In every industry, there are certain media conventions that are highly praised and valued, and one of these is known as fanservice. However, the definition of fanservice varies depending on the specific industry. For example, in the Western industry, it may refer to cross-universe cameos, while in the K-Pop industry, it may pertain to idol friendships with homoerotic undertones.
Despite the distinct abundance of mostly R-rated and definitely not PG-13 fanservice tailored to the audience, this is a common trend within the anime and manga industry.
Fanservice can be a deciding factor in the success of an anime, depending on the intended audience. While some viewers enjoy it, others may find it distasteful. Therefore, it is crucial to skillfully incorporate fanservice in a way that does not feel forced.
Fanservice Explained
Fanservice is aimed at satisfying the audience by including scenes with minimal relevance to the plot or character development. While some anime attempt to incorporate fanservice into the storyline, its success is often unpredictable and depends on the type of fanservice used.
Typically, fanservice incorporates elements such as partial or complete nudity, provocative poses and behaviors, and exaggeratedly attractive characters, often referred to as “beefcake”and “cheesecake,”who constantly find themselves in awkward situations.
Despite not being inherently sexual, fanservice is prevalent in the anime industry. It has become normalized to the point where it is now a common feature in most anime. Below is a list of ten anime that heavily incorporate fanservice to cater to their audience.
Cow & Test
Baka and Test uses humor to disguise its fanservice, giving it a charming and amusing quality that sets it apart from traditional fanservice. The anime heavily relies on character stereotypes, but cleverly parodies them to create entertaining dynamics.
Baka and Test features a range of fanservice, from girls in varying levels of undress to a androgynous boy who is made to cross-dress. This fanservice is used to heighten the absurdity of the plot and add to the overall comedic tone of the show.
Darling in the FranXX
Darling in the FranXX follows the typical fanservice formula, featuring an excessive number of suggestive shots in its earlier episodes. It is clear that the show has opted for the conventional approach when it comes to incorporating fanservice.
The purposeful and sexually suggestive representation of the female characters, with their suggestive poses and angled shots, is intended to appeal to the male audience.
My Dress Up Darling
When it comes to catering to a male audience through fanservice, My Dress-Up Darling is the ultimate example. After all, the anime revolves around a high school girl’s passion for intense cosplay.
From revealing outfits to monster-girl costumes, Marin’s repertoire is diverse. My Dress-Up Darling centers its storyline around fanservice, making it an integral part of the show. However, it also includes wholesome moments and incorporates fanservice in all possible scenes.
7 Free!
Free!, an anime known for its extensive fan service, caters specifically to a female audience. Despite being a slice-of-life sports-oriented show, the typical shonen moments are overshadowed by constant half-naked shots of male characters swimming or flaunting their physiques.
In addition to the consistent presence of partial nudity, the interactions between the typical character archetypes also hold a homoerotic undertone that is particularly appealing to the female viewers.
KonoSuba
Despite the abundance of cliche, KonoSuba stands out as one of the few isekai anime that uses it to its advantage. However, this does not mean that it lacks unnecessary fanservice, as there are still numerous scenes that feature it.
Nevertheless, KonoSuba cleverly incorporates fanservice through humor or by poking fun at the main character, effectively blending it in and keeping it from feeling out of place.
Food Wars!
Food Wars! is self-aware and deliberately uses fanservice as a means of conveying its message while also creating comedic moments. The exaggerated and nonsensical reactions to food tasting are central to the storyline, providing a comical and far-fetched perspective on the impact of delicious food.
Despite being a common theme, the depiction of “foodgasm”in this anime is excessive. However, this does not detract from the engaging plot, allowing viewers to shift their attention to the story. Additionally, the characters are impressively developed and their interactions add depth to the series, making Food Wars! a worthwhile watch.
4-Prison-School
Prison School masterfully combines fanservice and comedy, going beyond mere ecchi with minimal plot. The show’s focus lies in its well-developed characters and their relationships, with little emphasis on cheap laughs.
The main focus of the story is on a group of guys who are imprisoned for attempting to peek into the girls’ bathroom. The narrative follows their experiences, including comical moments that coincide with the use of fanservice.
Shimoneta
Shimoneta presents a wild take on the dystopian genre, as it is based in a world where the government prohibits all forms of lewdness. This ban is so strict that even words and hand gestures are closely monitored and scrutinized.
The main focus of the anime centers on characters striving for their autonomy and the opportunity to explore their wants and curiosities, resulting in comical moments. What also distinguishes it is the girls’ tendency to be more crude and straightforward, adding to the humor.
2. Danmachi – Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in the Dungeon?
Simply hearing the title of DanMachi is sufficient to understand the premise of the anime, but in case that is not enough to convey the fanservice, the appearance of every female character surely will. Nonetheless, the series offers substantial world-building and character development that will surely entice you to give it a chance.
The use of fanservice in Danmachi effectively captivates the audience before the series delves into its darker themes. This further highlights how integral the fanservice is to the plot, making it an essential element of the series.
Highschool of the Dead
It is no surprise that High School of the Dead claimed the number one position. The anime has become practically synonymous with fanservice, which is its main appeal. While the show does contain a significant amount of fanservice, it is not overly excessive.
Despite the zombie apocalypse plot of High School of the Dead, the fanservice is not properly justified. It seems to be inserted purely for the enjoyment of the audience, which was the original intention behind its inclusion.
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