What is fanservice?

[roadoffew]

I'm still not sure what the correct definition of "fan service" is.

[Kawaiikneko]

characters in compromising situations, pantie shots, boob shots, any camera angle or situation that shows off the body of an anime character. Its usually done to over-endowed anime girls, but there's the shirtless bishies as well.

Wow I said that all rather bluntly. Forgive me.

[Tarnish]

Though it isn't just limited to...that. Explosions, excessive use of gore, things like that are also fanservice. Basically, it comes down to attracting those who would otherwise not be interested.

[Kawaiikneko]

I think the term fanservice generally refers to sex-appeal though, at least in the fan community. Around here its more of a negative term, but in other places its used in a positive sense. =_=;

[Shao Feng-Li]

Basicly needless eye candy.

[roadoffew]

I see. What anime has the least fan service? (being the sexual eye candy)

[Kawaiikneko]

that's hard to say... alot of them don't have any ^^;

[uc pseudonym]

For the most part, Kawaiikneko's first post is the operating definition. When you hear fanservice in an unqualified manner, it will almost always be this.

However, some persons like to expand the definition to include anything that lacks purpose but caters specifically to an audience. This is especially evident in certain action sequences, and I feel should definitely be applied to romance anime as well (that is, certain relationships and characters are unrealistic or contrived, but exist because they are wanted by viewers). But that aside, the first definition is how the vast majority use the term.

[roadoffew]

okay, then which animes have the most? (so i can avoid them)

[Tringard]

okay, then which animes have the most? (so i can avoid them)

your questions are too broad, there's more than you could name that have the most, just as there are more than is reasonable to name that have none (or least). You can use the reviews here (linked at top of the page) to see exactly what kind of questionable content is in a series you might be interested in, or even to search for something new to watch. If it hasn't been reviewed, it is likely it has been discussed, just searching the forum for the title should get you a decent mini review of its content.

[heero yuy 95]

I'd say it's mostly sexual. if fan-service could be random explosions and things that are there just to look cool, I'd probably like it.

[Ayres91]

okay, then which animes have the most? (so i can avoid them)

Anything that is described as "ecchi" or "hentai" are obvious signs of fanservice in a series (the latter being the most extreme). Of course, reading reviews of a series is helpful to know if the show contains a lot of it.

[shooraijin]

Mod note: I think we should probably avoid listing such titles, as many will border on hentai (or at least etchi) and we don't need to publicize such shows. We'd be better off accentuating series that *are* watchable.

[Puritan]

Generally, simply look at the anime itself. If the box or the description seems to be fan-servicey, it probably is. One notable exception is R.O.D. The boxes are extremely fan-servicey, but the anime is mainly clean, except for one of the early episodes with really random fan service. Reviews are also a good idea, a good reviewer will likely indicate whether or not there is any junk in the series. I mainly ask my sister who knows many anime titles, and has friends who know more. That's the final thing I'd suggest. Run the title past someone you trust who knows anime (perhaps people on these boards if you don't know anyone like that) and they could be a big help.

[roadoffew]

Mod note: I think we should probably avoid listing such titles, as many will border on hentai (or at least etchi) and we don't need to publicize such shows. We'd be better off accentuating series that *are* watchable.

shooraijin, I love how you always show up just in the nick of time to prevent trouble from my thoughtlessness. Thanks a million once again. (attention, this is not to be taken in a sarcastic tone. I'm serious here.)

[Kaligraphic]

Here are the definitions:

If you drive up to a gas station and pump your own gas, that's self service.

If you drive up to a gas station and a guy in oil-stained grey overalls bearing the gas station's logo comes up, pumps your gas for you, and cleans your windows, that's full service.

If you drive up to a gas station and a stereotypical "sexy schoolgirl" type comes up, pumps your gas, and cleans your windows, before engaging in a dramatic shootout with random villains, that's fan service.

If you drive up to a gas station and some fat slob comes up, spills gas on your car, lights it on fire, and smashes your windows, that's bad service.

[Midori]

Well, defining fan service is like defining working on the sabbath. The line is sort of fuzzy. To some people something might be work, or fan service, while to others it might not be.

[Maverick]

Here are the definitions:

If you drive up to a gas station and pump your own gas, that's self service.

If you drive up to a gas station and a guy in oil-stained grey overalls bearing the gas station's logo comes up, pumps your gas for you, and cleans your windows, that's full service.

If you drive up to a gas station and a stereotypical "sexy schoolgirl" type comes up, pumps your gas, and cleans your windows, before engaging in a dramatic shootout with random villains, that's fan service.

If you drive up to a gas station and some fat slob comes up, spills gas on your car, lights it on fire, and smashes your windows, that's bad service.

Well in that case.. I'd like to encourage fanservice wholeheartedly!!!






-just kidding... kinda...

[Mithrandir]

Here are the definitions:

If you drive up to a gas station and pump your own gas, that's self service.

If you drive up to a gas station and a guy in oil-stained grey overalls bearing the gas station's logo comes up, pumps your gas for you, and cleans your windows, that's full service.

If you drive up to a gas station and a stereotypical "sexy schoolgirl" type comes up, pumps your gas, and cleans your windows, before engaging in a dramatic shootout with random villains, that's fan service.

If you drive up to a gas station and some fat slob comes up, spills gas on your car, lights it on fire, and smashes your windows, that's bad service.

Thanks. I needed a laugh today.

[eva-boy7985]

As previously stated, it's kinda a "gray" area. It's also a matter of personal conviction and allowing the Holy Spirit to make you alert to anything that may become a hindrance to you personally. So shows I own I would say have a significant amount or somewhat noticeable fanservice (Love Hina, Rune Soldier). But there's also been shows I've decided to not continue watching due to excessive amounts of it or things like that. Some of it, while edgy indeed at times, is done for the sake of humor, but then that's another area that's somewhat relative as well. If you check out a movie or series and notice that maybe there's somewhat of a fanservice focus, just do some research on how much there is, and how much the show actually focuses on it. The sheer presence of fanservice, in my opinion, isn't necessarily reason enough to avoid a series in its entirety, but then on the flipside, some shows are worth steering clear from if it's overboard, in your opinion. In any case, if there's a show I'm interested in, I usually check out at least the first DVD of the series and then decided whether or not I'll continue with it; granted there's some that I avoid altogether as well! O.o



Note: Maverick is a silly-head

[Midori]

Couldn't have stated it better. And if you're lucky, you find excessive fan-service repulsive...

[GhostontheNet]

In addition to these definitions, Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanservice adds cosplay by characters, cameos by people involved in the series somehow, inside jokes, technical details possibly to the point of the arcane, and homage to other works. In this respect, titles like Love Hina or Negima! are loaded with fanservice of many types.

[starwarsboy90]

wow, that link and your definition is definitly helpful in that regard! If only you were a Princess or fair madian, sigh...lol j/k on that part!lol

[mitsuki lover]

If you have ever watched Neon Genesis Evangelion they occasionally have quick shots of fan service.For example yesterday there was a quickie scene of Misato buttoning up her bra and then standing in front of the mirror(back to the audience)
just in her underwear.That is one definition of fan service.Then again the entire
series Colorful is one long fan service injoke.

[Scribs]

Here are the definitions:

If you drive up to a gas station and pump your own gas, that's self service.

If you drive up to a gas station and a guy in oil-stained grey overalls bearing the gas station's logo comes up, pumps your gas for you, and cleans your windows, that's full service.

If you drive up to a gas station and a stereotypical "sexy schoolgirl" type comes up, pumps your gas, and cleans your windows, before engaging in a dramatic shootout with random villains, that's fan service.

If you drive up to a gas station and some fat slob comes up, spills gas on your car, lights it on fire, and smashes your windows, that's bad service.

Good examples Kaligraphic, good examples.

[Hitokiri]

Mod note: I think we should probably avoid listing such titles, as many will border on hentai (or at least etchi) and we don't need to publicize such shows. We'd be better off accentuating series that *are* watchable.

I just wanted to throw this out while listing hentai titles or borderline ecchi/hentai would be out of the question - simply stating that "Cowboy Bebop" has "this and this" or series that are not hentai or the borderline ecchi do contain some fan service.

Most series do have fan service though; even the pretty clean ones. Last Exile for example has the main character Klaus looking at a girls figure (breasts). Besides that, the entire series is clean sexually.

Roadoffew, if you would like to see which series has what - I highyl suggest the review section.

[roadoffew]

Well my question has been answered. Thank you.

[GhostontheNet]

wow, that link and your definition is definitly helpful in that regard! If only you were a Princess or fair madian, sigh...lol j/k on that part!lol

Old-school fanservice eh? Can't just be a story with the noble knight, no, has to have a princess or fair maiden or damsel in distress or something.

[rocklobster]

Actually, according to what I've heard, Evangelion practically COINED fan service. That's because in many of the trailers, Mitsuke makes it a point to actually advertise it. So, yeah, I think Evangelion obviously overdoes it. Cowboy Bebop seems to have a lot too (cmon, look at Faye. She's obviously fan service)

[shooraijin]

Mod note the second: Let's keep Evangelion out of this please (see the Do Not Discuss list).