Anime and manga terminology
Encyclopedia
Anime
and manga
fans
outside of Japan have adopted many Japanese words and phrases. Some of these words have been misinterpreted, reinterpreted or undergone significant change in meaning. In addition, a variety of terms relating to anime and manga and the associated fandom have arisen, either by translation/transliteration from Japanese or as part of the shared slang or jargon of the subculture
.
In some cases English and Japanese have contributed in complex ways to the formation of new words in either or both languages (e.g. Hentai
—"H"—Ecchi
).
Other subcultures have also adopted Japanese loan-words through contact with fans of such media as anime and manga.
In addition, there are a great many Japanese words and phrases that fans and the curious will come across in relation to anime and manga.
(although he is one of the exceptions), Megumi Momono from Mahoraba
, Kenji Harima from School Rumble
, Tomoe Yoh from Starry Sky and the Italy brothers, and a few other characters from Hetalia: Axis Powers
and Shun Kazami from Bakugan.
: Any animation produced in or originating from Japan. Shorthand for Japanese animation.
Anime music video
: Often abbreviated AMV, video clips from at least one anime series arranged to fit a musical piece playing in the background.
: Literally, "anime parody" - anime characters being used by fans in a parodic way.
anime
.
: Literally, "rose". "Bara" refers to a masculine gay men's culture and in manga circles a genre of manga about beefcake
y gay men usually by gay men. Compare with the female-created Boys' Love.
: Literally, "pretty girl". Often used to describe any young attractive woman, but also used to imply sexual availability (as in "bishōjo games").
: "Beautiful boy"—Japanese aesthetic concept of the ideally beautiful young man. Androgynous
, effeminate
or gender ambiguous. In Japan it refers to youth with such characteristics, but in the west has become a generic term for attractively androgynous males of all ages.
Bishie: Bishōnen
: male homosexual content aimed at women, current, generally used in Japan to cover yaoi
and shōnen-ai.
, Kyo Sohma
of Fruits Basket
, and Ikuto Tsukiyomi of Shugo Chara!
.
: Japanese word meaning "shorty" or "little one". Due to Sailor Moon
and mistranslation, in America it is sometimes used to mean super deformed
.
: —World's largest comic convention held semi-annually in Tokyo, Japan for producers and fans of Dōjinshi
(see the franchise Comic Party
).
, Asocial), that eventually changes to display their sweet and loving side. (see also Tsundere
, Yandere and Kūdere))
: Meaning to become 'lovey dovey' (see also Tsundere
and Yandere)
: Any amateurly produced work. A common misconception is that dōjinshi are fanmade (i.e. parody) and manga - this is not necessarily the case.
: Same-sex-loving person (Terminology).
: When the voices in an anime are changed into another language from its native language.
: "Compensated dating" which may at times border on quasi-legal prostitution
. High school girls are paid by older men to take them out for a night on the town, possibly with sex included.
: A scene or illustration used to begin and end a commercial break in a Japanese TV program, similar to how "bumpers" into/out of commercial breaks are used in the United States.
: An , a portmanteau of , is a Japanese video or computer game that features erotic content, usually in the form of anime-style artwork. Not to be confused with Galge. Eroge were originated from Galge that added with Adult content that rated 18+.
: Elements specifically included to amuse (such as in-jokes, visual puns) or titillate the audience that are unnecessary to plot development.
Fansub
: Short for fan-subtitled—A film or video in which fans have translated and subtitled the dialogue into another language.
: A female fan; "rotten woman".
: Characters that appear to be women (face, breasts, hips, narrow waist), but have both female and male genitalia.
: Girl games. This is "a type of Japanese video game centered around interactions with attractive anime-style girls". These games are a sub-genre of dating sims targeted towards a male audience.
: Literally "black face". A fashion trend among Japanese girls. The look consists of bleached hair, a deep tan, both black and white eyeliners, false eyelashes, platform shoes, and brightly colored outfits.
: Transliteration of gay. Etymology.
: manga with male homosexual themes, by men for men. Compare with yaoi
, shōnen-ai, June and BL.
Girls with guns
: The term "girls-with-guns" is also used in reference to anime series and works inspired or influenced by it.
Gothicana: A serenade, with Gothic traits, such as black rose petals/ all attending wearing predominately black.
: Gothic Lolita—A fashion trend where girls and young women dress in the style of elaborate porcelain dolls.
: A hikikomori is someone who secludes themselves within their home, sometimes refusing to leave their home at all in an effort to isolate themselves from society. It can be viewed as a social phobia similar to agoraphobia
. Hikikomori are often associated with otaku
but the terms are distinct.
: younger sister.
Juné
, also written as June: a manga or text story with male homosexual themes for women written in an style, named for the Juné magazine
.
) and situations. (see The Cat Returns
, c.f. Furry fandom
)
: Characters with animal features such as ears and a tail, but a human body. Catgirl also falls under this concept. Examples include many of the characters of Loveless
, Boris Airay, Peter White, Elliot March, and Pierce Villers of Alice in the Country of Hearts
, Ikuto Tsukiyomi and Yoru of Shugo Chara!
, and most of the characters of Dog Days
.
: Anime and manga for children of both genders.
: A subculture
of girls and young women, the kogal "look" roughly approximates a sun-tanned California
Valley girl
.
: Genericised form of Comiket
(Comics Market).
: A character type, mostly of a female character, who is normally cold and unassuming but later reveals a softer and kinder side. See Tsundere
.
: A genre of manga and anime wherein childlike female characters are depicted in an erotic manner. In Japan it is also a slang term for "pedophile".
Loli-Goth: —.
. MAD can also describe the Japanese AMV community, although they can be anything from audio clips, edited pictures, to wholly original creations. MADs do not necessarily even need to be related to anime, though the more popular ones typically are.
: literally "witch girl"; this term does not generally apply to modern magical-girl anime.
: Japanese comics. Or conforming to "manga style", usually marked by features such as large eyes, long limbs, speed lines and exclamatory typography.
: Creator of the manga. The mangaka is often the writer and the illustrator of the work.
Manga music video: Often abbreviated as MMV, similar to an anime music video (AMV), although instead of clips from anime, panels or pages from at least one manga series are arranged to fit a musical piece playing in the background.
: A genre of anime and manga focusing on mecha, or piloted combat robots. Divided into two sub-genres, super robots (The mecha have unrealistic powers, and the focus is more on the fighting and robots themselves), and real robots (More realistic, with more drama and focus on the humans).
: A female character who wears glasses.
: Difficult to define. A character said to be moe causes a protective instinct or feelings of affection. Moe can also refer to said feelings. It can be used to refer to a love of a specific trait, such as meganekko-moe, "glasses-girl moe, a love of girls wearing glasses
: Maid; A servant dressed in western attire.
: See Catgirl. Nekogirl/boy is a less common term but is common among new anime fans because neko (cat) is a word that is quickly picked up.
: Japanese word for cat, or feline, often used when referring to a character with cat ears and/or tail. It can also refer to the uke (bottom) in yaoi manga, or the femme
in a yuri manga.
: Cuckold
. A common theme/genre in more mature and explicit manga, as well as visual novels. The term literally means "taken away by sleeping with". Often abbreviated as "NTR" amongst internet circles.
: (Pejorative) male homosexual (literally cooking pot). Etymology
: Some kind of add-on bonus on an anime DVD, like a regular "extra" on western DVDs. May also be a bonus strip at the end of a manga chapter or volume.
: Older sister, with "onee" meaning older sister and "-chan" being an affectionate suffix. The beginning "o" is a respectful honorific.
: Older sister, with "onee" meaning older sister and "-sama" being a respectful suffix. The beginning "o" is another respectful honorific.
: Older brother, with "onii" meaning older brother and "-chan" being an affectionate suffix. The beginning "o" is a respectful honorific.
: Older brother, with "onii" meaning older brother and "-sama" being a respectful suffix. The beginning "o" is another respectful honorific.
: Childhood friend.
: Anime newcomers like to consider themselves "otaku" when they start liking anime; their definition of otaku is anime fan. Long-time anime fans, however, tend to not call themselves otaku because of its negative Japanese connotation. The literal translation of the word is your house, but in Japanese slang the word is used to describe somebody who has an obsessive hobby.
: Lit. "maiden games". This is a video game that is targeted towards a female market, where one of the main goals, besides the plot goal, is to develop a romantic relationship between the player character (a female) and one of several male characters.
OVA
: Original Video Animation, or OVA is a type of anime, which is intended to be distributed on VHS tapes or DVDs, and not to show in movies, or television. It can also less frequently be referred to as OAV, or Original Animated Video.
: "End" in Japanese, used by some fanfiction authors at the end of their works. Also used at the end of many anime series.
: "Daddy"—Older male such as a teacher or other role model. Often slightly perverted, but usually portrayed affectionately. Can also be used as "pops" or "old man" (as in father).
(also "scanslation"): the scanning
, translation
and editing
of comics
from one language into another.
: Anime and manga intended for the adult male demographic.
: Japanese voice actor. As well as voicing characters in anime, seiyū do the voicing for video games, radio shows, drama CDs, etc.
: "Aggressive" partner in Boys Love.
: Lit. "Young woman". Anime and manga intended for the adolescent to teenage female demographic.
: coined following the form of shōnen-ai, denoting lesbian
content, typically for material without explicit sex. In Japan, the term shōjo-ai is not used with this meaning, and instead tends to denote ephebophilia
.
:Lit. "Young man". Anime and manga intended for the adolescent to teenage male demographic.
: A term denoting male homosexual content in women's media, although this usage is obsolete in Japan. English-speakers frequently use it for material without explicit sex, in anime
, manga
, and related fan fiction
. In Japan, it denotes ephebophilia
.
: A genre of manga and anime wherein childlike male characters are depicted in an erotic manner.
: Abbreviation for "wakashudo". The Way of Young Men age structured male homosexuality in samurai
society.
: Butler; A servant dressed in western attire.
: dōjinshi with male homosexual themes for women that are original stories and non-parodic of existing series.
: Also known as the acronym "SD". Super deformed characters are ones drawn in a simple style with limbs that are extremely short and an overlarge head. Characters are often drawn this way for comedic effect, or to appear "Kawaii" (Cute). Chichiri from the anime Fushigi Yuugi is often found to be in a super deformed shape.
: Origination from subtitle, when an anime is kept in its original language, but has subtitles.
: The progression of a character personality from cold and hostile to eventually displaying their warm and loving side.
.
: a Japanese
term for a person who is initially very loving and gentle to someone before their devotion becomes destructive in nature, often through violence. The term is derived from the words meaning a mental or emotional illness and meaning to show affection. Yandere characters are mentally unstable, often using extreme violence as an outlet for their emotions. The usage of the character type has led to criticism over the amount of violence in works such as School Days
. Although the character type has been used in anime and manga since Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
in 1985, conscious use of the term only began to be around the turn of the millennium.
: originated in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Strikers
and is used to describe a character who is mentally ill and snaps instantly without showing affection for the victim of their outbursts.
: Japanese acronym for "yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi" (no climax, no point, no meaning). Also known as Boys love. Sometimes Male-on-male sexual content usually created by women for women.
: Jargon term for lesbian content or girl love. Sometimes typically used to denote only the most sexually explicit end of the spectrum in media outside of Japan. Inside Japan, the term denotes a broader spectrum of attraction between women. (Used like the term "Yaoi" for men.)
), this phrase refers to the area of exposed thigh when a girl is wearing a short skirt and thigh high socks. The 'ideal' skirt:thigh:sock above knee ratio is 4:2.5:1 Zettai Ryōiki are often referred to by letter grades, where Grade A is the ideal and grade F is ankle socks.
:Category:Japanese fashion
:Category:Japanese subcultures
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
fans
Anime and manga fandom
Anime and manga fandom is a worldwide community of fans of anime and manga.- Otaku :Otaku is a Japanese term for people with obsessive interests, including anime, manga, or video games. In its original context, the term otaku is mildly offensive, implying that a person is somewhat socially inept...
outside of Japan have adopted many Japanese words and phrases. Some of these words have been misinterpreted, reinterpreted or undergone significant change in meaning. In addition, a variety of terms relating to anime and manga and the associated fandom have arisen, either by translation/transliteration from Japanese or as part of the shared slang or jargon of the subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
.
In some cases English and Japanese have contributed in complex ways to the formation of new words in either or both languages (e.g. Hentai
Hentai
is a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...
—"H"—Ecchi
Ecchi
is an often used slang term in the Japanese language for erotic fantasy and sexual innuendoes. As an adjective it is used with the meaning of "dirty", "naughty", "frivolous"; as a verb , with the meaning to do something dirty, naughty, frivolous or to sleep together; or as a noun, to describe...
).
Other subcultures have also adopted Japanese loan-words through contact with fans of such media as anime and manga.
In addition, there are a great many Japanese words and phrases that fans and the curious will come across in relation to anime and manga.
A
: A single strand of hair that sticks out of a character's head. It literally means "stupid hair" and indicates that the character is usually stupid in some way. However, there are exceptions to this, so it is not a rule. It differs from antenna hair, in which there are two or more locks of hair sticking up as opposed to one. Characters that have an ahoge include Himeko Katagiri from Pani Poni, Konata Izumi from Lucky Star, Edward Elric from Fullmetal AlchemistFullmetal Alchemist
, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is styled after the European Industrial Revolution...
(although he is one of the exceptions), Megumi Momono from Mahoraba
Mahoraba
is a manga series by Akira Kojima, which was later adapted into an anime. It was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Gangan WING manga magazine between January 2000 and July 2006, spanning a total of 12 tankōbon volumes....
, Kenji Harima from School Rumble
School Rumble
is a Japanese Shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Jin Kobayashi. First serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from October 22, 2002 to July 23, 2008, all 345 chapters were later collected in 22 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. Shōnen Magazine Special published a sequel, School Rumble Z,...
, Tomoe Yoh from Starry Sky and the Italy brothers, and a few other characters from Hetalia: Axis Powers
Hetalia: Axis Powers
is a Japanese webcomic, later adapted as a manga and an anime series, by . The series presents an allegorical trivialisation of political and historic events, particularly of the World War II era, in which the various countries are represented by stereotyped anthropomorphic characters...
and Shun Kazami from Bakugan.
: Any animation produced in or originating from Japan. Shorthand for Japanese animation.
Anime music video
Anime music video
An anime music video is a music video consisting of clips from one or more animations set to an audio track ; the term usually refers to fan-made unofficial videos. An AMV can also be a set of video game footage put together with music which is known as a GMV...
: Often abbreviated AMV, video clips from at least one anime series arranged to fit a musical piece playing in the background.
: Literally, "anime parody" - anime characters being used by fans in a parodic way.
B
: is a genre of pornographic media focusing on the depiction of women with large breasts. The word can be literally translated to "bursting breasts". Bakunyū is a sub-genre within the genre of hentaiHentai
is a Japanese word that, in the West, is used when referring to sexually explicit or pornographic comics and animation, particularly those of Japanese origin such as anime, manga, and computer games. The word hentai is a kanji compound of 変 and 態...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
.
: Literally, "rose". "Bara" refers to a masculine gay men's culture and in manga circles a genre of manga about beefcake
Beefcake
Beefcake is a term denoting the use of nude or semi-nude male bodies. It can refer to a genre or a person. It often is used to denote male sexual attractiveness stemming from physical build but the definition has expanded to include anyone interested in physical fitness, bodybuilding and weight...
y gay men usually by gay men. Compare with the female-created Boys' Love.
: Literally, "pretty girl". Often used to describe any young attractive woman, but also used to imply sexual availability (as in "bishōjo games").
: "Beautiful boy"—Japanese aesthetic concept of the ideally beautiful young man. Androgynous
Androgyny
Androgyny is a term derived from the Greek words ανήρ, stem ανδρ- and γυνή , referring to the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics...
, effeminate
Effeminacy
Effeminacy describes traits in a human male, that are more often associated with traditional feminine nature, behaviour, mannerisms, style or gender roles rather than masculine nature, behaviour, mannerisms, style or roles....
or gender ambiguous. In Japan it refers to youth with such characteristics, but in the west has become a generic term for attractively androgynous males of all ages.
Bishie: Bishōnen
: male homosexual content aimed at women, current, generally used in Japan to cover yaoi
Yaoi
In careful Japanese enunciation, all three vowels are pronounced separately, for a three-mora word, . The English equivalent is . also known as Boys' Love, is a Japanese popular term for female-oriented fictional media that focus on homoerotic or homoromantic male relationships, usually created by...
and shōnen-ai.
C
: Character with cat ears and a cat tail, but an otherwise human body. These characters often have feline habits, claw-like nails, and occasionally show fangs. Emotional expressions are also feline in nature, such as an exaggerated fur-standing-on-end when startled. These characteristics are also sometimes used on guys as well as in the case of the characters of LovelessLoveless (manga)
is an ongoing fantasy manga by Yun Kōga. It is currently serialized in the Japanese magazine Monthly Comic Zero Sum by Ichijinsha and collected in nine tankōbon as of November 2009...
, Kyo Sohma
Kyo Sohma
is a character in the manga and anime series Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya. He transforms into an orange cat whenever he is hugged by the opposite gender or when his body comes under a great deal of stress. This animal is not in the Chinese zodiac, but legend says would have been if it had not...
of Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket
, sometimes abbreviated , is a Japanese shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. It was serialized in the semi-monthly Japanese magazine Hana to Yume, published by Hakusensha, from 1999 to 2006. The series was also adapted into a 26-episode anime series, directed by Akitaro...
, and Ikuto Tsukiyomi of Shugo Chara!
Shugo Chara!
, also known as My Guardian Characters, is a Japanese shōjo manga series created by the manga author duo, Peach-Pit. The story centers on elementary school girl Amu Hinamori, whose popular exterior, referred to as "cool and spicy" by her classmates, contrasts with her introverted personality...
.
: Japanese word meaning "shorty" or "little one". Due to Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon, known as , is a media franchise created by manga artist Naoko Takeuchi. Fred Patten credits Takeuchi with popularizing the concept of a team of magical girls, and Paul Gravett credits the series with "revitalizing" the magical-girl genre itself...
and mistranslation, in America it is sometimes used to mean super deformed
Super deformed
Super deformed or SD is a specific style of Japanese caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby, with stubby limbs and oversized heads, to make them resemble small children...
.
: —World's largest comic convention held semi-annually in Tokyo, Japan for producers and fans of Dōjinshi
Dojinshi
is the Japanese term for self-published works, usually magazines, manga or novels. Dōjinshi are often the work of amateurs, though some professional artists participate as a way to publish material outside the regular industry. The term dōjinshi is derived from and . Dōjinshi are part of a wider...
(see the franchise Comic Party
Comic Party
, sometimes abbreviated to ComiPa, is a romantic adventure and dating sim video game by the Japanese game studio Leaf. It was first released on May 28, 1999 for the PC with adult content, but re-released with it removed for the Dreamcast, PC, and PSP...
).
D
: When a character who is usually asocial (see also AntisocialAnti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour is behaviour that lacks consideration for others and that may cause damage to society, whether intentionally or through negligence, as opposed to pro-social behaviour, behaviour that helps or benefits society...
, Asocial), that eventually changes to display their sweet and loving side. (see also Tsundere
Tsundere
is a Japanese character development process that describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time. The word is derived from the terms , meaning to turn away in disgust, and meaning to become 'lovey dovey'...
, Yandere and Kūdere))
: Meaning to become 'lovey dovey' (see also Tsundere
Tsundere
is a Japanese character development process that describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time. The word is derived from the terms , meaning to turn away in disgust, and meaning to become 'lovey dovey'...
and Yandere)
: Any amateurly produced work. A common misconception is that dōjinshi are fanmade (i.e. parody) and manga - this is not necessarily the case.
: Same-sex-loving person (Terminology).
: When the voices in an anime are changed into another language from its native language.
E
: The Japanese Pronunciation of the letter "H". It represents the first letter in the word "Hentai" and can refer to anything ranging between mildly erotic manga and anime to unwarranted sexual behavior.: "Compensated dating" which may at times border on quasi-legal prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
. High school girls are paid by older men to take them out for a night on the town, possibly with sex included.
: A scene or illustration used to begin and end a commercial break in a Japanese TV program, similar to how "bumpers" into/out of commercial breaks are used in the United States.
: An , a portmanteau of , is a Japanese video or computer game that features erotic content, usually in the form of anime-style artwork. Not to be confused with Galge. Eroge were originated from Galge that added with Adult content that rated 18+.
F
: A general story written by fans of media, including anime. Story or piece of fiction written by fans of a production.: Elements specifically included to amuse (such as in-jokes, visual puns) or titillate the audience that are unnecessary to plot development.
Fansub
Fansub
A fansub is a version of a foreign film or foreign television program which has been translated by fans and subtitled into a language other than that of the original.-History:...
: Short for fan-subtitled—A film or video in which fans have translated and subtitled the dialogue into another language.
: A female fan; "rotten woman".
: Characters that appear to be women (face, breasts, hips, narrow waist), but have both female and male genitalia.
G
: Uniform for middle school and high school boys in Japan. The gakuran is derived from Prussian army uniforms.: Girl games. This is "a type of Japanese video game centered around interactions with attractive anime-style girls". These games are a sub-genre of dating sims targeted towards a male audience.
: Literally "black face". A fashion trend among Japanese girls. The look consists of bleached hair, a deep tan, both black and white eyeliners, false eyelashes, platform shoes, and brightly colored outfits.
: Transliteration of gay. Etymology.
: manga with male homosexual themes, by men for men. Compare with yaoi
Yaoi
In careful Japanese enunciation, all three vowels are pronounced separately, for a three-mora word, . The English equivalent is . also known as Boys' Love, is a Japanese popular term for female-oriented fictional media that focus on homoerotic or homoromantic male relationships, usually created by...
, shōnen-ai, June and BL.
Girls with guns
Girls with guns
Girls with guns is a sub-genre of films and animation, especially Hong Kong action films and anime, with a female protagonist in a strong lead role, set in a modern context. The genre involves gun-play, stunts and martial arts action...
: The term "girls-with-guns" is also used in reference to anime series and works inspired or influenced by it.
Gothicana: A serenade, with Gothic traits, such as black rose petals/ all attending wearing predominately black.
: Gothic Lolita—A fashion trend where girls and young women dress in the style of elaborate porcelain dolls.
H
: "Abnormal" or "perverted". Used by Western Audiences to refer to sexually explicit or pornographic anime and manga. However, in Japan the term used to refer to the same material is typically Poruno or Ero.: A hikikomori is someone who secludes themselves within their home, sometimes refusing to leave their home at all in an effort to isolate themselves from society. It can be viewed as a social phobia similar to agoraphobia
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder defined as a morbid fear of having a panic attack or panic-like symptoms in a situation from which it is perceived to be difficult to escape. These situations can include, but are not limited to, wide-open spaces, crowds, or uncontrolled social conditions...
. Hikikomori are often associated with otaku
Otaku
is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga or video games.- Etymology :Otaku is derived from a Japanese term for another's house or family , which is also used as an honorific second-person pronoun...
but the terms are distinct.
I
: Short for , the class representative in a Japanese school.: younger sister.
J
: Lit. "Woman"; Anime and Manga intended for the adult female demographic.Juné
Yaoi
In careful Japanese enunciation, all three vowels are pronounced separately, for a three-mora word, . The English equivalent is . also known as Boys' Love, is a Japanese popular term for female-oriented fictional media that focus on homoerotic or homoromantic male relationships, usually created by...
, also written as June: a manga or text story with male homosexual themes for women written in an style, named for the Juné magazine
June (manga magazine)
was the earliest yaoi magazine, which began in 1978 as a response to the success of commercially published manga such as the works of female artists Keiko Takemiya, Moto Hagio and Yumiko Ōshima. Other factors that influenced the founding of June were the rising popularity of depictions of...
.
K
: "Beast"—A genre of Japanese art and character design that prominently features animal-like fictional characters in human-like settings (AnthropomorphismAnthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
) and situations. (see The Cat Returns
The Cat Returns
is a Japanese animated fantasy film directed by Hiroyuki Morita, produced by Studio Ghibli and theatrically released in Japan in 2002 and in 2003 in the United States through Walt Disney Pictures....
, c.f. Furry fandom
Furry fandom
Furry fandom is a fandom for fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics. Examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, the ability to speak, walk on two legs, and wear clothes...
)
: Characters with animal features such as ears and a tail, but a human body. Catgirl also falls under this concept. Examples include many of the characters of Loveless
Loveless (manga)
is an ongoing fantasy manga by Yun Kōga. It is currently serialized in the Japanese magazine Monthly Comic Zero Sum by Ichijinsha and collected in nine tankōbon as of November 2009...
, Boris Airay, Peter White, Elliot March, and Pierce Villers of Alice in the Country of Hearts
Alice in the Country of Hearts
is a Japanese female-oriented romance adventure visual novel developed by Quin Rose. The game is a re-imagining of Lewis Carroll's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. A manga adaptation illustrated by Soumei Hoshino was serialized in Mag Garden's Monthly Comic Avarus between the October 2007...
, Ikuto Tsukiyomi and Yoru of Shugo Chara!
Shugo Chara!
, also known as My Guardian Characters, is a Japanese shōjo manga series created by the manga author duo, Peach-Pit. The story centers on elementary school girl Amu Hinamori, whose popular exterior, referred to as "cool and spicy" by her classmates, contrasts with her introverted personality...
, and most of the characters of Dog Days
Dog Days (anime)
is a 2011 Japanese fantasy anime television series created by Masaki Tsuzuki and produced by Seven Arcs and Aniplex under the direction of Keizo Kusakawa. The series aired on Tokyo MX and other channels from April 2, 2011 to June 25, 2011...
.
: Anime and manga for children of both genders.
: A subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
of girls and young women, the kogal "look" roughly approximates a sun-tanned California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Valley girl
Valley girl
Valley Girl is a stereotype leveled at a socio-economic and ethnic class of American women who can be described as colloquial English-speaking and materialistic...
.
: Genericised form of Comiket
Comiket
, otherwise known as the , is the world's largest self-published comic book fair, held twice a year in Tokyo, Japan. The first Comiket was held on December 21, 1975, with only about 32 participating circles and an estimated 600 attendees. Attendance has since swelled to over a half million people....
(Comics Market).
: A character type, mostly of a female character, who is normally cold and unassuming but later reveals a softer and kinder side. See Tsundere
Tsundere
is a Japanese character development process that describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time. The word is derived from the terms , meaning to turn away in disgust, and meaning to become 'lovey dovey'...
.
L
: derived from the hentai anthology series . Material with explicit sexual content (not to be confused with the slang term for Lesbian in some English speaking cultures).: A genre of manga and anime wherein childlike female characters are depicted in an erotic manner. In Japan it is also a slang term for "pedophile".
Loli-Goth: —.
M
: A Japanese fan-made video, much like an anime music video (AMV), that generally originate from the Japanese website Nico Nico DougaNico Nico Douga
is a popular video sharing website in Japan managed by Niwango, a subsidiary of Dwango. Its nickname is "Niconico" or "Nico-dō", where "nikoniko" is the Japanese ideophone for smiling. Nico Nico Douga is the thirteenth most visited website in Japan...
. MAD can also describe the Japanese AMV community, although they can be anything from audio clips, edited pictures, to wholly original creations. MADs do not necessarily even need to be related to anime, though the more popular ones typically are.
: literally "witch girl"; this term does not generally apply to modern magical-girl anime.
: Japanese comics. Or conforming to "manga style", usually marked by features such as large eyes, long limbs, speed lines and exclamatory typography.
: Creator of the manga. The mangaka is often the writer and the illustrator of the work.
Manga music video: Often abbreviated as MMV, similar to an anime music video (AMV), although instead of clips from anime, panels or pages from at least one manga series are arranged to fit a musical piece playing in the background.
: A genre of anime and manga focusing on mecha, or piloted combat robots. Divided into two sub-genres, super robots (The mecha have unrealistic powers, and the focus is more on the fighting and robots themselves), and real robots (More realistic, with more drama and focus on the humans).
: A female character who wears glasses.
: Difficult to define. A character said to be moe causes a protective instinct or feelings of affection. Moe can also refer to said feelings. It can be used to refer to a love of a specific trait, such as meganekko-moe, "glasses-girl moe, a love of girls wearing glasses
: Maid; A servant dressed in western attire.
N
: Male love. A deprecated, archaic term for male homosexuality. Etymology: See Catgirl. Nekogirl/boy is a less common term but is common among new anime fans because neko (cat) is a word that is quickly picked up.
: Japanese word for cat, or feline, often used when referring to a character with cat ears and/or tail. It can also refer to the uke (bottom) in yaoi manga, or the femme
Butch and femme
Butch and femme are LGBT terms describing respectively, masculine and feminine traits, behavior, style, expression, self-perception and so on. They are often used in the lesbian, bisexual and gay subcultures...
in a yuri manga.
: Cuckold
Cuckold
Cuckold is a historically derogatory term for a man who has an unfaithful wife. The word, which has been in recorded use since the 13th century, derives from the cuckoo bird, some varieties of which lay their eggs in other birds' nests...
. A common theme/genre in more mature and explicit manga, as well as visual novels. The term literally means "taken away by sleeping with". Often abbreviated as "NTR" amongst internet circles.
O
(kko): tomboy: (Pejorative) male homosexual (literally cooking pot). Etymology
: Some kind of add-on bonus on an anime DVD, like a regular "extra" on western DVDs. May also be a bonus strip at the end of a manga chapter or volume.
: Older sister, with "onee" meaning older sister and "-chan" being an affectionate suffix. The beginning "o" is a respectful honorific.
: Older sister, with "onee" meaning older sister and "-sama" being a respectful suffix. The beginning "o" is another respectful honorific.
: Older brother, with "onii" meaning older brother and "-chan" being an affectionate suffix. The beginning "o" is a respectful honorific.
: Older brother, with "onii" meaning older brother and "-sama" being a respectful suffix. The beginning "o" is another respectful honorific.
: Childhood friend.
: Anime newcomers like to consider themselves "otaku" when they start liking anime; their definition of otaku is anime fan. Long-time anime fans, however, tend to not call themselves otaku because of its negative Japanese connotation. The literal translation of the word is your house, but in Japanese slang the word is used to describe somebody who has an obsessive hobby.
: Lit. "maiden games". This is a video game that is targeted towards a female market, where one of the main goals, besides the plot goal, is to develop a romantic relationship between the player character (a female) and one of several male characters.
OVA
Original video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
: Original Video Animation, or OVA is a type of anime, which is intended to be distributed on VHS tapes or DVDs, and not to show in movies, or television. It can also less frequently be referred to as OAV, or Original Animated Video.
: "End" in Japanese, used by some fanfiction authors at the end of their works. Also used at the end of many anime series.
: "Daddy"—Older male such as a teacher or other role model. Often slightly perverted, but usually portrayed affectionately. Can also be used as "pops" or "old man" (as in father).
S
ScanlationScanlation
Scanlation is the scanning, translation and editing of a graphic novel from a foreign language into a different language. Scanlation is done as an amateur work and is nearly always done without express permission from the copyright holder. The word scanlation is a portmanteau of scan and translation...
(also "scanslation"): the scanning
Image scanner
In computing, an image scanner—often abbreviated to just scanner—is a device that optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Common examples found in offices are variations of the desktop scanner where the document is placed on a glass...
, translation
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
and editing
Image editing
Image editing encompasses the processes of altering images, whether they be digital photographs, traditional analog photographs, or illustrations. Traditional analog image editing is known as photo retouching, using tools such as an airbrush to modify photographs, or editing illustrations with any...
of comics
Comics
Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
from one language into another.
: Anime and manga intended for the adult male demographic.
: Japanese voice actor. As well as voicing characters in anime, seiyū do the voicing for video games, radio shows, drama CDs, etc.
: "Aggressive" partner in Boys Love.
: Lit. "Young woman". Anime and manga intended for the adolescent to teenage female demographic.
: coined following the form of shōnen-ai, denoting lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
content, typically for material without explicit sex. In Japan, the term shōjo-ai is not used with this meaning, and instead tends to denote ephebophilia
Ephebophilia
Ephebophilia is the sexual preference of adults for mid-to-late adolescents, generally ages 15 to 19. The term was originally used in the late 19th to mid 20th century, and has been more recently revisited by Ray Blanchard. It is one of a number of sexual preferences across age groups subsumed...
.
:Lit. "Young man". Anime and manga intended for the adolescent to teenage male demographic.
: A term denoting male homosexual content in women's media, although this usage is obsolete in Japan. English-speakers frequently use it for material without explicit sex, in anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, and related fan fiction
Fan fiction
Fan fiction is a broadly-defined term for fan labor regarding stories about characters or settings written by fans of the original work, rather than by the original creator...
. In Japan, it denotes ephebophilia
Ephebophilia
Ephebophilia is the sexual preference of adults for mid-to-late adolescents, generally ages 15 to 19. The term was originally used in the late 19th to mid 20th century, and has been more recently revisited by Ray Blanchard. It is one of a number of sexual preferences across age groups subsumed...
.
: A genre of manga and anime wherein childlike male characters are depicted in an erotic manner.
: Abbreviation for "wakashudo". The Way of Young Men age structured male homosexuality in samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
society.
: Butler; A servant dressed in western attire.
: dōjinshi with male homosexual themes for women that are original stories and non-parodic of existing series.
: Also known as the acronym "SD". Super deformed characters are ones drawn in a simple style with limbs that are extremely short and an overlarge head. Characters are often drawn this way for comedic effect, or to appear "Kawaii" (Cute). Chichiri from the anime Fushigi Yuugi is often found to be in a super deformed shape.
: Origination from subtitle, when an anime is kept in its original language, but has subtitles.
T
: Literally "to be continued". Occasionally used at the end of a chapter of manga or an episode of anime when a continuation is to follow.: The progression of a character personality from cold and hostile to eventually displaying their warm and loving side.
W
Waifu: A female character that one considers to be their "2D wife". Originated from the anime series Azumanga DaiohAzumanga Daioh
is a Japanese comedy manga by Kiyohiko Azuma. It was serialized by MediaWorks in the shōnen manga magazine Dengeki Daioh from 1999 to 2002 and collected in four bound volumes...
.
Y
: The Japanese ideal for a woman, being humble and skilled in domestic matters.: a Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
term for a person who is initially very loving and gentle to someone before their devotion becomes destructive in nature, often through violence. The term is derived from the words meaning a mental or emotional illness and meaning to show affection. Yandere characters are mentally unstable, often using extreme violence as an outlet for their emotions. The usage of the character type has led to criticism over the amount of violence in works such as School Days
School Days (visual novel)
is a Japanese adult visual novel developed by 0verflow and published by Stack, and was originally released for the PC on April 28, 2005. It was subsequently released as a DVD TV game by Stack, followed by an all-ages port titled School Days L×H published by Interchannel for the PlayStation 2, in...
. Although the character type has been used in anime and manga since Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
is a television anime, part of the Gundam series and a sequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam. The show was created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, with character designs by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, while the series' mechanical designs is split amongst Kunio Okawara, Mamoru Nagano, and Kazumi Fujita...
in 1985, conscious use of the term only began to be around the turn of the millennium.
: originated in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Strikers
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Strikers
is the third season of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha series. The Nanoha anime was, in turn, a spin-off of the Triangle Heart series of games and OVAs, specifically Triangle Heart 3: Sweet Songs Forever...
and is used to describe a character who is mentally ill and snaps instantly without showing affection for the victim of their outbursts.
: Japanese acronym for "yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi" (no climax, no point, no meaning). Also known as Boys love. Sometimes Male-on-male sexual content usually created by women for women.
: Jargon term for lesbian content or girl love. Sometimes typically used to denote only the most sexually explicit end of the spectrum in media outside of Japan. Inside Japan, the term denotes a broader spectrum of attraction between women. (Used like the term "Yaoi" for men.)
Z
: Meaning "Absolute Territory" (a term from the anime Neon Genesis EvangelionNeon Genesis Evangelion
, commonly referred to as Evangelion, is a commercially and critically successful Japanese anime series that began airing in October 1995. The series was highly influential, and launched the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise. It garnered several major animation awards...
), this phrase refers to the area of exposed thigh when a girl is wearing a short skirt and thigh high socks. The 'ideal' skirt:thigh:sock above knee ratio is 4:2.5:1 Zettai Ryōiki are often referred to by letter grades, where Grade A is the ideal and grade F is ankle socks.
See also
:Category:Anime and manga terminology:Category:Japanese fashion
:Category:Japanese subcultures
- List of fan fiction terms
External links
- Anime Terminology Lexicon at Animeph.com—a large list of English and Japanese terms used in anime and manga lingo
- Glossary:Japanese film credit terms—Wiktionary