How important is fan service?

[Clayton_n]

How important is fanservice in anime?


For me, it's very important. Otherwise it would be impossible to tell a lot of characters apart.

[GameGeeks]

Wait....WHAT!?! You need fan service to tell chars apart? You couldn't say....and humor me for a moment.....go by appearance, personality, gender, etc. to tell characters apart? Nope, to tell anime girls apart apparently you need to look at their boobies. Wonder how people did it before fan service.

[Clayton_n]

So how many of the characters in that picture up there can you recognize?

---------- Post added at 03:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:41 PM ----------

Wait....WHAT!?! You need fan service to tell chars apart? You couldn't say....and humor me for a moment.....go by appearance, personality, gender, etc. to tell characters apart? Nope, to tell anime girls apart apparently you need to look at their boobies. Wonder how people did it before fan service.

You would be shocked at how similar two characters from different series can be. Like a certain green haired girl from Codfe Geass and another one from Darker than Black...

Or Kallen from Code Geass and... damn, what's the plant girl from Yugioh 5Ds called again?

[GameGeeks]

So how many of the characters in that picture up there can you recognize?

---------- Post added at 03:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:41 PM ----------



You would be shocked at how similar two characters from different series can be. Like a certain green haired girl from Codfe Geass and another one from Darker than Black...

Or Kallen from Code Geass and... damn, what's the plant girl from Yugioh 5Ds called again?

OK, lets go with the girls with the green hair.

Amber:


C.C.:


First, outside their green hair, they look nothing alike. First there's their age. Amber has the appearance of a ten to twelve year old and continues to get younger as the series progresses. C.C. looks like a high school girl. The result of age effects things like the shape of their faces. Amber's is much softer and rounder. Her nose is smaller, even proportionally. Her eyes are also softer and don't stand out in the same way C.C.'s does. That's just face alone. Like others have said, there's also things like body type, clothing, voice, etc. So no, those two characters don't share any similarities other then green hair.

[.:neuko:.]

So how many of the characters in that picture up there can you recognize?

Honestly? Only Misty - and only because she has 2 straps over her breasts (not so much because I recognise her breasts), and then, only after you gave the Pokemon hint.

You would be shocked at how similar two characters from different series can be.

Not necessarily. In most cases I would say that perceived similarity between characters is more a reflection of ignorance than fact. When I first watched anime I initially felt that most anime characters were pretty much the same, especially girl characters who generally seemed to share the same visual characteristics as each other (e.g. large breasts, long limbs, moe-ish looks etc.). However, in becoming more interested in their personalities I began to notice that there are actually subtle, yet nonetheless, important visual differences between anime characters in general, and that they aren't necessarily as similar as I first thought.


Regarding the main question of the thread: to give my personal opinion, I'd say that the importance of fan service very much depends on context and standpoint. From a series standpoint "fan service" is rarely appropriate or necessary (if not questionable at best); for in most cases it neither advances storylines nor character profiles (and often deliberately so). In any case, I have yet to view a fan service-based anime episode that serves either of those two objectives. From a revenue standpoint however fan service is obviously important - clearly there is a market for it, otherwise it would not exist in the first place - and high-production anime probably depends on revenue from fan service to an extent.

Personally, I can tolerate fan service to a certain degree as long as it's optional and not intrusive. The best case scenario would be fan service featured in side story anime episodes; at least here I can choose whether to digest or avoid fan service (depending on mood) without worrying that I might be missing something otherwise essential. The worst case scenario would be fan service inappropriately featured in regular anime episodes - that all-or-nothing-like approach does not sit very well with me at all.

[Clayton_n]

Honestly? Only Misty - and only because she has 2 straps over her breasts (not so much because I recognise her breasts), and then, only after you gave the Pokemon hint.


.

no, in fact there are 3 Pokemon characters in the picture. One of them isn't even a girl.


Seriously how many people int hat pic can you recognize?

---------- Post added at 02:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 AM ----------

How important is fanservice in anime?


For me, it's very important. Otherwise it would be impossible to tell a lot of characters apart.

here I'll list the series out and then you see if you recognize them

Sailor Moon
Ah My Goddess
Tenchi
Tenchi GXP
Outlaw Star
Thundercats
Yugioh
Abenooshi
hellsing
Bleach
One Piece
naruto
Code geass
Dragonball Z

[.:neuko:.]

Seriously how many people int hat pic can you recognize?

here I'll list the series out and then you see if you recognize them

Sailor Moon
Ah My Goddess
Tenchi
Tenchi GXP
Outlaw Star
Thundercats
Yugioh
Abenooshi
hellsing
Bleach
One Piece
naruto
Code geass
Dragonball Z

I haven't really seen those series you mentioned in your list, so I can't identify anymore characters behind that image for you. Thing is, I tend to avoid watching such anime since they generally contain more episodes than I usually have time to see. But in any case, I don't think that "test" goes far enough to prove that fan service is important in regards to character recognition. Like I said before however, fan service is important in some respects, so ultimately I would not wish for it to be abolished.

[AshureeChan]

Eh, I could personally do without. I'm a girl (why did I type good??) so boob shots and panty shots make me feel uncomfortable.
I don't mind boob jokes to an extent but that's a completely different thing

And I don't understand how you can't tell characters apart other than boobs... they have faces and personalities ya know!

[Mugiwara-no-Basuke]

Eh, I could personally do without. I'm a girl (why did I type good??) so boob shots and panty shots make me feel uncomfortable.
I don't mind boob jokes to an extent but that's a completely different thing

And I don't understand how you can't tell characters apart other than boobs... they have faces and personalities ya know!

Exactly! I'm a guy and I feel proud to say I respect both woman and men the same way and as a guy I'd also feel unconfortable if there was a post like this but with pics of boys asses per example -_-

[AshureeChan]

Exactly! I'm a guy and I feel proud to say I respect both woman and men the same way and as a guy I'd also feel unconfortable if there was a post like this but with pics of boys asses per example -_-

No, I like that part hahahaha I'm kidding!!! Yeah it's like "Ummmm can we get back to the plot now?!" lol

[ご立派なマーラ様]

Eh, I could personally do without. I'm a girl (why did I type good??) so boob shots and panty shots make me feel uncomfortable.
I don't mind boob jokes to an extent but that's a completely different thing

And I don't understand how you can't tell characters apart other than boobs... they have faces and personalities ya know!

If such things make you uncomfortable, how about er...look at my avatar. Is it not uncomfortable? I wonder which of us are being a sexist here...which is more uncomfortable, male or female symbol? I think the appearance of Mara in Shin-Megami Tensei series is a kind of fan service but it is supposed to be funny or naughty, at most, rather than embarrassing or something. The last episode of Queen's Blade Rebellion in this season had one of the most memorable scenes among the ones in which a character casting a resurrection spell. In most RPGs, resurrection spells are big deals but the casting process depicted here is...er...not so conventional as a life-saving process. Thinking of that, most of the content in Queen's Blade series is pretty orthodox as an RPG-themed anime...it's just its fan service is kinda...over the top, which is, again I think, intended to be funny/stupid rather than hot. Also, have you read manga called Minori no Seishun? It heavily relies on sexual themes but they are so exaggerated to the extent that they are not sexy at all - they are plain silly or funny. I only wrote about possible funniness of fan services and leave possible artistic aspect of them to someone else - somehow, I think it couldn't be convincing with this avatar.

[AshureeChan]

If such things make you uncomfortable, how about er...look at my avatar. Is it not uncomfortable? I wonder which of us are being a sexist here...which is more uncomfortable, male or female symbol? I think the appearance of Mara in Shin-Megami Tensei series is a kind of fan service but it is supposed to be funny or naughty, at most, rather than embarrassing or something. The last episode of Queen's Blade Rebellion in this season had one of the most memorable scenes among the ones in which a character casting a resurrection spell. In most RPGs, resurrection spells are big deals but the casting process depicted here is...er...not so conventional as a life-saving process. Thinking of that, most of the content in Queen's Blade series is pretty orthodox as an RPG-themed anime...it's just its fan service is kinda...over the top, which is, again I think, intended to be funny/stupid rather than hot. Also, have you read manga called Minori no Seishun? It heavily relies on sexual themes but they are so exaggerated to the extent that they are not sexy at all - they are plain silly or funny. I only wrote about possible funniness of fan services and leave possible artistic aspect of them to someone else - somehow, I think it couldn't be convincing with this avatar.

Not 100% sure why you decided you needed to single me out as sexist but I'm not. I don't care all that much for male just as much as female fan service. I understand if it's for comedic purposes such as strange scenes of Hideyoshi from Baka to Test (which are hilarious! and kinda stupid lol) but if it's something like Rosario+Vampire there is so much fan service I stopped watching after episode 8. I just think there needs to be a line. And how is it weird that looking at other girls boobs makes me uncomfortable? I'm not the only girl who feels that way.

[RavenQueen]

Not 100% sure why you decided you needed to single me out as sexist but I'm not. I don't care all that much for male just as much as female fan service. I understand if it's for comedic purposes such as strange scenes of Hideyoshi from Baka to Test (which are hilarious! and kinda stupid lol) but if it's something like Rosario+Vampire there is so much fan service I stopped watching after episode 8. I just think there needs to be a line. And how is it weird that looking at other girls boobs makes me uncomfortable? I'm not the only girl who feels that way.

i agree with you i watched it all but it is one reason why japan hated otakus for the longest time cause how perv they where with little girls and teens in anime.

[ご立派なマーラ様]

Not 100% sure why you decided you needed to single me out as sexist but I'm not. I don't care all that much for male just as much as female fan service. I understand if it's for comedic purposes such as strange scenes of Hideyoshi from Baka to Test (which are hilarious! and kinda stupid lol) but if it's something like Rosario+Vampire there is so much fan service I stopped watching after episode 8. I just think there needs to be a line. And how is it weird that looking at other girls boobs makes me uncomfortable? I'm not the only girl who feels that way.

Well, nothing personal. I simply picked up one, reading from the top of the thread. And, yeah, I kinda agree that the element is just passable for the works which don't even try to take themselves seriously. In many of the cases, it is so obvious when fan services get in otaku-exclusive area that you can avoid possible unpleasant experiences totally. Indeed, in some other cases, it's quite hard to discern plain-simple perversion and artistic attempt - Blade of the Immortal comes to my mind, for example - but such cases are rather rare. Well, it's the reason why I avoided getting into possible art discussions. lol ...BTW, how comes I haven't heard of most of the titles listed as bad examples in this thread - maybe, I tend to just remain the region of ecchi comedies when it comes to fan services?

[Ayu 「あゆ」]

I'm not a fan of fanservice either. It's what the director resorts to when they got nothing good story-wise. And yeah, constant crotch shots and giant bouncing water balloons just isn't my thing...

[threewolves]

I dont mind it, but it can go over board. Case in point, Rosario+Vampire. First season, had plenty of fan service, but still had a story to tell, which was interesting. 2nd season, was barely a story there and basically was 13 episodes of fan service, which honestly got old quick. I finished it, but every episode I was hoping it would get back on track.

[Jacob's Ladder]

I dont mind it, but it can go over board. Case in point, Rosario+Vampire. First season, had plenty of fan service, but still had a story to tell, which was interesting. 2nd season, was barely a story there and basically was 13 episodes of fan service, which honestly got old quick. I finished it, but every episode I was hoping it would get back on track.

You got a point there. A little service is good for comedic purposes, or to push a more adult scene (seduction wise)...if it serves to advance the plot of the story. But to put it in...just to cater to boy fantasies. Ugh..

[Executioner]

Well hentai WILL make it EASYER for YOU then. So go with H

[Screwby]

Most anime would be the same or better without any fan service. However, I don't mind it if it's used very sparingly to add a funny scene or if it's kept to a filler episode (such as beach, hot spring, etc. trips). I feel like Kaze no Stigma did a good job in that regard while Rosario 2 and High School of the Dead went a bit overboard.

[Jasanime]

I don't hate it, I feel like anime just wouldn't be anime without it. But it's definitely one of those 'less is more' things.

[GameGeeks]

@Screwby You're joking about Kaze right? They showed Ayano's panties every chance they got.

[Gjallarhorn]

First, that image has little to do with fan service, especially with regard to you telling them apart. Character design is what allows you to tell them apart, and I'd hardly consider the fact that women have boobs to be fanservice - though designs (Tsunade, Rangiku) can be fanservice-y. Cropping screencaps to focus on boobs doesn't suddenly change the source of fanservice.

I'm not a fan of fanservice (hoho!); it's distracting and disruptive to the flow of a scene or an episode. In ero/ecchi shows it's fine because that's the whole point, but otherwise, I'd prefer it wasn't there. Unfortunately it has become more and more prominent in a very large portion of anime through actual ero content, moe, and so on.

[Albear]

I love fanservice.. just look at my siganture, borderline fanservice right there. That aside, it is not really important. More like along the lines of a luxury instead of a necessity.

[SuXrys]

Well... Talking about fanservice I have to say that I don't really mind it as long as it doesn't get too much of it, since sometimes it can be so much that I stop to watch an anime because of it (like I did with Highschool Of The Dead, that one just had over-the-top-waaaaaaay-too-much in it if you ask me). However small amounts of it isn't that bad, especially if it's with a character that you kind of like. When it's with a character that you don't like then it's just bloody annoying and you don't like it, but when it's with one of your favorite characters then I guess you are more towards the "Me Gusta" side of it all, Hahah! One exampel: I am pretty sure that both me and also @RyuTama didn't had so much against it when Mr. Kirkland took his shirt of when getting ready to go the hotspring.

Riiiiiiiiight RyuTama? ~ <3 *Wild smirking appears*



So NO it's not important [Not to me anyway]. But small amounts of it is okey.

[Darkhallows]

I guess I don't really notice it. It neither enhances or decreases the show for me.