Fushigi Yuugi by Watase Yuu
Raised almost entirely by his older twin, Amiboshi, Seiryuu star warrior Suboshi is a passionate fifteen-year-old with virtually no self-control. The shogun Nakago finds him very easy to manipulate. Suboshi tends to be obsessive and forms fanatical, idealistic love attachments to both Amiboshi and Yui, the Priestess of Seiryuu. His weapon of choice is a child’s toy, which he wields telekinetically. He and Amiboshi can communicate over long distances by writing messages on their bodies. Suboshi has a patented quasi-evil smirk.
Believing his brother was killed by Suzaku seishi Tamahome, Suboshi slaughters Tamahome’s entire family. He also threatens to rape the Priestess of Suzaku when Yui tells him that her own rape was the Priestess of Suzaku’s fault. After discovering that Amiboshi still lives, Suboshi forces his brother to drink a potion that erases his memory entirely and allows him to live in peace and anonymity. Suboshi ultimately dies in a misguided attempt to protect Yui from Tamahome.
He's sexy for his: Earnestness, zealousness, and honesty
Harem Role: The Noisy Puppy
Call on him when you need: Attention focused solely on you
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan by Watsuki Nobuhiro
Teenage Soujirou is the right-hand man of assassin leader Shishio Makoto. In his childhood, he lived with relatives who severely mistreated him. Under the guidance of Shishio, who was amused by his constant smile, Soujirou slaughtered his entire family. As a result of his abuse, the child learned to suppress all emotions except giddiness. His unvarying smile and very polite manners helped him endure the torture. Soujirou’s simplistic mantra is, “the strong will live and the weak shall die”, which he has been taught by Shishio.
Because he has no emotions, Soujirou has no offensive aura, making his movements impossible to predict. He practices Shukuchi to move so quickly that he cannot be seen. His signature technique kills his opponent so quickly that “there isn’t an instant even to feel the pain”. Soujirou is a little bit obsessive; he idolizes first Shishio and then Kenshin.
He's sexy for his: Sweetness and simplicity combined with kick-ass fighting skills
Harem Role: The Poisonous Objet d'Art
Call on him when you need: Cheerful compliance
Corpse Bride, directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
Victor is shy, sweet, and completely overwhelmed by his nouveaux rich parents. But once removed from their overbearing presence, he proves to be quietly steadfast and more confident than expected. He is artistic, philosophical, and poetic, spends a lot of time sighing sadly, and is quite firm in his ideas of right and wrong. Because he is eager to please everyone, he has a hard time when the people around him start asking for conflicting things.
He's sexy for his: Piano-playing skills and Romantic angst
Harem Role: The Brooding Musician
Call on him when you need: To feel sorry for yourself
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan by Watsuki Nobuhiro
Daigoro is a young student of Katsu, a famous teacher and politician. He is also passionately in love with Katsu’s daughter, Itsuko, but seems rather clueless in the face of the fact that she obviously returns his feelings. Daigoro is obsessed with Jules Verne and the idea of space travel. His most precious possession is a copy of De la terre à la lune in the original French, which he was given by Katsu.
Although he is incredibly intelligent and is a great help to his companions, Daigoro does not think very highly of himself because he is not a strong fighter and is a little cowardly. He is sure that Itsuko would be better off with Tetsuma, another of Katsu’s students. However, when Itsuko is kidnapped, he rushes impulsively to her rescue, acquiring a serious wound in his abdomen. Happily, De la terre à la lune had been tucked into Daigoro’s shirt, and it blocks most of the force of the blow.
He's sexy for his: Uncertainty. And the cute way he sleeps.
Harem Role: The Revolutionary Schoolboy
Call on him when you need: Homework help
Fushigi Yuugi and Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden by Watase Yuu
Sixteen-year-old Tomite is a Genbu star warrior and a former bounty hunter. A member of the minority Ha tribe, he suffered persecution under the most powerful ethnic group in his country and was consequently reluctant to serve their god, Genbu. However, his mother Boraate convinced him to embrace his destiny, and he became an extremely loyal and competent warrior. (Tomite’s a bit of a mama’s boy.) He even convinced his best friend Hikitsu to accept his role as a Genbu warrior, as well. Tomite’s chosen weapon is the bow, and his star power is control over ice; he can combine these abilities to fire ice arrows.
Tomite is a little bit perverted (in a cute way) and entirely too willing to punish anyone who hurts his priestess, Takiko. He is not very good at hiding his infatuation with her, even though she is in love with another warrior. After his death, he guards Takiko’s holy Shinzaho for over two hundred years, until the Priestess of Suzaku arrives to take it.
He's sexy for his: Devotion, gallantry, and tendency to blush
Harem Role: The Overprotective Hero
Call on him when you need: Protection from lecherous old men and scary monsters
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan by Watsuki Nobuhiro
After being orphaned by cholera and sold into slavery, a diligent eight-year-old named Shinta was rescued by master swordfighter Hiko Seijurou, who renamed him Kenshin (“sword heart”). When he was fourteen, Kenshin became an assassin for the anti-shogunate faction that fought to restore power to Emperor Koumei, beginning the Meiji Era. His lightning speed and ability to evaluate his opponents’ intentions gave him a brutally successful career (100 people killed in his first six months).
After a completely tragic few years and the death of his first wife, Kenshin vowed never to kill again, began wandering the countryside, and exchanged his katana for a sakabatou (reverse-blade sword), which he uses to defend the weak and the innocent. Kenshin is sweet, helpful, falls in love too easily, and does all of the housework. He is easily recognizable by his red hair and the ugly scar on his left cheek.
He's sexy for his: Undefeatable willpower and resolve
Harem Role: The Paragon of Virtue
Call on him when you need: Something to get done around here!
Spirited Away, directed by Miyazuki Hayao
Haku, the spirit of the Kohaku River, was forced to leave his home when the river was drained and filled in with apartment buildings. As a river god, he has the ability to become a beautiful dragon and to fly. When he is not in his dragon form, he appears as a young boy. At some point after losing his home, Haku began working for the sorceress Yubaba as an errand boy and right-hand man. In order to control him, Yubaba stole his real name and, thus, his identity and memories of the past.
Haku is clever and tough, can be cold, and is unpopular with the other staff. However, when a young girl named Chihiro arrives, he helps her to remember her own name, which he inexplicably remembers. He is very kind to Chihiro, although he treats her coldly when he thinks Yubaba might be watching. Chihiro eventually remembers Haku from her past—she was rescued by him when she was very young and almost drowned in the river—and tells him his real name.
He's sexy for his: Reserved nature and pretty face
Harem Role: The Mysterious Child
Call on him when you need: Reconnaissance
Someday’s Dreamers by Yamada Norie
Inoue is a mage-in-training who is decidedly sub par. He really cares about people and wants to be helpful, but usually ends up screwing things up. For example, in trying to save a little boy from being hit by a car, he’s almost killed. He spends a lot of time thinking—and sighing dramatically—about his inadequacy. Inoue has a hard time believing that he’s worth anything as a person, and when a talented young colleague named Angela falls for him, he doesn’t know what to do. Fortunately, Angela is assertive enough for both of them.
He's sexy for his: Insecurity. It’s so cute when boys are unsure of themselves!
Harem Role: The Silent Sweetheart
Call on him when you need: Candy and compliments
Pocahontas, directed by Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg
Thomas leaves England for the Americas in 1607. A quiet, affectionate young man who can’t even handle a gun, he is out of his depth and easily influenced. However, he’s sharp enough to realize that the New World isn’t all that it was promised to be—though he doesn’t know what to do with it. After John Smith teaches him how to fire a gun, Thomas gains some self-confidence. He rescues Smith from certain death, realizes how the governor is manipulating his men, and takes temporary control of the settlement.
He's sexy for his: Pretty Voice (Christian Bale)
Harem Role: The Enthusiastic Student
Call on him when you need: Somebody to be interested in what you're doing
I My Me! Strawberry Eggs, directed by Yamaguchi Yuji
Fukae is a fourteen-year-old student at Seitow Sannomiya Private School. His father, who is rumored to be some sort of secret spy, is hardly ever around. Fukae is much cooler and more level-headed than his classmates. He treats his friends like the idiots they are, and he exhibits hostile behavior toward his crush, Kuzuha Fuuko. Secretly, he's a very honorable and upright guy, although he hides it by pretending to think that disrespectful mischief is "boring". He does not cry, he does not need help when he's bleeding, and if you hurt Fuuko, he will pound your face into melted Jell-O.
He's sexy for his: Aloof demeanor
Harem Role: The Prince of Disdain
Call on him when you need: Some Perspective
Chobits by Clamp
Minoru is a twelve-year-old genius and a world-famous expert on Persocoms. He has created a persocom named Yuzuki in the image of his dead sister Kaede. Sadly, no matter how Minoru modifies her, Yuzuki is a constant reminder of his sister's death rather than a replacement.
Minoru also has four female persocoms dressed in extremely provacative outfits. The fact that Minoru both chose their clothing and is completely unaffected by it adds to his creepy "child who knows too much" vibe.
Minoru apparently has nothing to do other than chat on the internet and design expensive and complicated toys.
He's sexy for his: Brains and money... and angst
Harem Role: The Boy Genius
Call on him when you need: Information
Scrapped Princess, directed by Masui Soichi, based on the raito noberu by Sakaki Ichiro
Crown Prince Forsyth has a strained relationship with his father for two reasons: for one thing, he disapproves of unnecessary killing; for another, he looks exactly like his “traitor” mother and his twin sister, who, it has been prophesied, will destroy the world. The Crown Prince spends a lot of his time being played as a puppet by the Church of Mauser, missing his mother, and wondering about the sister he has never met. His only friend is the mysterious and sexy Christopher Bailaha, who is investigating the prophecies concerning the abandoned princess. Because of his great love for his people and concern for their welfare, he ultimately decides that they only way to protect them is to kill his sister. At their first meeting, she completely charms him, and he cries and apologizes while stabbing first her, then himself. Somewhat predictably, they come back to life when she defeats the world's infrastructure. Because their father has disappeared in the confusion of natural disaster and war, Prince Forsyth becomes the new King.
Forsyth is invariably moved to tears by things that are sad or adorable, gasps audibly whenever something unexpected happens, and begs prettily to be allowed to be useful (but is always refused). These traits combined with the big blue eyes and the sparkling earrings make him seem even girlier than his little sister. In my opinion, however, his manliness is revealed in his quiet courage, his absolute dedication, and his ability to consider both the practical and the idealistic. I always cheer when he finally makes the decision to get something done! Doing the wrong thing for the right reason is adorable.
He's sexy for his: Tender heart and total gullibility
Harem Role: The Wide-Eyed Innocent
Call on him when you need: Someone to impress... easily
Fullmetal Alchemist by Arakawa Hiromu
The utter tragedy of Al's past begins when his father disappears and his mother dies. He and his older brother, Edward, decide to use their alchemical talents to create a new body for their mother and bring her soul back from the dead. Obviously, this defies natural law, and it is unsuccessful while still causing Alphonse to lose his entire body. At the last minute, Ed performs another transmutation, and ultimately he loses two of his limbs and Al's soul is trapped inside a suit of armor. Both brothers then set out to find the Philosopher's Stone, which they believe can restore their bodies. Eventually, they sacrifice their lives for one another, but in true anime style, neither ends up dead, and they remain together even when they have lost everything else.
Alphonse is calm, thoughtful, and optimistic—an obvious foil to his aggressive older brother, whom he adores with a dedication that is slightly unbelievable. Although he's overshadowed by Edward, Al himself is a pretty capable alchemist. Since he has no body, he cannot eat, sleep, smell, taste, or feel anything, which leads to nights full of angst and uncertainty; this, happily, is only intensified when he finally regains his body exactly as he lost it and finds that he has no memory of all the time that he and his brother spent traveling together. He always thinks the best of people, which gets him into trouble occasionally and often results in him being used as a pawn in the nefarious plots of evildoers.
He's sexy for his: Unflagging hope
Harem Role: The Voice of Encouragment
Call on him when you need: A good upbraiding
Mahoromatic by Ditama Bow and Nakayama Bunjuurou
Suguru is a junior high school student who has lost both of his parents and, in that inexplicable anime way, is somehow allowed by the legal system to live on his own. Of course, because he can't manage to keep his house clean, he hires a maid, who just so happens to be an android. Not only does he now have a maid [read: potential love interest] with amazing!awesome!mega!super!powers, but it is also revealed that, unbeknownst to him, his father was the commander of a super-secret organization that fights aliens. (Duh. We could pretty much see that one coming.)
This kid is smart (but not unbelievably smart), cute (but not mind-numbingly gorgeous), and eager to help (but not extraordinarily capable). In fact, he's as average as is possible for someone who is, in fact, smarter, cuter, and more capable than the majority of his classmates. He's even a little bit of a pervert (in a cute way). He wants to please everyone, thinks well on his feet, and tries hard not to be totally useless.
He ends up being more or less useless. Compared to super!mega!androids, anyway. But he's pretty great for a junior-high schooler. :D
Suguru grows up to be the crabbiest person ever, and is restored to his youthful optimism by the lamest plot device in the history of human thought. Let's all just pretend the last episode doesn't happen, okay?
He's sexy for his: Gumption
Harem Role: The Token Normal Guy
Call on him when you need: A dose of reality
Scrapped Princess, directed by Masui Soichi, based on the raito noberu by Sakaki Ichiro
Christopher Armalite, whose parentage is unknown, was raised from childhood as a soldier in the elite division of the royal forces. He was later adopted by the Baroness Bairach and made her heir. With his impossibly huge battle-axe, he hunts the Scrapped Princess. He gets to have a fight with the "hero" and, within the story, plays the role of "that one guy who is technically a bad guy but is actually really awesome and, we grudingly admit, kind of a good person".
He is so indescribably cool. He is, in fact, too cool to be friends with you. For those persons with whom he actually is friendly, however, he would die in a heartbeat--except that he is way too competant to ever be killed in battle. He has, by the way, a very close (read: disturbingly ambigous) relationship with Crown Prince Forsyth.
Chris is responsible, can think for himself , and takes lots of time to make important decisions while still being able to think on his feet. No matter what happens, even when weird giant aliens attack, he continues to look emotionless and slightly bored. The best thing about him is his sarcasm. He never opens his mouth but to issue forth one of those remarks that leave the rest of us lying awake, thinking, "Why didn't I say that?"
He's sexy for his: Deadpanning
Harem Role: The Top Drawer Cynic
Call on him when you need: A fair fight
Fruits Basket by Takaya Natsuki
What, really, can be said about Yuki-kun? (Other than that, of course, he is the apotheosis of human grace and dignity.)
Souma Yuki belongs to a family cursed by the zodiac spirits. Because he is possessed by the spirit of the rat, whenever he is embraced by a girl, he transforms into that animal. This sounds like a stupid, stupid, stupid, contrived story idea, but trust me, you care less about things like rationality when you are basking in the glow of Yuki-kun's perfectly-crafted angst.
As is true of all perfectly-crafted angst-filled heroes, he was physically and emotionally abused by his power-hungry cousin, ignored by his (crazy, but in that awesome way) older brother, and bullied by his mother. Naturally, he now hates himself, believes that he is less worthy than everyone else he meets, and feels worried and guilty nearly all the time. However, he is extremely poised; although he is quite passionate and emotional, he keeps his expression aloof and his words icily polite. He uses very formal language with even his closest friends.
Yuki-kun is thoughtful and extremely kind. He appreciates the good in other people, and he wants more than anything else to please them, probably because he is afraid of being disliked. At school, Yuki-kun is adored by girls and boys alike (in a truly creepy fashion, might I add); regardless, he is always alone... Alone in his despair...
As is proper, he also suffers from breathing problems. So you see, he is exquisitely tragic. The touching coup de grâce is the aptness of his name: the word yuki means "snow", and the characters used to write his name translate, roughly, to "a reason to hope".
I have not finished reading the series, but I understand that he does not end up with the heroine. I lament the injustice of a world in which the well-behaved hero continually loses to the street-roughed anti-hero. (And I don't care if Takaya-sensei made him fall in love with another girl to try and make up for it. The point is, characters like Yuki never get the best girls. It's unfair.)
He's sexy for his: Everything about Yuki-kun is sexy.
Harem Role: The Ice Prince
Call on him when you need: An idol
I My Me! Strawberry Eggs, directed by Yuji Yamaguchi
Fuuko is the smallest and clumsiest girl in her school. Her friends make fun of her naive and gullible nature (although they appreciate her loyalty). She can't run without tripping and falling on her face... until she meets Hibiki Amawa, her gym kyoshi. Hibiki teaches her about people, growing up, and what it means to be a confident woman--and Fuuko falls in love with her.
After much angst, Fuuko decides that she doesn't care if she's weird--she loves Hibiki-sensei, and that's all that is important! And Hibiki loves her, too. Of course, we the audience know that Hibiki is a man. (And mustn't return her love. Because he is her teacher. And she is only fourteen.) Eventually, Hibiki does the right thing and leaves, while Fuuko chases after him. Poor Fuuko! Don't you just want to take her home and cuddle?
She's sexy for her: Naivete and determination
Harem Role: The Baby Doll
Call on her when you need: Unconditional love
Chobits by Clamp
Chii shows up naked (and missing her software) in a trash heap that Hideki Motosuwa happens to be passing by. Excited by the prospect of a free persocom, he takes her home, where he finds out that she is much more powerful than a normal persocom and not compatible with most systems.
Chii has no memories of her past, doesn't speak in any language, and hasn't learned how to do anything for herself. Since he can't afford the software, Hideki teaches Chii everything she knows--which is adorable. Because she's inexperienced, Chii trusts everybody and is excited about everything. She is completely devoted to Hideki.
She's sexy for her: Enthusiasm and total innocence
Harem Role: The Adored Object
Call on her when you need: Somebody to take care of
