Definition of Harem

[Aristro]

If you can romance every potential LI in a game, and they don't know about each other; so no consequences. Is that considered as Harem? Or all the LI should be aware and ok with MC romancing everyone else?

 

[moskis22]

IMO they should know about the others and don't mind that
Even having scenes together

 

[anne O'nymous]

If you can romance every potential LI in a game, and they don't know about each other; so no consequences. Is that considered as Harem?

Technically and semantically, no.
But in practice, in the scene the word "harem" tend to have became the opposite of "monogamous". This to differentiate games where you can only romance one character at once, and those where you can romance anyone of the available girls during a single play.

 

[Pretentious Goblin]

I would consider that polyamory, not a harem. To me, harem means they know each other and are loyal to the MC (or whatever character has the harem).

 

[Malicre]

"Harem" like "NTR" have 2 different meanings. What we use those terms for aren't how people in their own countries use them.

Harem in America basically means multiple spouses but in the eastern part of the world (where the term originated from) means multiple love interests regardless of romantic outcome. It's why you see a lot of CN or JP novels tagged harem but only have one end girl.

It's the same with NTR, Americans just don't use either term properly.

 

[scrumbles]

Is that considered as Harem?

By whom?
On F95, according to the tag list:

Harem [1 person being courted by at least 3 others, all engaging in consensual sex simultaneously.]

 

[mgtoons]

Definitely know about each other. Weather they are all ok with that is up for discussion as I'm sure history would prove otherwise.

 

[Aristro]

By whom?
On F95, according to the tag list:

To confirm, that means you are romancing them at same time, right? Not group sex of any kind...

 

[woody554]

but in the eastern part of the world (where the term originated from) means multiple love interests regardless of romantic outcome.

no it doesn't, it literally means the house/room where your wives & lovers live together. which is the custom where the term originates from. one man, many wives.


but for VNs etc. it just means you can get all the women instead of having to choose one.

 

[FeropsisFenarue]

no it doesn't, it literally means the house/room where your wives & lovers live together. which is the custom where the term originates from. one man, many wives.


but for VNs etc. it just means you can get all the women instead of having to choose one.

I would go even further than this. The original Harem was meant for all important female members of someone's household. This included not only wives and lovers, but daughters, distant relatives, household workers, and sometimes even young boys. The term wasn't sexual in nature at all. It was a sacred place where women had more privilege, modesty, and protection.

Modern civilization saw this, and some started to make assumptions that it was just reserved for lovers. Maybe in some cases it was, we certainly can't poll every wealthy family in history to make this determination. Certainly the JP hentai/ecchi version of Harem is not in line at all with the original Arabic 'harim', because JP gonna perv.

What it means now in terms of porn is up for debate, but I would argue that many of the same original meanings apply.

All important female lovers of the main character having roughly equal status with and protection of the MC, willing to share him equally. Not all females in the game need to be part of a harem, but those that do are clearly ok with the MC fucking any other in the harem, and being together at the same time with the MC.