Ecchi: Difference between revisions

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"Ecchi" is used by English-speaking anime fans to refer to soft-core pornographic or sexually suggestive anime and manga. This is a western invention, as in Japanese, it is a catch-all term for all things sexual, not limited to porn and not really considered a "milder" term. The term "ecchi" in Japanese comes from the pronounciation of the letter "H" in English - "aitch" is rendered into Japanese syllabary as エッチ, which in turn is transliterated into the Roman alphabet as "ecchi". The letter "H" comes from the word "[[Hentai]]", but the term as currently used is not synonymous with [[Hentai]].
"Ecchi" is used by English-speaking anime fans to refer to soft-core pornographic or sexually suggestive anime and manga. This is a western invention, as in Japanese, it is a catch-all term for all things sexual, not limited to porn and not really considered a "milder" term. The term "ecchi" in Japanese comes from the pronounciation of the letter "H" in English - "aitch" is rendered into Japanese syllabary as エッチ, which in turn is transliterated into the Roman alphabet as "ecchi". The letter "H" comes from the word "[[Hentai]]", but the term as currently used is not synonymous with [[Hentai]].


The line between '''Ecchi''' and [[Hentai]] can be hard to draw at times. However, one good rule of thumb is, if it was aired on Japanese public TV ''at all'', it probably wasn't [[Hentai]]. '''Ecchi''' usually features [[Barbie Doll Anatomy]], or avoids nudity with lingering [[Panty Shot]]s. [[Hentai]], on the other hand, will usually show full frontal nudity in some explicit form, and full, intimate sex scenes. At its mildest, '''Ecchi''' is closer in spirit to shows like ''[[Three's Company]]'' and ''[[Are You Being Served?]],'' full of [[Double Entendre]]s, [[Three Is Company|big misunderstandings]], and [[Does This Remind You of Anything?|sexual]] [[Innocent Innuendo|farce]]. At its most explicit, it is still more in the realm of HBO Presents than Vivid Video. Another good way to distinguish the two is if there are any animated sex scenes. If so, you have left this genre entirely.
The line between Ecchi and [[Hentai]] can be hard to draw at times. However, one good rule of thumb is, if it was aired on Japanese public TV ''at all'', it probably wasn't [[Hentai]]. Ecchi usually features [[Barbie Doll Anatomy]], or avoids nudity with lingering [[Panty Shot]]s. [[Hentai]], on the other hand, will usually show full frontal nudity in some explicit form, and full, intimate sex scenes. At its mildest, Ecchi is closer in spirit to shows like ''[[Three's Company]]'' and ''[[Are You Being Served?]],'' full of [[Double Entendre]]s, [[Three Is Company|big misunderstandings]], and [[Does This Remind You of Anything?|sexual]] [[Innocent Innuendo|farce]]. At its most explicit, it is still more in the realm of HBO Presents than Vivid Video. Another good way to distinguish the two is if there are any animated sex scenes. If so, you have left this genre entirely.


To borrow an old saying, when it comes to sexual content, '''Ecchi''' is the sizzle; [[Hentai]] is the steak.
To borrow an old saying, when it comes to sexual content, Ecchi is the sizzle; [[Hentai]] is the steak.


Possibly because sex is [[Naked People Are Funny|inherently funny]], a large number of '''Ecchi''' series are [[Sitcom|comedies]]. Many start out as [[Bleached Underpants|softer versions]] of actual hentai content (such as video games), while others may revert/graduate back to such if an [[OAV]] is released.
Possibly because sex is [[Naked People Are Funny|inherently funny]], a large number of Ecchi series are [[Sitcom|comedies]]. Many start out as [[Bleached Underpants|softer versions]] of actual hentai content (such as video games), while others may revert/graduate back to such if an [[OAV]] is released.


{{examples}}
{{examples}}
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* ''[[Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu]]''
* ''[[Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu]]''
* ''[[Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai]]''
* ''[[Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai]]''
* ''[[Buttobi CPU]]'' could be considered a borderline case for either '''Ecchi''' or [[Hentai]], though it is marketed primarily as the latter. It stands more or less in the same position as ''Ebichu''—there's a lot of risqué material, but it's too ''funny'' to be a straightforward [[Hentai]].
* ''[[Buttobi CPU]]'' could be considered a borderline case for either Ecchi or [[Hentai]], though it is marketed primarily as the latter. It stands more or less in the same position as ''Ebichu''—there's a lot of risqué material, but it's too ''funny'' to be a straightforward [[Hentai]].
* ''[[Change 123]]''
* ''[[Change 123]]''
* ''[[Chobits]]''
* ''[[Chobits]]''
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* ''[[Colorful]]''
* ''[[Colorful]]''
* ''[[C³|Cube×Cursed×Curious]]''
* ''[[C³|Cube×Cursed×Curious]]''
* ''[[DearS]]'' ([[Magical Girlfriend]]? Not necessarily ecchi. Magical ''sex slave''? '''''Ecchi.''''')
* ''[[DearS]]'' ([[Magical Girlfriend]]? Not necessarily ecchi. Magical ''sex slave''? ''Ecchi.'')
* ''[[Elfen Lied]]'' — A [[Subverted Trope|subversion]]: the story as a whole is a drama/horror. Much of nudity is [[Fan Disservice]] and misleads the audience quite a lot.
* ''[[Elfen Lied]]'' — A [[Subverted Trope|subversion]]: the story as a whole is a drama/horror. Much of nudity is [[Fan Disservice]] and misleads the audience quite a lot.
* ''[[Futari Ecchi]]''
* ''[[Futari Ecchi]]''
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* ''[[Ninin ga Shinobuden]]'' (Simultaneously parodies this and plays it straight.)
* ''[[Ninin ga Shinobuden]]'' (Simultaneously parodies this and plays it straight.)
* ''[[Omamori Himari]]''.
* ''[[Omamori Himari]]''.
* ''[[Please Teacher]]'', ''[[Onegai Twins]]'', although these shows have a bit more serious content than most, especially the latter.
* ''[[Please Teacher!]]'', ''[[Please Twins!]]'', although these shows have a bit more serious content than most, especially the latter.
* ''[[Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai!]]''
* ''[[Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai!]]''
* ''[[Oruchuban Ebichu]]'' (While the show featured material that could be considered explicit, the simplistic art style and goofy premise kept it from being taken seriously as [[Hentai]].)
* ''[[Oruchuban Ebichu]]'' (While the show featured material that could be considered explicit, the simplistic art style and goofy premise kept it from being taken seriously as [[Hentai]].)

Latest revision as of 14:34, 23 December 2021

Fan Service is found in many anime, in many forms. When the service has a distinctly sexual slant to it, and it appears to be a major focus of the show, then it's safe to assume you're watching Ecchi.

"Ecchi" is used by English-speaking anime fans to refer to soft-core pornographic or sexually suggestive anime and manga. This is a western invention, as in Japanese, it is a catch-all term for all things sexual, not limited to porn and not really considered a "milder" term. The term "ecchi" in Japanese comes from the pronounciation of the letter "H" in English - "aitch" is rendered into Japanese syllabary as エッチ, which in turn is transliterated into the Roman alphabet as "ecchi". The letter "H" comes from the word "Hentai", but the term as currently used is not synonymous with Hentai.

The line between Ecchi and Hentai can be hard to draw at times. However, one good rule of thumb is, if it was aired on Japanese public TV at all, it probably wasn't Hentai. Ecchi usually features Barbie Doll Anatomy, or avoids nudity with lingering Panty Shots. Hentai, on the other hand, will usually show full frontal nudity in some explicit form, and full, intimate sex scenes. At its mildest, Ecchi is closer in spirit to shows like Three's Company and Are You Being Served?, full of Double Entendres, big misunderstandings, and sexual farce. At its most explicit, it is still more in the realm of HBO Presents than Vivid Video. Another good way to distinguish the two is if there are any animated sex scenes. If so, you have left this genre entirely.

To borrow an old saying, when it comes to sexual content, Ecchi is the sizzle; Hentai is the steak.

Possibly because sex is inherently funny, a large number of Ecchi series are comedies. Many start out as softer versions of actual hentai content (such as video games), while others may revert/graduate back to such if an OAV is released.

Examples of Ecchi include:

Anime and Manga

Comic Books

Other

  • Hook+Ups, a company that makes graphics for skateboards and snowboards, as well as stickers. All their products feature a scantily-clad Animeesque girl, with "Hook+Ups" in silver Block Letters
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