Soluzar: Considering that most anime gets mildly criticised for being too heavy on the “fan service”, isn't it odd that NGE boasts about it? It's definitely not as if the promise of seeing Misato's scantily-clad form could ever be what was drawing in the viewers, is it?
Reichu: Considering that the majority of NGE merchandise focuses on the three female leads, fan service (focusing on said leads) seems to have played at least some part in NGE's popularity…
Here's an interesting tidbit from AnimeNation's Ask John:
Fan service got its name because it's literally a “service” for fans. In Japan, where English words and phrases are often used in “creative” ways, the word ”service” often refers to “a favor” or something given for free. For example, if you come up a few yen short on your dinner bill, the Japanese waiter may wave it off with the phrase (like Misato of Evangelion), ”Service, service.”
There is a lot of argument about exactly what denotes “fan service” and what doesn't. But we'll settle here for the definition off Urban Dictionary, which seems to cover the basics pretty well:
In general, fan service refers to scenes designed to excite or titillate the viewer. This can include scantily-clad outfits, cleavage shots, panty shots, nude scenes (shower scenes especially), etc. Some broader definitions also include things like cool mecha, big explosions, battle scenes, etc. Basically, if it has little plot-redeaming value, but makes the viewer sit up and take notice, it's probably fan service in one form or another.
There is also a short article on fan service (that takes care to mention Gainax) here.
thewayneiac: (04~05) She's making this episode sound really depressing.
