History Main / HappinessInSlavery

See also HappinessInMindControl. Often a subtrope of StockholmSyndrome, especially if there's emphasis on how the character gradually became happy in captivity. Compare FreedomFromChoice and NotUsedToFreedom, or may be DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife. Contrast SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil and IJustWantToBeFree. May lead to UnfulfilledPurposeMisery.

See also HappinessInMindControl. Often a subtrope of StockholmSyndrome, especially if there's emphasis on how the character gradually became happy in captivity. Compare FreedomFromChoice and NotUsedToFreedom. Contrast SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil and IJustWantToBeFree. May lead to UnfulfilledPurposeMisery.

* When Jillian in ''Webcomic/{{Erfworld}}'' is [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0073.html confronted]] about being under Wanda's [[MoreThanMindControl control]], she responds, "You don't understand. How could you?" When pressed for an explanation of what there is to "understand," she blurts out, "I... ''like'' it."

* ''Literature/AiNoKusabi'' has TheBeautifulElite Iason Mink [[{{Determinator}} determined]] for this to happen and overlap with PropertyOfLove to his stubborn and defiant SexSlave Riki. [[spoiler:He gets his wish via AMatchMadeInStockholm but tragedy strikes]].

* In both ''LightNovel/BeingAbleToEditSkillsInAnotherWorldIGainedOpWaifus'' and ''Literature/HaremInTheLabyrinthOfAnotherWorld'', slave harems actively '''like''' being enslaved by the male protagonist, openly refuse freedom when offered, and want to have sex with their respective masters because they're treated as brides, not slaves, and clearly fall in the "beloved servant" category, with FreedomFromChoice clearly in play. In the latter novel, they are not only pampered like crazy, but live in the lap of luxury.

* In ''LightNovel/CaveKing'', the various disparate groups Heal rules over ''beg'' Heal to [Tame] them, due to DeliberateValuesDissonance. They believe being his thralls is the proper way to repay him for saving their lives, keeping them from fighting each other over centuries-old ancient grudges, and gaining the benefits of his [Cave King] crest that greatly enhances their lives. The fact that Heal acts like a benevolent king and not a cruel overseer helps immensely.

* ''LightNovel/DeathMarchToTheParallelWorldRhapsody'': Liza, Pochi and Tama, as demihumans, know that, no matter what happens, someone will look to enslave them, so belonging to Satou (who treats them like family) is quite the fine deal. Lulu (who is under a curse to be a slave forever) thinks the same, and Arisa used her psychic powers to get Satou to buy her because of her [[MayDecemberRomance sexual proclivities]]. There is mention of people who actually sell themselves into slavery because they have lost their livelihoods and homes and fear starvation.

* Saito in ''LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero''. Despite all the treatment he gets, he still loves Louise, and she loves him too. [[{{Tsundere}} Not that she'll admit it]]. There are also moments where Saito has some control over her in the later seasons. It helps that his familiar runes make him [[LaserGuidedAmnesia forget the bonds he has with his family and old world]] and, over time, replace them with a desire to serve and protect his master. [[spoiler: When the mind control gets erased he has a major HeroicBSOD but eventually gets over it. The books end with the two married and going to Japan to introduce Louise to his parents.]]

* In ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic: TSR'', the CreepyTwins Xia Yu Fan and Xia Yu Lan are this towards [[spoiler: Gauron]]. Because they feel so indebted to him for [[WifeHusbandry taking them in]], they are shown to be willing to undertake a suicide mission that he orders. Of course, it's possible that it's not just gratitude, and there are hints that they have feelings of love that contribute to them being so loyal to him.

* In ''LightNovel/MyNewDungeonLife'', which is inspired by ''Literature/HaremInTheLabyrinthOfAnotherWorld'' above, Deek is in the process of SlaveLiberation, coming from modern Earth and clearly not liking slavery. His slave harem, seeing that their lives are far better under his protection, he dotes on them like crazy, and he's more than happy to feed ''their'' sexual urges, not to mention that he will literally go to war to protect them from any and all threats, and they don't want to be free.

* In ''Literature/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'', Raphtalia was temporarily freed from her slave seal but insisted Naofumi replace it. She wants to remain by his side and knows that he can only trust a slave due to his emotional trauma.
** The various slaves in [[spoiler:Naofumi's village]] eventually came to be happy with their new Master. Some of the younger slaves even think of him as a mother, much to his annoyance.
** The CrapsackWorld is such that as a Demi-human Raphtalia is ''safer'' as a slave under a nice master instead of being free, as then she at least have some legal protections, as opposed to none if she were to be free. In the situation where Raphtalia was temporarily freed, she could have been killed on the spot by the EvilPrincess without legal repercussions, because demi-humans have no legal standing in the country of Melromarc. As Naofumi's slave, if she's killed he can (and everyone knows he will) go on an equally legal RoaringRampageOfRevenge and do anything and everything up to [[PayEvilUntoEvil personally ensuing an eye for an eye]].
** There's also the part where Naofumi doesn't actually ''like'' the whole slavery thing, but one of the aspects of his [[LegendaryWeapon Shield]] means that everyone technically enslaved to him can LevelGrind at once via the actions of one, which is essential to all of them staying alive. Not to mention the trauma over being framed up by the EvilPrincess, which has shown to actually affect his perceptions. He's completely forthright with everyone joining his party about these conditions. Also Naofumi states outright that as soon as the slave sigil is applied, he removes ''every'' possible condition except a) the ability to lie to him and b) the ability to betray him, stating that 'It's almost impossible to build a good working relationship otherwise'.
** This is also emphatically ''inverted'', when Naofumi's inner circle is transported to yet another world, and Filo is enslaved in a conventional manner by a tavern owner. She's 'only' commanded to sing on cue and unable to escape the place, but she's utterly miserable and scared the whole time.

* ''Literature/TheTestamentOfSisterNewDevil'': In the LN, [[HospitalHottie Chisato's]] innermost desire is to become her 17 year old nephew's SexSlave. Her teasing grows increasingly bolder until he finally goes all the way with her and takes her virginity during volume 7. By the final volume, Basara has successfully subjugated Chisato and she [[EverybodyHasLotsOfSex happily engages in orgies]] with the rest of his harem.

* ''Literature/WorteniaSenki'' is definitely of the "Slavery is the lesser evil" category. Kidnap victims and other captives desperately '''want''' to be enslaved because the alternative is infinitely worse. While slave merchants routinely treat their merchandise like a very unethical "kill shelter" would treat prospective pets, slaves, especially female slaves, can rest assured that they won't be raped into broken dolls and outright tortured to death, especially after being purchased, and there's always the slim hope of freedom someday... People who get summoned from Earth have it even worse!

* In ''LightNovel/AnArchdemonsDilemmaHowToLoveYourElfBride'', Nephy is very happy being Zagan's slave due to the fact that he treats her much better than her old master or her home village. It also helps that Zagan bought her because he had fall in LoveAtFirstSight for her when he saw her in a slave auction. When he frees and fires her ([[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim due to fear that the other archdemons might try to kill her]]) the only goal she has is to return to his side, and after that is successful she even tells him to put her SlaveCollar back on her[[note]]Although that's treated more like their [[WithThisRing engagement ring]] and their relationship by that point is Nephy declaring herself to be Zagan's PropertyOfLove[[/note]].

* ''Anime/BeastTamer'' tries to downplay the "slavery" part as much as possible. The tamed non-human women who follow Rein arround can leave with mutual consent whenever they wish and he doesn't compel them in any way, but they are his familiars, by choice, because they either have a life-debt, see him as a superior, or gain benefits that they couldn't get if they were on their own.

* In ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'', Raphtalia was temporarily freed from her slave seal but insisted Naofumi replace it. She wants to remain by his side and knows that he can only trust a slave due to his emotional trauma.

* ''LightNovel/TheTestamentOfSisterNewDevil'': In the LN, [[HospitalHottie Chisato's]] innermost desire is to become her 17 year old nephew's SexSlave. Her teasing grows increasingly bolder until he finally goes all the way with her and takes her virginity during volume 7. By the final volume, Basara has successfully subjugated Chisato and she [[EverybodyHasLotsOfSex happily engages in orgies]] with the rest of his harem.

* ''LightNovel/WorteniaSenki'' is definitely of the "Slavery is the lesser evil" category. Kidnap victims and other captives desperately '''want''' to be enslaved because the alternative is infinitely worse. While slave merchants routinely treat their merchandise like a very unethical "kill shelter" would treat prospective pets, slaves, especially female slaves, can rest assured that they won't be raped into broken dolls and outright tortured to death, especially after being purchased, and there's always the slim hope of freedom someday... People who get summoned from Earth have it even worse!

* Hulk in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''. After the events of ''[[Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron Age of Ultron]]'', Hulk accidentally warps to Sakaar, where he is forced to be the Grandmaster's champion gladiator for two years, killing just about any person who goes up against him. However, unlike his time as an Avenger, the Hulk genuinely enjoys himself under the Grandmaster's control, as he is capable of letting loose against people in the ring while also getting time to himself in some rather luxurious personal quarters. The only reason he leaves it all behind is because he genuinely didn't want Thor to leave Sakaar, and ends up losing control to Banner, who wants to get back home at all costs.

* Hulk in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''. After the events of [[Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron Age of Ultron]], Hulk accidentally warps to Sakaar, where he is forced to be the Grandmaster's champion gladiator for two years, killing just about any person who goes up against him. However, unlike his time as an Avenger, the Hulk genuinely enjoys himself under the Grandmaster's control, as he is capable of letting loose against people in the ring while also getting time to himself in some rather luxurious personal quarters. The only reason he leaves it all behind is because he genuinely didn't want Thor to leave Sakaar, and ends up losing control to Banner, who wants to get back home at all costs.

* Hulk in ''Film/ThorRagnarok''. After the events of [Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron Age of Ultron]], Hulk accidentally warps to Sakaar, where he is forced to be the Grandmaster's champion gladiator for two years, killing just about any person who goes up against him. However, unlike his time as an Avenger, the Hulk genuinely enjoys himself under the Grandmaster's control, as he is capable of letting loose against people in the ring while also getting time to himself in some rather luxurious personal quarters. The only reason he leaves it all behind is because he genuinely didn't want Thor to leave Sakaar, and ends up losing control to Banner, who wants to get back home at all costs.

* In ''LightNovel/MyNewDungeonLife'', which is inspired by ''LightNovel/HaremInTheLabyrinthOfAnotherWorld'' above, Deek is in the process of SlaveLiberation, coming from modern Earth and clearly not liking slavery. His slave harem, seeing that their lives are far better under his protection, he dotes on them like crazy, and he's more than happy to feed ''their'' sexual urges, not to mention that he will literally go to war to protect them from any and all threats, and they don't want to be free.

* ''LightNovel/AiNoKusabi'' has TheBeautifulElite Iason Mink [[{{Determinator}} determined]] for this to happen and overlap with PropertyOfLove to his stubborn and defiant SexSlave Riki. [[spoiler:He gets his wish via AMatchMadeInStockholm but tragedy strikes]].

* In both ''LightNovel/BeingAbleToEditSkillsInAnotherWorldIGainedOpWaifus'' and ''LightNovel/HaremInTheLabyrinthOfAnotherWorld'', slave harems actively '''like''' being enslaved by the male protagonist, openly refuse freedom when offered, and want to have sex with their respective masters because they're treated as brides, not slaves, and clearly fall in the "beloved servant" category, with FreedomFromChoice clearly in play. In the latter novel, they are not only pampered like crazy, but live in the lap of luxury.

* In ''Anime/GargantiaOnTheVerdurousPlanet'' this is played straight as an arrow--or rather happily bent the gay way with the Pirate Queen Lukkage and her two "slave girls." In their very first appearance, they appear to be merely unfortunate slave girls sitting at her feet with chains around their necks, whimpering when appropriate. By their next appearance they're piloting one of the ships in her armada, still decked out in their slave collars and rags, and enthusiastically helping their queen. It's never 100% explained what the relationship is there but it's clear that the girls love every part of their jobs.

* In ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' Raphtalia was temporarily freed from her slave seal but insisted Naofumi replace it. She wants to remain by his side and knows that he can only trust a slave due to his emotional trauma.

** There's also the part where Naofumi doesn't actually ''like'' the whole slavery thing, but one of the aspects of his [[LegendaryWeapon Shield]] means that everyone technically enslaved to him can LevelGrind at once via the actions of one, which is essential to all of them staying alive. Not to mention that previously mentioned trauma, which has shown to actually affect his perceptions. He's completely forthright with everyone joining his party about these conditions. Also Naofumi states outright that as soon as the slave sigil is applied, he removes ''every'' possible condition except a) the ability to lie to him and b) the ability to betray him, stating that 'It's almost impossible to build a good working relationship otherwise'.

* Danced around with the Night Elf campaign in ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII''. Though Illidan is not a slave, he's also not free: he was imprisoned for life for attempting to make a second Well of Eternity (which could, any any moment, become a new gateway for the next DemonicInvasion). Basically, Tyrande takes advantage of the fact that he's a LoveMartyr, and forces him to do a bunch of stuff. Though to be completely fair, she's not actually aware of how much the things she's doing align with his real goals because she is very cynical. Illidan is only half doing this stuff because she is telling him to. Also, he uses the opportunity to escape his imprisonment.

* Ghirahim out of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'''s [[spoiler: entire goal is to revive his master and resume acting literally as his weapon, even at the cost of his physical form.]]

* ''LightNovel/BeastTamerAndTheCatGirl'' has an example where it's hard to tell the exact variety, but immediately after Rein saves Kanade and feeds her, Kanade ''insists'' that he use his beast tamer powers to put her under magical contract and looks absolutely ''thrilled'' at the prospect.

* ''Manga/VermeilInGold'': Alto Goldfield ends up summoning the devil Vermeil as his {{Familiar}}. She points out she could easily kill him, but she will serve him out of gratitude because summoning her broke her out of a seal she had been trapped in.

** Later versions of the story, including the Broadway musical and [[Film/BeautyAndTheBeast2017 2017 film]], deliberately subvert this trope. The servants aren't serving Belle because they enjoy it (although they do come to genuinely like her as a person)--they're making her comfortable because she's the only chance they have at finally breaking the curse that's [[BalefulPolymorph trapped them as furniture and knickknacks]]. The live-action movie goes further, revealing that the servants genuinely didn't like working for pre-transformation Prince Adam (or his nasty father), but were too afraid for their jobs and livelihoods to speak up. Mrs. Potts even says that the staff being transformed is a proper punishment: they had the opportunity to both prevent Adam from being twisted into a hateful, spoiled man by his father and defend the disguised Enchantress when she arrived at the castle, but failed to do so and are now paying the price.

* ''LightNovel/TheTestamentOfSisterNewDevil'': In the LN, [[HospitalHottie Chisato's]] innermost desire is to exist for the sole purpose of being her 17 year old nephew's SexSlave. Her teasing grows increasingly bolder until he finally goes all the way with her and takes her virginity during volume 7. By the final volume, Basara has successfully subjugated Chisato and she [[EverybodyHasLotsOfSex happily engages in orgies]] with the rest of his harem.

* ''LightNovel/TheTestamentOfSisterNewDevil'': ''In the LN, Chisato's innermost desire is to exist for the sole purpose of being her 17 year old nephew's SexSlave. Her teasing grows increasingly bolder until he finally goes all the way with her and takes her virginity during volume 7. By the final volume, Basara has successfully subjugated Chisato and she [[EverybodyHasLotsOfSex happily engages in orgies]] with the rest of his harem.

* ''LightNovel/TestamentOfSisterNewDevil'': ''In the LN, Chisato's innermost desire is to exist for the sole purpose of being her 17 year old nephew's SexSlave. Her teasing grows increasingly bolder until he finally goes all the way with her and takes her virginity during volume 7. By the final volume, Basara has successfully subjugated Chisato and she [[EverybodyHasLotsOfSex happily engages in orgies]] with the rest of his harem.

* LightNovel/BeastTamerAndTheCatGirl has an example where it's hard to tell the exact variety, but immediately after Rein saves Kanade and feeds her, Kanade ''insists'' that he use his beast tamer powers to put her under magical contract and looks absolutely ''thrilled'' at the prospect.

* ''Manga/MatoSeiheiNoSlave'' has Yuuki face ''all four'' aspects simultaneously. Men are second-class citizens already, so his fate as Kyouka's slave is actually better in certain respects. He's clearly the beloved servant of the AmazonBrigade he winds up serving. He's Kyouka's cringing boot-licker, literally on occasion. For the last, his fate as a slave is the ''lesser evil'' because he gets the protection of the vanguard against super-powered mindless monsters out to kill all life on Earth, for no explained reason.

* As many ''LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero'' stories have this played straight as they avert it, depending on how DarkerAndEdgier they are. In ''FanFic/JusPrimaeNoctis'' we get this from Siesta, who says she's fine being property as long as she's ''Saito's'' property. Since she chose to enter his service it seems genuine, but it still squicks Saito a bit. [[spoiler: It goes FromBadToWorse when Henrietta expresses her desire to marry him, and Tabitha and Louise both express willingness to surrender their names and serve him like commoners.]]

* In an early episode of ''Series/{{MASH}}'' Hawkeye obtains a young Korean girl (by winning her in a rigged poker game) who was sold to an Army officer who was passing through the 4077th. Hawkeyte wintended to free her to go back home. However, she felt this would bring shame to her family and that she was Hawkeye's property now.

** This appears to be the default attutide of anyone who isn't a ruler, caster, or warlord in Erfworld. In the text updates, [[FishOutOfWater Parson]] gets {{Squick}}ed by the flirting of the cute [[Series/CharliesAngels Archons]] when he realizes they don't even understand the concept of a 'volunteer'. Every unit under his command would do anything he asks, including have sex with him (which a female caster seems to consider SOP for male warlords with archons). Justified since the world is governed by the rules of a TableTopGame, where units always obey your orders. But here Parson walks among those 'units', who have feelings and personality, but still blindly follow orders and like it...

* In the ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' episode "Every Dog Has His Day", Soto agrees to become the pet as while his dog becomes the owner -- all because Soto couldn't fathom life without his dog. It also makes perfect sense because Soto is a dumb, destructive baby while his dog is intelligent.

* Mizuki from ''Manga/KamisamaKiss'' is just a little ''too'' glad to be made a familiar to Nanami. In fact, after the magic contract is made we get this little exchange:
--> '''Mizuki:''' ...the wonderful feeling of being dominated by a god... so irresistible! Please, say it again, Nanami-chan! Bind me with the invisible chain!
* We don't see much of [[MistressAndServantBoy Ekaterina and Kukrachyov]]'s relationship in ''Anime/{{Godannar}}'', but from what we ''do'' see it seems to be a nice enough arrangement. It helps that despite looking like a {{Dominatrix}}, Ekaterina is actually quite nice.
* In ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' Raphtalia was temporarily freed from her slave seal but insisted Naofumi replace it. She wants to remain by his side and knows that he can only trust a slave due to his emotional trauma.
** The various slaves in [[spoiler:Naofumi's village]] eventually came to be happy with their new Master. Some of the younger slaves even think of him as a mother, much to his annoyance.
** The CrapsackWorld is such that as a Demi-human Raphtalia is ''safer'' as a slave under a nice master instead of being free, as then she at least have some legal protections, as opposed to none if she were to be free. In the situation where Raphtalia was temporarily freed, she could have been killed on the spot by the EvilPrincess without legal repercussions, because demi-humans have no legal standing in the country of Melromarc. As Naofumi's slave, if she's killed he can (and everyone knows he will) go on an equally legal RoaringRampageOfRevenge and do anything and everything up to [[PayEvilUntoEvil personally ensuing an eye for an eye]].
** There's also the part where Naofumi doesn't actually ''like'' the whole slavery thing, but one of the aspects of his [[LegendaryWeapon Shield]] means that everyone technically enslaved to him can LevelGrind at once via the actions of one, which is essential to all of them staying alive. Not to mention that previously mentioned trauma, which has shown to actually affect his perceptions. He's completely forthright with everyone joining his party about these conditions. Also Naofumi states outright that as soon as the slave sigil is applied, he removes ''every'' possible condition except a) the ability to lie to him and b) the ability to betray him, stating that 'It's almost impossible to build a good working relationship otherwise'.
** This is also emphatically ''inverted'', when Naofumi's inner circle is transported to yet another world, and Filo is enslaved in a conventional manner by a tavern owner. She's 'only' commanded to sing on cue and unable to escape the place, but she's utterly miserable and scared the whole time.
* In ''Anime/GargantiaOnTheVerdurousPlanet'' this is played straight as an arrow--or rather happily bent the gay way with the Pirate Queen Lukkage and her two "slave girls." In their very first appearance, they appear to be merely unfortunate slave girls sitting at her feet with chains around their necks, whimpering when appropriate. By their next appearance they're piloting one of the ships in her armada, still decked out in their slave collars and rags, and enthusiastically helping their queen. It's never 100% explained what the relationship is there but it's clear that the girls love every part of their jobs.

* In both ''LightNovel/BeingAbleToEditSkillsInAnotherWorldIGainedOpWaifus'' and ''LightNovel/HaremInTheLabyrinthOfAnotherWorld'', slave harems actively '''like''' being enslaved by the male protagonist, openly refuse freedom when offered, and want to have sex with their respective masters because they're treated as brides, not slaves, and clearly fall in the "beloved servant" category, with FreedomFromChoice clearly in play. In the latter novel, they are not only pampered like crazy, but live in the lap of luxury.
* In ''Manga/DoreiShouniShikaSentakushiGaNaiDesuYo'', slavery is the ''lesser evil'' because AllCrimesAreEqual, and slaves who fail to be purchased after a certain number of attempts at an auction get sent to the mines, to work there until they die. There is no mention of what happens to the sick or infirm who ''can't'' work...
* ''Satan's Secretary'' is of the "better than freedom would be" type. The eponymous secretary grew up in a bad orphanage where she was bullied often, and even after working her way out [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters has no fondness for the human race]]. To her, living in Hell alongside predatory demons is just more of the same. [[spoiler:Although she does like the possibility of being given an actual ''name'' someday.]]
* ''Manga/MatoSeiheiNoSlave'' has Yuuki face ''all four'' aspects simultaneously. Men are second-class citizens already, so his fate as Kyouka's slave is actually better in certain respects. He's clearly the beloved servant of the AmazonBrigade he winds up serving. He's Kyouka's cringing boot-licker, literally on occasion. For the last, his fate as a slave is the ''lesser evil'' because he gets the protection of the vanguard against super-powered mindless monsters out to kill all life on Earth, for no explained reason.
* In ''LightNovel/AnArchdemonsDilemmaHowToLoveYourElfBride'', Nephy is very happy being Zagan's slave due to the fact that he treats her much better than her old master or her home village. It also helps that Zagan bought her because he had fall in LoveAtFirstSight for her when he saw her in a slave auction. When he frees and fires her ([[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim due to fear that the other archdemons might try to kill her]]) the only goal she has is to return to his side, and after that is successful she even tells him to put her SlaveCollar back on her[[note]]Although that's treated more like their [[WithThisRing engagement ring]] and their relationship by that point is Nephy declaring herself to be Zagan's PropertyOfLove[[/note]].
* ''Anime/CrossAnge'': Ange is eventually forced to purchase her childhood friend and maid Momoka as a slave to save her from getting killed by her peers. Since Ange continues to be her friend and simply has her resume her maid duties, Momoka is perfectly okay with this.
* ''LightNovel/DeathMarchToTheParallelWorldRhapsody'': Liza, Pochi and Tama, as demihumans, know that, no matter what happens, someone will look to enslave them, so belonging to Satou (who treats them like family) is quite the fine deal. Lulu (who is under a curse to be a slave forever) thinks the same, and Arisa used her psychic powers to get Satou to buy her because of her [[MayDecemberRomance sexual proclivities]]. There is mention of people who actually sell themselves into slavery because they have lost their livelihoods and homes and fear starvation.
* In ''Anime/FantasistaDoll'', the dolls apparently ''need'' masters to even leave their cellphones. They cannot walk too far from their masters without vanishing back into them (though the distance can be increased with cards.) There is a verbal contract with mutual master/doll obligations, though the actual relationships between them vary.
* In ''LightNovel/CaveKing'', the various disparate groups Heal rules over ''beg'' Heal to [Tame] them, due to DeliberateValuesDissonance. They believe being his thralls is the proper way to repay him for saving their lives, keeping them from fighting each other over centuries-old ancient grudges, and gaining the benefits of his [Cave King] crest that greatly enhances their lives. The fact that Heal acts like a benevolent king and not a cruel overseer helps immensely.
* ''Manga/MusukoGaKawaikuteShikataganaiMazokuNoHahaoya'': Teresa, demon shop owner Alice's shop girl, was purchased by Alice when she was twelve with the proceeds of a smuggling job. Alice treats Teresa more like an employee than a slave, however, utilizing Teresa's natural talents and making her the face of the store she opens, where Teresa is quite popular, as well as making sure Teresa takes days off to relax. Teresa, for her part, is loyal to Alice and her life with Alice is a significant step up from where she had been; Teresa's parents were abusive due to her not having a special ability like most demons and the whole reason she had been available for purchase in the first place was humans kidnapped and sold her to the person Alice bought her from. This is best demonstrated when Teresa's younger sister, Dolores, tracks Teresa down intending to rescue her and is dismayed to find her big sister doesn't really ''need'' rescuing.
* In ''LightNovel/MyNewDungeonLife'', which is inspired by ''LightNovel/HaremInTheLabyrinthOfAnotherWorld'' above, Deek is in the process of SlaveLiberation, coming from modern Earth and clearly not liking slavery. His slave harem, seeing that their lives are far better under his protection, he dotes on them like crazy, and he's more than happy to feed ''their'' sexual urges, not to mention that he will literally go to war to protect them from any and all threats, and they don't want to be free.
* The ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' character Soi Fon grew up in a sort of feudal system where people were indocrinated into serving the ruling clan, and the weakest slaves did all the drudge work. The only way she could improve her lot was by being promoted into the heiress' PraetorianGuard (who were still slaves, but at least got decent lodging and weren't kicked around by their peers), so she trained relentlessly for '''years''' to be strong enough. And it worked! But then the heiress, [[TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask who it turns out had dreams of her own]], just up and left the clan one day. Like everything Soi Fon had done was for nothing. She kind of...collapsed after that, until she found a new purpose: growing strong enough to [[{{Revenge}} hunt down her once-mistress and stab her through the throat]]. Even ''decades'' later, when Soi Fon has a real paid job and her own subordinates, she still believes that freedom made her aimless, not happy. [[note]]Though she does choose to stay in that job once her issues are sorted out, so maybe there's hope for her sanity after all.[[/note]]
* ''Manga/VermeilInGold'': Alto Goldfield ends up summoning the devil Vermeil as his {{Familiar}}. She points out she could easily kill him, but she will serve him out of gratitude because summoning her broke her out of a seal she had been trapped in.

%%* Ebichu in ''Anime/OruchubanEbichu''.
* Sort of played straight by Wormmon in ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02''. He serves Ken out of a feeling of obligation as Ken's Digimon partner and [[LoveMartyr a hope that he can make Ken good somehow]]. This is despite some truly terrible treatment he had to endure. [[spoiler:When Wormmon eventually sacrifices himself to protect Ken, it's enough to set him on the course for a HeelFaceTurn.]]

* Haji from ''Anime/BloodPlus'' does weird things with this trope. For at least the first 2/3 of the show, he embodies this perfectly: a servant that is completely and utterly loyal to his master, because as a [[OurVampiresAreDifferent chevalier]] he's biologically hardwired that way. Then it turns out that chevaliers can betray their masters and abandon them without remorse; Haji is simply ''[[BodyguardCrush that]]'' devoted to Saya.
* ''Manga/TheLawOfUeki'': Due to her [[LoveMartyr love]] for Robert Haydn, Rinko is almost slavishly devoted to him. However, soon after meeting the protagonist of the series and realizing how little Robert actually cares for her, she decides to [[HeelFaceTurn join]] said protagonist's TrueCompanions.
* ''Manga/DearS'', perhaps a little further than usual with this trope. The [[PlanetOfHats hat]] that all the [=DearS=] wear is exactly this -- they're a slave race, content to do whatever their master tells them. In this case it has to do with the fact that they have to be loved and trusted or at the least appreciated by another race in order to survive. [[spoiler: If that doesn't work and they stop being trusted and loved they kill off the master race and find a new one]].
* In ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'', Legato Bluesummers is this way towards [[BigBad Knives]]. Despite Knives essentially crippling him, beating him up, and calling him "trash," Legato remains in complete bliss as long as he serves under Knives. Most ''definitely'' the "cringing bootlicker" kind. Knives ''does'' treat Legato (at least in the manga where he has a backstory) better than anyone ''else'' Legato ever knew--that is, he turned up and killed all the people Legato hated most while they were engaged in '''raping him to death,''' and then decided not to kill the kid and let him come with him, and even [[TearJerker asks him his name]]. (The kid [[SexSlave doesn't have one yet]].) And then evidently gives him some clothes and eventually puts him in charge of minions, and at least implicitly approves of and values his creepy superpowers, and trusts him to run things while he, Knives, is in the Gunsmoke version of a [[Franchise/StarWars bacta tank]].... The bar is low, but Knives clears it by a mile. Which is [[CrapsackWorld in itself horrible]].

* In ''Manga/AngelSanctuary'' the cherubim Katan is honored to serve inorganic angel Rosiel. Bonus points for the copious HoYay between them (this ''is'' Creator/KaoriYuki after all). There's likely more [[EvenTheGuysWantHim than]] [[AmbiguouslyGay honor]] [[LoveMartyr involved]]...
* {{Averted|Trope}}, {{subverted|Trope}}, and {{deconstructed|Trope}} in ''Manga/{{Shitsurakuen}}''. The female students who are [[DystopianEdict enslaved as per school policy]] are hopeless and miserable. The only reason they don't resist is that the past situation was even worse. Played straight and averted with [[KnightInShiningArmor Sora's]] personal [[LesYay harem]] who are quite happy to escape the abuse and work to fight against it. Averted in that the only girls who remain part of her harem chose to do so and she gives them complete control over their own lives, seeing them as {{protectorate}}s rather than slaves. One girl rejects Sora's protection, so Sora sets her free. The real kicker? [[spoiler:[[HeelRealization The boys themselves HATED this trope]] [[DespairEventHorizon yet they can do little to change it]] [[JerkassWoobie and are forced to play their roles.]]]]

* Gilbert's devotion to Oz in ''Manga/PandoraHearts'' verges on this. Also, Echo. [[spoiler: Subverted, once you get her talking about her "beloved master"...]]
* The Angeloids of ''Manga/HeavensLostProperty'' are [[RobotGirl artificial beings]] made with this trope in mind, but they're not truly happy serving their master, which Ikaros observes when she and Nymph talk about smiling. Tomoki becomes Ikaros' master, although he and his friends are trying to dissuade her from this behavior ([[RuleOfFunny unless he plans to peep, in which case she helps him]]), and Nymph laments how she is without a master, but later finds that she likes having her own desires and stops thinking about it. Astraea didn't have this problem, in part due to her [[TheDitz lack of intelligence]]. [[spoiler:That is, until she was ordered to kill Nymph. Then she broke free.]]
* The eponymous protagonist's [[NinjaMaid servants]] in the ero-comedy ''Manga/{{Mouse}}''. One of them, who always stays by his side (and helps him out during his [[PhantomThief "night life"]], along with two other girls, and assisted by his harem/ninja maid army), when asked about what she thinks of her life as a slave, tells him that she considers herself as happy and safe as she could be, and wonders how many "free" people can't say the same. To be fair, Mouse is a pretty nice and meek master (at least until alcohol is served to him by accident), so he's in constant danger of being assaulted, not them. It helps that he saved them from their respective {{Dark and Troubled Past}}s, and generally treats them as TrueCompanions.
* ''Anime/{{Bakugan}}'', in some respects. Sure, they fight to save their homeworld, but at the end of the day, Drago would rather live in crampy, tiny little ball form with Dan than on his homeworld. To their credit, a few of the Bakugan decide to stay back on New Vestroia instead.

* In ''Manga/OtomeYoukaiZakuro'', initially subverted with Byakuroku who hates the fact that she's treated as just a tool of BigBad Omodaka, but eventually played straight when Byakuroku [[spoiler:realizes that having lost her purpose in life after her sister (who she devoted her life to protecting) already died, her freedom ultimately has no point, and so she offers herself as his PropertyOfLove, which he accepts, allowing her to survive with him in the end after he avails of a LastSecondChance.]]
* In ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura'' Yue and Cerberus straddle instances A and C of this trope. On the one hand, it is revealed that [[spoiler: neither one of them can live for very long without a master to supply them with at least some power to support their existence]]; but on the other hand, their transition into genuinely caring about Sakura and developing true loyalty to her of their own choice is a major plot point [[spoiler:--especially where Yue is concerned]].

* ''Manga/SteelAngelKurumi'': Eponymous character [[RobotGirl Kurumi]] is devoted to her 'Master' Nakahito ever since she was first [[FirstKiss awakened]], even telling him that he's her Master and she'll happily do anything he wants.

* ''LightNovel/AiNoKusabi'' has TheBeautifulElite Iason Mink [[{{Determinator}} determined]] for this to happen and overlap with PropertyOfLove to his stubborn and defiant SexSlave Riki. [[spoiler:He gets his wish via AMatchMadeInStockholm but tragedy strikes]].

* Discussed in ''Manga/MissKobayashisDragonMaid'' when Tohru met a bandit who dreamed of being a maid. Being a dragon, Tohru had a hard time understanding why anyone would willingly submit themselves to another, especially someone who had just gained their freedom.
-->'''Tohru''': You are enslaving yourself, are you not? \\
'''Bandit''': But, it's by my own choice.
** Tohru herself is a straight example. She serves as Kobayashi's live in maid because Kobayashi saved her life.

* In ''LightNovel/MyNewDungeonLife'', which is inspired by ''LightNovel/SlaveHaremInTheLabyrinthOfTheOtherWorld'' above, Deek is in the process of SlaveLiberation, coming from modern Earth and clearly not liking slavery. His slave harem, seeing that their lives are far better under his protection, he dotes on them like crazy, and he's more than happy to feed ''their'' sexual urges, not to mention that he will literally go to war to protect them from any and all threats, and they don't want to be free.