Ask John: Does Fan Service Really Attract Viewers?

Question:
Does stuff like fan service in anime really have a factor in attracting fans? I’ve been into anime for a long time, so I’ve since come to accept that there is tons of fan service (like panty-shots, hot springs episodes and various other things), but it’s gotten to the point where I really don’t care for it anymore. I’ve seen it so often that it has no effect on me. I’m guess I’m wondering if people really do start watching anime just because they have heard of all the cute girls and panty-shots in said series?

Answer:
As far as I know, there are no statistics and no research to clearly reveal whether or not gratuitous exploitation in anime actually attracts and continues to attract viewers, but I think that there’s enough substantial evidence to conclusively determine that the answer is yes. The number of “fan service” shows released in Japan continues to remain steady, if not increase. Current and recent examples of anime with arguably excessive sexual innuendo or a cast of button cute young girls include Girls Bravo, Elfin Lied, Uta-Kata, Kannazuki no Miko, My Hime, Grenadier, Ryusei Sentai Musumet, Tenjoh Tenge, Bakuretsu Tenshi, Love Love, and Hikari to Mizu no Daphne. The very fact that these types of series continue to be made and released should imply that they’re made to respond to demand from viewers. Monthly Japanese magazines such as Megami and Dengeki G’s, which focus exclusively on sexy fan service anime, also suggest that there’s a large enough market for attractive anime girls showing a lot of T&A to support multiple magazines just covering these shows.

I don’t know what motivates particular viewers to watch particular shows, so I can’t say that sexy fan service is itself a characteristic that attracts viewers, but it does seem clear that fan service is a characteristic in anime that helps retain viewer interest, and keeps viewers coming back for more similar anime. If I’m pressed to guess, I’d say that it’s not fan service itself, in isolation, that draws the attention of viewers. Rather, I think that nudity and sexual teasing contribute to viewer interest. Generally particular types of anime are more suitable than others for including fan service. So I think that more than fan service itself, fans gravitate toward the types of anime that are most suitable to include fan service. Programs like Elfin Lied and Kannazuki no Miko are dark and mature action/horror shows. Tenjoh Tenge, Grenadier, My Hime and Bakuretsu Tenshi are lively, energetic action titles. Programs like Girls Bravo, DearS, W Wish, and Final Approach are lighthearted romantic comedies. I think it’s the genres themselves that most attract viewers, and the fan service these shows employ only increase the viewer interest that’s already present, and help sustain that viewer interest.