You already know anime and manga from above. Here are some other, re-occurring
words and phrases you'll come across while watching anime or talking about it with friends.
Some of these words or phrases have been mentioned before in The Anime Dictionary.
1.
Baka!
"You're stupid!"
2.
Chara
character
3.
Chibi
Short, tiny. A chibi character may naturally resemble a
super-deformed character, where the entire body has a smaller,
squashed, cuter appearance.
4.
Dojinshi
Generally fan stories pertaining to a specific series. Could
also be any series specific fan art.
5.
Hentai
Abnormality. Sexual perversion. Used also to describe a certain
class of anime, manga or otaku (as in "H-Anime").
6.
Idol
(a) Certain people and characters transcend being something that you're
a fan of. When you start worshipping them, adorning yourself in
their image, collecting dolls, images or cards of the character,
they've become your idol.
(b) Singers with a major role in a series
(Minmei from Macross for example).
7.
Japanimation
American slang for for Japanese animation. Similar to other less than
ideal contractions like "blaxsploitation" and "teensploitation."
It's best to either to use the full "Japanese animation" or shorter
"anime." Don't talk about "Japanimation" to an otaku.
8.
Kawaii
cute
9.
Henshin
Transformation. Used to describe the sub-genre of special-effects
shows featuring super-hero transformations (Kamen Rider or Metal
Heroes). Also used to describe transforming mecha (Henshin Robo).
10.
Mecha
Just about anything mechanical: weapons, vehicles, robots, but
usually not items like pencil sharpeners or ceiling fans.
11.
Nani?
"What?"
12.
Nihon
Japan.
13.
Otaku
Anime fanboy or fangirl. Generally a good thing in America,
apparently closer to being a geek in Japan. If you're wondering
if you've become an otaku take a look at Are you an Otaku?
14.
OAV/OVA
Original Video Animation: an anime direct to video release,
anime made only for the video market. Direct to video releases
are common in Japan, while still a rarity in America. Unlike
the US, where Direct to video movies are still often seen as a
reprieve from what would've been a disastrous theatrical release,
OVA's in Japan can be big events unto themselves.
15.
Seiyuu
Anime voice actor or actress.
16.
Sentai
Task-force. Used to describe the task-force genre of live
action TV series, including Zyuranger/MMPowerRangers and
DaiRanger. Some American fans have been known to use this
as a synonym for special-effects shows when they really
mean to use tokusatsu.
17.
Tokusatsu
Special-effects. As one might use it in English, tokusatsu is
used to describe a super-category of live action super-hero
shows (Kamen Rider/Masked Rider or Zyuranger/MMPowerRangers)
and giant monster movies (Godzilla or Mothra).