Desu Ex Machina: "As a follow up to last time’s editorial, I don’t believe there is a harem stigma. However, I do believe that there is a clear case of visual novel stigma. Even if a visual novel adaptation was entertaining, regardless of how well-constructed or enjoyable it is, the anime adaptation is still hounded by what it is.
In the last few years, light novel adaptations have been popular in anime. Iconic shows like Shakugan no Shana and Bakemonogatari all trace their lineage from light novels. Even school anime like Boku wa Tomodachi ga Nai or Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu have been very popular, despite having a similar setup to a visual novel. One main male, a handful of varied bishoujo eyeing him, and all the tropes and character archetypes that come bundled with every visual novel made in the last five years."
