While we usually try not to double-down on previously recommended shows, sometimes they’re so good that they’re worth mentioning twice. If it’s popularity ranking on most anime sites is any indication, then most readers should already know about this show, so this is for the uninitiated who are still missing out.

The story takes place at the titular prestigious high school, Ouran Academy, and follows Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student who becomes a de-facto indentured member of the school’s strangest extracurricular activity after an expensive, vase-shattering accident. This show works on a lot of levels, and really rewards multiple viewings. From the endearing opening theme “Sakura Kiss,” to its bizarre but always earnest cast of host club members, the over-the-top freeze frames that candidly and hilariously break the fourth wall by summarizing the goings-on of the characters, the episodes clip by at a fast pace from start to finish.

Under its saccharinely slick art style and popping color palette, the show addresses a lot of important social issues, such as gender identity and sexuality, privilege versus economic awareness, and what it means to truly embrace one’s self-identity, all wrapped up in a reverse harem package. It’s as close to essential viewing for fans of the genre as a show can get.

Ritsuka Tachibana has an ordinary-seeming life typical of high school students, until she is randomly called into an inquiry by the student council under the pretense of having broken school rules. All isn’t quite what it seems, as the questions have little to do with the rules of the school, and upon returning home to find her house broken into and her family injured, Ritsuka realizes she’s been pulled into something much bigger than a simple demerit on her record. She is, in fact, caught in a war between devils and vampires at her school, both of whom think she is the key to discovering a powerful, lost grimoire capable of giving either side the advantage they need to come out ahead in the conflict.

Dance with Devils has plenty for fans of Vampire Knight. With its supernatural premise, it’s reverse harem of beautiful bishounen on either side of the conflict, and even nods to idol culture, the fact that it has a dark, atmospheric story with plenty of twists is just icing on the cake. It’s worth noting that it does have rather mature content, and may not be suitable for younger viewers, or those who are a bit squeamish about blood.

Based off of a popular otome game of the same name, Amnesia focuses on a young girl who wakes up in the back room of a café she apparently works at after startling dreams, who has no memories of her life up until that point. All she has is a cell phone with some contacts in it, and two of her friends, Shin and Toma, are called to get her home safely. After she arrives, she encounters Orion, an otherworldly boy that only she can see and hear, who explains that her amnesia is the direct result of his manifestation in her world. Feeling guilty, he vows to help her recover her memories, which is easier said than done, as she reacquaints herself with the handsome men that orbit her life.

Amnesia combines expected elements from a visual novel, with a healthy dose of fantasy and mystery, combined with reverse-harem romance. While each episode often focuses on the individual men in her life, the dimension-transcending plot offers enough surprises to keep even the most seasoned veterans of the genre guessing as the main character picks up the pieces of her past.

Saiunkoku Monogatari is set in the fictional, titular empire of Saiunkoku, which is divided into eight provinces, each named after a different color. It centers around the life of Kou Shurei, a young girl born into a noble house that has fallen on hard times. Her father has a prestigious position at the Imperial Palace library, but makes so little money he struggles to make ends meet. Shurei teaches at temple and works odds jobs to help earn whatever additional income she can, to keep their family afloat. Although she’s happy to help out the family, she dreams of taking the imperial examination in order to take a governmental post, which women are forbidden to do.

Her fortunes seem to take an upturn when the Emperor’s advisor approaches her with a proposition; a position as the Emperor’s consort for half a year, to rein in his untoward behavior and ignite his interest in politics. As she spends time at the Emperor’s side, she becomes embroiled in politics, and her passion for government reignites.
Saiunkoku Monogatari blends elements of historical fantasy with comedy drama. The Emperor and other court officials create an interesting, reverse harem power dynamic unlike other shows. The show has surprising heart, and deals with the difficulty women face in trying to create change, paralleled by Shurei’s commitment to her country and the court.

In search of her missing father, Chizuru Yukimura takes a trip to Kyoto to search for news of his whereabouts. On the way, she is set upon by men who are torn apart by seemingly mindless killing machines, Rasetsu. In turn, they are defeated by Hajime Saito, a skilled member of a band of brave swordsmen that keep order in the city, the Shinsengumi.

After Chizuru is taken back to the Shinsengumi headquarters, she learns the mysterious truth surrounding her father. A famous practitioner of western medicine, he was commissioned by the Bakufu to create the “Water of Life,” an elixir that bestows those who drink it with superhuman physical attributes, usually at the cost of their sanity. She agrees to assist the Shinsengumi in their efforts to contain the Rasetsu, as their path leads them into increasing danger.

This particular reverse harem anime is based off of a popular series of otome games. The historical-fantasy setting is the perfect arena for this particular style of dramatic action, and although vampires are traded for samurai, the beautiful members of the Shinsengumi still go up against a supernatural foe with mysterious origins. With plenty of follow-ups, this series is sure to keep fans of the genre busy for a long time.

King Il is the pacifist ruler of Kouka, a fantastical country where he is beloved by the citizenry. Because of the kingdom’s peace, his only daughter, Yona, lives a carefree life, happily whiling away her days at Hiryu castle under the watchful eye of her companion and bodyguard, Son Hak.

However, such an idyllic life was bound to come to an end. Her childhood sweetheart, Soo-won, visits the King under false pretenses, and commits the ultimate betrayal when he murders King Il in front of Yona, and grabs power for himself. Yona and Hak flee to Hak’s hometown, and begin a quest to reclaim her kingdom by seeking out the power of reincarnated dragons of legend.

Akatsuki no Yona tells a surprisingly poignant story rarely found in the genre. While the show blends elements of drama, action and comedy expertly, it tells the story of one girl’s growth into adulthood as she comes to understand the harsh realities of life outside the palace walls, alongside with its cast of breathtaking bishounen warriors. A story fans of the genre would be remiss to miss out on.