ecchi

Ecchi, written エッチ in Japanese, is a label used in anime, manga, and related media to describe playful, sexual humor and fan service. It denotes material that is risqué or mildly erotic but not explicit pornography. In contrast, hentai refers to explicit sexual content intended for adults. Ecchi can appear as scenes, jokes, or entire works that emphasize sexually suggestive visuals or innuendo without explicit pornographic depiction.

The term ecchi originated as a euphemistic shortening of hentai. In Japanese pop culture, ecchi is commonly used by fans and critics to describe mild to moderate sexual content, while hentai is reserved for explicit material. The English-language usage has broadened ecchi to describe similar content in anime, manga, games, and light novels.

Content and tropes commonly associated with ecchi include panty shots, suggestive outfits, voyeuristic camera angles, bath or beach scenes, blushing, and double entendres. Ecchi frequently appears in romantic comedies, school-life stories, and harem genres, often providing comic relief or heightening romantic tension. Some works are marketed as ecchi, while others contain ecchi moments within broader genres.

The boundary between ecchi and hentai can be blurry; ecchi is non-explicit, while hentai is explicit sexual content. The term carries cultural debates about objectification and censorship. Ecchi content is subject to age ratings and platform policies, varying by country, with some outlets restricting, labeling, or filtering it for younger audiences.