On a comment forum in Japan, ardent fans of the anime industry have led a lively debate about the current position of the gender yuri compared to the harem genre. Both genres, known for their romantic narratives, have captivated audiences around the world, but the discussion revolves around if yuri is emerging as the clear winner in terms of quantity and quality.
The yuri genre, which focuses on romantic relationships between female characters, has been steadily gaining ground in recent years. Emblematic series such as “Citrus” and “bloom into you” have resonated strongly with viewers by sensitively exploring themes of love and self-discovery. The emotional depth and well-developed narratives have cemented the yuri genre as an influential force in the anime industry. Even “yuri-bait” works like Lycoris Recoil and Bocchi the Rock! They have managed to stand out immensely.
On the other hand, the harem genre, which features a male protagonist surrounded by multiple female characters who are in love with him, has been a mainstay in the world of romance anime.. Iconic series like “love hina” and “high school dxd” have drawn a large following over the years, noting the comedic and often goofy interactions between the characters.
However, the discussion on the forum suggests a change in the tide. Fans have pointed out that the yuri genre is surpassing the harem genre both in terms of quantity and quality. In recent years, yuri has gained ground significantly, with an increasing number of productions exploring female relationships in depth. Careful attention to the evolution of characters and plots has contributed to its sustained appeal.
Recent series like “I’m in Love with the Villainess“, “Yuri is My Job!” and “Adachi to Shimamura” have been praised for their ability to realistically and poignantly approach love and relationships in a yuri context. Investment in character development and emotional narratives have been key aspects that have fueled the popularity of the genre.
Despite the fact that the harem genre still has a strong following and continues to spawn new series, the growing attention towards the yuri genre is undeniable.. The trend suggests that preferences are changing, with viewers increasingly valuing authentic relationships and well-constructed narratives over the more conventional harem dynamic often highlighted only by ecchi.
Let’s review the comments:
- «I don’t know, I don’t really like yuri».
- «I don’t understand people who like harems and actually watch those shows because they dream of having one in real life. The harem is for the protagonist, not for you».
- «I don’t like the harem because all the girls are complete idiots. It’s like you like busty but brainless women. The yuri at least portrays ideal women».
- «It is understood that pretty girls fall in love with the protagonist, but animes of the harem genre put the law of minimum effort on him so that failed otakus feel identified with him and think that they too can get women without lifting a finger.».
- «Well, if you ask me if I prefer to see a man fucking several women, or several women fucking each other, the answer is obvious, right?».
- «The yuri genre has the advantage that all the girls are nice and you want to support them. That you like yuri does not make you homosexual, you have to understand that».
- «The older I get, the less I identify with those young harem leads, and the more I identify with those looking for stable relationships.».
- «I really hate yuri stories, but I hate those stupid protagonists who just fall out of the blue even more. Damn otakus who want to see their power fantasies acted out in anime».
- «In romantic harem comedies, the further the story progresses, the more the male lead develops. But how many recent productions have complied with this?».
- «I think yuri can be divided into “serious yuri” and “non-serious yuri”, and that should also apply to the harem genre. If you end up focusing on just one work in the genre, you’ll be missing out on a lot of good examples.».
- «I wonder if this is a result of anime’s main consumer base getting older? Power fantasies where a protagonist is loved by many girls is now for hentai, not for conventional anime».
- «I don’t think yuri is popular, but I do agree that the harem genre is on the wane. Each new series of this genre is the same as the previous one, only with different girls.».
- «I really hate the state of the industry regarding the harem genre. The male protagonists are increasingly detestable, as if they thought more with their dicks than with their heads».
