General Anime Terms
**I should note, if you're an anime fan and you're offended by the way I define some of these, then you probably need to loosen up, because you're probably taking this all too seriously. (For example, if you're planning on sending me hate mail for my definition of pocky, then--come on!)
A
AMV- Anime Music Video. Videos edited using pre-existing anime clips to go along with music. See the “Conventions” page for more info.
Anime- The Japanese term for animation. Usually refers to Japanese animation.
Animu/Mango- Terms used to make fun of the words ‘anime’ and ‘manga’. Use it one day. It’ll build up your defenses.
B
Basement Dweller- (See NEET) Someone who ‘lives in their mother’s basement and does nothing but go on the internet and play games’. It’s usually an insult, but some people like to refer to themselves as this.
Bishoujo/Bishojo- A Japanese term that describes a very beautiful girl/woman.
Bishounen/Bishonen/”Bishie”- A Japanese term that describes...a very beautiful boy/man. You think my word choice is off but you’d be surprised. Not many use the phrase “Bishie” anymore, unless that person is like, five—whoops! I didn’t say a word.
Bootlegs- DVDs of a series which were not official/fanmade. These DVDs have no license and are illegal. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if something is a bootleg or not, but once you watch it, you’ll know. Most bootlegs will have many misspellings, subtitles at the wrong times and so on. Sometimes even names will be changed. You’ll wonder, “What the heck is this incorrect crap?!” And once you say that, you’ll know. (Not really.) Bootlegs are not limited to anime. They exist in the movie business as well. Also, a figurine and other items can be bootlegs as well.
Box set- A collection of DVDs of an anime series. These are usually expensive since they often contain the whole season or all of the series in one pricey purchase. Some can be cheap though. Watch out, they might be bootlegs. Box sets are not just an anime term, it’s used for any show that’s released in that manner.
C
Chibi- A style of art/anime in which a character or thing is portrayed with a larger head and smaller body than usual, and certain features are more exaggerated.
Conventions- Gatherings of fans and guests involved with whatever the convention is about. There are many types of conventions and they’re not limited to anime. See more info on the “Conventions” page.
Cosplay- A hobby which consists of dressing up as a character from a series. Derives from the words ‘costume’ and ‘play’. See more info on the “Cosplay” page.
D
DDR- Dance Dance Revolution. A weeaboo pastime. Just because you play DDR doesn’t make you a weeaboo, but if you pick all the anime songs just because they’re Japanese/anime then you’re on the edge—no, you’re probably a weeb. Sorry. But DDR is a game where you pick some songs and dance on the dance pad which consists only of up, down, left, and right arrows. It helped a lot of chubby kids lose weight apparently. But almost right after the news that DDR helped you lose weight, a lot of people started using controls and the fat kids came back.
Desu- There’s never enough desu. But um, this is also a weeb word unless you show that you’re kidding when using it. DESU. Actually, most weeb words can be used without making you a weeaboo, except you’ll have to make sure you’re saying so to poke fun at weeaboos, if that makes sense.
Dojinshi/Doujinshi- Independently published original fiction/comics or fiction/comics which are based off of an existing series.
Dubs/Dub/Dubbed- An alternative way to listen to a series. Most anime are obviously going to be in Japanese, so when a series is licensed, a track is usually done in the language of the licenser.
E
Ecchi- You know what? I’ve tried to keep this appropriate but if I define this then I’d be out of the job, along with describing the things above Ecchi, like Hent. I can’t do it. Keeping this age appropriate. The end. (Pretty much fanservice.)
F
Fandom- A term for whatever grows out of a series from the fans of a series. A fandom is not directly linked to the series though some people attempt to link them. Often, people will avoid the fandom of a series yet still enjoy the series in order to avoid chaos.
Fanfics/Fanfictions- Fictional stories based off of an existing series. These can be long and these can be short. See the “Fanfictions” page for more information.
Fanfiction.net- A site where one can submit and share their stories with other writers/readers. The site is sort of like an archive, where the stories are separated mostly by genres, then by series. Crossovers are also allowed. The site and its content are jabbed at a lot since anyone can submit a story as long as they have an account… anyone.
G
Gaia/Gaia Online- An online community/social-networking site which uses the anime style for its art. It has gone through many changes over the years to many people’s dismay. Many look down on people for having an account on the site.
K
Kawaii- The Japanese word for cute. It’s said if someone uses this word casually in every day conversation then they are a weeaboo. (I’ll refer to these as weeb words from now on.) This is often used along with ‘desu’. So kawaii desu, and sometimes kawaii desu ne. All weeb words.
L
LARPing- Live Action Roleplaying. Where people dress up as their characters and act like them. Sometimes play fighting with foam weapons is involved if the characters are from a fighting game or…something like WOW.
Lemon- A fanfic which is…not appropriate for minors, if you know what I mean.
Lolita- I’ll have this refer to the fashion. The Lolita fashion is mostly based off of Victorian and apparently Rococo clothes and has almost nothing to do with little girls. It’s also said to be based off of the clothes that porcelain dolls wear. Now, it just happens to be that the term “loli” is used in the anime world to describe little girls, usually sexually, maybe because the term was passed down from Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, Lolita, but the Lolita/Gothic Lolita fashion is unrelated to little girls.
M
MAD- Not an acronym. A MAD is a Japanese fan made video. You can find many on NicoNicoDouga.
Manga- The Japanese term for comics. Usually refers to Japanese comics which are read backwards due to the Japanese writing style. (They write “backwards”.)
Manga-ka- A manga artist
Mecha- A term which can refer to a huge robot that a human operates while inside it or it can describe the mecha genre that consists of human-piloted robots.
Megane/Meganekko- Literally means ‘glasses’ in Japanese. Refers to characters that wear glasses.
Moe- A Japanese term used to describe a cute anime character…or something.
N
NEET- Pretty much people who don’t work, aren’t in school, don’t clean the house, or aren’t even attempting to get a job. They’re usually all generalized as people who do nothing but watch anime all day. (Though the term isn’t limited to Japan.)
Neko- The Japanese word for cat. It’s said if someone uses this word casually in every day conversation then they are a weeaboo. (Note: Almost anything can make you a weeaboo. Just reading this. I’m taking a huge risk here.)
NicoNicoDouga- A Japanese video site with “stuff you wish you could make” but you later learn that you’d have to have no free time, so you change your mind.
O
Omake- An extra.
Onee-chan/Onee-sama- Japanese for big sister.
Onii-chan/Onii-sama- Japanese for big brother.
Otaku- A term which is used to label one who like anime and manga. It’s a Japanese phrase, but a lot of United States fans use it to label themselves. Apparently, it’s a negative term at times.
OVA- Original Video Animation. Also OAV, Original Animation Video. Usually an add-on to a series which is meant to be seen only if you buy it.
P
Pairings- Relationships between characters in a fandom, whether it's love, friendship, or any other type of bond. See the “Parirings” page for more info.
Pairing Names- See the “Pairings” page under “Pairing Terms”.
Pocky- A dry Japanese treat which is pretty much a biscuit stick with frosting or whatever it is coating one tip. Said to be a weeaboo’s favorite treat.
Power Level- A reference to the anime/manga DragonBall Z/Dragon Ball. When it comes to anime fans, it refers to how much they appear to be into anime. For example, one may not want someone to know that they're into anime/manga, so they'll "try to keep their power level low". There are various ways to lower your power level or not make your power level stand out.
R
Ramune- A Japanese carbonated drink which you open by popping out a marble which you’re not supposed to get out. (Stupid concept but it’s a nice drink.) Said to be a weeaboo’s favorite drink, and probably the only Japanese thing that’s considered weebish that I consume whenever I get the chance. (Not often.)
Raw- Something like an episode or scan of a manga which is still in Japanese/has no subtitles.
Roleplaying/Rping- Words that spellcheck despises. Acting like a character from a series, whether it’s through typing or in real life.
S
Seiyuus- Voice actors. Plain and simple folks.
Seme- See the “Pairings” page under “Pairing Terms”.
Ship- See the “Pairings” page under “Pairing Terms”.
Shipper- See the “Pairings” page under “Pairing Terms”.
Shipping- See the “Pairings” page under “Pairing Terms”.
Shonen-Ai/Shounen Ai- Work/comics/anime focuses on the relationship of two boys/men.
Shota- Like the anime world’s term for ‘loli’, shota is used to describe little boys, sometimes in the same way as lolitas
Shoujo-Ai/Shojo Ai- Work/comics/anime which focuses on the relationship between two girls/women.
Shoujo/Shojo- The Japanese term for girl. The term usually refers to manga/anime aimed towards girls. It’s rare to see a boy that reads Shoujo manga, and according to Otomen, it’s looked down upon…?
Shounen/Shojo- The Japanese term for boy. The term usually refers to manga/anime aimed towards boys. Thought Shounen series are aimed toward boys, many girls read shounen manga. I heard that such a thing isn’t looked down upon much. Oh double standards.
Subs/Subbed/Sub- Not related to a sandwich. Subtitles. When the words spoken are displayed on screen. Many prefer subs over dubs.
Sugoi- When I was a young weeaboo, I had never heard of the word ‘sugoi’, which is the Japanese word for cool or “wow” I think. It’s one of those New Weeb terms.
Sushi- Said to be a weeaboo’s favorite food. Usually raw fish and rice or some other stuff.
T
Tinier Me- An online community/social-networking site which uses a simplistic anime style. As of March 23rd 2012, it’s still in its Beta stages, yet many anime fans have flocked to the site, though there’s not much to do.
Tsundere- A Japanese term used to describe a character that is mean and/or cruel toward their love interest at first but later show their affection pretty earnestly. Sort of like a hot and cold thing. Think of Helga’s personality (from Hey Arnold) and you’ve pretty much got it.
U
Uke- See the “Pairings” page under “Pairing Terms”.
V
Voice Actor/Voice Actress- I could go on about voice actors and how most aren’t limited to anime voices but I won’t. Only how they apply to anime. Voice actors (which actors applies to both males and females actually) perform for the voices on dubs of animes—or just recordings.
W
Waifu/Husbando- Wife/Husband. Refers to the affection a fan has for a character. The fan doesn’t actually wish to marry the character…usually.
Weeaboo/Weeb- Someone who's obsessed with anime/manga and Japan/Japanese culture so much that almost every part of their lives revolve around it, and they like it. It is a negative term created by the internet, though many anime fans use the term to label themselves. It’s more appropriate to label oneself as an otaku than a weeaboo. Otaku is a term that’s been taken back by anime fans as a “good” label while weeaboo is and usually always will be negative. Like my wording there?
Weeb Words- Words that “make you a weeaboo” if you use them casually and seriously.
WOW- World of Warcraft. An online game not linked to anime, but the phrase will come up from time to time.
Y
Yandere- A Japanese term used to describe a character that is nice and loving but then becomes destructive and violent with their love/feelings towards someone.
Yaoi- Some say yaoi is sexual while BL/Boy’s Love/Shounen-Ai is more romantic, and honestly, I’m not sure what the difference is, but here you go. Yaoi is work/comics/anime which focuses on the relationship of two boys/men.
Yuri- Work/comics/anime which focuses on the relationship between two girls/women. I don’t believe that there’s any confusion between Shoujo-Ai and Yuri, mostly because most use “Yuri” for both the more sexual and the more romance based stories. I really don’t know why. It’s rare to see someone say Shojo/Shoujo-Ai though. |
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