Correct Tagging: Adult versus Mature, and Ecchi versus Smut

[Spectacular]

My story, for context: Rapeworld Isekai

I've got some questions about tags, since many of them seem to overlap. My story has somewhat extreme content, including plenty of explicit sex, violence, and sexual violence. It definitely deserves the "Adult" and "Smut" tags for sure, but there are lots of other tags that have similar meanings. Is there an FAQ with specific definitions of these terms, or is it basically just up to the author to interpret them as they see fit? If it's the latter, I'd like to ask my fellow authors for their opinions.

What are the specific differences between Adult, Mature, and Seinen/Josei?

As I understand it, Adult and Mature seem almost the same to me, with Adult maybe being a bit more explicit. Seinen and Josei, as I understand it, are basically just the Japanese terms for Mature, except split into material targeted for different genders.

What are the specific differences between Ecchi, and Smut?

It seemes from what I've seen that Ecchi is more softcore, containing boobs and butts and teasing, while Smut is more hardcore containing descriptive sex scenes? Though I've also heard that it's more about gender differences, Ecchi being erotica targeted for men, and Smut being erotica targeted for women? Though Smut sometimes overlaps with Josei, so... bah this is confusing...

Also, it is better practice to select only the strictest definition that applies? For example, if my story is "Smut," containing explicit scenes, and also contains "Ecchi" softcore scenes, do I add both tags, or does my story being "Smut" override my story being "Ecchi"? Should the "Ecchi" tag apply exclusively to stories that only contain softcore lewd scenes, rather than fully explicit ones?

 

[Fich]

From my very limited knowledge I speculated that adult tag is used to stories that include adult topics(in the not for children definition) while mature is more set towards complexity of the story. As for the ecchi and smut. I think it's as you said - ecchi for softcore and smut for descriptive sex scenes. I don't think that they are mutually exclusive so there should be no problem having both. However, as I said, I'm no expert so when someone who actually knows what they are talking about says otherwise they are probably right.

 

[Saileri]

Keep in mind that there are as many definitions as there are "experts" around so I'll share what I chose to follow.

Mature - contains themes that can be considered, as the word says, mature, so, for example, drinking, swearing, smoking, violence, drugs, prostitution (mentioned not described) and other things that can have a toll on the mentality of underage people, teens or kids.

Adult - content basically means that there are descriptive, no matter to what extent, instances of things like sexual intercourse and interactions and it is the most recognizable key aspect. Others can also include some themes mentioned in Mature, but not necessarily. It's mostly about explicit and lewd content.

Ecchi - this also has a lot of definitions depending on the region. Basically, it's soft lewd stuff that's for eg. implied and/or censored, depending on the type of media. It mostly revolves around teasing, flashing and stuff like that. Breasts and nipples are considered Ecchi, but when you'd have a visible/clear description/image of a dick or pussy then it's Adult already.

Smut - simply, porn with plot, but the ratio of the plot is enough to call it a story and not a porn material, but people are aware that the focus will still be on sex and explicit content. I actually use it in one of my stories since the theme is slightly erotic and there are almost regular sex scenes, but honestly, I don't necessarily have to. But, simply again, it's that there is some, if not most of, focus on sex and it's not just like additional spice with Adult tag. Let's say 30 chapters, 7-15 are pure explicit then it's smut, 1-6 then it's adult. But that's just random numbers.

Seinen and Josei are more like names for specific audiences. You can check them out easily in the web and there won't be countless definitions like the genres or tags above.

 

[Nahrenne]

My story, for context: Rapeworld Isekai

I've got some questions about tags, since many of them seem to overlap. My story has somewhat extreme content, including plenty of explicit sex, violence, and sexual violence. It definitely deserves the "Adult" and "Smut" tags for sure, but there are lots of other tags that have similar meanings. Is there an FAQ with specific definitions of these terms, or is it basically just up to the author to interpret them as they see fit? If it's the latter, I'd like to ask my fellow authors for their opinions.

What are the specific differences between Adult, Mature, and Seinen/Josei?

As I understand it, Adult and Mature seem almost the same to me, with Adult maybe being a bit more explicit. Seinen and Josei, as I understand it, are basically just the Japanese terms for Mature, except split into material targeted for different genders.

What are the specific differences between Ecchi, and Smut?

It seemes from what I've seen that Ecchi is more softcore, containing boobs and butts and teasing, while Smut is more hardcore containing descriptive sex scenes? Though I've also heard that it's more about gender differences, Ecchi being erotica targeted for men, and Smut being erotica targeted for women? Though Smut sometimes overlaps with Josei, so... bah this is confusing...

Also, it is better practice to select only the strictest definition that applies? For example, if my story is "Smut," containing explicit scenes, and also contains "Ecchi" softcore scenes, do I add both tags, or does my story being "Smut" override my story being "Ecchi"? Should the "Ecchi" tag apply exclusively to stories that only contain softcore lewd scenes, rather than fully explicit ones?

A similar thread was made a few days ago.
You might get some answers from it.

Writing - Sooo..... what is the difference between adult and mature genres?

:blob_hmm: :blob_hmm: :blob_hmm: :blob_hmm: I kinda thought I knew what that the genres are but I see authors posting stories that don't really correlate to what I thought.... Soooo... I thought I'd ask What would you (not a universal truth but YOU specifically) categorise as genre "mature"...

forum.scribblehub.com

X

 

[DarkGodEM]

Rapeword? That's definitely Adult and Smut.
Mature is if you talking about deep and depressing shit, drug addiction as an issue etc.
Ecchi is when you want to fuck that girl, she also wants to fuck you, that lasts for 3 years until you take your exits in life but NEVER FUCK.
ur welcome

 

[minacia]

I’ve read your story!

I think based on what I’ve seen, I would say that Adult, Mature, and Smut fits best for your novel.

 

[lnv]

My story, for context: Rapeworld Isekai

I've got some questions about tags, since many of them seem to overlap. My story has somewhat extreme content, including plenty of explicit sex, violence, and sexual violence. It definitely deserves the "Adult" and "Smut" tags for sure, but there are lots of other tags that have similar meanings. Is there an FAQ with specific definitions of these terms, or is it basically just up to the author to interpret them as they see fit? If it's the latter, I'd like to ask my fellow authors for their opinions.

What are the specific differences between Adult, Mature, and Seinen/Josei?

As I understand it, Adult and Mature seem almost the same to me, with Adult maybe being a bit more explicit. Seinen and Josei, as I understand it, are basically just the Japanese terms for Mature, except split into material targeted for different genders.

What are the specific differences between Ecchi, and Smut?

It seemes from what I've seen that Ecchi is more softcore, containing boobs and butts and teasing, while Smut is more hardcore containing descriptive sex scenes? Though I've also heard that it's more about gender differences, Ecchi being erotica targeted for men, and Smut being erotica targeted for women? Though Smut sometimes overlaps with Josei, so... bah this is confusing...

Also, it is better practice to select only the strictest definition that applies? For example, if my story is "Smut," containing explicit scenes, and also contains "Ecchi" softcore scenes, do I add both tags, or does my story being "Smut" override my story being "Ecchi"? Should the "Ecchi" tag apply exclusively to stories that only contain softcore lewd scenes, rather than fully explicit ones?

If you want to know the definitions for genres like adult and smut, see here:

Genre Explanation - Novel Updates

www.novelupdates.com

If you want to know the definitions for tags that are not genres, see here:

Tags - Novel Updates

www.novelupdates.com

These are the officially recognized definitions by NU/SH.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I do all the tags. Some people want more juicy details. Some people think it's too intense. I just write what I would want to read and drop the curtain when I think the rest of the evening would be better left to the reader's imagination.