When is a story considered ecchi?

[Jaymi]

In my current story, there are instances of partial nudity (underwear scenes & bath scenes). Additionally, I try to accurately explore themes related to the character's coming of age, where the female characters struggle (or not) with their changing bodies and sometimes feel self-conscious, particularly about their breasts. I try to portray these moments with care and sensitivity, emphasizing the characters' journeys toward self-acceptance and personal growth.

The story also includes playful moments where the characters engage in light-hearted jokes, such as fondling each other's breasts when changing for PE. However, these interactions are meant to be humorous and not explicitly sexual or exploitative in nature.
Does this fall within the ecchi category?

 

[Corty]

By your description, it does fall under it. I think. I always include or if I have a description of nudity. I assume there will be some of it if it's about getting to terms with their body changing so I would add it.

 

[Cipiteca396]

The first paragraph no.

The second one, yes. Sex as humor = Ecchi.

 

[Jaymi]

By your description, it does fall under it. I think. I always include or if I have a description of nudity. I assume there will be some of it if it's about getting to terms with their body changing so I would add it.

Okay thanks, I'll just leave it then! I just wanted to make sure my genres weren't misleading to anyone :3

 

[BlackKnightX]

Does this fall within the ecchi category?

Yes.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

particularly about their breasts. I try to portray these moments with care and sensitivity

Yes. breasts are sensitive. You should portray them as such.

such as fondling each other's breasts when changing for PE.

Okay... I gotta ask. Does this ever happen? I mean, seriously. Do women ever grab each other's boobs in private? I asked my wife once, and she fed me all sorts of nonsense, and when I said, "Really?" She laughed at me and said, "Maybe." Personally, this sounds horrifying and would freak me the fuck out.

 

[PeacefulMyst]

tiddies

 

[Daitengu]

See, that's a tough question. I don't consider either ecchi. It's similar to the question: What is porn? The US court stance is: You'll know it when you see it.

Like Michaelangelo's Davis being all nude isn't echi or porn. And girls talking about their breasts hurting from growth isn't either.

Curiosity or jealous fondling? I don't see as ecchi. Though, liking breasts(sexually) and wanting to fondle them either accidentally or purposely is ecchi imo. I place a heavier bias towards intent and reaction.

Unfortunately some women consider all forms of touching to be perverse. Including from doctors. You could have a top cancer specialist, who's male, checking for breast cancer, but the lady would rather have a fresh from collage female nurse do it.

 

[Tsuru]

Simple.

If you can't read in public place or in family dinner, without being ashamed of it.
or let's say, parents would stop you to show to a 5y old.

but yes, pantsu beach swimsuits bath cladclothing gigantic boobs that defy logics lustful eyes hugging-in-lustful-way licking mouth etc etc

 

[Jaymi]

Yes. breasts are sensitive. You should portray them as such.


Okay... I gotta ask. Does this ever happen? I mean, seriously. Do women ever grab each other's boobs in private? I asked my wife once, and she fed me all sorts of nonsense, and when I said, "Really?" She laughed at me and said, "Maybe." Personally, this sounds horrifying and would freak me the fuck out.

friendly reminder that i'm writing fiction ^_^ it don't know if it does or does not happen in real life, but in my story it does :s

tiddies

true

 

[Tsuru]

Or

imagine a very 1990 prude female woman (truly prude and not fake) or nun
Imagine if you show the series/manga/anime/whatever

As long she doesn't go "Oh ! How indecent !" , and can read it, and possibly find it interesting, its not ecchi
If she says "HOW SCANDALEOUS !" then its ecchi

 

[J_Chemist]

Yes.

Like when you show boob but no nip.

 

[Redadam04]

If you scribble a ecchi scenes like showing off her tits and other stuffs.

 

[MajorKerina]

When a boob hits your eye, like it fell from the sky, that's an ecchi.

When you got a behind that swings like Jell-O on springs, that's an ecchi.

When fan service ain't a tease, but sends you to your knees that's an ecchi.

I wish I could come up with more lines but basically where it pushes that line as hard as possible with salacious content without being completely out there. Like the PG-13 of porn. It gets darn close to the edge and maybe it's actually in R territory if you thought about it but it's just a little bit short of blatantly gratuitous.

Your description of the scenes sounds more like a Ranma 1/2 moment or other classic anime with a little touch of nudity. Ecchi tends to be more heavily focused on the suggestive aspects. The way you describe it doesn't quite hit that boundary for me.

 

[John_Owl]

smut author here, so i may not be the best source for this, but...

I view it as anything with the intent to tantalize the reader without explicitly exciting them. for instance, in my current run Aise, I've got scenes intended to tease the reader, and that aren't inherently sexual in and of itself. That would be Ecchi. on the other hand, i've got other scenes that involve actual depictions of H content. that wouldn't be ecchi and would instead be smut.