Ask John: Why do Mecha Anime Openings Include Nude Women?

Question:
I have noticed in some mecha anime openings (Evangelion, Gundam Seed, Nadesico, etc.) they sometimes have a very quick shot of an anime girl with no clothes on, yet she is not in the anime, yet they drew her in the opening. Could you explain why these girls are there, or even who they might be?

Answer:
The very fact that you notice and remember nude women in the opening animation of robot anime means that these images have served their purpose. Almost universally, mecha anime are intended for male viewers. Adding a naked woman into the opening animation of such shows is a form of “fan service” that attracts attention and adds a degree of mystery and implied psychological, philosophical or emotional depth. Seeing such a character makes one wonder why a mysterious girl is naked. Even though the girl may have nothing whatsoever to do with the show, the visual image alone is enough to make an impact on a viewer. The primal iconic symbolism of nudity representing honesty and sacrifice contributes to the tone and atmosphere of grand spectacle in robot anime. Once that impact is made, it’s unnecessary to actually include similar symbology in the the anime episodes themselves. In an opening animation, the iconic image of a nude person is artistic; in the body of an anime episode, nudity can easily become exploitive or sensationalistic, distracting from the point of the episode.