Netorare (NTR) is one of the most controversial genres within H, as it deals with issues related to infidelity. The term “netorare” comes from Japanese and literally means “to be taken to sleep with someone”, referring to when a character, usually the female protagonist, is seduced by another person, betraying the male protagonist. In the plot, this provokes an intense feeling of jealousy in the viewer, which is one of the main elements that define the genre.

The genre was born around 2001, when the word became popular on Japanese forums dedicated to adult content, such as BSPINK, 2channel's sister community. The term was coined as a shorter way to refer to “Netorare Games,” a category of H-grade video games that focus on these dynamics of betrayal and desire. Tiyu 12-sai, a well-known otaku culture blog in Japan, noted that the word began to gain traction among fans and has since grown in popularity and controversy.

Why is Netorare so popular?

Despite the controversy, NTR has a significant fan base. One of the main reasons for its popularity is the emotional intensity it provokes. The genre was designed to arouse strong feelings of jealousy and betrayal in the viewer, which creates a unique experience for those who enjoy this type of extreme emotion. Furthermore, some fans find the feeling of helplessness generated by seeing the protagonist lose control of the situation fascinating, especially if this is accompanied by elements of “Mind Break”, a subgenre in which the female protagonist is psychologically pushed to the limit through pleasure, transforming her behavior.

Another factor is that many of the most qualified authors and most prestigious studios tend to dedicate themselves to producing stories based on this theme, So it's not so much that some find the idea of sharing or "losing" a romantic partner exciting, but rather that the best drawing and animation style is often present in this genre.

Why do so many hate him?

However, NTR is deeply hated by a large number of H fans. This rejection is due to the same elements that make him popular to others: jealousy and betrayal. The idea of the female protagonist, often the protagonist's love interest, being seduced or manipulated by someone else violates the traditional expectations of romance and fidelity that many viewers seek. Instead of a story of reciprocated love, NTR confronts the viewer with a scenario of emotional loss and disappointment, which can be deeply unpleasant and frustrating for those who prefer a more positive or fair outcome.

Another point that generates rejection is the perception that the protagonists are “ruined” or manipulated to the point of losing their emotional or psychological autonomy. This can lead to NTR being seen as a cruel genre, where the characters' emotions and feelings are exploited in a destructive way.

The polarization between hatred and fascination

NTR is a genre that arouses extremely polarized opinions due to its provocative nature. Those who love it seek an intense emotional experience, full of jealousy and pain, enjoying the tension and drama produced by infidelity and betrayal. Those who hate it, on the other hand, see it as an unfair and painful representation of human relationships.where humiliation and deception ruin the possibility of a meaningful connection between the characters.

As the genre continues to gain notoriety, Both his supporters and his detractors will continue to fuel the debate over whether NTR represents a valid fantasy or whether he crosses certain emotional boundaries that many would rather avoid.. Ultimately, NTR's popularity seems to lie in its ability to provoke extreme emotions, something few genres can do so effectively, even if those emotions aren't always pleasurable for all viewers.

Source: Know your meme