Fan service is a very dividing aspect of anime fandom, particularly in Western fandom. Some fans love it, some don’t mind it, and many can’t stand it. But like Valence has posted, I beg the question of what exactly fan service is and is it really that detestable…
When anime fans think of fan service, they typically think of gratuitous scenes with the sole purpose of arousing male otaku viewers using female characters. Such scenes involve the female characters flashing their panties, having noticeably large breasts that always bounce their way into the camera, or having another character (un)intentionally grope them. These scenes are often random and contribute nothing to plot or character development. Originally the term “fan service” had a more general definition of simply meaning things in anime meant to cater to fans. It could be sexual scenes, but it could also be things like cool attacks, flashy robots, cute little animals, or male sexual situations for the smaller female demographic. Nowadays though, with the prevalence of fan service in anime that I’ll get to in a minute, the term is used solely to refer to the aforementioned sexual fan service involving female characters. TV Tropes says that this is “fan service” and “pandering” is the term for non-sexual fan service. For convenience’s sake and to avoid misunderstandings, I think that’s a good division to make during this period in anime fandom and I’ll be referring to it as such.
As many will agree, in recent years the amount of fan service in anime has greatly increased, with numerous series released each season with an appeal that is totally centered around fan service (these are usually harem shows, since their premise is perfect for producing fan service scenes). With this increase in fan service-centered anime, some fans have opted to think of it as an actual genre rather than an attribute, calling harem and similar anime “fan service series” (much like what’s been done with moe). Quite a bit of the fan base is vehemently opposed to fan service, saying it ruins the integrity and universal appeal of anime by catering to a niche audience and encouraging their unhealthy lust for 2-D characters. Most of these fans are also anti-moe, thinking that moe and fan service always go together, which isn’t the case. While I’ve already posted my defense of moe, what I have to say about fan service is quite different. I’ve stated in other posts that I don’t like ecchi scenes and fan service in anime (which reminds me that Valence asked what the difference is between ecchi and fan service. I personally think of ecchi as more extreme fan service, something like “fan service < ecchi < hentai" but feel free to correct me). Out of all the innumerable scenes of fan service in anime, I would say that I found only a small percent funny or entertaining. Of course, this could be because I'm not the target audience of such scenes. However, I'm not completely turned off from an anime if there's a little fan service in it, especially if the fan service is done right. To show what I mean by this, I'll use a scene that most of us are familiar with - the scene in Evangelion where Shinji first comes to Rei's apartment and accidentally pulls out her lingerie drawer, dumping its contents on the floor while his hand unintentionally falls on her breast. There are a couple of reasons why this is an example of "good" fan service; the way its choreographed doesn't interrupt the serious atmosphere of the show. The mood doesn't suddenly shift to comedy, nor does it shove the gratuity of the scene down our throats. It's simply treated as "something that happened" as opposed to "something inserted to make you aroused/laugh." It even contributes to character development. The two barely exchange any words but this scene gives us a sense of Shinji's shyness, Rei's stoicism, and the inability to communicate with others effectively that they both share. I'm not against some anime being full of fan service - if that's what some fans want in their anime, they should be able to have it. There's no evidence that fan service is "unhealthy" for people to watch any more than violence and other disturbing themes. If the guy who likes fan service anime doesn't grope random girls he meets just as the guy who likes shonen anime doesn't go around punching people he doesn't like, then I don't see what the problem is. What really irks me is hearing complaints that the average otaku just wants fan service in anime and its taking over the industry. I wonder if these people even know what anime have been major hits in recent years; Bakemonogatari, Angel Beats!, Haruhi, Lucky Star, Code Geass, OreImou, Madoka Magica, K-ON, Clannad, Macross Frontier - these are arguably the most popular anime to be released in recent years and they all have little to no fan service. You won’t find random panty shots or bouncing breasts in K-ON, Madoka, Angel Beats!, or Clannad, and if there are some of these things in the other series, they’re mild and few since the focus is on story and characters. So despite fan service becoming more prominent in anime and average otaku enjoying it, I believe they still know truly great anime when they see them.
The problem with fanservice is that the balance between fanservice and the overall plot/comedy is out of wrack. To me, it’s a double edged sword, it can add enjoyment or frustration. This was evident in Nogizaka Haruka, I enjoyed the first season since it had many anime references, focused on closet otakuism with some comedy and because Noto Mamiko is in it… They kind of failed pretty hard with the second season, not only because the elevated levels of fanservice, but it went away from its original intensions and focused more on Yuuto and his harem… and absolutely nothing got resolved nor Haruka and Yuuto ever kissed.
On the other hand, there are shows like Rio:Rainbow Gate which gives fanservice a very bad reputation. Not only because there is excessive fanservice, but the overall premise does not make sense or it’s horrible. Shows like these attacks a great amount hate, especially towards the anti-moe crowd, which I try to ignore.
I don’t think fanservice necessarily means the show is horrible. There are some shows I watched that I liked the show despite mild amounts of fanservice. As long the shows appeals to me, I will watch it and most likely enjoy it.
What you said. I might also add that I consider there to be two types of “fanservice”. The first is actual fan service, pleasing your fans. That is, you first establish some fans, and then cater to them, perhaps in a standard way with pantsu-flashes or tsundere blushes.. but you make the fans crave it first.
Then there is the second type of fanservice, the “fanservice show”, which jumps the shark and goes straight to the fanservice. These shows ape the formula and add little or nothing to them, and are popular with fans of a genre (which is something otaku tend to favor).
Different studios are experts in particular types of fanservice shows, like JC Staff (shounen/tsundere fanservice), KyoAni (fluffy, pointless moemoe), Shaft (the same show they’ve been recycling for years), and so forth.
Interesting thoughts on two types of fan service. Your first type is kind of like what f0calizer below is describing as a “service” to the fans. Basically, its fan service in small amounts so it seems more like a service and less like a “genre.” When it goes overboard and the whole show revolves around fan service, it would be your second type.
I would correct your third paragraph and say that these studios are experts in particular types of shows or shows that cater to certain fans and the preferences they have, not that they’re “fan service shows” if we’re using the term to mean “female characters in provocative situations,” since scenes like that are not in most of the anime these studios produce.
I had the exact same problem with Nogizaka Haruka. The amount of fan service in season 1 was just about tolerable, mostly because there was indeed some kind of story outside of the fan service. But yes, season 2 went the harem route, elevated the fan service to ridiculous levels, and brushed aside the original premise of the show. Whether fan service works or not just depends on the show and what people are looking for I guess.
How about another perspective? If memory serves, the term “service” in Japan’s service industry means something free given by a cafe or restaurant (for e.g.) to first-time customers to build up a relationship with them and in hopes that they will spread the good word to other potential customers. This free gift/meal/drink is a one-time only affair, not something you get all the time as a regular customer In romantic or ecchi scenarios that don’t take away from the larger plot (like the Evangelion example you raised) it would mean the creators of the anime gave a “freebie” to the audience to imagine such skinship/romance between the characters, rather than having to fantasize about it on their own or see it in doujinshi. However, if a series persistently brings up the same kind of sexual gags or jokes, then it’s no longer “service” (which is supposed to be one-off, right?) but instead the entire series becomes more ecchi-themed. Hence the phrase “fanservice series” doesn’t quite make sense, since service ought to be a one-off thing, or at most a few instances of it.
Excellent thoughts about what’s probably the original idea behind fan service. Thankfully there are still many anime that know how to use it sparingly and in ways that don’t interrupt the flow of the story, much like my Evangelion example. Unfortunately in recent years there have been many series that use it excessively to the point where it’s no longer a “service” and is simply the main focus of the show. For fans of fan service anime, they’re welcome to it, but I just avoid them and enjoy other anime.
I usually just call those cool moves and flashy robots “eye candy”, although they also include but not limited to incredibly cute/blushing scenes, spectacular backgrounds, etc.
Anyway, when you think about the complimentary beach/pool episode in virtually every single anime, you see how important the role of fanservice is in the medium. And many times even when the studio’s intention is to maintain a serious/dark atmosphere, there’s usually such an episode just to cater to some people. And let’s not forget that bath scenes are really common too.
“Eye candy” is another good term for pandering scenes that have a visual appeal.
When the obligatory beach/pool/hot spring episode comes up in an otherwise serious/dark anime, I simply think of it as a breather before the plot starts moving again. As long as the characters and plot aren’t compromised just for the sake of fan service, I don’t have a problem. Such episode seem much less out of place in a slice-of-life anime. I don’t mind these episodes, again as long as the fan service isn’t obnoxious.
I agree with your position on this one. Fan service is ok, as long as it adds something to the anime. For example, the last episode in Hanasuka Iroha. The girls dressed in chinese dresses look attractive, but it was part of the episode in where they were trying out new things to help the inn. So it fits perfectly well into the story, and provide some “fan service” at the same time.
I pretty much compare this to the exact same things you see in US movies. US movies will use attractive actors/actresses and may dress them up provocatively or not, depending on the movie. This probably attracts more movie goers than using not so attractive actresses, or not dressing them up in a certain way. I really see no difference between them. Some movies may rely too heavily on the cute/attractive actresses if they movies themselves are not that good.
Even as a male viewer, I do not appreciate too much fan service with no reason in anime, in western movies, or even in books. I do not mind a little nudity, or fan service as long as it makes some kind of sense, and tries to portray something. It actually drives me a little mad if there is too much of it without any reason, and may drive me off a show/movie/book.
As my personal opinion, there really should not be much service in anime. If people really want to see panties, or nudity, or sex, or whatever, they can go ahead and download a porn, hentai, or whatever floats their boat. There really is no reason to have too much fan service on a slice of life, drama, or sci-fi anime if that is not the intent of the anime.
Your Iroha example is another good one. Though I would think of it more as pandering rather than fan service since it’s showing off “pretty/cute outfits” rather than highlighting the girls panties or big breasts (well, Nako’s the exception XD)
You’re absolutely right that fan service is not an anime-only thing and is present in all other forms of media. It’s simply more prevalent in anime, especially nowadays with certain titles trying to turn fan service into a genre.
I think the reason people would rather watch fan service anime than hentai is because fan service seems less dirty and technically isn’t pornographic. Panties and bouncing breasts are one thing but seeing raw sex and excessive nudity is another. They’re really two different things, with hentai being more niche since fan service is “cleaner.”
Haha, I wrote a post on fanservice topic too xD
I try to stay away from ecchi and moe moe kyun stuff.
And yeah, as long as the fanservice manages to work in the plot in some way, then it’s fine. If it’s boobs for the sake of boobs than I’m turned off.
Anime has certainly become much more provocative if you compare shows from today from those from ten years ago.
I don’t have a problem with “moe moe kyun” stuff like K-ON as long as I like the characters and the humor. I too avoid ecchi/fan service anime – I can usually tell just by a glance and summary of the series whether it’ll be such a show or not. There’s been fan service in older anime, but I agree that it’s more prevalent nowadays, a lot of which has to do with more anime being produced each year nowadays than before.
As seems to be the majority opinion, I don’t mind certain scenes when presented logically in a series. Since you’ve already listed Haruhi (though Melancholy I-III certainly has some questionable scenes, but character-related), I’ll mention Toradora! since I’m re-watching it. The two arcs involving the pool and the trip to the beach house both feature our main female cast in swimsuits and on a beach yet I have no problems with any “fanservice” scene because it’s presented logically and doesn’t demean any character. I’ve mentioned before that my favorite scene for Ami is her modeling her swimsuit in the mirror and complimenting herself over and over because it presents that egotistical/childish side of her perfectly.
Iroha doesn’t bother me much as it’s taking the “visual is more impactful than written” aspect that the Asakura/knife scene does as well. It’s one thing to mention “Oh, it’s a trashy erotic story about us with bubbles and mops in inappropriate places”, but showing it highlights why the reactions of Minko and Nako are so understandable later in that episode.
I think the biggest problem with these types of scenes is that they hamper the spread of anime with new audiences. K-On! made it onto the Disney Channel in Japan and is popular with people of all ages. If KyoAni had included the amount of teasing that an average Index episode does, it wouldn’t have that appeal because people immediately go “That’s trashy/perverted” due to stereotypes. As Kal mentioned, big movies have scenes similar to fanservice yet they aren’t criticized nearly as much due to having real people instead of drawings. Having some big hit along the lines of K-On! would do wonders to stop that stereotype from being used, but there’s nothing there that could be used right now that I know of to appeal to a wider audience.
I could have gone on listing examples, Haruhi and Toradora! being good ones, but I didn’t want to make the post any longer ^^,,, Actually I didn’t even think of Toradora! because the scene you mentioned doesn’t even seem like fan service to me. Just because female characters are in swimsuits doesn’t necessarily mean their sexiness has to be shoved down our throats. Ami shows off a little because that’s just part of her character, and everything that happened with Taiga and Ryuji in the pool was definitely part of story/character development.
Wow, I had no idea K-ON was on the Disney channel in Japan. One reason I love KyoAni is because they can make characters cute and attractive without using fan service. Unfortunately the fan service in Index just seems out of place for me but luckily there’s not a lot of it.
You know my religious background, and that has a lot to do with how I feel about fan service. I try to avoid it, mostly because it’s both something I want to see and something that I know I shouldn’t. In the end, I just won’t watch series with a lot of fan service. My almost-subconscious eye test for a series goes like this – if I barely noticed it, it’s tolerable, or if it occurs only once in a great while, it might be tolerable, too. If it’s central to the series, I’ll pass.
I like the point you brought up about how fan service can contribute to a show. That scene in Evangelion is iconic – so much so that I remember when I first saw it ten years ago. It is a very important scene in the series and tells as much about Rei and Shinji as just about any other in the show. Of course, that’s by far the exception rather than the rule, and nowadays, similar “falling over and groping” scenes are lazy and unnecessary.
I can usually tell if a series sounds like a typical harem or other fan service-filled anime by reading up about it or by simply glancing at its page on MAL and seeing if one of its genres is “ecchi.” If so, I won’t watch it. Just by doing this small bit of research I’ve been avoiding excessive fan service anime very well. Of course, such scenes are randomly inserted into regular anime, but again as long as there’s not too much of it, or if it contributes to the plot like that Evangelion scene, I don’t have a problem with it.
> little to no fanservice
> Bakemonogatari
Those two are mutually exclusive. :) Granted, the fanservice in Bake was better than in most anime, but still a bit problematic. It works because they start with parody and end up serious in each episode, but had that mood shift not been there, it would’ve been a mood killer. And even now, it’s not well-paced, I often found myself thinking “get on with the plot already” and I’m a guy and a teenager, so something went wrong here.
I still loved Bakemonagatari to bits, though. Especially SHAFT’s schizoid style of direction.