By the normal standards of grading entertainment, we usually define quality entertainment as intelligent in some way. Intelligent design for entertainment usually is produced through a well-thought out story and an interesting cast that has thought provoking development. Naturally, it is very easy to dismiss Boku-H as being a mediocre show when it does in fact have an uninspired story that feels rushed and confusing at its worst moments. Nobody is surprised by the usual boy meets fantasy girl who gets boy into sexy action packed adventures. I will be the first person to admit that the story is nothing special by any means.
The other point of appreciation for most entertainment also includes its physical quality, or essentially its sound and art. Boku-H again would be easily considered unremarkable for the most part in this area. The soundtrack, while not awful, is relatively shallow and repetitive. The animations are also not the most smooth, and heavily reliant on CG to fill in the gaps. This can be forgiven however given the nature of this particular show is ecchi. While the rest of the show looks unremarkable, the show does its job of providing appealing scenes featuring its female cast nude in various situations. If you are looking for an erotic anime, the nude scenes overall do not disappoint.
So far, it sounds like I'm saying that this show is overall a mediocre lump of fanservice. Well, you would almost be right. Because the thing I haven't yet explained is the REAL reason you should be watching this show. If not story and art quality, what have I not yet covered? Characters.
Yes, characters are the reason you should be watching these types of shows. Specifically, I highly recommend paying attention to Ryosuke Kaga. What usually defines ecchi harem shows are the main male character, because if we think for a moment logically, these shows very literally are centered around the adventures of our beloved main character. What I am basically trying to say is that above all, the single most important thing that makes or breaks an ecchi harem (or a hentai for that matter) is almost always the main male character. If he is likable and the artwork is passable, almost nothing else matters. A strong main character for these shows is the catalyst for viewers being able to relate to the humor and adventures created in these types of shows. And I will go so far to say that Ryosuke from Boku-H is easily one of the best main characters that exists for a show of this type.
Ryosuke has many qualities that should be used more in these types of shows, but aren't for some reason. He's openly perverted, does not come off as creepy when his childhood friend inherently acknowledges him as kind and trustworthy, is never afraid to say exactly what is on his mind, and he has the guts to say "size doesn't matter" to his relatively flat-chested love interest Lisara. In short, he's hilariously manly to an extreme. He is hammy at times, but ultimately comes off very likable due to his honesty and kindness. And best of all, he is voiced by Shimono Hiro, who once again succeeds at depicting manly hormonal teenage high school boys. Some of the dialogue that Ryosuke dares to say is extremely humorous, both in his shamelessness and the euphemisms he uses (get used to hearing the word "kingdom" for a while. You'll know soon enough what it means if you don't know already).
You might wonder why I haven't said anything about the female cast. It's because they don't matter. Yes I could argue that the female cast is objectively flawed, not particularly interesting, and just uninspired. On the other hand, it could be potentially because this female cast is flawed and so blatantly represents certain stereotypes and tropes that Ryosuke can so easily express his true manliness in the most hilarious way possible. Again, the actual source of entertainment from this genre of show originates almost exclusively from the main character. This is neither a good or bad thing, it just simply needs to be factored appropriately when one picks up these types of shows.
In general, when we pursue to immerse ourselves in entertainment, there are standards of quality that we use as a means of finding appreciation. I personally find it very strange that many people seem to believe that ecchi harems as a whole are somehow not legitimate entertainment when Japan still consistently is able to find a market for it. Naturally, if you choose to approach this show with the expectation of finding attachment to an intelligent storyline, you are obviously going to be disappointed. However, when I compare this show to what other ecchi harems generally offer, I believe that this show definitely stands out as one of the better ones by faithfully providing sexy humor and adventures to laugh at. It is by relating to the main character that we can appreciate the madness that is pretty faces catered to a sexual orientation. Boku-H does not disappoint here, providing what may be one of the best male protagonists in existence.
