This review will be a long one.
Keitaro once made a promise to a girl when he was younger that he would meet the girl again at Tokyo University; however Keitaro has failed the entrance exam twice and is struggling financially so he calls his Grandmother to try and stay at the Hinata Apartments; what his Grandmother failed to mention was that the Apartments are now a girl's dormitory, needless to say his first impression ends in severe pain but it gets weirder when Keitaro becomes Dorm Manager much to the residents dismay. Over time, Keitaro gets on better with the girls if he can manage to avoid hair trigger violence particularly from Naru who is aiming for the same goal as Keitaro; curious by the similar ambitions, Keitaro wonders if Naru could be the promised girl but standing in their way are rivals, curses and Naru's severe insecurities.
The anime is garbage, the anime only characters are dreadful, the episode plots make no sense, the dub acting is shit, the regular cast act out of character coming across as mean spirited and the animation is cheap and lifeless.
But I really want to give Love Hina a fair chance because the Manga is so much better for writing.
Since character writing is essential in a franchise like this, I'm going to go in depth.
Keitaro: Starts off clueless but once he has a career he can focus on, he actually matures to the point where he is in a better moral light compared to the girls.
Naru: So it makes it ironic that the girl were supposed to cheer for essentially becomes the worst character as her insecurities make her the worst possible tsundere, this plays well into the plot when Naru finally cracks and confesses.
Mutsumi: Only thanks to Mutsumi that Naru was even on that path to begin with as quite often she's more intelligent than her ditzy, sickly demeanour let on. She even fakes amnesia and threatens to marry Keitaro to push Naru into accepting her feelings for Keitaro.
Kaolla Su: Not to say other characters don't have their place as Kaolla Su being so far away from home attaches herself to other people like a little sister, this is evident when her mature side awakens revealing a girl who is very homesick.
Shinobu: Being the opposite, Shinobu closes herself off not helped by a difficult family life leaving her shy and quick to runaway, ironically Nyamo seems to be Shinobu with Kaolla's backstory.
Motoko: Motoko, who is easily my favourite character, idolized her older sister but felt that her sister's marriage took her away from the sword arts and judges men as evil as a result but learns through brutal lessons that she doesn't have to abandon being a woman for the sake of the sword and that Keitaro is a better man than she thought.
Kanako: Kanako pines on the memories of happiness spent with her brother but finds it hard to accept that other women are into Keitaro.
Haruka: Initially lets the chaos go over her head but when Seta pines for her love, Haruka is torn by the idea that she won Seta by default with her friend and Sara's mother passing away, it also suits Seta's need to find a suitable mother figure for Sara who seems to do as she pleases.
Kitsune: Happy to go along for the ride as it's fun to watch, it makes her friend happy and it's always crucial to have an audience surrogate in a harem.
Just by going through the cast properly you can tell that the writing is way better than the shit we ended up with for the anime adaption.
Final Verdict: Simple, read the Manga and Love Hina will actually be decent. The anime was a mistake.
Strictly speaking these are the anime least likely to stay on this list once this is done.
100. Danganronpa
The big reveal in the games sort of ruined the whole thing, so I find it harder to watch now because of it.
99. Flame of Recca
I actually love Flame of Recca but the anime was so poorly made, an ugly bleached colour palette with a not so flattering art style, more money was spent on the box art.
98. Twin Signal
Twin Signal is a guilty pleasure but it's opening out right lies about what to expect, yes it's an OVA but they had three episodes! Some OVAs do better with less.
97. Love Hina
A poorly rendered, poorly structured anime adaption, the manga was so much better. Add in some weird decisions and characters who look embarrassed to be there.
96. DNAngel
It promised so much but I found it so boring, just couldn't sit through it.
95. High School Kimengumi
The joke is they all have weird faces, that's the only joke they have.
94. Gravitation
Found the characters irritating, the music is the only reason this isn't much higher.
93. Street Fighter Alpha
Both films were low points for different reasons, one made no sense the other was abysmally dull.
92. Labyrinth of Flames
A throw away title with not much to offer, very low brow anime.
91. Akikan
Probably the lowest form of waifu anime before it was a meme. Drink can waifus who battle.
Now lets bring this list season to a close with the Top Ten Best Types of Females in a Harem.
Honorable Mentions
The Tomboy with a Girly Streak Type
Miss Sakaki from Azumanga Daioh
The Mama Bear Action Girl Type
Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagann
The Out of Luck Hard Worker who Deserves Better Type
Kiyone Makibi from Tenchi Muyo
10. The Genki Girl Who Thinks the Best of Everyone Type
Kaolla Su from Love Hina
These are the girls in a harem you don't want to underestimate as they are usually the first to like the male lead and are usually the ones that give enough confidence to said male lead to keep going. While their enthusiasm can go overboard it's usually that boundless optimism that makes the challenge worth it.
9. The Bifauxnen Girl who can do Both Genders Easily Type
Ukyo from Ranma 1/2
Charlotte Dunois from Infinite Stratos
Bifauxnen is a term used to describe someone of ambiguous gender and both these characters personify this term perfectly, while there is similarities linked to the Tomboy with Girly Streak type at the top of the page what makes this such a good type is that they get on best with the male lead and it's that kind of friendship usually from childhood in Ukyo's case with Ranma that makes the characters stand out.
8. The All Your Fantasies in One Type
The Entire Female Cast of Happy Lesson
This is cheating a bit because you can argue this with any harem but this one stands out for many reasons. Happy Lesson is unique that you have a choice of five different teachers who play mother to the lead character who by the ending become your wife and add to that, a tsundere, a little sister, an older sister and a stalker. Your very much spoiled for choice. There are no other harems like this one.
7. The Perfect Girl who Actually has a Backbone Type
Lacus Clyne from Gundam Seed
Surprised it's not Belldandy? Well for all the perfection this girl gives in her looks, boundless optimism and sickening kindness, Lacus Clyne is not afraid to command a Battle Ship and will call you out for being a dick, which is how Athrun Zala ended up being dumped by her.
6. The One Who Supports you when the Rest of the World Rejects you Type
Hinata Hyuuga from Naruto
It's surprising how often Naruto has managed to appear on these lists, well certain characters do really well to match the subject matter, and some of Naruto's best moments is watching Hinata take on impossible odds to defend Naruto's honor, it paid off after 700 Chapters as they are married with two children.
5. The Dependable Little Sister with Strong Domestic Skills who will make the Best Wife and will Likely win in a Realistic Harem Scenario Type
Sasami Jurai from Tenchi Muyo
Another character not to underestimate is the youngest one, sure you may think she's not a threat being too young to do the things the main females do but she can also get away with a lot more things like spending quality time, winning praise and generally being kind and benevolent; compare that to the other girls which include a Mad Scientist, a stuck up Princess, a clueless Police Officer and a Rambunctious Space Pirate, bonus points that you already know what this girl is going to look like when she grows up, who are you going to choose? It's obvious isn't it.
4. The Extremely Sexy One who will fall in Love with you for Real Type
Rias Gremory from High School DxD
Harem shows get alot of stick for featuring match ups that depict really unrealistic relationships, then you meet Rias Gremory. It's easy to make assumptions considering that the target audience have probably seen this so many times before, really sexy girl and a hapless loser? Actually Rias subverts this by genuinely caring about Issei Hyodo, not only does she encourage him to be a better person but does so the normal way by actually giving useful advice and training and not over reacting when she has to scold him and it pays off when she develops feelings for him for real which saves her from an unwanted marriage.
3. The Thrill Seeker who's Idea of Fun is Building a Fast Car and Testing it out Type
Charlotte Yeager from Strike Witches
A relationship needs to be fun and creating thrills to enjoy makes for some of the happiest of memories, there are plenty of times where you can relax and lay back and forget the world but enjoying activities that both can do creates the kind of memories you tell your kids about. As for Charlotte Yeager? Out of all the characters who love adventure, Charlotte is my personal favorite.
2. The Perfect Gamer Girl Type
Ayame Shaga from Ben-To
As a Geek, the best relationships come when the person who plays games with you is the perfect partner to go into battle with, whether it's pulling an all nighter in Co-op, a team battle in a shooter, an intense racing session or a quick one on one fight, you know full well you'll enjoy the experience much more than playing against a stranger who swears alot. Gamer Girls get alot of unfair criticisms and should be made to feel more welcome into the world of gaming because you don't realize what you're missing. Bonus points for Ayame Shaga being a Sega Fangirl.
1. The Adorable Girl who wants to Shower you with Love Type
Juvia Locksar from Fairy Tail
But the most important girl in the world is always the one who wants to shower you with love, because it's that kind of dedication that becomes an important part of any close relationship and the support beam of the Harem Anime. This may feel like a kop out and it's true that Juvia borders some unhealthy Types such as the Stalker and the Clingy Jealous Girl but Juvia also has streaks of the "Girl who wants to be Accepted". Love is a free emotion and it's a beautiful thing to see when that one girl wants to show it to the Guy she loves the most and while Juvia has her faults so does every other girl and looking past that makes a relationship last a lifetime.
Moving on to the next list and no prizes for guessing that this is the worst females in a harem list.
Honorable Mentions
The One who means well but will Likely Kill you with her Cooking Type
Mizuki Himeji from Baka + Test
The Emotionless Girl who's only Facial Expression is Blank Stare Type
Nino from Arakawa Under the Bridge
The Constantly Pissed off One who takes all her Frustrations out on you Type
Akira Kogami from Lucky Star
10. The Workaholic who Chooses Career over Romance Despite being the Most Popular Girl Type
Ami Mizuno from Sailor Moon
Not that there's anything wrong with the decision only this hits harder knowing that I have been on the receiving end of this particular type of girl before.
9. The Socially Bankrupt one who expects Popularity on a Plate and then goes Crazy when Nothing Happens Type
Tomoko Kuroki from Watamote
Don't take your dating advice from dating games especially when it makes you look stoned from playing them too much, not made any easier by Tomoko's twisted take on reality.
8. The Bella Swan Wannabe Type
Yuki Cross from Vampire Knight
You're another reason why Vampires can never be cool EVER AGAIN!
7. The One who Forces you to do things for her Amusement and Destroys the World when she doesn't get her way Type
Haruhi Suzumiya from Haruhi Suzumiya
If you're going to give god a form, don't choose a form of a school girl who gets her kicks from bullying people into doing her bidding.
6. The Unstable Murderer Type
Diclonius from Elfen Lied
Any Female Character from Higurashi
Yandere Characters in General
There are some names within the two anime listed to run away from really fast, and I'm fully aware that the point of Elfen Lied is to sympathize with the Diclonius I just find it hard knowing that even when trying to help them my spine is probably going to explode in the process.
5. The Violent Tsundere Type
Houki Shinonono from Infinite Stratos
Naru Narusegawa from Love Hina
Taiga Aisaka from Toradora
At least a Yandere you can pin down to being mentally insane, Tsundere's know what they're doing and 9 times out of 10 there's no reason for the victim to be abused. Speaking of which the next two have similarities to this one.
4. The One who thinks her Title gives her the right to be a Complete Utter Bitch Type
Louise Francoise Le Blanc de la Valliere from Familiar of Zero
Louise takes Tsundere to another level and uses her title as another excuse for violence, what makes this worst is that she still ends up with Saito despite forcing him to sleep rough, making him her slave and hitting him for no reason. You know Japan there's a reason these characters aren't popular anymore.
3. The Psycho Lesbian Feminist who Hates you and Hits you for no Reason Type
Ume Shiraume from Ben-to
You can see a theme going now, while Ume has no business in a harem in the first place it still doesn't excuse her behavior towards men and equally her behavior towards women, she has some pretty sick ideas in her head and I had to purposely skip her focus episode because of it.
2. The One who takes Advantage of Your Kindness who then Dumps you for not being Good Enough to solve her emotional issues Type
Flay Allstar from Gundam Seed
The scary thing about this one is that this is the type of thing you read in gossip magazines and Jerry Springer Esque chat shows and none of them end well. While the Death of her father is a source for all of this that doesn't excuse her from playing emotional mind games with her targets and it only ends badly for her in the end.
1. The Crazy Stalker who goes too far Type
Ringo Oginome from Mawaru Penguindrum
This one takes the award for sickest individual female in anime. Ringo is obsessed with a teacher her deceased older sister was dating and is convinced by her diary and using the excuse of Destiny tries to win his heart, while the early stuff is Juvia level stalking it gets worst when she tries drugging, raping and killing him to get her way. Oh wait I forgot, the guy who made Utena did this show. Kunihiko Ikuhara you are one sick individual!
This has been on my to do list for a while but after careful consideration I have now picked my top ten guilty pleasure anime.
Dishonorable Mentions
Digimon, Pokemon & Sailor Moon
They all used to be guilty pleasures but are now appreciated classics, Sailor Moon as of it's new series has gone all contemporary, while the other two still run on decent money despite being over 15 years old.
10. Cutey Honey
Better known as the mother of all transformation sequences, Cutey Honey is on here for it's shameless attempts at adult fanservice, it's cheesy dialogue and sentai background, yet it still looks better than most Magical Girl shows in the last ten years.
9. Ultimate Girls & Hyperdoll
Sticking with sentai heritage, Ultimate Girls was an attempt to spoof the Ultraman series and make fun of ecchi shows in general, it never misses a moment to constantly rip off the girls clothes and make them fight the most dodgy looking monsters. Hyperdoll is an older series but follows a similar concept of skimpy clothes and crappy monsters. However both have amazingly catchy theme songs and the whole premise is so laughable that you can't help but enjoy it.
8. Debutante Detective Corps
Anyone who has followed me from day one knows that this show was the first series I ever reviewed, a minor OVA series about five stupidly rich girls forming a detective group to try and stop bad guys wanting to kidnap them and demand their money. It's laughable the amount of effort that went into this OVA and stands the test of time as a heckle worthy anime for the lazy afternoons.
7. Fighting Video Game Anime
Fighting Games have terrible stories and not one of them has ever managed to be good in anime form despite having enough of a diverse cast to allow it to be good. Anime like Powerstone, Virtua Fighter, Fatal Fury, Street Fighter II, Tekken, Variable Geo and Darkstalkers all have to share this position on this list, but say what you like about it, it's still very entertaining to watch these failures.
6. Angelic Layer
It's interesting to see CLAMP try a shonen series but ultimately still feels like a shojo, nevertheless the fighting dollies of Angelic Layer is still a million times better than some of the rubbish CLAMP have dug up over the years.
5. Those Who Hunt Elves
Anyone using the tagline, "Stripping Elves for Fun & Profit" will get serious looks of confusion from so many people, made even more weirder when the characters are a school girl, a martial artist, a Hollywood actress and a T74 Tank that later gets possessed by a cat spirit, all of whom are led by an elf woman who ends up turning into a dog. Despite all that it's wonderfully good fun to watch.
4. Love Hina
It's become a popular bashing subject between anime fans and I can see why but read much closely it still manages to be a decent love story, this is made more clear in the Manga whereas the anime feels cheap in comparison and lets face it, everyone always cheers when watching Naru get punched.
3. Rio Rainbow Gate
This show was written to be completely bashed by anime fans but it's attempts at being serious when Rio herself does her best by using the heart of the cards setup makes this such an enjoyment to watch if only to see how absurd the premise can get, the fact that this was made by Tecmo of Dead or Alive fame is plain to see as its never shy with it's fanservice.
2. Wedding Peach
The term "Sailor Moon ripoff" was common place in the 90s when many Magical Girl shows wanted to claim some of it's popularity, the most high profile being Wedding Peach, about a group of three girls who transform into their Wedding Gowns before going into their mini-skirts of power during a fight scene. It's a cheesy ripoff, the dub is one of the worst in anime history and feels like something Precure would come up with (which surprisingly they haven't). Saying that, it had a decent soundtrack, it ran at a higher quality than Sailor Moon and you just can't help but appreciate the ambitious attempt this anime tried to accomplish that it so nearly became a worthy rival.
1. Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch
Oh god, oh god, oh god. Yes another terrible magical girl show but it's so laughably stupid that it's become a hidden cult classic, it's also the only anime that manages to use it's whole color palette for both it's villains and mermaids and finally we have the songs. Even shows about Magical Pop Idols such as Aikatsu and the Pretty Rhythm franchise could never compete with Mermaid Melody's cheesy pop, for a long time it served the internet's meme community until the next bad anime took over.
