Verified answer

>Does エロ have the same connotations in japanese?

I think it's mostly the same in Japanese.

They are on good terms and he is flirting with her or she is flirting with him. This happens in English too, a guy or a gal will call his crush or partner a "freak" or something like that. Listen to a Rick James album.

You see, "kidding around" negates the meaning of the word. "Kidding around" implies that you do not take the meaning of the words at face value. People say insulting things about one another. "Hentai" is generally not a compliment and you don't want to list it as a strength on your job application.

"Ero" means sexual with a good or bad connotation depending on the situation. In flirting, I would say it's a good thing. Humans tend to playfully banter with one another. Maybe someday someone will call you "erohentai" as a term of endearment.

I am not certain, as I've never even seen the Japanese symbol for noodle. At any rate, do those perverts still sell used underwear in a vending machine? >< EEEEEEEGADS!!!!

>Is calling someone エロ calling them erotic

yes, it is. エロかわいい means you are sexy and cute. but エロ変態 can not be a compliment at all.

エロ may be a noun, its adjective is エロい。For example, エロい人。君はエロい。