One of the themes is survival. In the imperial harem environment, the women have to find ways to survive. They may form alliances or use their wits. Also, the theme of family background can be important. Women from powerful families may have more advantages in the harem, and this can be a source of conflict and story development.
The theme of cultural and traditional influence is often seen. Imperial harems are often set in a specific historical and cultural context. For example, the rules and etiquettes in the harem reflect the overall cultural norms of that society. And the roles and status of women are also shaped by these cultural traditions, which greatly affects the plot of the novels.
One common theme is the growth of the main male character. In many harem light novels, the male lead starts off as an ordinary or flawed person. For example, in 'High School DxD', Issei is a pervert at the start, but as the story progresses, he grows stronger and more mature. Another theme is the exploration of different female personalities. Each girl in the harem usually has a distinct character trait, like the tsundere type or the shy type.
Another theme is the protection of the harem. The male protagonist often feels the need to protect his female companions from various threats, whether they are from other powerful individuals or from dangerous forces in the story world. This theme of protection also showcases his strength and loyalty.
Love triangles or multiple love interests are a common theme. For example, the male lead may have feelings for several female characters at once, and they may also have feelings for him, creating a complex web of relationships.
Well, one common theme is the idea of the female protagonist being in a special or unique situation. For example, she might be the only girl in a school full of boys or have some sort of special power. This draws the male characters to her. Romance and courtship are obvious themes too, with the males trying to win her heart in different ways. And there's often a bit of drama and conflict, like jealousy among the male characters or external threats that test their relationships.
Another common theme is the idea of the ordinary male becoming special. Often, the male lead in Japanese harem light novels starts off as a normal guy, but then through some events or abilities, he becomes someone that attracts the attention of many girls. For example, in 'Sword Art Online', Kirito has certain skills that make him stand out among others, and this leads to him having a sort of harem - like following of female characters. Well, 'Sword Art Online' has some harem - like elements among its many themes. It's not a pure harem light novel but still relevant in this regard.
One common theme is power dynamics. There's often a struggle for power between the protagonist and other characters in relation to the harem. Another theme is loyalty, as the harem members show loyalty to the main character in different ways.
One common theme is the male protagonist being in a situation where he is surrounded by multiple female characters. This often leads to comical misunderstandings. For example, in 'High School DxD', Issei's perverted actions often cause the girls around him to react in funny ways.
One common theme is the growth of the female lead. In reverse harem Chinese novels, the female protagonist often starts from a relatively weak position and gradually becomes stronger through her experiences with the multiple male characters around her. Another theme is the exploration of different types of relationships. There are friendships, rivalries, and of course, romantic interests among the female lead and the male characters in the harem. Also, many of these novels involve elements of mystery and intrigue as the female lead navigates through the complex relationships and power dynamics.
Love triangles or polygons are common. There's usually one male lead surrounded by multiple female characters with different personalities and relationships to him. For example, in 'Date A Live', Shido has to navigate his feelings among different spirit girls. Another theme is self - discovery. The male lead often grows as a person while dealing with the harem around him, like in 'The World God Only Knows' where Keima changes as he tries to 'capture' the girls' hearts.
One common theme is the growth of the protagonist. In a musou harem light novel, the male lead often starts as an ordinary or weak character and gradually becomes stronger through his experiences with the harem members. For example, in 'In Another World with My Smartphone', the protagonist improves his magic skills while interacting with the girls around him.