Harem

Harems are common in Eastern cultures, but in classical medieval European culture, polygamy was not particularly common. As a result, it may seem that fantasy books set in the Middle Ages should have a more or less monogamous love story.

However, it is important to consider that the impressions of many books are based on the fact that the reader identifies himself with the main character. Furthermore, the less female attention there is in real life, the more interested readers will be in following the love successes of fictional characters.

It all starts with the introduction of a beautiful and intelligent girl in the plot, who is clearly interested in the main character. This girl may "randomly" turn out to be a local princess or simply a key plot character who not only helps the hero in his endeavors but also wants to become his life partner. It would seem that everything has improved with the hero's personal life and now the plot can move on.

But then the hero meets another beauty, who, at the first meeting or after some time, turns out to be a candidate for a romantic relationship. In classical literature, at this moment a complex plot knot with a love triangle, moral torment of the hero and possibly a tragic ending can begin.

However, most readers prefer light, non-burdensome fiction. The hero makes the simplest decision - to reciprocate the new girl while maintaining the relationship with the previous one. Here, doubts may creep in, but is the previous girl so happy with her rival? It may be recalled that relationships between girls in a classic oriental harem could often be very strained. But in our case, the girls, of course, get along with each other and are happy to continue further adventures together.

Depending on the length of the plot or the author's wishes, the protagonist's harem may continue to grow. New types of girls, races, and characters are added. Yesterday's worst enemy, who opposed the hero for several chapters, may also turn out to be a sweet girl who also does not mind joining the ever-growing harem.

As more companions appear, the hero may eventually form a classic team of adventurers (warrior, magician, thief, etc.). Furthermore, often only our main character will be male. Additionally, the hero will not always be the strongest member of the squad. Quite often, all the problems encountered along the way are successfully solved by the hero’s companions, and he is left to use the results while simultaneously adding more and more girls.

One may ask, why do all these girls need an "ordinary" hero? Who is not only weaker than many of them but also pays attention to other girls? Here, the hero may be endowed with some unique abilities, charm or simply luck. Sometimes plausible explanations are not necessary. It is just that all the girls will fall in love with the hero and be ready to do anything for his attention.

In science fiction based on the plots of classic anime, the harem is generally a common move. The world of Japanese animation is built on the dreams of a typical Japanese schoolboy who may have a complex in real life but enjoys watching the adventures of the hero surrounded by female attention. Therefore, if the book is a fanfic based on anime or is built in a similar setting, the hero will likely acquire a harem in the vast majority of cases.

In classic fantasy, harems are characteristic of the hero of a light, humorous fantasy in which the absurd situations into which the hero finds himself because of his love of love are played out to the maximum. However, some serious works offer a logical explanation for the hero's attractiveness to the opposite sex.

In general, if the hero acquires a harem in the plot, then the book is unlikely to be a serious work (with rare exceptions). But in the end, not everyone is looking for a complex plot and a solution to moral problems in the book. One can simply kill time by watching the cheerful adventures of the hero and his companions.