Here are the basic words that describe anime, the various genres, and the people involved with it.

anime: is the distortion from the English word "animation." It is the word for Japanese animated shows or cartoons.

fansub: Anime that been subtitled by an fan.

manga: Japanese graphic novels also known as comics.

manga-ka: The author or artist of a manga series.

mecha: Large armored machines or robots used in combat. It is also a genre of anime that focuses on mechanized combat as a main part of the series. It could be considered a subset of the 'shounen' anime genre (see below)


Otaku: an obsessed fan.

seiyuu: The Japanese word for voice-actor

shoujo: Literally means 'girl'. It also describes a genre of anime where one or more young girls, sometimes with special powers or abilities, are a main part of the series. This style often focuses on romantic relationships or character development throughout the series.

shounen: Literally means 'boy'. This is also a genre of anime that focuses less on relationships and development and more on action and fighting.

baka: an extremely rude word in the Japanese language. It is translated to 'idiot' in the English language but is extremely rude in Japanese. Similar to the statement 'bloody bastard' in Canada. Bastard is rude but when you say 'bloody' in the statement the rudeness doubles.

Neko: In the anime/manga fruits basket, yuki refers to kyo as baka-neko. In the japanese language he is being called gay. When baka is added it is one of the rudest things a person could say in japan. Baka also means a "half cat person," in popular anime for people being part animal (furries in someways).

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Why don't anime characters look Japanese?
A: Anime characters have been largely influenced by the styles of Disney. Not all characters have the huge eyes and tiny noses and mouths that most people think of, but for the most part, characters are drawn to look more westernized.

Q: Why do some characters suddenly shrink down really small and have exaggerated features?
A: This is known as 'super-deformed'. This often happens when the character has had a sudden surprise, fright, or other strong emotion.

Q:Where do those nosebleeds that guys get come from?
A: When a guy gets a nosebleed, it's usually around a girl, and means the guy is attracted or turned on by her. Its basically the same effect as when a girl blushes.

Q: Where do those sweat drops come from?
A: A character will get a sweat-drop in reaction to another character or a situation where they don't quite know how to deal with it at first. For example, this can be a reaction to feeling nervous, frustrated, surprised, or confused.

Q: Why do some characters seem to close their eyes and squint when they smile?
A: This is what is known as 'fox eyes' This indicates a greater degree of happiness. Some characters are even designed to always have these 'fox eyes' (like brock from pokemon' for example).
How do they see anyways???

Q: What is with that hair?
A: Honestly, there is no single reason. Its just the design of the character that the artist likes. Sometimes, it is done to give the character more personality or uniqueness.

Q: Is all anime bad? (you know what i mean...)
A: No, it's not. No matter what anyone tells you, there is plenty of anime out there that is not inapropriate or smexual. There is such a wide variety from shows aimed at children to shows aimed at adults, but are all still clean.

Q: What genre should I watch?
A: Anime comes in many genres, just like live-action. There is comedy, action/adventure, suspense, sci-fi, romance, etc. You've really just got to decide what you're in the mood for. Although 'shoujo' anime is directed at girls, and 'shounen'is directed at guys, that doesn't mean shoujo anime is always full of frilly hearts and rainbows and shounen is full of blood and muscle. As mentioned above, shoujo anime more often focuses on relationships or characters developing themselves and shounen anime is more about action. Action doesn't always mean massive fights; it can be completing a journey or solving a mystery. Even if you know what genre you're looking for, or even if you don't, you still need to select an actual series that interests you.