Shuffle! and Fruits Basket are two series filled with romance, drama, and occasional fan service but they also have beach episodes with some true importance behind them. Both shows allow their respected beach episode to convey romance between characters and hidden plots brewing in the background! In the case of Shuffle! you will no doubt be focusing on oppai—while in Fruits Basket you’ll be checking out the guys—but those who can see past fan service will notice depth that is extremely necessary for future plot development. Though we also did notice the fan service…since we’re otaku after all.

Darling in the FranXX could be considered quite strange with its mix of semi-erotic mech fights and deep psychological concepts but that beach episode allowed us to truly relax and enjoy a simpler moment. Instead of engaging in jaw-dropping skirmishes, our team of young warriors relaxed on the beach to take in the air and explore an environment quite different than they were accustomed to. In this case, the beach episode was meant less for fan service—though it did have some—and more as a step away from the chaos we are so used to at that point.

In series like Nisekoi, Another, and Gintama the beach episodes allow for the cast to get some much need extra air time! When any anime has a larger-than-life cast, getting to know each character—and seeing their personalities—can be quite difficult. Each one of the series we mentioned above allows the cast some much-deserved plot development. Though, Another actually removes a cast member…which is still needed for overall plot development, so it gets a pass.

Alright, let’s also be honest and realize that sometimes…beach episodes are just meant for tons of fan service. Name almost any ecchi/harem series out there and if they have a beach episode, a ton of fan service moments are sure to follow. Oppai will be moving around, bikinis will leave nothing to the imagination, and bikini tops will fall off for no reason. Yes, folks, beach episodes can just sometimes be for the fan service elements. Ironically, while this might seem unnecessary, anime fan service is quite important for not only viewership but also for franchise purposes. We all need that coveted bikini figure, don’t we?