Why Anime Studios Rely Too Much On Fan Service

Fan service in anime has always been a part of the medium, but lately, it feels like studios are relying on it more than ever. Whether it’s exaggerated character designs, unnecessary romantic tension, or revealing outfits, fan service is everywhere. Some people love it, while others feel it takes away from the story. But why has it become such a big thing in modern anime?

Following the anime industry for years, we have noticed how much things have changed. Earlier, fan service was used in small doses, mainly to add humor or lighten the mood. But now, it feels like many shows throw it in just to grab attention. Even anime that could be serious or deep sometimes uses fan service to keep audiences engaged. The question is—do we really need this much fan service, or is it just an easy way to sell anime?

ALSO READ: Best Anime For Adults, Ranked

The Rise Of Fan Service: Why It’s Everywhere Now

One big reason anime has more fan service today is because of competition. There are so many anime series coming out every season that studios need a way to stand out. A flashy scene or a controversial moment can make a show go viral, leading to more viewers and merchandise sales. Shows like High School DxD, Prison School, and Fire Force are known for their over-the-top fan service, sometimes more than their actual storylines.

Another reason is that the anime industry is heavily influenced by what sells. Fan service scenes often lead to more merchandise, from body pillows to figurines and posters. In Japan, the market for this kind of content is huge, and many studios see it as a guaranteed way to make money. Some anime even feel like they are made just for fan service, rather than having an actual engaging plot.

Even Serious Anime Are Adding Fan Service

It’s not just ecchi anime that have fan service, many mainstream shows include it too. For example, Attack on Titan doesn’t rely on fan service, but some moments with female characters feel a bit exaggerated. My Hero Academia also includes certain character designs and scenes that seem unnecessary. Even Demon Slayer, which has one of the best stories and animations, has characters with designs that feel like they were made to appeal to fan service lovers.

Sometimes, fan service doesn’t add anything to the story at all. Instead, it just distracts from what’s happening. This is why many fans feel frustrated when a serious or emotional scene gets interrupted by an unnecessary moment. It makes it hard to take the story seriously when it keeps shifting tones.

Is Fan Service Really Necessary?

There’s nothing wrong with fan service when it’s done well. Some anime use it in a funny or creative way, and it can even be part of a character’s personality. But when it becomes the main focus of an anime, it feels forced and repetitive. Instead of creating strong characters and interesting plots, some studios take the easy way out by adding revealing outfits or awkward moments.

On the other hand, there are anime studios that prove you don’t need fan service to be successful. Kyoto Animation and Ufotable are great examples of this. Their anime focus on beautiful animation and strong storytelling instead of cheap tricks to keep viewers engaged. This shows that good anime doesn’t need to rely on fan service to be entertaining.

Final Verdict: Should Anime Move Away From Fan Service?

At the end of the day, fan service is here to stay because it sells. But should anime rely on it so much? Not really. While some people enjoy it, too much fan service can ruin a good anime by making it feel shallow.

The best anime are the ones that balance everything, great story, characters, animation, and yes, maybe a little bit of fan service when it actually fits. Hopefully, studios will realize that they don’t need to rely on it so much to make a great anime.