Novels WITHOUT ROMANCE OR HAREM

Novels WITHOUT ROMANCE OR HAREM
(There's a second list, just add a 2 to the name of this list and you'll find it) 

There are too many novels with cliché romance and harems with annoyingly useless girls. Reading them gets extremely tiring. There are too few novels with absolutely no form of romance or harem. Here are some novels I've found to not have romance/harem or have an harem/romance theme that didn't affect the plot of the novel to the point of it being annoying. 

Feel free to recommend novels that fit the criteria, arigatou^o^

P. S. I haven't read all the novels in this list so I might not be accurate in judging them. And there are some I've read but didn't finish and the novel ended up having romance or harem elements in a later chapter, please feel free to correct me anytime you see that I wasn't accurate. Arigatou minna-san
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152 Followers
Jewellia97
Created: Feb 27th, 2021, Updated: Apr 26th, 2023
Created Feb 27th, 2021
Updated Apr 26th, 2023
CN (4.4)
39 Chapters Every 84.9 Day(s) 682 Readers 30 Reviews 10-02-2020
CN (4)
560 Chapters Every 3.5 Day(s) 1936 Readers 31 Reviews 03-25-2024
MC is Crazy!!! But I love him, he's kinda unpredictable. He's not actually cruel or cold-blooded, he just thinks everyone around him are NPC and... more>>
CN (3.8)
262 Chapters Every 47.6 Day(s) 1527 Readers 11 Reviews 06-01-2022
CN (3.6)
39 Chapters Every 79.8 Day(s) 439 Readers 14 Reviews 02-26-2021
CN (3.6)
39 Chapters Every 80.7 Day(s) 343 Readers 19 Reviews 02-22-2021
CN (3.1)
39 Chapters Every 92.9 Day(s) 403 Readers 15 Reviews 06-04-2020
I completely understand the money grubber tag. Jeez, dude is a profiteer to the core. Doesn't like to suffer losses at all, no matter how little the loss is. ... more>>
CN (4.2)
38 Chapters Every 95.7 Day(s) 140 Readers 7 Reviews 04-22-2020
KR (4)
23 Chapters Every 122.1 Day(s) 6975 Readers 85 Reviews 08-07-2022
KR (4)
154 Chapters Every 75.1 Day(s) 8152 Readers 29 Reviews 10-19-2023
KR (4.1)
267 Chapters Every 31.7 Day(s) 13213 Readers 60 Reviews 01-21-2024
CN (3.9)
176 Chapters Every 155.9 Day(s) 3913 Readers 20 Reviews 07-23-2021
CN (3.3)
2 Chapters Every 3287.5 Day(s) 2580 Readers 42 Reviews 04-25-2016
CN (3.7)
2 Chapters Every 915 Day(s) 754 Readers 3 Reviews 03-31-2019
CN (4.5)
315 Chapters Every 116.5 Day(s) 11393 Readers 162 Reviews 08-16-2019
CN (3.7)
112 Chapters Every 382.3 Day(s) 3613 Readers 62 Reviews 04-27-2018
Hmm, he does have women around him and uses them to vent, that's it though. 
KR (4.1)
66 Chapters Every 4.1 Day(s) 8262 Readers 63 Reviews 03-07-2024
Honestly this is awesome. It had a slow start but it got much better. 
CN (2.5)
20 Chapters Every 98.9 Day(s) 875 Readers 4 Reviews 04-14-2020
CN (3.4)
697 Chapters Every 2.3 Day(s) 2035 Readers 11 Reviews 03-27-2024
KR (3.7)
229 Chapters Every 135.7 Day(s) 6159 Readers 39 Reviews 03-31-2019
CN (4.3)
90 Chapters Every 209.9 Day(s) 15726 Readers 163 Reviews 08-17-2015
KR (4.2)
39 Chapters Every 133.3 Day(s) 3201 Readers 80 Reviews 10-14-2018
Honestly, this might be boring for people who like actions, face-slapping, stuff like that. It's really a slice of life to the core 
CN (4.1)
552 Chapters Every 25.7 Day(s) 7084 Readers 48 Reviews 09-10-2023
CN (4.2)
123 Chapters Every 36.8 Day(s) 1848 Readers 19 Reviews 12-31-2022
CN (4.1)
114 Chapters Every 157.5 Day(s) 3330 Readers 35 Reviews 10-20-2017
CN (3.2)
39 Chapters Every 211.8 Day(s) 899 Readers 53 Reviews 06-26-2020
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Comments (38)
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  1. Jewellia97
    Jewellia97· Author · Mar 8, 2021 05:53 PM
    I have this weird thing about myself. Once there's an inkling of s*xual relations or mutual feelings (no matter how minimal it is), I immediately lose interest in that novel and no matter how hard I try to ignore it, I can't get that interest back. I've dropped a lot of novels because of this. 
    Reply · 35 Likes · ·
    • Aiwhatever
      Aiwhatever· Mar 17, 2021 05:46 AM
      Read Reincarnation Paradise, the MC is (chaotic neutral) ,cold with zero romance and he sticks to it, isn't anywhere near a simp and dont read the chapters that say edited as the one that did it changed how the MC is portrayed to have some feelings so f*ck that guy, he shouldn't have any sense of sympathy to anybody as it was said in the raw, f*ck that editor.
      Reply · 7 Likes · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Mar 17, 2021 09:53 AM
      @Aiwhatever lol I actually just started reading it. I'm at the attack on titan arc. The guy is f*cking crazy I'll tell you that. I didn't know the edited chapters was the watered down version, thanks. 
      Reply · 2 Likes · ·
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    • FIEND
      FIEND· May 7, 2021 02:37 PM
      @Jewellia97 read the mtl but with chrome
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · May 11, 2021 01:11 PM

      @FIEND thanks, I actually haven't finished it. Too many books to read :D

      Reply · ·
    • jpuertasantoz
      jpuertasantoz· Jun 12, 2021 08:20 PM
      I'm exactly the same way!!! Especially with harems. I don't like seeing women being written as toys. That just seems disgusting on so many levels. There were a few good ones, but after a while I just lose interest, no matter what.clear.png
      Reply · 3 Likes · ·
    • Lilix66
      Lilix66· Aug 13, 2021 07:05 PM
      Wow i feel you! I’ve also dropped alot of novels bc they have a slight hints of romance, eventho i previously liked the books :(
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Aug 14, 2021 11:30 PM
      @Lilix66 it's really cool that there are people like me cause I used to think I was abnormal because I thought this way. I've dropped so many novels that I genuinely liked. I learnt my lesson after some time so before I'd read any novel, I make sure to do lengthy investigations clear.pngclear.png
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • sdl123
      sdl123· Oct 18, 2021 04:54 PM
      You're not the only one who has that weird thing about yourself, since I'm also like you and it was to the point I wondered if it was because I got traumatized by women in male protagonist novels, always making me think if there'll be shitty harem and romance, like UGH. I tried to think that maybe they'll be friends with him only and not a love interest, but it failed since it always end up as a romance relationship, like GIMME A BREAK. Only very few male lead novels have managed to make me love and completely read them, but only in the Korean section and not the others.
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
  2. Jewellia97
    Jewellia97· Author · May 20, 2021 12:43 AM
    I suddenly realised something, like a particular trend nowadays. There are novels that start out extremely well, so well that you won't want to stop reading even for a minute. They'll have a good plot, good character development and just generally good. Then it starts getting too long, that the author wouldn't know how to stop or properly finish the story. It'll then lead to a mess, where the author will just sum up the ending in a single chapter. And it would end up being rubbish. So the story completely flops and disappoints everyone. That's f*cking annoying. 
    Reply · 7 Likes · ·
    • jpuertasantoz
      jpuertasantoz· Jun 12, 2021 08:21 PM
      That seems like how Solo Leveling ended. The ending was unexpected in that it started immediately and ended in 5 (?) chapters. Idk, it seemed rushed.
      Reply · 2 Likes · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Jun 15, 2021 10:51 PM

      @jpuertasantoz I even got confused when I first read it. I had to start from the beginning thinking that I'd overlooked something just so I'd understand. Another example would be 'the world turned into a game after I woke up' 

      Reply · ·
  3. Young Master Ling
    Young Master Ling· Jun 28, 2021 03:26 PM
    In the cover of the tr*sh of the Count's Family. The guy with a black shirt isn't Choi Han. He is Kim Rok-Soo, Cale's former body...
    Reply · 4 Likes · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Jun 29, 2021 06:39 PM
      clear.pngOoooh I didn't know. Wow. Looks like I was angry for nothing, thanks 
      Reply · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Jun 29, 2021 06:43 PM
      I still dislike the cover though. Cale looks like a girl, that's wrong clear.pngclear.pngclear.pngclear.png
      Reply · 2 Likes · ·
  4. Despapa69
    Despapa69· Mar 25, 2021 12:58 PM
    My good sir, I implore you to add Reverend Insanity. Also, where do you read reincarnation paradise? 
    Reply · 2 Likes · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Mar 27, 2021 02:29 AM
      Uh the link is there, just click on the novel.

      https://translatinotaku.net/ 
      That's the link. 
      Reply · ·
  5. Ellott· Aug 14, 2022 07:56 PM

    TYSM FOR THIS LIST!!! 

    you literally saved my life I'm so so soooo tired of romance 

    Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Aug 15, 2022 08:30 PM
      Lol you're welcome 
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • animefan217
      animefan217· Aug 28, 2022 01:56 PM
      and harem
      Reply · 2 Likes · ·
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    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Aug 29, 2022 01:28 AM
      @animefan217 those harem novels are way too many and most don't even have a plot, or the harem destroys the good plot 
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • animefan217
      animefan217· Aug 29, 2022 08:18 PM
      @Jewellia97 which is why i hate harem and romance in novels they ruin good series and feel like a massive waste of time
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
  6. Kirokikaze
    Kirokikaze· Oct 19, 2021 05:53 AM
    Hi, I know this chat is kinda late because I don't see anymore update and don't even sure you will read it but you could Add I'm Really Not The Demon God's Lackey because that novel doesn't have romance till the end. The novel is quite good too. I have read the mtl version. Even if some girl like him he doesn't really know and only focus on his bookstore. 
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Oct 22, 2021 05:22 PM
      Oh thank you but I already added it. It's just at the last page. A list can only have 100 books, so I have another list like a continuation of this one, just add 2 to this list's title and you'll find it. Arigatou clear.png
      Reply · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Oct 22, 2021 05:24 PM
      Hmm, but where'd you read the mtl? I couldn't find a reasonable one. Which site did you read it on? 
      Reply · ·
  7. jklm
    jklm· Aug 8, 2021 03:21 AM
    You should probably remove "I have a divine tree in my heart" from your list because it definitely went the harem route. (Tbf, it came out of left field. Author seems to have just gone a bit nuts. Like, MC seemed to be happy to ignore girls but then suddenly takes one to a hotel and makes her his mistress - after telling her she's not wife material. ugh.).
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Aug 10, 2021 11:42 AM
      Really? That happened? Well that's annoying. I was about to start it too. Thank you for telling me before I'd wasted my time. 
      Reply · ·
  8. Sae-Lin
    Sae-Lin· Jun 2, 2021 12:15 PM
    I recommend you the Hero's Return! Up until now (chapter 343, the last one translated to English), I've not seen any romance and I really like it! 
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
    • Jewellia97
      Jewellia97· Author · Jun 2, 2021 11:13 PM
      Hmm I have thought about adding it for a while now, after all he doesn't exactly take any of the ladies seriously. 
      Reply · 1 Like · ·
  9. animefan4004
    animefan4004· Mar 3, 2021 05:05 PM
    Kill the Dragon should be on this list.
    Reply · 1 Like · ·
  10. Jewellia97
    Jewellia97· Author · Feb 27, 2021 02:28 PM
    I haven't finished reading a few of the novels so if there are some that have annoying romance and harem in the later chapters, please let me know and I'll remove them. Y'all can also recommend novels that aren't on the list. Thanks clear.pngclear.png
    Reply · 1 Like · ·