Ask John: Are There Any Iconic Hentai Series on the Horizon?

Question:
Do you think any of the new hentai series being released will reach the peak of most anime fan known [shows] like Urotsukidoji & La Blue Girl?

Answer:
It takes a certain combination of attributes to turn an adult anime series into a landmark in America’s fan community, and the two main ingredients may not be the ones most expected. Naturally sex has to be included, otherwise the anime isn’t hentai. But history proves that it’s story and visual design that are most important to contributing to the domestic success of an erotic anime. I say that there have been four erotic anime titles released in America that have achieved respected, iconic status. Those four titles are Urotsukidoji, La Blue Girl, Kite, and Bible Black. All four of these franchises are ones that have enough characterization and narrative depth to hold up without their sex. In fact, Kite has even been released in America with all of its sex removed. Of course, sex can’t be removed from Urotsukidoji, La Blue Girl, and Bible Black because sensuality and eroticism are fundamental themes of these series. But all of these four titles are ones that engage viewers in multiple ways. Their stories are interesting, entertaining, and complexly layered. Each has an attractive and appealing visual component involving memorable character designs, detailed art, and a diverse color palate. And each of these series has plenty of intensely erotic sexuality. The absence of any of these characteristics doesn’t necessarily doom an adult anime to failure, but any absence will certainly limit the series’ potential American success.

Satoshi Urushihara’s Front Innocent (released in America as “Another Lady Innocent”) has stunning visual design and plenty of graphic sex, but virtually no story to speak of. Discipline: Record of a Crusade is the step-sibling of Bible Black, but its narrative development and the integrity of its story are both weaker than Bible Black. Both titles have been successful in America, but neither has reached the ultimate pinnacle of iconic success. Similarly, the Yakin Byouto (“Night Shift Nurses”) anime series is now Japan’s longest running single adult anime franchise, and the series has been successful in America, but its lack of cohesive continuing and developing narrative and its concentration on sexuality that’s more fetishistic and mean-spirited than erotic has prevented the franchise from achieving beloved success in America.

The secret to success for hentai in America, it seems, is to not primarily create simple pornography, but instead create an erotic narrative. America’s most successful adult anime releases have all been titles that are foremost sexy stories that contain graphic sexuality rather than graphic sexuality with story built around it, or a mere framework to allow for sex scenes. I’m not trying to suggest that a cult hit hentai can be intentionally manufactured, but it does seem as though the components necessary for a potential cult hit hentai can be planned in advance. Judging by the current variety of adult anime available in America and new and upcoming Japanese releases like Anejiru, Seikoujyo, Iyashite Agerun Saiyuki, Taimanin Asagi, and Kafun Shoujo Chuueihou!!, I don’t foresee any titles that have the potential to achieve lasting, tremendous impact and appeal. Some of these productions are very good, and doubtlessly some of them will become quite popular, but I don’t think any of them have the exact constitution to become a respected classic on the scale of Urotsukidoji or Bible Black.

I do believe that eventually we’ll see another adult anime achieve stardom. I don’t think that there’s any limited number of possible hentai landmark titles, and I don’t think that the adult anime industry has yet hit a creative apogee. The only thing preventing the debut of a new cult classic hentai is a willingness to develop such a title. Hentai anime has a relatively small audience, so it’s often produced cheaply and targeted at the specific interests of its audience. It takes a tandem of desire to create something more ambitious than mere pornography, and a unique creative ability to actually compose something compelling to create an erotic anime with the potential to become a timeless classic. Right now, with my limited perception of Japan’s anime industry, I see a lot of very good erotic anime being produced and released, but nothing that strives to break through the standard conventions of the genre.