Pseudo Harem Anime Review (2024) - When One Girl Becomes an Entire Harem

Pseudo Harem

Have you ever tried to make someone else content by pretending to be someone you’re not? Or perhaps you have tried to change who you were for someone else? From my perspective, neither approach is intrinsically harmful, as we can constantly find inspiration and motivation to improve ourselves through others. However, under certain circumstances, it may have adverse effects and can always serve as a means to an end. Maybe it takes such an illusion for certain people to realize the value of the real you because some don’t realize the beauty of what is before it starts fading or is already gone…

“Pseudo Harem,” also known as “Giji Harem,” is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired from the 5th of July till the 20th of September in Summer 2024. Pony Canyon, BS Fuji, Tokyo MX, and bilibili produced it, while Studio Nomad brought it to life. Its central staff includes Konishi Yuuki as producer, Kikuchi Toshihiro as director, episode director, and storyboard artist. Satou Takuya as the sound director and Nakagama Yuusuke as the episode director. It features the genres of comedy and romance alongside the themes of love, the status quo, and school. Targeting the shounen demographic, each episode runs for 23 minutes and receives a PG-13 rating for teenagers 13 years or older. On November 22, 2024, Blu-ray released the series as a box set.

The anime draws inspiration from the web manga of the same name, which debuted on the original author's Twitter account from June 20, 2018, to March 5, 2021. Afterward, the manga adaptation ran for six volumes from the 12th of January 2019 till the 12th of March 2021. Author and artist Saitou Yuu created the work that Gessan serialized.

The story's protagonist, Eiji Kitahama, shares a common dream with many young men his age: to become so popular that he attracts an entire harem of girls. This is nothing rare among high school guys, but he becomes lucky enough to find someone who fully supports his goal! This person happens to be a new junior at the Drama Club named Rin Nanakura, who is determined to use her unique abilities to realize his wish! Possessing awe-inspiring acting abilities, Rin takes on a myriad of personalities to act out the parts of multiple characters within Eiji’s simulated harem. This girl is a complete package, whether she is teasing him to his wits' end or as calm and collected as the breeze. Naturally, the bond between the duo begins to deepen over time, and Rin expands her repertoire to reach even greater heights. She can quickly swap between the pseudo characters while enjoying her high school life with Eiji in the drama club. Despite all the acting, it becomes evident that the real Rin is putting forth her utmost effort to win Eiji's heart, but what path will she choose in the future?

Pseudo Harem is a show about a harem consisting of just one incredible girl and her amazing ability to bring many different personalities alive. The show's unique romantic premise and two main characters consistently provide a heartwarming experience that may even make you blush. One of my favorite couples of Summer 2024 is Eiji and Rin, whose lovable progression sets them apart from the rest. They may start from a very simple senior-junior standpoint. Still, their arrangement of switching personalities and acting naturally evolves into a very authentic relationship where they even go on proper dates, all within this one season.

This show impressed me with Rin's use of the personality-switching gimmick to express her genuine emotions to Eiji, despite it initially appearing as though she was honing her acting skills. The show perfectly paces their romance, making each episode a delightful viewing experience that unfolds effortlessly. Every moment this couple shares together is enchanting; their off-screen cuteness is palpable, and I never grew bored of watching them interact. The best part is that they both develop with each passing episode; we see them grow individually thanks to each other. For example, Rin develops from a girl who can only express her emotions under the guise of acting to someone who can openly tell the person she loves how she feels.

Meanwhile, Eiji develops the courage to convey his feelings to Rin herself rather than her characters. By the end, they are still themselves but more developed and better. If there’s any gripe in the story department, it’s the fact that some of the key turning points happened off-screen, which is quite odd. Even without them, you can understand the changes and receive sufficient information to piece them together, but it would have been nice to witness those moments firsthand.

In the character department, we finally have a very likable male MC! Eiji is neither dense nor annoying; in fact, he’s super supportive, funny, shameless (in a positive way), loud, and has a very soothing voice. He is neither a clear alpha nor a beta; he is a realistic guy aware of his feelings for Rin and even “confesses” to her at times but cleverly hides it under the guise of acting. Meanwhile, Rin is the undisputed star of the show! Honestly, one fantastic girl who can perfectly play out countless personalities is way better than having dozens of girls vying for the MC’s attention. Regardless of the personas she adopts, her essence remains the same: she is a sweet, lovable girl, and her character remains consistent and endearing. She is bright, energetic, upbeat, weird (in a good way), engaging, and talented, never once making you feel “meh.” The show doesn’t focus on the supporting characters as much, and that’s a good thing; this helps it stay focused and have actual development. They were there and did their job without robbing the central relationship. They did an excellent job!

The management of the Art and Animation department is commendable. The studio has meticulously preserved the original manga's style, and their translation onto the small screen is genuinely remarkable. The studio's meticulous attention to detail is evident in everything from the weird facial expressions, purposefully dubious anatomy, line-art style, pastel shades, and gradient backgrounds. The simple but beautiful character designs and their wacky reactions are all there and couldn't be more accurate. They have purposefully kept this department simple but refined because it perfectly expresses the comedic and soothing nature of the series. Fancy CGI, awe-inspiring artwork, and visual spectacles might hold this show down. The animation is straightforward, and that’s all it needs to be.

The Sounds and Music department simply suits the show. The OSTs reminded me of good ol’ RomComs from the 2010s, setting the right moods for the show but are nothing special. The opening theme is "Blouse" by Gohobi, a gorgeous song that quickly made it onto my playlist. These two singers flawlessly complement each other, and the lyrics are ever so reflective of the show that it feels like the main couple is singing. The ending theme is "Ad-lib" by Rin Nanakura (VA Saori Hayami), which didn’t stand out to me. The voice actors for Eiji and Rin, Hayami Saori and Okamoto Nobuhiko, did a spectacular job portraying their characters. Their performances felt so genuine and had a consistent impact.

Overall, if the abundance of mediocre or bad romcoms bombarding us each season has exhausted you, Pseudo Harem is your saving grace. It is unique, focused, pure, and entertains no fanservice; it will not make you cringe, annoyed, or uncomfortable. A capable male MC, who doesn't act alienated around women, drives the show, while a talented female MC employs a unique method to express her feelings. We witness their love blossoming at every turn, culminating in a satisfying conclusion. This show is simple yet well thought out and beautiful, and, unfortunately, it ended so quickly. I highly recommend this show to any fan of the comedy and romance genres because this is the kind of fresh air we needed to breathe!