What is Anime?

Anime is a short form for Japanese animation which uses good art drawing to describe a very rich and talented entertainment. It is not cartoons that just aimed at small kids, although not all shows are for children. This is an entertainment that is intended for all age groups.

In contrast to Good vs. Evil plots in U.S. cartoons, much of anime deal with complex, thought-provoking themes, presenting characters that change as the stories progress. There's a wide variety of fun and drama that is followed by fascination. It can be serious stuff and addicting!

Anime provides a window into another culture. In many ways it draws strongly from Japanese and Asian mythology with symbolism generally from the rich Japanese traditions of Shinto, the martial arts, and Zen.

Below is a brief glossary of terms. See our  Anime Glossary  page for a more...

Animé: (prounced ah-ni-may) The Japanese word for animation. Used by Western fans to refer to animation produced in Japan.

Aniparo: ANIme PAROdy, a popular manga genre in which anime characters are used in humourous stories or skits.

Bishojo/Bishonen: Japanese for beautiful girl/boy.

-chan: suffix meaning 'darling' or 'little one', a term of affection usually reserved for romantic partners, young female friends, children or small animals.

Chara: Short for CHARActer.

Chibi: Japanese for small.

Cosplay: ('Costume Play') The practise of dressing up as one's favourite anime or manga character. A popular event at anime conventions.

Gekiga: Japanese for graphic novel.

Idol: A cute, young, manufactured starlet. Both live performers and anime characters can be idols.

Kawaii: Japanese for 'cute'. Cuteness is a highly important characteristic in many anime

Manga: Strictly speaking, Japanese for 'cartoon', can refer either to the print medium or animation. However, mostly used to refer to printed comics. The loanword komikksu is also used.

Mecha: Short for MECHAnical, any kind of technology from a gun to a vehicle to a giant robot.

Mobile Suit: A human-piloted robotic fighting machine; powered armour. Sometimes abbreviated to MS

SD: Super Deformed, another form of CB or -chan, but more mischievous.

Seiyuu: Japanese term for voice actor or actress.

Sensei:Japanese for 'teacher' or 'master', used alone or as a suffix to the subject's surname.

Shojo: Japanese for girl. Shojo manga are drawn in a very flowery, pretty, romantic style and deal with mainly romantic or emotional subjects.