Mini Glossary for Commonly Used Anime Terms
These Terms are in no perticular order, I just put them, as the words are used while making this web site, or as I remember them.
Anime (AH-nee-may or AN-nee-may): Short for "animation". Refers to "Japanese Animation", a genre/medium that has its roots in the 1960's when the Japanese began making television versions of their version of comics (manga). Unlike the "cartoon", America and other culture's counterpart to anime, much of the Japanese animation shown is one of deeper, sometimes more mature themes, including developed storylines, linear plots, and aspects of violence, sex, drama, and comedy (not unlike live-action films in the States). There are different kinds of anime and each kind embraces adifferent age group or group of people. In Japan, the medium is as much respected as the "live-action" genre of movies. In other cultures, anime has achieved a mostly cult following, though with the mainstream acceptance and awareness of such anime as Pokemon, Dragonball Z, Tenchi Muyo, and Perfect Blue, the anime movement continues to gain in strength and visibility.
Manga (MAHN-gah or MANG-ah): From the Japanese, literally meaning "whimsical pictures". Manga has its roots in early drawings done in the 1100's, and it has since then evolved into an art form that has encompassed a significant portion of the Japanese culture. The equivalent of "comic books" in Western culture, manga is intertwined with anime due to the fact that many popular manga series are transferred onto video or the TV screens as animated shows. Japanese comics are usually released in black and white, small volumes containing several stories. Artists who draw manga are often called "manga-ka" (literally, "comic artist").
Otaku (oh-TAH-kuu): From the Japanese, literally meaning "house". In Japan, the term refers to someone with a heavy, and sometimes near-religious interest in something. In the Japanese culture it also carries a derogatory meaning, in the context of being someone with no real social or personal life outside of the object of their obsession (much like the term "fanboy" or "nerd" in Western culture). However, outside of Japan, the term may or may not carry a derogatory meaning depending on the person being referred to. Many anime fans in Western cultures proudly (and sometimes mistakenly) call themselves otaku, preferring to use the term to describe themselves as a "hard core", or knowledgeable, anime fan.
Arigato (ah-REE-gah-toh): Expression from the Japanese, meaning "thank you" or "I am grateful". Used to express gratitude to others. Can also be used in conjunction with adj. "gozaimasu", which makes the meaning of the expression more polite ("thank you very much").
Ai (I): Love
Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu: Thank you very much.
Gomen (Go Men): Sorry
Gomen Nasai: I am very sorry
Hai: Yes, or used for any other positive word like "Sure" or "Yeah".
Chibi (CHEE-bee): From the Japanese, literally meaning "small". Used commonly as a prefix to things to describe them as small or tiny. Some anime characters are sometimes drawn small are are referred to in this manner.
Cosplay (KAHS-puhlay): Term short for "costume play" referring to the common practice of dressing up as favorite anime characters at conventions, for participating in the masquerade in skits or just for fun. Some people are known to make their own costumes for "creatures" - Pikachu, Godzilla, and others.
Hentai (HEHN-tai): From the Japanese, meaning "pervert" or "perverted". Has strong connotations and in a social setting, refers to any individual who has lack of morals when it comes to sexual situations and associations. Such individuals have a heavy interest in things of this nature. In anime terms, hentai refers to anime with strong sexual situations or acts contained in it. "La Blue Girl" and "Ogenki Clinic" are two such examples of this type of anime.
baka: (BAH-kah) an all-purpose insult denigrating the subject's intelligence. Depending on tone of voice and other factors, it can range in severity from "silly" to "retard." Other similar insults are aho and manuke, although manuke is more specifically "dolt, buffoon."
Kawaii (kah-wi-EE): From the Japanese, meaning "cute" or "adorable", usually attributed to things that deserve the term, like perhaps a bunch of baby chicks or small children. Some Japanese women in particular have a verbal spin on the word, as they sometimes say it in a high-pitched voice. More than a mere adjective, kawaii qualifies as an aesthetic and an obsession in Japan. A less common, secondary meaning is "cherished, beloved." Note: kawai sou means "How sad" or "How pitiful." Use caution before calling someone pitiful-looking, as Kawai is not etymologically related to Kawaii
Konnichiwa (KOH-nee-chee-WAH): From the Japanese, literally meaning "this day". This is an expression that can be used at any time of the day, and can mean "good day" or "hello/hi" to those which it is addressed.
Now that you know a little meowrrrrrr, you can go back Home
