Harem Anime That Have The Worst Protagonists

Harem anime is known for having lots of characters and complicated love stories. The main character is usually the focus, and viewers are meant to see the story through their eyes. However, people often get annoyed with leads who are clueless or just plain boring. A weak main character can ruin a good anime with constant hesitation or bad choices. This list highlights anime series where the protagonist failed to connect with the audience.

‘School Days’ (2007)

Makoto Itou is often cited as one of the most unlikeable characters in anime history. Initially presented as a shy student, he quickly becomes selfish and manipulative, consistently hurting others with his actions. He repeatedly cheats on his girlfriends and avoids facing the consequences of his behavior. His indecisiveness ultimately leads to a disturbing and violent outcome. The character is a dark take on the common “harem” protagonist who attempts to pursue multiple romantic interests.

‘Infinite Stratos’ (2011)

Ichika Orimura is the classic example of a clueless character in a harem anime. He’s the only one who can pilot the special weapons, and several female pilots are clearly interested in him romantically. However, Ichika never seems to notice their feelings or confessions. The writers use this lack of awareness to avoid developing any romantic relationships, which can be very frustrating for the audience.

‘Rent-a-Girlfriend’ (2020–Present)

Kazuya Kinoshita is a man with low self-confidence who often finds himself caught in lies. After a breakup, he pretends to have a girlfriend to satisfy his grandmother and avoid embarrassment. He tends to act without thinking, making awkward and regrettable choices that create problems for himself and the women in his life. His thoughts reveal he cares more about how things look than about genuine feelings. Although he sometimes shows improvement, his tendency to lie makes it hard to fully support him.

‘Nisekoi’ (2014–2015)

Raku Ichijou finds himself stuck in a pretend relationship, largely because he can’t make up his mind. He has a locket from a childhood promise, but he’s forgotten which girl it belongs to. Throughout the story, Raku mostly avoids dealing with his feelings and keeps things as they are. He’s oblivious to the fact that several girls are falling for him, and his lack of action keeps the main mystery from being solved, making the story feel slow-paced.

‘White Album’ (2009)

Touya Fujii is a college student in a relationship with Yuki Morikawa, a rising star in the idol world. He finds it difficult to manage the challenges of a long-distance relationship and ends up cheating on Yuki with other women he knows. Despite feeling sorry for himself, Touya repeatedly hurts Yuki, and his inability to take responsibility for his actions makes him the antagonist of his own story. The anime offers a frustratingly realistic portrayal of cheating and emotional vulnerability.

‘Love Hina’ (2000)

Keitaro Urashima is a wandering student who ends up managing a girls’ dorm. He’s often physically harmed by the residents, usually due to comical misunderstandings and unfortunate circumstances. Keitaro struggles with self-confidence and doesn’t stand up for himself, even when the girl he likes is violent. His inability to decide what he wants in life – both in school and in love – causes the plot to repeat itself. While many viewers feel sorry for him, his lack of progress as a character becomes frustrating after a while.

‘Rosario + Vampire’ (2008)

I’ve always been a fan of Tsukune Aono’s story, but I have to admit, the anime really plays up his helplessness. It’s like he can’t do anything without Moka and the other girls constantly saving him! He’s always needing to be rescued, and honestly, it can be a little frustrating to watch. It’s a shame, because if you read the manga, you see him grow so much and become a real asset to the team. I’ve heard a lot of people who only watched the anime criticize him for being so weak and not pulling his weight, and I can understand why they feel that way. It’s a different Tsukune than the one I know from the manga!

‘Oreimo’ (2010–2013)

The story begins with Kyousuke Kosaka as a caring brother, initially supportive of his sister’s interests. However, the plot becomes divisive when he chooses to pursue a romantic relationship with her, ignoring other potential partners. As he focuses on his sister, he becomes rude and dismissive towards girls who have feelings for him. This decision frustrated many viewers who were hoping for a different outcome, and the series is now well-known for this unexpected and controversial turn in the final episodes.

‘Eromanga Sensei’ (2017)

Light novel author Masamune Izumi realizes his illustrator is actually his quiet, younger stepsister. He focuses all his energy on taking care of her and helping her succeed, even though their relationship is unconventional and raises eyebrows. While other capable women are drawn to him, Masamune remains preoccupied with his sister. The story explores sensitive and forbidden themes, which can make his behavior unsettling and difficult for many viewers to relate to, often feeling more disturbing than heartwarming or brotherly.

‘Domestic Girlfriend’ (2019)

Natsuo Fujii is caught in a messy love triangle with two sisters who later become his stepsisters. Before their parents get married, he has a relationship with one sister while secretly loving the other. Driven by his desires and dramatic situations, Natsuo makes rash choices, leading him to switch between the two women and causing significant emotional distress for everyone. His short-sightedness creates a lot of unnecessary and predictable drama.

‘Date A Live’ (2013–2024)

Shido Itsuka can seal spirits’ powers by kissing them. He’s a fairly ordinary, kind character who depends on a team aboard an airship to guide his interactions with the spirits. Shido doesn’t often rely on his own skills or intelligence to overcome challenges. The spirits themselves are much more interesting than he is, and he mostly functions as a way to bring them together rather than a strong protagonist.

‘Peter Grill and the Philosopher’s Time’ (2020)

Peter Grill is renowned as the world’s strongest warrior, but he’s desperately trying to settle down with his sweet fiancée. Unfortunately, he’s constantly being tempted by monster girls who crave his powerful genes. Peter struggles to resist these advances and ends up cheating on his partner, then frantically tries to conceal his actions. The humor comes from his repeated infidelity and clumsy cover-ups, ultimately painting him as a less-than-ideal boyfriend.

‘Girlfriend, Girlfriend’ (2021)

Naoya Mukai is a uniquely strange and endearing main character who boldly asks two girls to date him at the same time. He’s often clueless and tends to shout out his thoughts, even in public. While he tries to please everyone with his blunt honesty, his actions often put his girlfriends in awkward spots. His silly behavior moves the story forward, but can also be frustrating to watch. Whether you enjoy the show really depends on if you find his over-the-top personality amusing or irritating.

‘In Another World With My Smartphone’ (2017)

As a big fan of isekai, I have to admit Touya Mochizuki is… well, a bit of a problem. He’s the classic ‘overpowered’ type – gets killed, gets magic, gets a smartphone from God, you know the drill. But honestly, he’s just too perfect. He breezes through every challenge, political or otherwise, and there’s never any real tension. And the way he just…collects a harem of princesses and strong women who fall for him instantly? It feels a little lazy. He’s got all the power, zero flaws, and it ends up making him one of the most forgettable protagonists in the whole genre. It’s a shame, because the potential was there!

‘The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar’ (2018)

Yuuto finds himself transported to a primitive fantasy world and starts using his smartphone and modern knowledge to gain power. He builds a clan where he acts like a family leader to the women, and they, in turn, are attracted to him. Yuuto quickly rises to dominance using surprisingly simple strategies and what seems like innate knowledge. The story mainly focuses on his conquests and growing number of romantic partners, rather than developing his personality or motivations. He often feels more like a player character than a fully realized person.

‘Sword Art Online’ (2012)

Kirito is a highly skilled gamer who finds himself stuck inside a virtual reality game. Some viewers think he’s a bit too perfect – a character who naturally excels at everything. Despite preferring to play alone and keeping others at arm’s length, he gains a lot of attention from female characters. He usually overcomes challenges with his strength, rather than clever strategies or working with others. While he’s strong, his quiet and serious personality can sometimes feel a bit bland compared to the exciting world he’s in.

‘Heaven’s Lost Property’ (2009–2010)

Tomoki Sakurai wants a quiet life, but he’s also drawn to questionable and inappropriate behavior. He initially sees the arrival of the powerful angel Ikaros as an annoyance, then tries to use her for his own plans. Tomoki frequently uses high-tech gadgets to spy on women and cause trouble. While his actions are often played for comedic effect, they can be disturbing and push boundaries, turning some viewers off. This lighthearted approach sometimes clashes with the show’s more serious themes, given his generally inappropriate personality.

2026-02-05 23:46