Anime and Manga Stack Exchange
Anime and Manga Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [japanese-language]

For questions which are likely to require knowledge of the Japanese language to answer. Note that generic questions about the Japanese language are off-topic here. Questions with this tag must still be primarily about anime or manga.

Use this tag for questions related to anime or manga that are likely to require some knowledge of the Japanese language to answer. Note that generic questions about the Japanese language are off-topic here. The primary focus of questions with this tag must be anime or manga.

Questions about the Japanese language that aren't related to anime or manga may be on-topic at Japanese Language Stack Exchange.

269 questions
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6 answers

What does 'Akame ga Kill' mean and why is it called that?

Just what the title says, why is the show called Akame ga Kill! and what does it even mean? Akame was just an ordinary member of Night Raid, yet the show is named after her. She wasn't the main Protagonist, she wasn't even the main Waifu! And as…
Psy
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1 answer

Why does Satsuki address everyone using "kisama"?

I'm rewatching Kill La Kill and I've noticed that the word "kisama" is used by every one of the bad guys (Student Council, Satsuki Kiryuin, Ragyo, and so on) to address basically every good character (i.e. Ryuuko, Mako, her family, etc.). I know…
ThCP
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17
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2 answers

Where did "dattebayo" come from?

In Naruto, at least in the early show, he uses the catchphrase "dattebayo" in the Japanese. This question answered on a canon-level where it came from (his mother), but I was wondering where (if anywhere) it came from in terms of the language. I…
kuwaly
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17
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3 answers

What does this symbol represent on this payphone?

In the sixth episode of the second season of Darker than Black, Hei hung up a payphone. On this payphone there is some symbol. They’re supposedly in Russia; however, the Russian currency symbol is ₽. What does this symbol mean? I doubt they would…
Alagaros
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16
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1 answer

Why all the "Re" in titles?

There have been quite a number of series whose English titles use peculiar forms of Re. I don't mean normal usages like Rebirth or Requiem. Here's some I chose from an alphabetical listing at MAL: Re Boot Re-Kan Re: Cutie…
RichF
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16
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1 answer

How does Hiyori figure out Yato's real name?

Hiyori manages to save Yato from the underworld by discovering that his true name was Yaboku. How did she come to this conclusion?
giraffesyo
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15
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7 answers

Can anyone explain the ending of "Koe no Katachi" one-shot?

In Koe no Katachi (OOIMA Yoshitoki) (one-shot version), at the end of the story, the boy, Ishida Shouya, finally met up again with the deaf girl he bullied in the past, Nishimiya, Shouko. My question is about the exchange in sign language between…
nhahtdh
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14
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3 answers

"The World Will Turn To Ash" - How did this differ in the original Japanese?

In Pokemon: The Movie 2000, part of the legend that tells of the balance of nature being wrecked goes "The World Will turn to Ash". This is the sort of pun-legend I'd expect from Japanese writing...yet this is Ash's given name, and the original…
Zibbobz
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14
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2 answers

Is there a name for the abbreviated (usually three-syllable) title?

Surely the act of abbreviating an anime title to three syllables has a name...? And what is that name? Full Name Shortened Kodomo no Omocha Kodocha Jungle wa Itsumo Hare nochi Guu Hareguu Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga…
plonk420
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13
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1 answer

Why is it that some anime use language exclusive to the Yakuza?

I was reading an article on language-learning hacks recently, and #13 of that list states (emphasis mine), Some popular anime (popular in America at least, and mostly reserved for little boys in Japan) uses the kind of language which is in the real…
Cattua
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13
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2 answers

What's significant about a full moon on the fifteenth?

In Joshiraku, Marii enters the room dressed as a Yankee, proclaiming that she's gonna break a load of windows since it's a full moon. Tetora responds with: What's the significance of the 15th and why would she break a load of windows?
Toshinou Kyouko
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13
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1 answer

What is the true meaning of "I want to eat your pancreas"?

Ok, I think that most people have heard of this strange title of the anime movie which is due to come out... I've read the novel and the manga. But I just don't understand what the title actually means. The characters mention it at the start and at…
user45179
13
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2 answers

Doujin, doujinshi, doujinshika and doujinka. What's the difference?

In a world of self-published manga/anime/other related stuff, there are doujin, doujinshi, doujinshika and doujinka. What's the difference between those four? Also, are these term used exclusively for anime and manga related?
Darjeeling
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13
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2 answers

Why is Ana embarrassed by her surname?

In Ichigo Mashimaro, Ana is embarrassed by her surname "Coppola". It's implied that it has some meaning (or perhaps sounds like something) in Japanese, but I couldn't figure out what. What does Ana's name sound like, and why is it embarrassing to…
Logan M
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13
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1 answer

What's a himouto?

I'm guessing himouto (干物妹) is some kind of pun on imouto since Umaru lives with her brother. But what's the joke? Googling the term in either kanji or romaji just returns results about the series.
Torisuda
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