Anime FAQ
What is "anime"?
The short answer is that anime is Japanese animation. The problem with the short answer is that to the majority of the Australian public animation equals cartoons - where cartoons equal TV shows meant for little kids. Though with the advent of shows like The Simpsons and South Park the concept that there might actually be some cartoons that are made for an adult audience is probably slowly gaining ground. Some anime is made for little kids, some is made for the same type of audience as The Simpsons but actually to ask what anime covers is like asking what does Hollywood film industry cover - the answer being a very large range of topics treated in a large number of different styles. Note that the Japanese use anime, a word taken from the French, to refer to all animation, while here in the West we use it to refer to Japanese animation.
What's the fascination with blood types?
Ketsueki is a word for blood with a scientific or medical nuance. Blood Types are sometimes given for anime/manga characters in line with the belief that they have a bearing on ones personality: A- nervous, introverted, honest, loyal; B- outgoing, optimistic, adventurous; AB- proud, diplomatic, discriminating; O- workaholic, insecure, emotional. (In cases where the blood type is mentioned in anime/manga I would be interested in hearing of anime characters who differ from the above 'characteristics').
What is a "doujinshi"?
Term for amateur fan created manga often based on existing commercial manga or anime, sometimes done as a parody.
What is meant by "dubbed"?
Used to describe anime where the original spoken Japanese has been replaced with another language, such as English. The obvious advantage of dubbing in English is that it gives the show a much wider audience in English speaking countries such as Australia.
What is Echi?
Concerning Echi and Hentai, one explanation I have heard is that they are generally used the same we use the terms 'soft' and hard' pornography. With echi being generally used for 'soft' porn and hentai being more generally used for 'hard' porn.
What is "H"?.
Refer to Hentai.
What is/are "hentai"?
The word means "perverted" and is used to describe pornographic anime or manga. Anime covers a very wide range of subjects just like the Western film industry and just as there are Western pornographic films there are pornographic anime. (However while there is hentai on the web - use any search engine and see how enthusiastically certain sections have picked up this particular type of anime or manga - you will not find any on this web site, in our Loan Library or at our screenings).
What does "Japanimation" mean?
This is another term for "anime", only one that is not used that much. I think some American firms used it in the early days but it did not catch on. Just check how many web sites you get when you use a Search Engine with 'anime' and the appreciably smaller number when you use 'Japanimation'', In Nov'98 Alta Vista gave 838,476 web pages for 'anime' and 43,550 for 'Japanimation'.
What does "kawaii" mean?
It is a Japanese word for "cute" or "darling". (Warning: you can overdose on the cuteness levels of a few anime shows).
Then what's "kowai"?
It is a Japanese word for "formidable" or "eerie". Do not confuse with "kawaii".
What is/are "manga"?
The short answer is that manga is a term for Japanese comics. The problem with the short answer is that to the majority of the Australian public 'comics' means something for little kids (like Donald Duck comics) to a smaller selection it may mean something for teenagers (like Superman or Spiderman comics). In Japan manga is more regarded as graphic storytelling and can include almost every subject imaginable, from funny stories to serious literature - in some regards filling the same niche as does the paperback in the West. The term "manga" is thought to have been created by an artist, Katsushika Hokusai, in 1814. Manga has its roots in Ukiyo-e wood prints and other traditional art and is said to account for about 40% of all Japanese publishing today. One description I came across was that manga is a type of visual literature including everything from comic strips to complex illustrated novels.
What is meant by "mecha"?
Derived from "mechanicals" -- used not only to describe giant robots but other devices as well.
What the heck is a mook?
Term for Magazine Book. A mook on an anime show or series will usually have great illustrations.
What is meant by "OAV" or "OVA"?
Stands for Original Animation Video an anime show or series that is released directly to the home video market without a previous theatrical or TV broadcast release. Looking at production values in general movies have the best quality animation, followed by OAVs, followed by the TV shows. An OAV can be designed for a narrower target audience than shows designed for cinema or TV.
What is an "otaku"?
A term for an obsessed fan or fanatical devotee of anime or manga. Sometimes used like the term "computer nerd" to demote someone lacking in social graces who is obsessive about a certain subject. Note that while some fans happily describe themselves as "otaku" others may take offense at being so labelled, and it is said to be less acceptable a term in Japan than in the West.
What is meant by "SD"?
SD (or Super Deformed) characters are drawn with squashed down bodies and big heads. May be used for all characters in a parody version of a show, or in some comedies a character may be drawn in the SD style during a particular event - for example when they have panicked and are running around in circles.
What is "sensei"?
Japanese word meaning "master" or "teacher". Used as a term of respect.
What are "shoujou"?
Manga or anime made for young females, say from 6 to 18 years old. (For example, Sailor Moon.)
What are "shounen"?
Manga or anime made for young males, say up to the age of 18 years. (For example, Ranma ½.)
What is meant by "subbing"?
Slang for subtitling where the original Japanese dialogue is retained with a translation given in text that is superimposed on the bottom of the screen. The disadvantage of subtitles is that some people, at least initially, find it hard to follow the action on the screen and the subtitles at the same time. An advantage is that there is a lot less incentive to change the dialogue and sound track than there is when dubbing. For example sometimes with dubbing in order to preserve the lip sync the English dialogue used was chosen so that it took the same time as the Japanese dialogue and thus matched the mouth movements on the screen. Some fans are passionate in their belief that in general the tones and emotions expressed in the English versions often don't suit the shows nearly as well as the original versions. Of course, other fans are also passionate in their support of dubbed versions.
What do voice actors do?
The people who do the dialogue chosen on their ability to portray the character in the anime. In Japan you have some people who have become famous voice actors, and like Hollywood Stars can have their own fan clubs who eagerly await their appearances in a new anime videos.
What are yakuza?
A word for the criminal underworld. Sometimes described as the 'Japanese Mafia' though there are cultural differences.
Wondering about something you saw in an anime that wasn't answered here, or covered at Laws of Anime? Then Email us with "Anime 101 Question" in the subject line and see if we know the answer. Chances are if it bugs you, it's also bugging a few other people.
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