The Problem With Ecchi, Harem, and Hentai Anime

To Arouse or Not to Arouse?

Shinmai Maou no Testament hentai anime

When we think of anime we think of wholesome Japanese cartoons, no? Who am I kidding? When the average person thinks of anime, they think of those pervy Japanese cartoons. And most times, they are correct.

I am a longtime anime fan and I will be the first one to admit, sometimes the artwork and adult situations can feel embarrassing. What was fun and titillating when you are fifteen it is not so much when you are forty.

Ecchi, harem, and hentai anime are usually grouped but that is not fair. Granted, all three deal with themes of sex and sexual situations, yet they are not the same. Neither do they have the same purposes or audiences.

Ecchi anime refers to anime where the sex is not explicit. There may be sexual undertones and a bit of lasciviousness but it is played for comedy.

Goofy sexual situations and misunderstandings, the occasional panty or cleavage shot. It is purposely softcore and played for laughs. It does not seek to arouse, mostly entertaining.

In brief, this is anime with lots of fan service in it. A tease at best.

Tenchi Muyo!, the granddaddy of harem anime

Harem anime is self-explanatory, usually, a boy pursued by several girls. There are reverse harem anime (rare but they exist) where the protagonist is a girl pursued by several boys; yaoi (gay harem) and even lesbian ones. In these, polyamorous relationships are the ultimate wish-fulfillment.

Still, they are tame compared to hentai.

Hentai anime is straight erotica. The Japanese word hentai hints are strangeness and perversion. This one is intentionally explicit and hardcore.

Worse, you will find a problematic situation like for instance Lolicon, a borderline pedophile type of anime.

Whether they seek to arouse or not the viewers, there are several problems with these anime subgenres. Let’s identify them.

Are We Fetishizing Cartoon Characters?

Overflow hentai anime

First, I will acknowledge this topic is controversial and divisive. Yes, we sexualize fantasy creatures and other fictional characters all the time. And yes, there are lots of differences between Japanese culture and Western culture, starting with the age of consent being much lower over there.

Also, like with the sexualization and fetishization of fantasy creatures, we should ask, is this an example of lazy writing? (Actually, does anybody watches this for the plot?)

Among the many problems of ecchi, harem, and hentai, I have identified the following:

• Censorship. Even kiddie shows like Pokémon and Yokai Watch have been censored because shows intended for children should not have nudity and panty shots. Which raises the question: Who is the intended audience?
• The constant fan service becomes clichés of overused tropes (how many nose bleeds after a brief view of someone’s panties?) or stereotypes (how many naive but secretly horny waifus?). A joke told repeatedly stops being funny after a while.
• Objectification of characters. I don’t have a problem with a character being sexy. Nonetheless, if that is their only reason to exist, they are not a character, they are a plot device.
• Not enough plot. A story without a plot becomes boring or at best, predictable, which is the same thing.
• It can be degrading and in some cases, addictive. What? Doesn’t people know cartoon characters are not real people?

Kiss Him Not Me harem anime. One girl, several guys…

Therefore, we should ask the question, do ecchi, harem, and hentai harm the reader/viewer?

If it sets unrealistic expectations or if it becomes addictive, yes it harms the viewer. It is rare but it can happen.

Conversely, we should remember, this is anime, not real.

In real life, men and women are not as dense and dumb as anime characters, plants and monsters won’t rape you (with tentacles), and multiple men or women will be willing to live together in a polyamorous situation with no jealousy.

Nevertheless, these are not the biggest problems with ecchi, harem, and hentai.

The Real Problem With Ecchi, Harem, and Hentai Anime

Prison School hentai anime

I am not a proponent of censorship, although this type of anime is definitely not for kids. But what about adults? Who is the intended audience for these shows?

Feminists will decry they are made for the male gaze and they will be correct, although more women are coming out as fans, and some shows are made specifically made for females, like Free! Iwatobi Swim Club.

These shows are intended for teenagers. Yes, adults watch them too. And done correctly, they can be entertaining.

Free! Iwatobi Swim Club is full of fan service

For instance, ecchi anime like Kill La Kill or Food Wars! can be titillating without being pornographic.

Similarly, hentai anime like Amakano and Dropout can be pornographic while still having an interesting plot.

But again, do anyone watches because of the plot? I am really curious.

I am sure there is a plot. At least ecchi tries.

Sex comedy is still comedy, no?

Moreover, I am also sure some fans do not care about the plot as long as the eye candy and sexiness are present. Sex sells.

Similarly, harem anime like Kiss Him, Not Me, or Tenchi Muyo can be fun and even sweet. Conversely, I could not get past the first episode of Prison School. Then again, S&M is not my thing.

And before we become judgmental, we should remember these shows are the ultimate sexual wish-fulfillment fantasy. Not so much in terms of free sex without consequences (when was the last time an anime character got pregnant or contracted an STD?) but in terms of anything goes.

Sex with a monster, a demon, a centaur, or any other mythological creature? Sure. It is the exploration of these strange sexual fetishes, almost taboo, impossible pairings that make anime different than watching real live porn.

On the other hand, all the nudity, sex, and fan service can become distracting when you are not looking to be aroused, just enjoy a good story. Moreover, even if we ignore it or simply tolerate it, it is there, in the background.

Do we need this type of distraction when we are trying to grow the hobby?

anime’s iconic nose bleed as a sign of sexual arousal

As anime becomes more mainstream, these are topics it needs to consider and debate.

Therefore, the real problem with ecchi, harem and hentai anime is that it makes it harder to grow the hobby or be taken seriously. Still, there is more to anime than dirty cartoons. If only mainstream viewers realize this is only a subgenre within a larger narrative medium.

But, if you don’t like them, don’t read or watch them. And if you like them, keep them private. TMI.

Reader, do you enjoy ecchi, harem, or hentai? Does it bother you? Do you think it harms the viewer? Or do you feel like me, to each its own? Share in the comments.