5 ecchi anime with actual plots and fights (& 5 that are all about fanservice)

Ecchi anime are often caught in a delicate balance between action-packed storytelling and too much fan service. Some are dismissed for placing suggestive content over everything else, but others manage the feat of providing interesting storylines, solid character work, and decently animated fight scenes along with the usual ecchi content. These few examples demonstrate that ecchi does not necessarily have to sacrifice plot for appeal.

On the other hand, some shows do not hesitate to expose their priorities, delivering scene after scene of over-the-top fanservice with little care for story or stakes. Whether you prefer spice with your substance or plain indulgence, the genre has both extremes. Here are 5 ecchi anime with real plots and battles, and 5 that are just about fanservice.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and includes spoilers from the mentioned anime. This list is not ranked in any particular order.

High School DxD and 4 other ecchi anime with actual plots and fights

1) High School DxD

High School DxD's Issei Hyoudou is a pervy protagonist on the surface, but the anime that revolves around him is more than just a cheap thrill. He is initially a dense high school student, but he evolves into a central figure in a war between devils, angels, and fallen angels.

Though distracted by his desires, he's also committed to defending his friends and leveling up. The battles are flashy and well-drawn, frequently tied to emotional investment and worldbuilding. High School DxD is among the ecchi anime with real plots and battles.

2) Food Wars

Yukihira Soma is the loud, confident heart of Food Wars, an over-the-top cooking anime that combines excessive food battles with the fight intensity of a shonen battle series. He's hot-tempered and never fails to put himself into food battles that play out like choreographed fights, full of flashy action and high stakes.

He aspires to overcome his father, a renowned chef, and he uses every obstacle as a stepping stone towards the top. The series does not hold back on ecchi humor, but has the plot and battles still at its center. Food Wars is one of the ecchi anime that has actual storyline.

3) ⁠High School of the Dead

High School of the Dead (Image via Madhouse)

High School of the Dead tracks the average high school student Takashi Komuro's life, whose world falls apart when a sudden zombie attack makes his school a battle-scarred zone. While famous for its aggressive fanservice, the show does not shy away from actual action either—survival becomes the prime theme as the group engages in ferocious battles against the undead and desperate humans.

The characters utilize anything from bats to guns, and each conflict is tense and strategized. The visuals do go over the ecchi anime threshold, yet the story never once forgets it's a struggle to survive.

4) Kill la Kill

Kill la Kill's Ryuko Matoi moves to Honnouji Academy to find her father's murderer, but finds herself battling a whole system fueled by living uniforms. She's boisterous, reckless, and loves fighting, but her drive to find the truth keeps her grounded.

The series is full of skimpy transformations and over-the-top visuals, but the battles are quick, strategic, and frequently connected to Ryuko's emotional arc. Her relationship with Senketsu, a living uniform, brings an unexpected level of depth. Kill la Kill is among the ecchi anime with a more meaningful plot.

5) No Game No Life

No Game No Life's Sora is one half of the invincible sibling team called Blank, and although the show boasts its own share of steamy moments, Sora's actual strength comes from his mastermind strategic skills. He's manipulative and hardly ever loses his temper, even when the stakes are ridiculously high.

Besides his sister Shiro, he takes part in risk games that dictate the destiny of countries, but not with brutality, but with psychological warfare. Fanservice can get loud, yet the mind-games and sharp dialogue carry substance. No Game No Life is among the ecchi anime with real plots and battles.

Prison School and 4 other ecchi anime that are all about fanservice

1) Prison School

Prison School's Meiko Shiraki is the Underground Student Council Vice President, and she's as memorable as she is over-the-top. She's incredibly tall and wears a skin-tight uniform, the very embodiment of the show's excessive fanservice style.

Almost every scene she appears in is overdone for visual effect, with camera angles and posing more on the edge of boundaries than on plot. Though the series teases power and rebellion themes, they're overwhelmed by constant visual gags. This places Prison School among the ecchi anime that are all about fanservice.

2) Shimoneta

Shimoneta occurs in an alternate universe in which filthy jokes and obscene content are illegal, yet rather than approaching the dangers of censorship on any level with gravity, it throws itself into insane and unforgiving fanservice. Its protagonists frequently wind up in exaggerated, risqué predicaments created strictly to shock and entertain.

Anna's increasing obsessions and constant barrage of innuendos drive any actual narrative content into the background. While it threatens rebellion and free speech, the story serves mostly as a delivery system for off-the-shelf ecchi anime humor.

3) To Love Ru

To Love Ru revolves around Rito Yuuki, a high school student consistently trapped in absurd, compromising situations with multiple ladies, generally involving accidental nudity or awkward bodily contact. The series soon deviates from any sort of serious plot, instead indulging in exorbitant fanservice moments that happen nearly every episode.

Its sci-fi aspects and romantic subplots are secondary to over-the-top visuals and scarcely censored jokes. With little concern for plot coherence or character development, To Love Ru is one of the ecchi anime that are purely about fanservice.

4) Monster Musume

Monster Musume is unapologetically constructed around fanservice, with each episode devoted to romantic tension and over-the-top physical humor. The premise is that of a human male suddenly sharing living space with several monster girls—lamias, harpies, and centaurs, each of whom is crafted to test ecchi limits

Rather than plot development or hardcore conflict, the series is mainly occupied with devising awkward, risqué scenarios that emphasize the individual traits of each girl. Emotional complexity and worldbuilding come second. Monster Musume makes it among the ecchi anime that focus solely on fanservice, without any meaningful plot.

5) Rosario + Vampire

Rosario + Vampire tracks Tsukune Aono, a human who accidentally enrolls in a monster school, but the series doesn't waste any time on plot. Rather, it goes all in on harem dynamics, with each of the main female characters somehow inexplicably attracted to Tsukune.

Fanservice overwhelms every episode, suggestive elements are given importance than any serious plot. There are battles, but they're mostly an excuse to rip clothes or amplify reactions. Rosario + Vampire is among the ecchi anime that are purely about fanservice.

Final thoughts

Ecchi anime varies in intensity from complex storylines to pure fan service indulgence. High School DxD, Food Wars, and Kill la Kill show that ecchi content can be balanced with good characters and substance conflict.

On the other hand, series like Prison School, Monster Musume, and Rosario + Vampire do not hesitate such that they dedicate their entire time to visual teasing. If you're an enthusiast for Sora's games of wits in No Game No Life or Meiko Shiraki's hyperactive antics, ecchi anime attracts fans and storytellers alike.

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About the author

Mudassir is an anime writer at Sportskeeda with 2.5 years of professional experience reporting on various developments in the industry. A data science enthusiast, Mudassir is currently pursuing a BCA, although his passion for anime and desire to connect with fellow fans pushed him to his current role. Mudassir's interest in anime and manga was piqued by the iconic Death Note series, with its intriguing premise and captivating characters prompting him to explore the genre and eventually write about the rich narratives and themes they had to offer.

Mudassir feels deeply connected with the works of mangakas Isayama sensei, Oda sensei, and Toriyama sensei, and he respects their creativity, storytelling abilities, and profound impact on millions of fans worldwide.

Mudassir ensures accuracy in his reportage by researching thoroughly, staying updated with Reddit forums and official sources, and citing transparently. Furthermore, he upholds privacy, avoids misinformation, and maintains objectivity while covering anime news.

When he is not watching anime or writing, Mudassir likes to read non-fiction and play games, as well as spend time outdoors and explore new places.

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Edited by Bharath S