Anime and Manga Stack Exchange
Anime and Manga Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [terminology]

For questions about anime/manga-related jargon like "moe", "visual novel", and "AMV". Avoid using this tag for questions about words that only have meaning in the context of a particular work.

The tag should be used for questions about anime/manga-related jargon like "moe", "visual novel", and "AMV".

Avoid using this tag for questions about words that only have meaning in the context of a particular work or franchise. For example, you should not use this tag for a question about the word "Hokage", because that word only means something in the Naruto universe.

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What does 'moe' mean?

I've now watched quite a few anime and I'm still at a loss as to what the term moe represents. Is there an agreed upon definition for it? If a character is moe, what does that mean?
coleopterist
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Where does the term "waifu" come from?

I was stalking a forum looking for images to nab to use as wallpapers, and there was a post where posters were claiming characters as their "waifu". Seeing how it is spelled, I would assume that what they mean is "wife"; however, it seems weird to…
Memor-X
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What are Type A and Type B viewers?

I keep hearing the terms Type A viewers and Type B viewers in discussions and chat. What do they mean? What is a Type A viewer and what is a Type B?
Madara's Ghost
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What is the difference between an OVA and an OAV?

I've heard the terms OVA and OAV used interchangeably with one another, but is there a distinct difference between the two? Do the definitions differ in Japan versus overseas? Where did the two acronyms originate?
кяαzєя
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What are the differences between visual novel, eroge, gal game, and a dating sim?

In The World God Only Knows, games in which you conquer girls are defined as dating sims. But in Oreimo, it is called eroge. Some forums seem to use the term visual novel a lot, even though I thought they're all similar. What is the actual…
Naing Lin Aung
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What exactly is a "Light Novel"?

I am only familiar with this term when I know about the anime. Is this term only used in Japan? Sometimes I read light novels on the internet but I never see the book myself. How is a light novel different from a regular novel? Except for light…
Darjeeling
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What is a "cour"?

I often hear shows talked about as being some number of "cours". For example, Evangelion is apparently "two cours", while Madoka is "one cour". But what on earth does "cour" mean? I can't find it in any dictionary!
senshin
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What is gap moe?

I often hear the word gap moe, but I do not know what it means. So what does the word gap moe mean?
Keale
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What is the difference between doujinshi and manga?

Doujinshi seem to represent usually works of amateurs, but that is a subjective measure. What is the objective difference between both works?
Camilo Martin
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Is chuunibyou syndrome real?

"Chuunibyou" or "eighth-grade syndrome" is a condition where people believe they have super powers. The first time I heard this term is in the anime Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! Is this syndrome real? Is there any medical term or at least more…
Darjeeling
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Why are romantic events sometimes called "flags"?

Anyone familiar with dating sims and romance visual novels will recognize the term "flag" in that context. In these games, when you are presented with choices which affect how the other characters view you and potentially change which route you go…
Logan M
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Is the term Otaku derogatory?

I know the term is widely used in America as a term for someone who has a love and anime and all things related to it. So in the US it's a term of endearment. However in Japan the term is known more or less to be used to describe a shut-in / loner.…
Zilvarael
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Is there official terminology for anime series that run less than the standard length?

I'm referring to the shorter-in-duration anime, such as Aiura, Recorder and Randsell, and Morita-san is Quiet. These anime do not run for the "normal" duration of 22 or more minutes. Is there any official terminology for these types of anime?
Makoto
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Are MAD and AMV synonyms for Anime Music Video?

On youtube and elsewhere it's frequent to find "MAD" video, a sort of Anime Music Video (AMV) composed by anime sequences on a music track. Are MAD and AMV synonyms? If not, how these differ from each other and what MAD means?
chirale
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What is the equivalent of "seme" and "uke" in yuri culture?

As mentioned in this answer, the terms seme and uke are used in yaoi to describe a duality: Yaoi fans have adapted these terms to describe the roles in a male/male relationship: the seme is the one who takes the traditional male role: initiates the…
Ikaros
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