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->''They just spent ten minutes showing us Alec Su taking a bath.''
-->-- '''UrbanDictionary''' on fanservice

Gratuitous display of characters in skimpy clothing, or none at all, under the assumption that it will attract or "reward" viewers. The character is usually [[MsFanservice female]], though fanservice of [[MrFanservice male]] characters is far from uncommon.

This is not just a fan term, but one used during the production of, and [[BreakingTheFourthWall even in the dialogue]] of, various shows. For example, the end-of-episode previews during the early part of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' frequently promise "more fanservice."

While the specific term "fanservice" arose from the {{Anime}} community, the concept of adding a little titillation to a work is far, far older. When nudity or sexual content is an expected part of a work, it's not {{fanservice}}; it's only when the nudity or sex is thrown in "just because" that fanservice becomes a part of the narrative. For example, nudity in a pornographic movie would not qualify, while Sharon Stone's infamous "beaver shot" in Paul Verhoeven's ''BasicInstinct'' would. Real fanservice is seldom explicit or graphic -- that is the territory of pornography. Instead it is primarily there to "add a little extra" by teasing and titillating the audience.

Some shows may have [[MsFanservice designated fanservice characters]]; characters who, even if they are main characters and have a role beyond fanservice, can always be found in a fanservice situation. Some shows have characters for [[MsFanservice both male]] and [[MrFanservice female fanservice.]] Exactly how much fanservice makes its way [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar into a series]] can depend on what channel a show is broadcast on, but with the advent of series on DVD, this can be subverted with liberal application of CensorSteam.

While some fanservice can increase the [[HotterAndSexier appeal]] of a show, too much fanservice can become very [[ErectionRejection distracting]] and in some cases, [[IgnoreTheFanservice put viewers off completely]], especially if the fanservice is directed towards the opposite sex. Unfortunately, since fanservice can lure in viewers so easily, [[SexSells especially the male audience]], fanservice has become a common trend in Japan and it is ''incredibly'' difficult to [[ImpossibleTask find an animé]] [[{{Flanderization}} without any fanservice]].

Very hard to subvert or even {{lampshade hang|ing}} -- the former is [[FanDisservice usually disturbing]] and the latter is well, just fanservice with a joke attached. You might as well [[VisualPun have the person wearing nothing but a lampshade]].

[[DistaffCounterpart Fanservice of female characters]] is often called "cheesecake"; [[SpearCounterpart fanservice of male characters]] is often called "beefcake".

"Fanservice" is sometimes used in a more general way, to mean adding things to a show that don't need to be there, but nonetheless please the viewers. When this is something non-sexual, like needlessly flashy attacks in a HumongousMecha show, it's PanderingToTheBase. [[RuleOfSexy Sexy fanservice is considered the default form, because it is everywhere, and it's easy to add to any kind of show]].

SexIsInteresting is what happens when a writer tries to rationalize this in terms of narrative craft. Attempts to increase the overall amount of sexual content in a series fall under HotterAndSexier; a similar process but for more violent content is BloodierAndGorier. Contrast DarkerAndEdgier.

Not to be confused with FanFlattering.

!!{{Sub Trope}}s
[floatboxright:
Related:
+ FanserviceCostumes
+ NudityTropes
+ PartialNudityTropes
+ RuleOfSexy
]
[[index]]
* AmazonianBeauty
* BareYourMidriff
* BathKick
* BathtubScene
* BeachEpisode
* BeautyContest
* BedlahBabe
* BellyDancer
* BestKnownForTheFanservice
* BigBeautifulWoman
* BodySushi
* BreastExpansion
* {{Burlesque}}
* CandlelitBath
* CatFight
* ChippendalesDancers
* ChorusGirls
* ClothingDamage
* ContemptibleCover
* CrashingThroughTheHarem
* {{Dojikko}}
* DirtyHarriet
* EroticEating
* EvilIsSexy
* FanDisservice
* FanserviceCostumes
* FanserviceCover
* FanserviceExtra
* FanServicePack
* FemaleGaze
* FetishFuel
* FootFocus
* ForeignFanservice
* FromDressToDressing
* FunbagAirbag
* FuroScene
* {{Gainaxing}}
** MistyMay
** JigglePhysics
** JiggleShow
* HartmanHips
* HelloBoys
* HoodOrnamentHottie
* HotMenAtWork
* HotSpringsEpisode
* IgnoreTheFanservice
* ImpossibleHourglassFigure
* InnocentFanserviceGirl
* TheItemNumber
* LadyNotAppearingInThisGame
* {{Loincloth}}
* MaidCorps
* MaleFrontalNudity
* MaleGaze
* {{Mooning}}
* MrFanservice
* MsFanservice
* MudWrestling
* MurderousThighs
* NakedFirstImpression
* NonMammalMammaries
* NudeNatureDance
* OutdoorBathPeeping
* PageThreeStunna
* PantyFighter
* PantyShot
* ParentService
* PecFlex
* PerpetuallyShinyBodies
* PillowFight
* PitGirls
* PoolScene
* PublicBathhouseScene
* PublicExposure
* ReluctantFanserviceGirl
* SelfFanservice
* ShamelessFanserviceGirl
* ShesGotLegs
* ShirtlessScene
** WalkingShirtlessScene
* ShouldersUpNudity
* ShowerScene
** ShowerOfAngst
** ShowerOfAwkward
* ShowingOffTheNewBody
* SittingSexyOnAPiano
* SkinshipGrope
* SkinnyDipping
* SlipIntoSomethingMoreComfortable
* SlipknotPonytail
* StatuesqueStunner
* StripPoker
* SuggestiveCollision
* ThreeMinutesOfWrithing
* ToplessnessFromTheBack
* {{Underboobs}}
* WalkingSwimsuitScene
* WardrobeMalfunction
* WatchingTheReflectionUndress
* WaterfallShower
* WetSariScene
* WorkoutFanservice
* YouCanLeaveYourHatOn

----
-->'''[[StatlerAndWaldorf Waldorf]]:''' You know, they seem to chronicle the various forms of sexiness to a very large extent.\\
'''Statler:''' Well, we all like what we can't have!\\
'''Both:''' Do-ho-ho-ho-hoh!

----