Not an Anime fan? Confused by the language and terminology? Here’s a list of words to help you along as you read the following Research Project. These terms will help you to understand what is being said, without feeling like you are being left out of the conversation.
Teigi (Definitions)
Anime- Short for Animation, this refers to the animated movies and television shows that are produced. Common examples would be, “Howl’s Moving Castle” (Movie) and Dragon Ball Z (Television show). This term is used for both Japanese and English dubbed animation.
Dubbed-Term for the type of voice acting that is used in the show/movie. English dubbed, means that the show has been remade with English voice actors. Japanese dubbed means it is in the original language. Japanese dubs may contain English subs.
Subbed- A term used to refer to the type of subtitles that are used to translate a Japanese dubbed piece. They can be subbed in many languages including, but not limited to, English, French, German and Spanish.
Manga- These are the printed comics. They can be as big as a serialization of 12 Tankōbon or a short story printed monthly in a magazine.
Manga-Ka- This is the name given to all manga authors. These are the people who create the characters and plots for the shows and books that we read today.
Tankōbon-Bound series, printed books. Originally, manga was produced in installments every month in the magazines. These magazines featured pieces of many different stories.
Kawaii- Loosely translated to cute. This can be used to describe the outward appearance of a character or their personality. Someone who is pathetic can also be seen as Kawaii, because it makes the other characters want to protect them.
Otaku- Means a person with obsessive or geeky qualities. These qualities can be video gaming, watching anime, reading manga and going to anime conventions. Otaku can be an insult or a compliment depending on the connotation in which it is spoken.
Shoujo/Shojo- Literally means girls.Shojo is name of the type of comics that are aimed at females.
Shounen/Shonen- Literally means boys. Shonen is the name of the type of comics whose target audience is males.
Shounen Ai- Young boys love. These are stories whose protagonists are younger, or the sexual content is not there. These stories are much more innocent than Yaoi, and their audience can start as young as 13.
Yaoi- Means boys love. These are love stories involving two beautiful boys, who overcome obstacles, including “not being gay” to reach their happily ever after. Most Yaoi is recommended for mature audiences +18 years and older.
Yuri- This means girl’s love. These stories have two girls who fall in love with each other and overcome obstacles such as those found in Yaoi, “It’s wrong!” being one of the more common obstacles.
Seme- Dominant male in a gay partnership, he is commonly referred to as the “top” in a sexual relationship. He is typically the pursuer, hence why the word Seme originates from the word “Semeru” which means to attack.
Uke- Passive male in a gay partnership, he is known as the “bottom” of a sexual relationship. He is usually the one being pursued by the Seme hence why the term Uke comes from “Ukeru” which means to receive.
Seke- Male who is not just a Seme or a Uke. He can take the role of either, depending on what mood he finds himself in, and the dominance level of his partner.
Otakon- Biggest anime convention on the east coast. This convention is held every year in July at the Baltimore convention center (specific location object to change if circumstances present themselves).
Zenkaikon- Anime convention that takes place in Pennsylvania in the early part of the year, March-May, subject to change yearly.
Sakura Sunday- Festival that celebrates the cherry blossoms. Sakura literally means cherry blossom, this festival brings traditional dance and song to Pennsylvania where the performers enlighten their audience with Japanese culture surrounded by the beautiful trees.
Dubbed-Term for the type of voice acting that is used in the show/movie. English dubbed, means that the show has been remade with English voice actors. Japanese dubbed means it is in the original language. Japanese dubs may contain English subs.
Subbed- A term used to refer to the type of subtitles that are used to translate a Japanese dubbed piece. They can be subbed in many languages including, but not limited to, English, French, German and Spanish.
Manga- These are the printed comics. They can be as big as a serialization of 12 Tankōbon or a short story printed monthly in a magazine.
Manga-Ka- This is the name given to all manga authors. These are the people who create the characters and plots for the shows and books that we read today.
Tankōbon-Bound series, printed books. Originally, manga was produced in installments every month in the magazines. These magazines featured pieces of many different stories.
Kawaii- Loosely translated to cute. This can be used to describe the outward appearance of a character or their personality. Someone who is pathetic can also be seen as Kawaii, because it makes the other characters want to protect them.
Otaku- Means a person with obsessive or geeky qualities. These qualities can be video gaming, watching anime, reading manga and going to anime conventions. Otaku can be an insult or a compliment depending on the connotation in which it is spoken.
Shoujo/Shojo- Literally means girls.Shojo is name of the type of comics that are aimed at females.
Shounen/Shonen- Literally means boys. Shonen is the name of the type of comics whose target audience is males.
Shounen Ai- Young boys love. These are stories whose protagonists are younger, or the sexual content is not there. These stories are much more innocent than Yaoi, and their audience can start as young as 13.
Yaoi- Means boys love. These are love stories involving two beautiful boys, who overcome obstacles, including “not being gay” to reach their happily ever after. Most Yaoi is recommended for mature audiences +18 years and older.
Yuri- This means girl’s love. These stories have two girls who fall in love with each other and overcome obstacles such as those found in Yaoi, “It’s wrong!” being one of the more common obstacles.
Seme- Dominant male in a gay partnership, he is commonly referred to as the “top” in a sexual relationship. He is typically the pursuer, hence why the word Seme originates from the word “Semeru” which means to attack.
Uke- Passive male in a gay partnership, he is known as the “bottom” of a sexual relationship. He is usually the one being pursued by the Seme hence why the term Uke comes from “Ukeru” which means to receive.
Seke- Male who is not just a Seme or a Uke. He can take the role of either, depending on what mood he finds himself in, and the dominance level of his partner.
Otakon- Biggest anime convention on the east coast. This convention is held every year in July at the Baltimore convention center (specific location object to change if circumstances present themselves).
Zenkaikon- Anime convention that takes place in Pennsylvania in the early part of the year, March-May, subject to change yearly.
Sakura Sunday- Festival that celebrates the cherry blossoms. Sakura literally means cherry blossom, this festival brings traditional dance and song to Pennsylvania where the performers enlighten their audience with Japanese culture surrounded by the beautiful trees.
You’ve mastered the language! Yokkata! (Good Job!) Now you should be able to read this project like a pro. If you get confused, feel free to check back here for helpful hints.