History Main / HerosSlaveHarem

Due to [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slavery being seen as an unforgivable violation]] of a person's consent, agency and freedom; ''and'' sex with a slave being [[QuestionableConsent legally]] a form of [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil rape]], this trope is one that many writers shy away from. However, the trope has exploded in popularity within {{Light Novel}}s, becoming one of the most common forms of LoveInterest for the StockLightNovelHero alongside the StockLightNovelCalamityPrincess and LittleSisterHeroine (and these are not mutually exclusive -- Mio Narase from ''Literature/TheTestamentOfSisterNewDevil'' is ''all three''). While its initial growth can be put down to its sheer utility in an [[TrappedInAnotherWorld isekai]] PowerFantasy story (even the blandest, least charismatic protagonist can attract companions if you can just ''buy'' them), the concept would quickly become embedded enough in the genre for "is or was recently a slave" to become a popular trait in heroines regardless of context.

** Ainz Ooal Gown is the supreme ruler of The Great Tomb of Nazarick, and because every resident besides himself were once videogame [=NPCs=], they are bound to obey his will. Several female [=NPCs=] in the Tomb are also either in love with him (Albedo, Shalltear) or greatly lust after him (Solution Epsilon and Neuronist Painkill). While Ainz is a VillainProtagonist, he is ALighterShadeOfBlack who is both aware of the interests of his female subjects and in fact disturbed by it. He confesses to Albedo at one point that he reset her settings to be in love with him, but she dismisses it [[HappinessInMindControl and says that if her love doesn't bother him, then she sees no problem.]] Adding to the irony of the situation is the fact that Ainz is a [[DemBones skeletal]] {{Lich}}, with no sex drive nor relevant organs, which doesn't actually stop the ladies from wanting to jump his bones and (somehow) have his children.

* ''Literature/TheTestamentOfSisterNewDevil'': Basara establishes a master-servant contract with several women (in the original case with Mio, he was supposed to have been the ''subservient'' partner, but [[ImperfectRitual Maria got part of the ritual backwards]]), with erotic and sexual contact explicitly essential to it. The contract prevents a servant from acting or even ''thinking'' of disobeying their master's wishes, as it will immediately make them OvercomeWithDesire to a crippling degree and can only be freed from such desire by their master. It's also demonstrated that other conditions can be met to "punish" slaves, such as teleporting them to another dimension. While Basara as a rule makes absolutely certain his girls give informed consent to the ritual beforehand, [[PlayedForDrama the series does acknowledge how easily abused this system is]]: the first ArcVillain Zolgia and several of his followers/admirers take joy in using the contract to make women their {{Sex Slave}}s, and ''especially'' taking other men's slaves and [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil using the agony and discomfort of the contract to break their minds until they enter a vegetative state and can be sexually abused at will]].

Usually, the relationship will be portrayed as unproblematic, wherein the slaves [[HappinessInSlavery are content with being owned]] by their beloved master and may even possess small amounts of "authority" (e.g., the owner may claim that they can be released any time they like or are allowed to speak their mind and maybe even question their orders). They may even avoid the words "slave" or "slavery" altogether, and portray the arrangement as simply "employment" or [[WorkingOffTheDebt "working off a debt"]]. In many portrayals, the owner will also be a {{Chaste Hero}} who refuses to use their servants as {{Sex Slave}}s, regardless of [[ArentYouGoingToRavishMe how much they want them to]]. However, none of this changes the fact that the protagonist ''has the option'' to do indecent things with their harem, and the only thing stopping them is ''their own self-restraint''. In this trope, said self-restraint and desire not to abuse their power is [[WantsAPrizeForBasicDecency often portrayed as the virtuous, heroic thing to do]] in opposition to simply freeing the slaves outright. Finally, the fact that they are, if not outright contributing to the upholding of slavery as an institution, then at the ''very'' least tacitly endorsing it, will probably also go unremarked upon.

* ''Literature/MonsterGirlDoctor'': DiscussedTrope between Kay, Lorna and Dr. Glenn. Kay and Lorna are the sword servants of lady Tisalia, and describe themselves as their lady's "property" under centaur tradition. When alone with Glenn, the two of them try to seduce him, knowing that their mistress is in love with him, under the logic that if successful, Glenn would have no choice but to marry Tisalia in order to take responsibility. When their attempt fails, the two are unfazed and state that they only see it as a matter of time before Glenn marries Tisalia, and since centaur law dictates that spouses share all property, then that will make them ''his'' property as well...which they are ''very'' excited about.

-> ''"Perhaps I should add something to make the protagonist more sympathetic? Like contributing to slavery! The protagonist could decide to rescue a cute slave girl by buying her!'' [to the studio] ''Is that really in the script? Yeah. There it is. [[WhoWouldBeStupidEnough That can't be real. No one's dumb enough to write that into their stor--]]'' [SmashCut] ''Yes, this really happens in more than one isekai anime, actually."''

-> ''"Perhaps I should add something to make the protagonist more sympathetic? Like contributing to slavery! The protagonist could decide to rescue a cute slave girl by buying her!'' [to the studio] ''Is that really in the script? Yeah. There it is. That can't be real. No one's dumb enough to write that into their stor--'' [SmashCut] ''Yes, this really happens in more than one Isekai anime actually."''
-->-- ''WebAnimation/TerribleWritingAdvice''

-> ''"Perhaps I should add something to make the protagonist more sympathetic? Like contributing to slavery! The protagonist could decide to rescue a cute slave girl by buying her!'' ''[to the studio]'' ''Is that really in the script? Yeah. There it is. That can't be real. No one's dumb enough to write that into their stor--'' ''[SmashCut]'' ''Yes, this really happens in more than one Isekai anime actually."''

-> ''"Perhaps I should add something to make the protagonist more sympathetic? Like contributing to slavery! The protagonist could decide to rescue a cute slave girl by buying her!'' ([[WhoWritesThisCrap to the studio]]) ''Is that really in the script? Yeah. There it is. That can't be real. No one's dumb enough to write that into their stor--'' (SmashCut) ''Yes, this really happens in more than one Isekai anime actually."''

* {{Lampshaded}} in ''Manga/RiseOfTheOutlawTamerAndHisSRankCatGirl''. Lint actually points out beforehand that using his [[TheBeastmaster beast-taming powers]] on Birena will strip her of her free will, and [[CrossesTheLineTwice she replies that she wasn't using it anyway]].

-> ''"Perhaps I should add something to make the protagonist more sympathetic? Like contributing to slavery! The protagonist could decide to rescue a cute slave girl by buying her!'' [[labelnote:JP going off-script]][[WhoWritesThisCrap "Is that really in the script? Yeah. There it is. That can't be real. No one's dumb enough to write that into their stor-]]-"[[/labelnote]] ''Yes, this really happens in more than one Isekai anime actually."''

* ''The Hero Life of a (Self-Proclaimed) "Mediocre" Demon'' is a subversion. While the first two members of Chrono's harem are his magically bound thralls, he is not okay with this at all. The enslavement of Sofia and Yukino happened as a result of two separate accidents. While he could give the girls any order he likes and be automatically obeyed, he hates this (to the point where he has nightmares about Sofia saying she only likes him because of an order he gave), and makes a point of not saying anything to them that could be interpreted as an order after a few initial mishaps shortly after the bonding happened. They sleep in his bed, but only because the spell that bound the girls will teleport them to him if he falls unconscious for a certain amount of time, which includes a full night's sleep, so they'll wake up in his bed no matter what (he tries getting a wider bed to reduce the awkwardness, only for the girls to use him as a body pillow anyway). A recurring plotline in the series is Chrono's efforts to find a way to release the girls from the domination spell. All evidence suggests that Chrono wouldn't be opposed to having a relationship with Sofia once he is certain that her agreeing to go out with him is her own decision and not because she's been magically rendered incapable of refusing him.

* ''The Hero Life of a (Self-Proclaimed) "Mediocre" Demon'' is a subversion. While the first two members of Chrono's harem are his magically bound thralls, he is not okay with this at all. The enslavement of Sofia and Yukino happened as a result of two separate accidents. While he could give the girls any order he likes and be automatically obeyed, he hates this (to the point where he has nightmares about Sofia saying she only likes him because of an order he gave), and makes a point of not saying anything to them that could be interpreted as an order after a few initial mishaps shortly after the bonding happened. They sleep in his bed, but only because the spell that bound the girls will teleport them to him if he falls unconscious for a certain amount of time, which includes a full night's sleep, so they'll wake up in his bed no matter what (he tries getting a wider bed to reduce the awkwardness, only for the girls to use him as a body pillow anyway). A recurring plotline in the series is Chrono's efforts to find a way to release the girls from the domination spell. All evidence suggests that Chrono wouldn't be opposed to having a relationship with Sofia once he is certain that her agreeing to go out with him is her own decision and not because she's been magically rendered incapable of refusing him.

Due to [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slavery being seen as an unforgivable violation]] of a person's consent, agency and freedom; ''and'' sex with a slave being [[QuestionableConsent legally]] a form of [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil rape]], this trope is one that many writers shy away from. However, the trope has exploded in popularity within {{Light Novel}}s, becoming one of the most common forms of LoveInterest for the StockLightNovelHero alongside the StockLightNovelCalamityPrincess and LittleSisterHeroine (and these are not mutually exclusive -- Mio Narase from ''Literature/TheTestamentOfSisterNewDevil'' is ''all four''). While its initial growth can be put down to its sheer utility in an [[TrappedInAnotherWorld isekai]] PowerFantasy story (even the blandest, least charismatic protagonist can attract companions if you can just ''buy'' them), the concept would quickly become embedded enough in the genre for "is or was recently a slave" to become a popular trait in heroines regardless of context.

* Played for laughs in ''Literature/SlowLifeInAnotherWorldIWish''. {{Japanese salaryman}}-turned-alchemist Itsuki Shinomiya has one foisted on him involuntarily when knight Aina sells herself into slavery to him to cover the debt incurred when potions he was going to sell to the AdventureGuild are destroyed in an altercation; her fighting partner Solte follows her into slavery to keep an eye on her. For his part, Itsuki is appalled by the whole situation and tried to talk Aina out of it beforehand, intending to just write the potions off as a loss; he refuses to think of them as his slaves regardless of their legal status, and puts them to work gathering raw materials for him with [[WorkOffTheDebt the explicit intent of freeing them after they pay off the debt]] (which doesn't take terribly long). He later buys ex-aristocrat Wendy mostly to keep her out of the hands of a more abusive buyer whom she doesn't want to be sold to. As you might expect from the genre, she falls hard for his kindness.

-> ''"Perhaps I should add something to make the protagonist more sympathetic? Like contributing to slavery! The protagonist could decide to rescue a cute slave girl by buying her!'' [[labelnote:JP going off-script]]"Is that really in the script? Yeah. There it is. That can't be real. No one's dumb enough to write that into their stor--"[[/labelnote]] ''Yes, this really happens in more than one Isekai anime actually."''

* ''Manga/Overlord2012'':
** Several of the Guardians want to sleep with Ainz and consider themselves his slaves, who both wants nothing to do with it and couldn't do anything if he wanted, being an animated skeleton. One of them is even self-inflicted, having replaced "She ReallyGetsAround" with "She loves [Ainz]" on her character sheet as a joke before the Guardians became self-aware entities. Another isn't technically in love with him, but her creator added "necrophilia" to her list of fetishes, so...
** One of the tomb raiders keeps three elf slaves both to rape and to cast buff spells on him in battle, which is seen as a waste of perfectly good elves. He meets his end when he's crippled by Hamsuke, and the elves are now free to tear him apart (which Hamsuke mistakes for an elven expression of help). They're later allowed to join Nazerick.

* ''Literature/Overlord2012'': Ainz Ooal Gown is the supreme ruler of The Great Tomb of Nazarick, and because every resident besides himself were once videogame [=NPCs=], they are bound to obey his will. Several female [=NPCs=] in the Tomb are also either in love with him (Albedo, Shalltear) or greatly lust after him (Solution Epsilon and Neuronist Painkill). While Ainz is a VillainProtagonist, he is ALighterShadeOfBlack who is both aware of the interests of his female subjects and in fact disturbed by it. He confesses to Albedo at one point that he reset her settings to be in love with him, but she dismisses it [[HappinessInMindControl and says that if her love doesn't bother him, then she sees no problem.]] Adding to the irony of the situation is the fact that Ainz is a [[DemBones skeletal]] {{Lich}}, with no sex drive nor relevant organs, which doesn't actually stop the ladies from wanting to jump his bones and (somehow) have his children.

-> ''"Perhaps I should add something to make the protagonist more sympathetic? Like contributing to slavery! The protagonist could decide to rescue a cute slave girl by buying her!'' [[labelnote:JP going off-script]]"Is that really in the script? Yeah. There it is. That can't be real. No one's dumb enough to write that into their stor--"[[/labelnote]] Yes, this really happens in more than one Isekai anime actually."''

-> ''"Perhaps I should add something to make the protagonist more sympathetic? Like contributing to slavery! The protagonist could decide to rescue a cute slave girl by buying her! [[labelnote:JP going off-script]]"Is that really in the script? Yeah. There it is. That can't be real. No one's dumb enough to write that into their stor--"[[/labelnote]] Yes, this really happens in more than one Isekai anime actually."''

* {{Justified}} in ''Literature/BlackSummoner''. Kelvin starts buying slaves because, according to the rules of the RPGMechanicsVerse, slaves cannot spend skill points without their master's permission, meaning he can customize them freely for MinMaxing. He also has security concerns in that a free party member might give away the fact that he's an S-class Summoner and therefore make him a priority target for either recruitment or assassination by TheVerse's nations, and he doesn't want to deal with the hassle. In the LightNovel, he has sex with his first slave Efil when she comes on to him after falling for his kindness, though in the anime adaptation [[AdaptationalConsent he refuses her because of]] the QuestionableConsent problem and plans to put her in her own room when he buys a house. The rest of his party members are captured monsters who consented to a summoning contract, a couple of which are {{Cute Monster Girl}}s--one of them being Melvina, the goddess who reincarnated him in another world and fell in LoveAtFirstSight with him at that time.

* {{Defied}} in ''Literature/HowARealistHeroRebuiltTheKingdom''. After Souma takes Carla Vargas as a prisoner of war during the CivilWar in volume 2 and slaps a SlaveCollar on her to control her until a trial can be held, his TopWife Liscia, Carla's childhood friend, starts talking Carla up to him as a potential bride. Souma shuts that down: aside from the fact he hopes to abolish slavery altogether in the near future, he doesn't want other future traitors to think there's a get-out-of-jail-free card in the offing by offering nubile women to him as brides (he finds the rumors of him being a {{Casanova}} annoying). [[spoiler:Carla is instead kept as an enslaved NinjaMaid at the castle, with secret orders from Souma to kill him should he JumpOffTheSlipperySlope into tyranny.]]

* {{Downplayed}} in ''Literature/RebornAsASpaceMercenaryIWokeUpPilotingTheStrongestStarship''. Hiro rescues Mimi from an attempted gang-rape, buys out her debts, and hires her as a trainee crew member to [[WorkOffTheDebt work off what she owes him]]. Mimi insists on sleeping with him that night; he's initially reluctant but she succeeds in seducing him. A similar situation plays out later with Elma, an experienced mercenary pilot who incurs massive fines in an accidental collision. It's not until way later that either girl bothers to explain to him that, by local custom, if a male starship captain hires a female crew member, she's consenting to be his doxy in addition to her other duties; [[YouDidntAsk they mistakenly assumed he already knew]]. At first, he [[DefiedTrope actively refuses]] to add additional girls to his harem: he views resident {{yandere}} Serena Holz as a StalkerWithACrush, and Christina Daleinwald is ''way'' too young for him even though he likes her (also her grandfather, a powerful noble, [[ParentalMarriageVeto actively opposes her pursuit of him]]). Later he settles on a rule of [[ReconstructedTrope recruiting women that both he and the other ladies like and who have useful skills]], since they're also his crew members: he brings Mei, a [[RidiculouslyHumanRobot "maidroid"]], onto his ship and into his harem, and attempts to do the same with Dr. Shouko (she turns him down, being MarriedToTheJob).

* Played for laughs in ''Literature/SlowLifeInAnotherWorldIWish''. Japanese salaryman-turned-alchemist Itsuki Shinomiya has one foisted on him involuntarily when knight Aina sells herself into slavery to him to cover the debt incurred when potions he was going to sell to the AdventureGuild are destroyed in an altercation; her fighting partner Solte follows her into slavery to keep an eye on her. For his part, Itsuki is appalled by the whole situation and tried to talk Aina out of it beforehand, intending to just write the potions off as a loss; he refuses to think of them as his slaves regardless of their legal status, and puts them to work gathering raw materials for him with [[WorkOffTheDebt the explicit intent of freeing them after they pay off the debt]] (which doesn't take terribly long). He later buys ex-aristocrat Wendy mostly to keep her out of the hands of a more abusive buyer whom she doesn't want to be sold to. As you might expect from the genre, she falls hard for his kindness.

* ''LightNovel/InAnotherWorldWithMySmartphone'': In addition to the main heroines that act as his brides, protagonist Touya Mochizuki also eventually acquires nine {{artificial human}} gynoids which were specifically created to be {{sex bot}}s for him. After imprinting him as their master, all nine robots want nothing more than to be "used" by Touya, with Cesca in particular being ''extremely'' aggressive about it. On top of this, Touya eventually becomes king of his own country and many women under his command also show an interest in being a mistress or otherwise having a romantic relationship with him.

* ''LightNovel/DeathMarchToTheParallelWorldRhapsody'': Satou saves a trio of demihuman slaves from an abusive master, and they choose to stay with him, since there's widespread discrimination against demihumans and being the property of a kind human owner is safer for them than actually being free. Later, he is {{glamour}}ed into buying a pair of human sisters as slaves because one of the sisters is highly attracted to him and was hoping he'd use her as a SexSlave (and they're under a powerful {{geas}} that requires them to spend the rest of their lives as slaves, so they can't be freed either). Even later still, he saves nine [[RobotGirl gynoids]] who ''also'' pledge themselves to his service (one of whom repeatedly tries to sleep with him). Satou, however, pointedly prefers women his own (mental) age,[[note]]He's 29 when he gets TrappedInAnotherWorld, though his new body is that of a 15-year-old.[[/note]] meaning that almost all of his slaves (whose ages range from very young to mid-teens) are too young for him. Later in the story, however, they manage to trick him into [[TheJailbaitWait saying he will marry them if they're available in ten years or more]].