What makes a great male lead in harem anime? Is it smart decision-making, winning every fight, or successfully charming all the ladies? Sadly, those guys are hard to find! Your average harem protagonist tends to be pretty wimpy and whiny – not hero material.
Still, if you dig fantasy action shows packed with romantic clichés, some harem anime manage to pull it off and make for entertaining viewing anyway. The stories thrive on wish fulfillment, after all!
So, I compiled a list of 10 favorite action fantasy harem anime that soar above their cheesy genre trappings. Despite lame male heroes, these shows served up thrilling supernatural adventures with cool powers and cute monster girls that kept me hooked.
If you can look past cowardly guys falling face-first into bountiful bosoms for the sake of escapist fun, check out these hot harem recommendations! At the very least, the flashy magical fight scenes will give you a good time. Now, let’s count down the Top 10!
Best Action Harem Anime
1. High School DxD
- Episode: 12 (S01), 12 (S02), 12 (S03), 13 (S04)
- Show: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018
High School DxD stands out in the fantasy action harem anime genre with its unique blend of romance, epic battles, and humor.
The story follows Issei Hyoudou, whose first date takes an unexpected turn. After what he thought was a nightmare, he wakes up next to the beautiful Rias Gremory, who reveals that he has become a devil. Rias, a devil herself, saves him from an angel and takes him under her wing.
Issei discovers his newfound powers and embarks on a journey to become a future harem king as a demon, getting involved in the complex conflict between gods, dragons, demons, and angels. The anime promises a mix of thrilling fights and comedic moments, making it a worthwhile watch in the genre.
2. Shinmai Mao no Testament (The Testament of Sister New Devil)
- Episode: 12 (S01), 11 (S02)
- Show: 2015, 2016
“The Testament of Sister New Devil” is an ecchi anime that follows the story of Toujou Basara, who learns that his father is remarrying, giving him two new sisters, Mio and Maria. However, the sisters turn out to be demons using the family as a hiding place.
Basara reveals his true identity as a demon-exterminating hero and decides to spare their lives despite their betrayal. He learns that Mio is the daughter of the last demon king seeking peaceful coexistence.
Now, Basara protects Mio from demons and heroes who want her dead. Filled with action scenes and ecchi moments, this anime offers a unique blend of genres for viewers to enjoy.
3. The Irregular at Magic High School
- Episode: 13
- Show: 2009-2010
“The Irregular at Magic High School” centers around the Shiba siblings, Tatsuya and Miyuki. Tatsuya is the older brother, calm and overpowered, while Miyuki is the perfect and accomplished younger sister.
In this world, magic is not a myth but a reality integrated into technology. Supernatural powers are now a systematic technological application, turning magic into technical skills. Those with supernatural powers become “Magic Technicians,” and they are trained in Magic High School and University.
The story explores the intricacies of this magical world and the relationships between Tatsuya and Miyuki as they navigate the challenges of being Magic Technicians.
4. Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari (Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar)
- Episode: 13
- Show: 2009-2010
Masaki Kenshi, the younger brother of the legendary harem protagonist Masaki Tenshi, gets transported to a different world filled with giant robots. In this new world, female mecha pilots are the main weapons of war.
Initially used and tricked in a scheme to assassinate Princess Lashara, Kenshi appreciates her skills. When she attends a pilot academy, Kenshi, who is secretly part of it, acknowledges her abilities and makes her his servant.
Kenshi’s abilities and attitude quickly make him popular at school, and he becomes the object of affection for almost every girl there. As a conspiracy to overthrow Princess Lashara unfolds, Kenshi fights entire armies to protect her. He tries to figure out his role in this unfamiliar world and why he ended up here.
Apart from featuring cool mecha action, War on Geminar boasts possibly the largest harem in anime.
5. Trinity Seven
- Episode: 12
- Show: 2014
Kasuga Arata’s life turns unexpectedly when he notices the black sun and realizes his world was just a dream. To control his powers, he enrolls in a wizard academy, where he learns that gaining the trust of the Trinity Seven, the school’s top witches, is crucial.
Driven by the desire to unlock his potential and uncover the truth about his cousin Hijiri, Arata fights demons and sorcerers alongside the seven girls. Arata stands out as a harem anime protagonist, displaying a cool and calm demeanor while openly expressing his feelings to the beautiful girls around him.
For fans of the harem genre, Trinity Seven is a must-watch, offering an entertaining mix of action and romance. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s time to check it out.
6. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?)
- Episode: 25 + 2 OVAs
- Show: 2019
Remembering and pronouncing the full title of this anime can be a challenge, which is why fans affectionately call it Danmachi.
Bell Cranel, a novice adventurer, leads a simple life with the goddess Hestia. Everything changes when he is saved by the legendary adventurer Ais Wallenstein, sparking feelings within him and unlocking a new power. Recognizing this transformation, Hestia encourages Bell on his adventurous journey.
As Bell pushes his limits, he encounters new adventurers and becomes entangled with various women inside and outside the dungeon. Danmachi stands out as an engaging action fantasy anime with harem elements, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.
7. Date A Live
- Episode: 13
- Show: 2009-2010
Shidou Itsuka, a seemingly ordinary high school student, encounters a mysterious girl at the epicenter of a spacequake. His sister Kotori reveals that the girl is a “Spirit,” the actual source of the spacequakes that disrupt the universe.
Kotori, who captains the airship Ratatoskr, enlists Shidou’s help to utilize his unique ability to seal the Spirits’ powers and prevent them from threatening humanity. The catch is that Shidou must make the Spirits fall in love with him to seal their powers successfully.
8. The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Episode: 13
- Show: 2009-2010
Naofumi Iwatani, an otaku engrossed in games and manga, unexpectedly finds himself summoned to another universe.
Chosen as one of four heroes armed with legendary weapons, Naofumi is entrusted with saving the world from impending destruction. However, as the Hero of the Shield, the weakest among the heroes, things take an unexpected turn.
Betrayed and left alone, Naofumi faces adversity. Despite the challenges, he must overcome betrayal, poverty, and hardship to rise as the legendary Shield Hero and fulfill his duty to save the world.
9. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
- Episode: 13
- Show: 2009-2010
“Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou” is another captivating isekai anime with overpowering elements.
The ordinary life of otaku Hajime Nagumo takes a drastic turn when he and his classmates are summoned to a fantasy world with the mission of saving humanity.
Unlike his classmates, who receive powerful abilities suited for combat, Hajime is ridiculed for gaining only the transmutation skill, seemingly lacking offensive power.
Betrayed during an expedition in the Great Orcus Labyrinth, Hajime plummets to the abyss. This harrowing experience catalyzes his transformation, making him stronger than ever.
10. The Misfit of Demon King Academy
- Episode: 13
- Show: 2009-2010
This fantasy action harem anime holds the record for the longest title: “Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha: Shijou Saikyou no Maou no Shiso, Tensei shite Shison-tachi no Gakkou e Kayou,” or “The Misfit of Demon King Academy: History’s Strongest Demon King Reincarnates and Goes to School with His Descendants.”
Anos, the powerful Demon King, has defeated humans, spirits, and gods. However, weary of constant warfare, he seeks a more peaceful existence and decides to be reincarnated. Awakening two thousand years later, Anos is surprised to find a world that has become excessively tranquil. The descendants have grown weak, and magic is in decline.
Determined to restore his dominance, Anos enrolls in the Demon King Academy, only to discover that his magical power is beyond measure.
These fantasy action harem anime recommendations provide diverse options for your viewing pleasure.
