Complete Guide to Anime and Manga Terms

This glossary explains the different terms related to Japanese animation and comic genres

If you're looking to venture into the world of Japanese manga and anime but don't quite know where to begin, this guide is for you! Whether you’re on the hunt for a new favorite series or movie, or you want to learn how to illustrate your own comics inspired by these styles, getting to grips with some of the most commonly used terms is sure to help you discover what suits your tastes and needs.

Anime vs. Manga

Manga is the name given to graphic novels and comics from Japan, or those that adhere to this school of illustration. The term means "improvised images.”

Examples of EUDETENIS manga illustrations.

A key part of Japanese culture, there’s a great range of genres available for all sorts of audiences, no matter their age or taste. Unlike Western comics, manga stories are read from top to bottom and from right to left. Many successful series are printed entirely in black and white, often being released in weekly installments (which may later be compiled and published in several volumes).

Anime, on the other hand, is Japanese animation (or animation that adheres to its particular style), including both digital or traditionally hand-drawn animation. The term is derived from the English word animation. A successful manga will often be turned into an anime (either a feature film or animated series) or the opposite happens: an anime (or video game) becomes so popular that someone will create a manga based on it for readers who are looking for more content.

Main genres

As is the case with other series, movies, or literature categories, anime and manga can be divided into several main genres: action, adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, and science fiction. These genres will then be broken down into subcategories according to their content (e.g., historical, musical, sports, school, supernatural) or demographic. There’s print and animated material for all tastes, and the more you immerse yourself in this world, the more niches and peculiarities you will find. Sometimes the genres cross over, giving rise to more categories. However, the main genres are:

Kodomomuke

This genre is aimed at children and often includes animals and funny adventures.
Examples: Pokémon, Doraemon, Heidi.

Shōnen

This genre is primarily intended for a male tween or teen demographic. There is a lot of action, adventure, and humor.
Examples: Dragon Ball, Nature, One Piece.

Shōjo (Shoujo)

The demographic for this genre is primarily a female pre-teen to teen audience. Stories involve innocent romances and heartfelt dramas, although they can also be filled with action, adventure, and fantasy elements.
Examples: Sailor Moon, NANA, Ouran High School Host Club.

Seinen

Seinen is aimed at adult male audiences. This content is much more violent (both graphically and ideologically) and includes themes of a sexual nature, dark humor, and overall darker subject matter. The protagonists are usually young men facing an epic task.
Examples: Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Gantz.

Josei

Josei is aimed at adult women and explores sexual content and complex romantic relationships. The female protagonist is usually going through a complicated time in her life.
Examples: Your Name, Loveless, and Honey and Clover.

Glossary of terms to help you understand the anime and manga better

Baka: common insult used to describe someone as "dumb.”

Chibi: a "shrunken" or small version of a character that accentuates their kawaii features (see below) and portrays them as having a small body and very large head.

Cosplay: the act of dressing up as characters from an anime or manga.

Crossover: the meeting of characters from different universes.

Dandere: a character who is shy and quiet at first, but becomes more talkative and confident over time.

Dōjinshi (doujinshi): independent manga that aren’t represented by major publishers.

Ecchi: content that is very explicit sexually, without being pornographic. Unlike hentai, there is still an emphasis on the story.

Fan service: content that is developed specifically to please the fans of the product.

Fan-sub: subtitles in anime that are created by fans (usually on the internet) and not officially by the studios.

Gekiga: another type of independent and alternative manga.

Guro: violent and often pornographic content.

J-Pop: Japanese pop music.

Kaiju: a large beast, such as the famous Godzilla.

Harem: a male character who is admired by lots of female characters. Reverse Harem is the name given to a woman who is being pursued by lots of men.

Hentai: sexually explicit content, often pornographic.

Idol: celebrity.

Itai: cry of pain.

Kawaii: the quality of cuteness, which has a very particular aesthetic. It includes enlarged eyes and round faces. Learn tips for creating kawaii art.

Kibyōshi: illustrated books from the 18th century that preceded the rise to comics and manga.

Kohai: a senpai’s pupil or apprentice (see below).

Loli: derived from Nabokov's Lolita, this term refers to eroticized young girls (controversial subgenre). (Not to be confused with the fashion subculture Lolita, which features Victorian and Rococo styling and appears in many manga series.)

Mangaka: manga artist (who may create both the illustrations and the story).

Manhua: manga developed in China.

Manhwa: manga developed in South Korea.

Mecha (Meka): derived from "mechanical,” it is all about machines that may or may not be characters.

Mononoke, yoke or ayakashi: good or evil spirits that can take different forms.

Nani? You'll hear it often in anime. It’s a cry of surprise, equivalent to What?!

Otaku: A person who is very fond of anime and manga. It can be used pejoratively. However, for many people, it is a term that fills them with pride.

OVA (OAV): Original Video Animation, an anime released directly to video (as opposed to being broadcast on television).

Q-Version: a version of a character that makes them look sweeter or cuter.

Seiyuu: voice actor. By the way, don't forget to watch the anime in Japanese at least once! This dubbing tradition is an important part of the experience.

Senpai: (older) person who serves as a mentor to another, without reaching the level of a teacher or sensei.

Sensei: a teacher, a person with great authority.

Seiyu: voice actor or actress in Japan, who provides the voices for anime characters.

Sugoi: an exclamation equivalent to Wow!

Tankobon (tankoubon): books that contain several volumes of a manga.

Tsundere: a character who at first glance is cold and distant but later turns out to be sweet and kind.

Urusai: a term used to describe someone or something that is annoyingly loud or obnoxious, which is also a way to tell someone to shut up.

Weeaboo: a non-Japanese person with an unhealthy interest in their culture; not authentic.

Yandere: a character who at first glance is sweet and friendly, but later turns out to be obsessive and destructive.

Yatta!: exclamation of celebration or victory, equivalent to Yay!

Yaoi: romances between two men (but written for a female audience), often with adult content. Shōnen-ai, or "boys love," is a bit less explicit, but this term is considered outdated by some.

Yuri: a romance between two women that is somewhat sexual. Platonic love is called shoujo-ai.

Did you already know any of these terms? Dive into this wonderful world with our Domestika's manga drawing courses on character creation, comic book design, drawing facial, digital illustration, and kawaii character design.

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