What is Hentai?
If you're a fan of anime, you've likely come across the term hentai before. While it's a topic often discussed among anime enthusiasts, for outsiders, it's typically associated with mature content, often being synonymous with animated porn in the West.
Definition
In Japanese, hentai loosely translates to ‘perversion' or ‘abnormality.' The word carries a negative connotation and can be used to insult others for their sexual preferences. It originates from ‘Hentai Seiyoku,' meaning ‘Abnormal Sexual Desire.'
History
Hentai first emerged during the Meiji era, initially describing abnormal sexual fetishes within scientific and scholarly contexts. It gained popularity after World War II, becoming a slang term abbreviated as ‘H' or ‘ecchi.' However, these abbreviations now carry their distinct meanings. In Japan, they are associated with lewdness but do not denote explicit sexual content.
The term hentai acquired a broader definition as the slang became more widespread. While it continued to refer to abnormal sexual fetishes abroad, in the U.S., it became associated with porn as manga gained global popularity.
How It Is Used
In Japan, the term hentai is not widely used, with ‘ero-manga' or ‘ecchi manga' being preferred. When used, it specifically refers to a subset of animated pornography featuring abnormal kinks or fetishes, such as tentacle erotica or incest.
In the U.S., hentai is used interchangeably with porn, with little distinction between the two. Western fans have categorized it into softcore and hardcore subgenres, covering a wide spectrum of pornography regardless of content or kink.