is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Katsu Aki. It has been serialized in Young Animal since December 1996, with the chapters later combined into tankōbon volumes by Hakusensha, of which there are eighty-nine as of May 2023. The series follows a newlywed couple in their mid-twenties, both virgins when they married, and chronicles their sexual explorations. The manga combines erotic elements with factual and informative statistics. Its title Futari Ecchi ("two person ecchi") is a play on a slang term for masturbation, hitori ecchi ("single person ecchi"). The series has 29.5 million copies in print and is most famous for being a how-to guide combined with a story.
Two spin-off manga have been released, Futari Ecchi for Ladies focusing on the sexuality of women and Futari Ecchi Gaiden: Akira, The Evangelist of Sex focusing on Akira. There are also two sex manuals and an art book. The series was adapted into a three episode live-action television drama that aired on WOWOW in 2000. A four-volume original video animation (OVA) series was produced from 2002 and 2004. In 2011, a twelve-episode live-action web series was streamed on Ustream. Also in 2011, a live-action theatrical film series began. Four films have been released. A second three episode OVA series was released in 2014 by Production Reed.
In 2007, the manga series was licensed in North America by Tokyopop as Manga Sutra, only four volumes were released, comprising eight Japanese volumes. Also in 2007, Media Blasters licensed and released the OVAs on DVD as Step Up Love Story.
Characters
The series' protagonist, a 25-year-old foreign cosmetics maker and elite salaryman. He was introduced to Yura through an omiai. He is very critical of his own sexual abilities, but that does not hinder him from having sexual fantasies with any pretty girl in his vicinity (ultimately, though, he stays faithful to Yura). Nevertheless, after his marriage he attracts the attention of a lot of female admirers. In addition to his inexperience, Makoto suffers from premature ejaculation. He is voiced by Mitsuo Iwata (radio drama) and Yūji Ueda (2002 OVA), Yuichi Nakamura (2014 OVA) and portrayed by Sō Yamanaka (TV series), Shinnosuke Fukushima (web series), Riki Miura (1st film) and Hikaru Okada (2nd film).
Makoto's wife. Also 25 years old. Makoto is the first man she has ever kissed or had sex with. She is loving, but extremely naïve on sexual matters and too shy to try something new by herself (even through the series she is fully determined to overcome her limitations and be a better lover to Makoto), as well as insecure about her looks; she is unaware how beautiful and charming she is. She is also the target of attention by many men (although their behavior is – compared to the women who adore her husband – mostly passive longing). She additionally has the knack of befriending most of the women whom she should consider her rivals for Makoto's affections (Makoto's colleague Makie Sugiyama is a notable exception). Yura is also a big fan of undead-themed horror movies. When she was in high school, she was a member of the Tennis club. She is voiced by Yumi Ichihara (radio drama) and Tomoko Kawakami (2002 OVA), Ayumi Tsunematsu (2014 OVA) and portrayed by Chika Inada (TV series), Nana Nanaumi (web series) and Yūri Morishita (films).
Yura's 20-year-old sister. Sexually experienced and rather promiscuous (to the point where, early in the series, she keeps a boyfriend and three "sex friends" – in addition to miscellaneous flings), she constantly teases and goads both Makoto and Yura into improving their "night life". At first in an on-and-off relationship with her "number-one boyfriend", Taku Yamada, for most of the series, she eventually decides to settle down, even marrying the son of Makoto's boss Katori, though their matrimony rapidly disintegrates soon afterwards following personal differences. She is voiced by Fumie Kusachi (radio drama) and Naoko Takano (2002 OVA), Chiwa Saitō (2014 OVA) and portrayed by Ayaka Tomoda (web series) and Miyuki Yokoyama (films).
Makoto's older brother. A 29-year-old lawyer. He is very nosy and frequently pesters Makoto about his sex life and fancies himself as Makoto's tutor on the topic of pleasuring the wife. In order to appease his own sex drive, he frequently visits brothels. He is portrayed by Yuichi Tsuchiya (3rd film).
Makoto's 17-year-old sister. Initially she has a rather romantic look on a relationship, and her quest for true love lets her drift through a number of affairs before she finally finds happiness with her first boyfriend, Yosuke. She is portrayed by Natsumi Kamata (web series) and Kirara Asuka (2nd film).