When people hear the word ‘ecchi’, I already know the first thing that popped into their head. It probably came into your head, too. And it was probably something similar to this:

Yep. Big, physics defying boobs are probably ecchi’s most defining characteristic. So you’re not entirely wrong when this is the first thing that comes to mind. But, hold on one second. I’m a female. So what appeal do big bouncing boobies have for me?

None, honestly. I can’t say I’ve ever picked up an anime because it said there was ecchi. But yet, as I’ve watched more and more anime, I’ve found myself enjoying more and more anime that is tagged with ecchi. Heck, High School of the Dead (the anime where the infamous boob-gun gif originates) is one of my favourite anime ever.

So why do I continue to watch it if there’s nothing in it for me? In my opinion, I think there are 3 reasons why I, someone who is not the target audience for the typical ecchi anime (female orientated ecchi when?), continue to consume and enjoy ecchi anime.

COMEDIC ECCHI

The most common use of ecchi, and the most obvious reason as to why I like it. Lets just embrace our inner pre-pubescent selves for one moment: boob and dick jokes are funny. They are. Make a joke about a guys dick looking like an alien? Funny. A pun involving nipples? Funny. There’s a reason why sex-orientated movies continue to be popular globally, and its because it’s funny.

Comedy is of course subjective, and indeed, you can’t just throw out any old joke and hope that it works just because you made a reference to a tit. Take, for example, Prison School, a show BURSTING with female fanservice. Of course it would be, the main characters are 5 horny teenage boys. Yet, every joke fell perfectly. Whilst there were a few jokes that were made for an obvious panty-shot, most of the ecchi only really made a big focus when they wanted to create a really great punchline. Like this wonderful misunderstanding:

2. ECCHI AS AN ACTUAL PLOT-ENHANCING DEVICE

Yes, this can happen. Sometimes ecchi can actually be crucial to the plot, and without it, a great anime could fall to…terrible. True, a terrible anime can also be terrible by using ecchi for the plot: Seikon no Qwaser is a wonderful example of this. It so desperately wanted some ecchi to save its horrendously boring plot, that it used breast-milk (or as it was known in the show, ‘Qwaser’) as a form of power up to get through the fight. Really? Boobs can’t hard carry a horrible show, despite popular opinion.

On the other hand, we have shows such as Shokugeki no Souma (Food Wars!). Who’d of thought a show about cooking showdowns would involve so much nakedness? But it works, really well. It’s hard to imagine just how great this food could be. I mean, sure, you can see a picture of food, and the characters say its delicious…but does that really demonstrate just how delicious it is? What about the characters having an orgasm as the food hits their tongue? Paints a better picture, don’t you think? Shokugeki is also unique, since unlike a lot of anime that use ecchi, it truly is secondary to the actual plot – which is food. But it definitely makes it memorable!

3. ECCHI ANIME…BUT WITH A GOOD PLOT?

Watching ecchi for the plot? I hear you all say. Am I lying? No, actually I’m not. Sometimes, amidst all the boobs, butts and dicks, there’s actually some fun stories hidden in the mix. I’m not saying we’re going to find Death Note levels of storytelling, but a coherent and fun plot? For sure! If anything, the dirty jokes and over-characterised anatomy adds to the fun of the show. Referring back to High School of The Dead, I mentioned it was one of my favourite anime. The show is notorious for its gratuitous fanservice and ‘boob physics’, and often gets written off by many fans because of this.

Yet by looking past this, High School of the Dead is probably one of the best ‘survival horror’ anime made, and easily the best zombie anime to date. Whilst there is a heavy focus on the fanservice, the show never forgets the main plot, which is the ever-present threat of flesh eating zombies, and treats us to as much gore and storytelling as it does scantily dressed females. Plus… Takashi is kind of hot, right, girls? Right?! The same also goes for the ever famous and popular High School DxD, which whilst I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed HOTD, I appreciate that it continues to keep a solid, interesting plot, aside from the riveting quest of Issei becoming the Harem King.

Overall, I do think ecchi has a unwarranted bad reputation. Yes, the shows can be trashy. No, you probably won’t find the next Full Metal Alchemist here (boosted gear doesn’t count). But…having fun, whilst watching anime? Just plain old enjoyment? Sure, why not. I for one, love to throw all my expectations and logic out of the window, switch my brain down to 0 and just watch some anime teens thinking some realistic teen things.

What do you guys think of ecchi? Are you for or against? Also, have any favourites? Send them my way!

Until next time!