bad characterization, stupid plot, etc)

I've never come to hate the genre of harems though. I'm curious what do you guys think makes a harem bad and also how much do you think makes a good harem.

1? 2? 3? 4? Etc. Let me hear any and all thoughts!

 

[Deleted member 84247]

I don't hate harems as much as boring characters, but I don't like harems either. This is mostly a reader preference, admittedly. Though, I have made an exception in sporadic cases. Same with cultivation. I usually don't like it at all, but I am making an exception right now for a story.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

Harems are only bad if they fall for the main character for stupid reasons.

a forced harem is still a harem.

actually a harem where they hate the main character could be interesting.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I do write a harem, and will write more in the future. The number does not matter.

What makes them bad? Lack of actual drama and realistic interactions. Lack of infighting, ulterior motives, and lack of chemistry between characters. Lack of a freaking harem ending, seriously what's the point of making a harem if MC is going to choose one? Over reliance on dere types and tropes.

 

[BernKatstel]

I hate harems because writers don’t do them well. They end up adding more and more characters into it and neglect the ones already in the dynamic. They are often more of a trope to check out than an actual important set of relationships.

 

[AnonUnlimited]

I do write a harem, and will write more in the future. The number does not matter.

What makes them bad? Lack of actual drama and realistic interactions. Lack of infighting, ulterior motives, and lack of chemistry between characters. Lack of a freaking harem ending, seriously what's the point of making a harem if MC is going to choose one? Over reliance on dere types and tropes.

You should write one where it’s a pathetic main character put into a forced marriage with a harem. Lol.

lots of drama.

 

[melchi]

Most harems are not interesting because having people as trophies is at best boring, at worst disturbing.

The only harem story that I'd recommend is Apothecary Dairies.

The main character is a member of the harem who doesn't want to be. What other harem novel has that kind of premise?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

You should write one where it’s a pathetic main character put into a forced marriage with a harem. Lol.

lots of drama.

Or I can simply write one where the girls all have their own motives, and don't automatically get along with each other. Lol.

Most harems are not interesting because having people as trophies is at best boring, at worst disturbing.

The only harem story that I'd recommend is Apothecary Dairies.

The main character is a member of the harem who doesn't want to be. What other harem novel has that kind of premise?

It's not a harem novel.

 

[Deleted member 133647]

actually a harem where they hate the main character could be interesting.

do you want me start recommending. It mainly gives off rapey vibes tho

 

[AnonUnlimited]

Or I can simply write one where the girls all have their own motives, and don't automatically get along with each other. Lol.

Hmm

I think I’ll write a forced marriage harem where the main character is hated but the harem
Members are friends. And he turns them against each other or something

 

[Deleted member 133647]

Or I can simply write one where the girls all have their own motives, and don't automatically get along with each other. Lol.

It's not a harem novel.

I legit kind of like it when they are start beefing. Only in Korean novels though, I despise Chinese and Japanese MC's

 

[AnonUnlimited]

do you want me start recommending. It mainly gives off rapey vibes tho

Where they rape the MC?

 

[GabrielTenma]

Hmm

I think I’ll write a forced marriage harem where the main character is hated but the harem
Members are friends. And he turns them against each other or something

Gaslighter mc huh

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Hmm

I think I’ll write a forced marriage harem where the main character is hated but the harem
Members are friends. And he turns them against each other or something

There is a manga with similar premise, forgot the title. It's not the same, but MC has to "fight" with his "brides."

 

[AnonUnlimited]

There is a manga with similar premise, forgot the title. It's not the same, but MC has to "fight" with his "brides."

I’d rather fighting be mind games instead of actually fighting.

 

[GabrielTenma]

I legit kind of like it when they are start beefing. Only in Korean novels though, I despise Chinese and Japanese MC's

Hard agree. In Japanese and Chinese stuff, either the mc just always agrees with it or does very dumb things. Not interesting at all when the girls are just one noted characters (only have one trope such as tsundere) and the mc is literally cardboard just watching every thing play out.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I’d rather fighting be mind games instead of actually fighting.

That's what I meant, yes. Mind games. Don't judge me, I'm still ill.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

In my story, I can either go the harem route or another route which will surely get me hunted down like the plague by mostly all my readers.

I've read a good deal of comments from all over the place with most people saying that they hate harems. I have a general understanding why people hate harems. (bad characterization, stupid plot, etc)

I've never come to hate the genre of harems though. I'm curious what do you guys think makes a harem bad and also how much do you think makes a good harem.

1? 2? 3? 4? Etc. Let me hear any and all thoughts!

The main harem would be like three or four. The FRINGE harem would be massive. My MCs live like Kings. You got the favored members of the harem, then you got the outliers who await your summons

 

[AnonUnlimited]

That's what I meant, yes. Mind games. Don't judge me, I'm still ill.

what manga?

 

[greyliliy]

I used to like Harem series. Tenchi Muyo being a long time favorite. Love Hina and Negima were also good series. I'm a sucker for love triangles, so Harem series tend to be that turned up to 11.

I think those series worked best because they had plots outside of the romance, and likeable casts.

Just like any other story, Harem series can be good or bad depending on the writing. Lol.