Meaning
What does Ecchi mean?
Ecchi is a slang term in Japan, often used to describe playful, sexual actions.
As an adjective, translated to English would mean “sexy” or “naughty”. “Ecchi” can also be used as a verb, meaning “to have sex”, or as a noun to describe someone who acts inappropriately sexual.
In Japanese, the term is sometimes used to describe the actions of an individual, though in Western fandoms, “ecchi” has been used to refer to softcore or playful sexuality.
In fanfictions, “ecchi” works don’t show intercourse or genitals, but they include sexuality and perverse themes are referenced.
Origin
What's the origin of Ecchi?
After the Second World War, during the 1950s, the enthusiasm for hentai restored, and that is when “ecchi” developed.
In 1952, a Japanese magazine titled Shukan Asahi wrote and article about an incident of a woman being groped by a stranger in a movie theatre, and wrote “ara etchi yo” (“hey, that’s perverse”).
Under these circumstances, “ecchi” ought to be perceived as sexually forward and as synonyms to the Japanese words “iyarashii” (dirty or disgusting) or “sukebe” (a person with sex on the brain).
In the 1960s, it became popular amongst young people and it referred to sex in general.
Spread & Usage
How did Ecchi spread?
There are many elements that classify “ecchi” work, but nudity, panty shots and sexual activity always occur in every episode of an “ecchi” anime or manga.
Also, “ecchi” works that are targeted to a female audience that contains erotic scenes.
Examples are the R-18 Love Report! from Emiko Sugi and Oruchuban Ebichu from Risa Itō, which are mainly focused on creating content for the shōjo (Japanese word for “girl”) audience.