What is Ecchi manga?

Fan service is found in many anime, in many forms. When the service has a distinctly sexual slant to it, and it appears to be a major focus of the show, then it's safe to assume you're watching ecchi. The word "ecchi" is used by English-speaking anime fans to refer to soft-core pornographic or sexually suggestive anime and manga. This is a western invention; in Japanese, it is a catch-all term for all things anyhow sexual in nature, not being limited to porn, but also not really considered a "milder" term, as it may also refer to sexual intercourse itself. The term "ecchi" in Japanese comes from the pronunciation of the letter "H" in English, which is rendered into Japanese syllabary as エッチ, which in turn is transliterated in the English alphabet as "ecchi" or "etchi". It is not, as many believe, short for "hentai" -- that, too, seems to be a western invention. It is, however, nearly as misunderstood and misapplied a term as "hentai".The line between ecchi and hentai, from the western perspective over these terms, can be hard to draw at times; one good rule of thumb is: if it was aired on Japanese public TV at all, it probably wasn't hentai. Ecchi usually features all the specifics to human anatomy that can only be found in anime, and generally avoids full nudity, instead abusing of panty shots. Hentai, on the other hand, will usually show full frontal nudity in some explicit form, including genitalia, and full, intimate sex scenes. At its mildest, ecchi is composed of double entendres, big misunderstandings, and sexual farce; at its most explicit, it is still in the realm of softcore pornography, with full breast shots, full back nudity and similar content, but no display of genitalia. Another good way to distinguish the two is looking for animated sex scenes; if one is found, you have generally left the genre entirely, though a few borderline exceptions apply here. For Kitsu's purposes, the distinction between explicit ecchi and actual hentai is simple: if it was sold with an 18+ restriction in its country of origin, it is hentai; if it was sold without it, it is ecchi. Source: TV Tropes

Trending Ecchi Manga You might like

Chainsaw Man

(Chainsaw Man)

8.49

Description:

The name says it all! Denji's life of poverty is changed forever when he merges with his pet chainsaw dog, Pochita! Now he's living in the big city and an official Devil Hunter. But he's got a lot to learn about his new job and chainsaw powers! (Source: Mangaplus) Notes: - Nominated for the 2020 Manga Taisho Award. - Winner of the 2021 Kono Manga ga Sugoi Award. - Winner of the 66th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shounen category. - Winner of the 2021 and 2022 Harvey Award for Best Manga.
Type

manga

Volumes

11

Chapters

97

Rating

Violence & blood, partial nudity

Status

finished

Started

2018-12-03

Nanatsu no Taizai

(The Seven Deadly Sins)

8.33

Description:

When they were accused of trying to overthrow the monarchy, the feared warriors the Seven Deadly Sins were sent into exile. Princess Elizabeth discovers the truth - the Sins were framed by the king's guard, the Holy Knights - too late to prevent them from assassinating her father and seizing the throne! Now the princess is on the run, seeking the Sins to help her reclaim the kingdom. But the first Sin she meets, Meliodas, is a little innkeeper with a talking pig. He doesn't even have a real sword! Have the legends of the Sins' strength been exaggerated? (Source: Kodansha Comics)
Type

manga

Volumes

41

Chapters

346

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2012-10-10

Fairy Tail+

(Fairy Tail Plus)

8.31

Description:

This artbook contains 3 side stories that were not included in the main volumes. 1. Mira-sensei no Henshin Mahou Lesson (ミラ先生の変身魔法レッスン, Mira-Sensei's Transforming Magic Class) - Natsu, Happy and Lucy ask Mirajane to teach them Transformation Magic, Lucy becomes the focal point of yet another troublesome day. 2. Yousei no Izumi e Youkoso! (妖精の泉へようこそ!, Welcome to Fairy Fountain) - The master wants to open the guild's pool to the public to make some cash and he asks Lucy to test out the attractions that the guild members prepared. 3. Nagagutsu wo Haita Happy (長ぐつをはいたハッピー, Happy in Boots) - A short story of a talking cat, Happy and his plans for the princess and his master, Natsu. His plans, however, failed after the princess was turned off by a barbaric Natsu. Also contains "Fairy Megane" (crossover one-shot between "Fairy Tail" and "Yankee-kun to Megane-chan").
Type

manga

Volumes

1

Chapters

3

Status

finished

Started

2010-05-18

Grand Blue

(Grand Blue Dreaming)

8.25

Description:

A new life begins for Kitahara Iori as he begins his college career near the ocean in Izu city, full of excitement for his new life. He will be moving into his Uncle's diving store "Grand Blue." There he finds the beautiful ocean, beautiful women, and men that love diving and alcohol. Will Iori be able to live his dream college life? (Source: MangaHelpers)
Type

manga

Volumes

0

Rating

Status

current

Started

2014-04-07

Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu

(Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation)

8.25

Description:

Just when an unemployed thirty-four-year-old otaku reaches a dead end in life and decides that it's time to turn over a new leaf—he gets run over by a truck and dies! Shockingly, he finds himself reborn into an infant's body in a strange new world of swords and magic. His new identity is Rudeus Grayrat, but he still retains the memories of his previous life. Follow Rudeus from infancy to adulthood, as he struggles to redeem himself in a wondrous yet dangerous world. (Source: Seven Seas)
Type

novel

Volumes

26

Chapters

330

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2014-01-23

Shokugeki no Souma

(Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma)

8.25

Description:

Soma Yukihira's old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Aiming to one day surpass his father's culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school! Can Soma really cut it in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate? And can he convince the beautiful, domineering heiress to the school that he belongs there at all?! (Source: VIZ Books) Note: The 3 chapter Le dessert epilogue is counted as chapters 316-318
Type

manga

Volumes

36

Chapters

318

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2012-11-26

No Game No Life

(No Game No Life)

8.25

Description:

Meet Sora and Shiro, a brother and sister who are loser shut-ins by normal standards. But these siblings don't play by the rules of the "crappy game" that is average society. In the world of gaming, this genius pair reigns supreme, their invincible avatar so famous that it's the stuff of urban legend. So when a young boy calling himself God summons the siblings to a fantastic alternate world where war is forbidden and all conflicts - even those involving national borders - are decided by the outcome of games, Sora and Shiro have pretty much hit the jackpot. But they soon learn that in this world, humanity, cornered and outnumbered by other species, survives within the confines of one city. Will Sora and Shiro, two failures at life, turn out to be the saviors of mankind? Let the games begin...! (Source: Yen Press)
Type

novel

Volumes

0

Rating

Ecchi

Status

current

Started

2012-04-25

Toradora!

(Toradora!)

8.23

Description:

Toradora!'s story begins with the male protagonist Ryuuji Takasu who is frustrated at trying to look his best as he enters his second year of high school. Despite his gentle personality, his eyes make him look like an intimidating delinquent so he is utterly hopeless about his chances of getting a girlfriend anytime soon, and does not have many close friends either. After being greeted by his hungover mother in the morning, Ryuuji goes to school and is happy to find that he gets to be in the same class as his best friend Yuusuke Kitamura and crush Minori Kushieda. However, it is then that he unexpectedly knocks into "the school's most dangerous animal of the highest risk level" — Taiga Aisaka — who just happens to also be in his class, and is a good friend of Minori. Taiga has a negative attitude towards others and will not hesitate to snap at people. After meeting Ryuuji, she takes an instant dislike of him. Taiga comes from a rich family, though she moved out to live on her own due to family issues, and by coincidence is now living in an apartment next door to Ryuuji. After Ryuuji discovers that Taiga has a crush on Yuusuke, and Taiga finds out about Ryuuji's affections towards Minori, Ryuuji suggests that they cooperate so they can win the object of their affections. Ryuuji says he will do anything to get closer to Minori, which Taiga exploits, making Ryuuji her personal servant, and getting him to do household chores like cooking and cleaning for her. Taiga spends a lot of her time over at his house, so much so that she could almost be considered a member of his family. Since Ryuuji spends a lot of time with Taiga, he is opened up to her world and to a side of her that most people do not see. The two also attempt to help each other in order to improve how people view them. Unknown to them, however, people they know from school start to become curious about their strange relationship together and rumors begin to spread about them. This was the original novel that the Manga and Toradora Spin-off! (Serialized) are based on (Source: MU)
Type

novel

Volumes

10

Chapters

62

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2006-03-10

25-sai no Joshikousei - Kodomo ni wa Oshierarenai Koto Shite Yaru yo

(25-Year-Old High School Girl: I'll Do What Can't Be Taught to Children)

8.22

Description:

The romance story centers around Hana Natori, an earnest, good-natured 25-year-old woman whose cousin refuses to go to high school. Hana takes her cousin's place and attends the high school. On her first day, though, Hana's ruse is discovered by her former high school classmate Okito Kanie — who happens to be the high school's world history teacher. (Source: ANN)
Type

manga

Rating

Status

current

Started

2016-01-01

Soul Eater

()

8.12

Description:

In a world where technicians wield the select humans who can turn into weapons, Shinigami-sama created a school to teach young technicians and their shape shifting partners what it means to be a just death god. In order to create the ultimate weapon, the students of the school must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch.
Type

manga

Volumes

25

Chapters

117

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2004-06-22

Yancha Gal no Anjou-san

(The mischievous gal Anjou-san)

8.12

Description:

Seto is a serious kid who leads a quiet High-school life, until he starts to get teased by resident Gal Anjo. (Source: MU)
Type

manga

Rating

Ecchi

Status

current

Started

2017-08-12

Rosario to Vampire: Season II

(Rosario+Vampire: Season II)

8.1

Description:

The story continues where the first season left off only months into the future. Yuokai Gakuen has been repaired and the new semester is underway. Tsukune and gang are back, and more powerful then ever. Anti-Thesis's true identity is relieved. With new adversaries looming on the horizon, and something much more sinister then the gang has ever faced before. Tsukune is battling with the monster inside him. With the help of Moka, Mizore, Kurumu, Ruby, and Yukari. Tsukune trains to get his vampire blood under control and the strength to protect what he holds dear. The new season focuses more on the girls, their past, and their families. New confrontations await them. New friends and allies will join them by their side. Together they will discover the secrets of Moka's rosary, and her lineage... (Source: girlsdeadmonster)
Type

manga

Volumes

14

Chapters

67

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2007-11-04

4 Cut Hero

8.09

Description:

The Hero has defeated the Demon King! But the Princess he meant to save turned out to be a Prince. NEETdom, here he comes, but a life of relaxation surrounded by animes is a pretty sweet deal. Unfortunately, he gets caught up in millennia old legends, curses, and a twisted plot involving multiple Kingdoms and many dragons. Through and through, though, he'll follow a path of whimsy, even if that involves him palling it up with "villains". (Source: MU)
Type

manhwa

Rating

Status

current

Started

2014-08-18

High School DxD

()

8.07

Description:

Hyoudou Issei could be called the most perverted high school student ever, however he happens to be one of the most unlucky guys when it's about girls. One day he's asked out by a girl named Yuuma Amano, but at the end of the date he's killed by her - where she reveals her true identity, the Fallen Angel Raynare. Later on he's resurrected by the High class Devil Rias Gremory as her "Pawn". He then finds out the truth of Devils and joins the same club Rias founded.
Type

novel

Volumes

25

Chapters

240

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2008-09-20

Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete

(Looking Up To Magical Girls)

8.07

Description:

Hiiragi Utena, a girl who loves Magical Girls, lives her ordinary everyday life wishing to be like them. One day a curious character appears in front of her and offers her the power to make her wishes come true, but… Magical Girls vs. The Forces of Evil, the fierce battle begins! (Source: Helvetica Scans)
Type

manga

Rating

Ecchi

Status

current

Started

2019-03-29

Kaikan♥Phrase

(Sensual Phrase)

8.06

Description:

Aine never wanted to be a writer; she just created some erotic song lyrics for the sake of entering a contest. When she bumps into a man she doesn't know and looses the lyrics, she thinks she'll never see them again, but she thought wrong! He turns out to be Sakuya, a famous rock vocalist known for his sexy persona and lyrics. When he invites Aine to be his new lyricist, she finds herself quickly sucked into the harsh world of showbiz... and the even harsher world of falling in love with a guy that millions of girls love just as much!
Type

manga

Volumes

18

Chapters

83

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

1997-01-01

Ase to Sekken

(Sweat and Soap)

8.06

Description:

Asako’s living her dream, working at the toiletry maker Lilia Drop. Little do her coworkers know, the reason she loves the company so much is that she’s ashamed of her body odor, and their soap is the only thing that does the trick. So when the company’s lead product developer, a perfuming genius, approaches her in the lobby and wonders what “that smell” is, she’s terrified … but could it be … that he likes it? And, even more surprising to Yae … does she like him? (Source: Kodansha USA)
Type

manga

Volumes

11

Chapters

98

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Started

2018-01-03

When I Woke Up I Became a Bagel Girl

8.05

Description:

A Korean NEET who lives day to day playing games turned into a girl all of sudden! What will he do?Bagel is Korean slang for a girl with a baby face and a glamorous (sexy) body.(Source: MU)
Type

manhwa

Chapters

37

Status

finished

Started

2014-01-01

Hoshi no Samidare

(Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer)

8.04

Description:

Everything about college student Amamiya Yuuhi is average: grades, looks and his blasé outlook on life. So what happens when he awakens one day to a talking lizard, who informs him that there is a gigantic hammer in outer space, poised to split the Earth into pieces, and requests his allegiance in the fight against the forces of evil? Pretend it never happened! Unfortunately for Yuuhi, a little bit of coercion in the form of a super-powered princess prevents him from returning to his mediocre life-as-usual. In the adventure of his lifetime, Yuuhi will join forces with the unpredictable princess and seek out a motley crew of companions to fight back against an evil mage and his horrifyingly powerful homunculus before the Biscuit Hammer destroys the planet! (Source: Seven Seas Entertainment)
Type

manga

Volumes

10

Chapters

65

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2005-06-30

No Game No Life

(No Game, No Life)

8.04

Description:

The internet is full of rumors about the Neet and Hikikomori genius gamer siblings Sora and Shiro. The two go as far as to refer to the world as a "shit game", but then one day a young man calling himself "God" summons them to a parallel universe. There, God has forbidden war, and "everything is to be settled with games". Yes, even the national borders. Driven into a corner by other species, the 'human species' is down to its last city. Can Sora and Shiro, these related failures of society, become the saviors of humankind in this parallel world? (Source: MU)
Type

manga

Volumes

2

Chapters

11

Rating

Ecchi

Status

finished

Started

2013-01-26

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