Majikoi and the Value of Being Different

Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!, or Majikoi for short, is a visual novel that is, quite simply, one of the most charming visual novels ever written. It centers on a group of childhood friends living in an bustling city populated by the descendants of warriors. It features a huge and colorful cast of characters, each with their own distinct personality and moments to shine. Utilizing a unique blend of genres including romance, action and drama, it creates something completely new the likes of which has never really been seen before.

That last part is key – never been seen before. The "harem" genre is a popular subset of anime and manga that focuses on a typically male protagonist and the multiple women whose affections he earns. It’s a genre that, thankfully, doesn’t take itself very seriously most of the time, but it’s still awash with the same tropes, character types and storylines. Majikoi not only averts these cliches, but makes something different by building on them and specifically pointing them out. Here I talk about all the ways Majikoi differentiates itself from typical harem and ecchi tropes and storylines, and, hopefully, convince you to give it a good read.

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