Annapolis Valley Anime -

Annapolis Valley Anime

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Abunai {ah-boo-nye}
Danger! Look out! Dangerous.

ADR/Automatic Dialogue Replacement
The process of making english (or any other language) fit into the mouth movements of characters onscreen. Used in dubbing anime.

Ai {eye}
Love

Akanbe {ah-kahn-bay}
The act of pulling down one's bottom eyelid and sticking out the tongue. Considered rude.

Akuma {ah-koo-mah}
Demon; devil

AMV
Anime Music Video. Music videos that use clips from anime series/movies set to music (not necessarily anime music or j-pop).

Anata {ah-nah-tah}
You.

Aniki/Aneki {ah-nee-kee/ah-neh-kee}
Big brother/big sister.

Ani-Mayhem
A card game that uses anime characters in its decks.

Anime {ah-nee-may}
Animation.

AniParo
Anime Parody. A manga genre using established characters in funny skits and parodies.

Ano {ah-noe}
A word often used like "um" or "errr."

Aoi {ah-oh-ee}
Blue.

Arigatou {ah-ree-gah-toh}
Thank you.

Artbook
A book of art that is published. Most anime series get one or even multiple artbooks published.

Ashita {ah-shtah}
Tomorrow.

AU
Alternate universe. Something that happens occasionally in anime (Gundam, Tenchi Muyo) and very often in fanfics. All previous plot lines to do with the series are forgotten and the characters start anew with another plot.

Baaba/Obaaba {bah-ah-bah/oh-bah-ah-bah}
Old woman or grandmother - slang form of Obaasan.

Baka {bah-kah}
Stupid (applies to just about anything).

Bakemono {bah-kay-moh-noh}
Monster.

Be-da! {bay dah}
The sound made by Japanese when they perform akanbe. See akanbe

Bento {bent-oh}
A boxed lunch.

BGM
Background music.

Bishoujo {bee-show-o-joh}
Beautiful girl.

Bishounen {bee-show-o-nen}
^[1]Good looking boy. ^[2]Very "pretty," feminine male characters often featured in shoujo manga.

Bloodtypes
A firmly held superstition in Japanese culture which holds that one's bloodtype influences their personality. This is often why anime characters even have blood types.

A: Nervous, introverted, honest, loyal
B: Outgoing, optimistic, adventurous
AB: Proud, diplomatic, discriminating
O: Workaholic, insecure, emotional

Boku {boh-koo}
I (usually used by males)

Busu {boo-soo}
An ugly woman; hag.

Buta {boo-tah}
Pig; swine. ^[2]Despicable person.

Cabbit-{like "rabbit" with a c}
A small, (usually cute) half rabbit, half cat creature from the "Tenchi Muyo!" series. Has the ability to change into a human and a spaceship. Click to see examples

Catgirl/Catboy
The very common cat/human hybrid characters found in anime. Often are extremely "cutesy" or violent in some cases; usually comic relief characters. Often considered an "anime archetype." (Click to see examples)

Cel
Painted image on acetate that is filmed to create animation.

-chan {chahn}
A suffix usually placed on the end of the names of close friends (usually women only) or young children.

Chibi {chee-bee}
(derogatory) Short person; kid. Can also refer to "super deformed" anime characters.

Chara-- {ke-ra}
Abbreviation of "character."

Chigau {chee-gah-oo}
To differ. ^[2] Different; wrong.

Chikusho {chee-koo-show}
Damn!

Chotto {chot-toh}
A little. ^[2]Just a moment.

Chroma Cel
A limited production, mechanically printed cel.

Citrus See lemon

Comiket
Comic Market. An annual even in Japan, also known as Comic Market, Comiket is a gathering of hundreds of manga fans and amateur artists looking to sell their work.

Con
Short for convention, usually an anime convention.

Cosplay
Costume play. Dressing up like your favorite anime character, usually done at anime conventions; sometimes involves contests and skits.

Cosplayer
Someone who cosplays.

Cyberpunk
A genre of anime dealing with the use of technology and its consequences. (ex. Serial Experiments Lain)

Daijoubu {die-joh-o-boo}
All right; safe; fine. ^[2]I'm (it's) all right.

Damaru {dah-mah-roo}
To be still/silent. Mostly used in the imperative form "damare."

Demo {day-moe}
However; but. ^[2]Any. ^[3]Demonstration.

Digisub
Subtitled anime made digitally by fans.

Do Itashimashite {doe ee-tashi-mosh-te}
"My pleasure."

Doujinshi {doh-o-jeen-shee}
Fan comics of anime series, usually done by up and coming artists, but occasionally done by professionals. Usually are self published and very tough to find.

Doujinshi'ka {doh-o-jeen-shee kah}
Someone who draws doujinshi.

Dou shite {doh-o-shte}
Why? How?

Doujou {doh-oh-joh-oh}
A martial arts training hall.

Doumo {doh-oh-moh}
Very.

Dozi {doe-zee}
Clutz; a really uncoordinated person. (ex. Usagi Tsukino)

Douzo {doh-oh-zoh}
Please.

Dub
Anime with the original dialogue replaced with translated dialogue.

"Dubbies"
Supporters and fans of dubs.

Dub Script
A translated script written to fit the mouth movements of those on screen. Usually must take big liberties with words. Tends to be inaccurate, sometimes to the point of complete plot changes.

Dubtitles
Subtitled shows that use a dub script as the translation instead of the usual complete translation. See Dub Script

DVD
Digital Video Disc.

Ecchi {ech-chi}
Perverted. Derived from the romaji pronunciation of "h". See hentai

ED
A show's ending sequence.

Ever Anime
A Taiwan-based record company known for illegally pirating CD's, especially anime and game soundtracks.

Eye-catch
A short animation sequence shown just before and just after a commercial break.

Face Fault
An exaggerated facial expression, usually to show a lot of emotion.

Fanboy
A derogatory term, usually refers to someone who's sort of a superficial fan. Holds many of the same connotaions as "newbie." See newbie

Fanfic
Stories written by fans, placing existing characters in new situations and plots. Can be for anime, manga or any other popular medium or show.

Fandub
Dubs made by fans.

Fan-service
Scenes in anime that serve nothing to the plot, but are only there to please the fans. May include shower scenes, trips to the beach, etc.

Fansub
Subtitled videos made by fans.

Fluff
Describes silly, sometimes pointless fanfiction stories. Usualy tend to be humorous or romantic.

Furigana {foo-ree-gah-nah}
Small hiragana used to aid in the reading of kanji by spelling out the kanji's sounds. Often used in children's books to help them learn kanji. Also seen when using an uncommon kanji, or a common one with a more unusual meaning.

Gaijin {guy-jeen}
Foreigner. Shortened form of "gaigokujin."

Garage Kit
Model kits, sometimes fan-produced.

Gekiga {geh-kee-gah}
Graphic novel.

Genga {gen-gah}
A reference image used to help the camera operator line up the cel layers and backgrounds.

Genki {gen-kee}
Healthy; fine; energetic.

Glomp
Kind of a bear hug, except that it's more like "pouncing" on someone. A common action in both anime and anime fandom.

Go {go}
Five. (number)

Gogatsu {go-gah-tsoo}
May.

Gomen (Nasai) {goh-men nah-sigh}
Sorry. Used in situations where an emphatic apology would be necessary, if you hurt someone, for example. Not the same as "excuse me" (sumimasen).

Gundam {gun-dum}
Large, humanoid robots featured in the work of Hajime Yadate and Yoshiyuki Tomino's Gundam franchise. Also refers to the series itself. See mobile suit

Hachi {hah-chee}
Eight.

Hachigatsu {ha-chee-gah-tsoo}
August.

Hai {high}
^[1]Yes
^[2]Ash.

Hammer
Used most often by female characters on males to ward off unwanted advances. Mostly for comic effect.

Hammerspace
The mysterious dimension from which characters can get (and store) various items such as hammers, weapons, etc.

Hanami {ha-nah-mee}
Cherry blossom viewing party. This is a very big deal in Japan. When the cherry trees bloom (usually around April), people visit parks and have picnics and parties under the cherry trees.

Hara-kiri {hah-rah kee-ree}
Ritual suicide, usually among the samurai class. Considered a 'common' term, as compared to the higher word 'seppuku.' See seppuku

Hentai {hen-tie}
^[1]Pervert.
^[2]A pornographic genre of anime.
^[3]Metamorphosis.

Henshin {hen-sheen}
Transformation.

Hime {hee-may}
Princess.

Hiragana {hee-rah-gah-nah}
One of the two kana alphabets in japanese. It is a phonetic alphabet, usually used for native words and inflection on kanji.

Hitokiri {hee-toe-kee-ree}
Assassin.

Hontou ni sumimasen {hohn-toh-oh nee soo-mee-mah-sen}
"I'm terribly sorry."

Ichi {ee-chee}
One (number)

Ichigatsu {ee-chee-gah-tsoo}
January.

Idol
A sort of manufactured star, usually very cute, young, and female. Most often they are passing fads, but they can amass huge followings along the way.

Iie {eeee-ay}
No.

Iinazuke {eeee-nah-zoo-kay}
Fiancee.

Ikaga desu ka? {ee-kah-gah dess kah}
"How are you?"

Image album
A CD written and recorded to accompany a comic book.

Image song
A song sung by a character's voice actor "in character." Used to represent the character's personality in some way.

Inu {ee-noo}
Dog.

Irasshaimase! {ee-ras-shy-mah-say}
"Welcome!"

Itadakimasu {ee-tah-dah-kee-moss}
"Let's eat." Said before beginning a meal.

Itai! {ee-tie}
"Ouch!"

Itsumo {eat-soo-moh}
Always.

Jaa {jaah}
Slang for goodbye.

JAILED
acronym Stands for "Japanese Animation Industry Legal Enforcement Division." An organization of almost all American anime companies to combat pirating and bootlegging. Can be contacted at 800-917-9799.

Japanimation {jap-animation/japan-imation}
Another term used for anime, not a very popular one. Sometimes derogatory.

Jan Ken Pon {jahn-ken-pone}
Rock, paper, scissors game.

Jigoku {jee-goh-koo}
Hell.

Jiji {jee-jee}
Old man. Considered rude.

-jin {jeen}
People (of a country). (ex. 'Amerika-jin means 'American').

J-Pop
Japanese pop culture. Also refers to Japanese pop music.

Juu {joo-oo}
Ten.

Juugatsu {joo-oo-gah-tsoo}
October.

Juuichigatsu {joo-oo-ee-chee-gah-tsoo}
November.

Juunigatsu {joo-oo-nee-gah-tsoo}
December.

Kaiju{kye-jew}
Monster.

Kamen {kah-men}
Mask.

Kami {kah-mee}
A god or gods. God.

Kana {kah-nah}
The phonetic alphabets of the Japanese language.

Kanji {kahn-jee}
The main alphabet of Japan. First "borrowed" from the Chinese, kanji actually has over 50,000 characters, each representing a word. To be reasonably literate, you only need to know the Jouyou kanji set (taught in Japanese schools) which contains about 2,000 characters or so.

Kanojo {kah-noh-joh}
Girlfriend.

Kanpai! {kahn-pie}
Cheers!

(Ninmu) Kanryou {(neen-moo) kahn-ryo}
Mission complete.

Kareshi {kah-reh-shee}
Boyfriend.

Katakana {kah-tah-kah-nah}
One of the two kana alphabets in Japanese. A phonetic alphabet used for loan words (foreign words) and sound effects in manga. The 'square' ones.

Katana {kah-tah-nah}
A Japanese sword. Used and carried mainly by samurai, the katana was/is an efficient slicing weapon. Made from steel folded over countless times, it has a curved blade that generally ranges between two to four feet in length.

Kawaii {kah-why-ee}
Cute.

Kenshi {ken-shee}
Swordsman (or woman).

Key Frame
Pictures drawn by the best artist available among the production staff of an anime. They are blatantly more detailed and often consist of close-ups of main characters.

Ki {kee}
One's internal energy. Comparable to the Chinese concept of "chi."

Kimi {kee-mee}
You (polite).

Kisama {kee-sah-mah}
You. (derogatory, used when angry or trying to be rude.)

Kitsune {keet-soo-nay}
Fox. Often refers to a mythical, nine-tailed fox capable of shape shifting and magic.

Kitto {keet-toh}
For sure; without fail.

Kisekae {kee-say-ka-ay}
A paper doll program featuring many popular anime and manga character "dress up" sets. Set designs range from those suitable for children to adult content.

Kodama {koh-dah-mah}
^[1]Echo.
^[2]Small, rattling tree spirits from Hayao Miyazaki's movie Princess Mononoke. Click to see an example

Kodoku {koh-doe-koo}
Lonely.

Kodomo {koh-doh-moh}
A child.

Kohai {koh-high}
Underclassman; someone of lower rank. Often used in conjunction with "Senpai." See senpai

Koibito {koy-bee-toh}
Lover, sweetheart.

Koi {koy}
Love.

Kokoro {koh-koh-roh}
Heart.

Konbanwa {kone-bahn-wa}
"Good Evening" This expression is used only as a greeting.

Konnichiwa (gozaimasu) {kon-nee-chee-wa (goh-za-ee-moss)}
Good day, said from about 10:00am until 5:00pm.

Kono {koh-noh}
This or you.

Kuu/Kyuu {koooo/kyoooo}
Nine.

Kuu/Kyuugatsu {koo-oo/kyoo-oo-gah-tsoo}
September.

-kun {koon}
A suffix usually used to refer to young boys.

Kunoichi {koo-noh-ee-chee}
A female ninja.

Kuro {koo-roh}
Black.

Kuso {koo-so}
Shit.

Lemon
A fanfic (with a plot) containing sexually explicit scenes. Also known as "citrus", "lime", and "PWP". See PWP

LD
abbreviation Laser disc.

Loose Socks
A fad among schoolgirls in Japan, loose socks are socks that are quite a few sizes too big. Girls often must use a special glue just to hold the socks up on their calves. Many schools have banned them.

Mada {mah-dah}
Not yet.

Magical Girl
A genre of anime involving one or more female main characters out to save the world. (ex. Sailor Moon, Magic Knights Rayearth, etc.)

Mahou no shoujo {mah-ho-oh noh show-oh-jo}
See Magical Girl

Mamoru {mah-moh-roo}
To protect or defend. Often heard in the form 'mamotte.'

Manga {mahn-gah}
Japanese comic books, often in black and white, usually released monthly or weekly. Most anime series get their start as manga.

Manga'ka {mahn-gah-kah}
A manga artist.

Masaka {mah-sah-kah}
Impossible.

Mata ashita {mah-tah ah-shta}
"See you tomorrow."

Matte {maht-tay}
Wait.

Megami {may-gah-mee}
Goddess.

Mecha (or Mech) {meka}
An anime slang word referring to anime machinery, especially humanoid robots such as Gundams.
^[2]A genre of anime involving mecha.

Midori {mee-doh-ree}
Green.

Miko {mee-ko}
A Shinto priestess.

Minna- {meen-nah}
Everyone, includes yourself.

Mina-san- {mee-na sahn}
Everyone, excluding yourself (hence the suffix "-san").

Mite {mee-tay}
Look.

Mobile Suit
Giant, humanoid robots found often in anime. Most of the time they are piloted by a single soldier and used in hordes during battles. Featured in such series as Mobile Suit Gundam, Macross, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Considered yet another "anime archetype." See mecha

Mook
Magazine book. Books made for many anime series that include great illustrations and info.

Moshi moshi {moh-shee moh-shee}
'Hello.' Used only on the telephone (used originally because it was thought that kitsune couldn't pronounce "moshi-moshi", so they couldn't impersonate you on the phone or anywhere else). See kitsune

Motto {moat-to}
More.

Muko {moo-koh}
Son-in-law; bridegroom.

Musume {moo-soo-may}
Daughter.

Nana {nah-nah}
Seven.

Nanagatsu {nah-nah-gah-tsoo}
July.

Nani {nah-nee}
What.

NCS/Non-con
A term for fanart/fanfiction that has allusions to non-consensual sex/rape.

Ne {neh}
Isn't it? or Right? Usually put on the end of a sentence, as in asking a question.

Neko {neh-koh}
Cat.

Newbie
Someone who is new to something. With anime, someone who has seen primarily american dubs and english manga, with little or no exposure to the japanese original. Overall anime knowledge is low. Sometimes used as a derogatory term.

Ni {nee}
Two.

Nigatsu {nee-gah-tsoo}
February.

Nihon {nee-hone}
Japan.

Nippon {neep-pone}
Japan.

Nosebleed
Developed by male characters who are nervous or aroused. Usually seen in some form of "revealing" situation with women.

OAV/OVA
abbreviation Original Animation Video/ Original Video Animation. Anime that is released directly to video, not broadcast or theatrically released.

Ofuda {oh-foo-dah}
Pieces of paper on which blessings or spells are written for use in Shinto rituals. (ex. Sailor Mars attacks with "slips" of paper).

Ohayou Gozaimasu {oh-ha-yoh-oh goh-za-ee-moss}
Good Morning. Said until about 10:00am.

Okusama {oh-koo-sah-mah}
Wife (as in someone else's wife).

Omae {oh-mah-ay}
You (informal).

Omae o korosu {oh-mah-ay oh koh-roh-soo}
"I'm going to kill you."

Omake {oh-mah-keh}
Comedic shorts tacked on to the end of an anime episode, often gives extra plot information.

Omedetou {oh-may-deh-to-oh}
Congratulations!

Oneechan {oh-nay-a-chahn}
Older sister.

Oneesan {oh-nay-a-sahn}
Older Sister (polite).

Onegai shimasu {oh-nay-guy shee-mahs}
Polite way of saying "please."

Oni {oh-nee}
A devil, an ogre, a demon. Oni are mischievous rather than truly evil, but evil is not beyond them. They usually are depicted wearing tiger skins.

Oniichan {oh-nee-ee-chahn}
Older brother (affectionate).

Oniisan {oh-nee-ee-sahn}
Older brother (polite).

Onna {ohn-nah}
Woman.

Onna No Ko {oh-toh-koh no koh}
Girl.

Onsen {ohn-sehn}
A hot spring.

OOC
Out of Character. Describes situations when anime characters act differently from their normal "on air" personas. Mostly for fanfiction or RPG's.

OP
The opening sequence of an anime show.

Otaku {oh-tah-koo}
In Japan, an often derogatory term referring to overly obsessive fans of anything. In America, a non-derogatory name often used to refer to obsessive anime fans.

Otoko {oh-toh-koh}
Man.

Otoko no ko {oh-toh-koh noh koh}
Boy.

Ototo {oh-toe-toe}
Little brother.

Otousan {oh-toh-o-sahn}
Father.

Oyasumi nasai {oh-ya-soo-mee nah-sigh}
Goodnight. Said when leaving or going to bed. NOT to be confused with "Konbanwa."

Pencil Board
A small light plastic board placed underneath a paper to give a smooth writing surface. Commonly sold as merchandise from anime series and is a very popular item.

Phone Cards
Cards sold in Japan for use at payphones. Often they have special designs on them, including anime characters. Are considered collector's items by many.

Piyo piyo {pee-yoh pee-yoh}
"Cheep cheep" (as in birdies).

Pocky
A very popular Japanese snack food that comes in many flavors and is very popular in anime and anime fandom.

PWP
A name that stands for "Plot? What Plot?" Used to refer to fanfics with no plot whatsoever, only sex scenes. See Lemon

Ramen {raw-men}
Japanese noodles.

Raw
Anime in its original form, no dubbing, no subtitles.

Roku {roh-koo}
Six.

Rokugatsu {roh-koo-gah-tsoo}
June.

Romaji {roh-mah-jee}
Japanese words and sounds written with Western letters and sounds.

Ronin {roh-neen}
^[1] A samurai with no master, considered to be the lowest among samurai.
^[2]An unemployed person.
^[3]Someone who has yet to pass their college exams.

RPG
Roleplaying Game. Games played where people pretend to be characters, either existing or of their own creation.

Saa {saah}
A sound used to show that someone has understood something said.

Sailor suit
The outfits worn most often as school uniforms by Japanese girls.

Sake {sah-kay}
Rice wine.

Sakura {sah-koo-rah}
Cherry blossom.

Sakuranbo {sah-koo-rahn-boh}
Cherry.

-sama {sah-mah}
A suffix added to the end of someone's name to show extreme respect or reverence. Not gender specific.

-san {sahn}
A polite suffix added to the end of someone's name to show respect. Not gender specific.

San {sahn}
Three.

Sangatsu {sahn-gah-tsoo}
March.

Sashimi {sah-shee-mee}
Thinly sliced raw fish.

Sayounara {sa-yooh-nah-rah}
Goodbye.

Scanlation
Sort of the manga counterpart to fansubs/dubs, scanlations are fan-translated scans of manga, with the translated dialogue overlayed into the speech bubbles.

SD/Super Deformed
Anime characters that have been shrunken down to a child-like size. Usually the heads and facial features are quite large, while the rest of the body is in miniature. Also called "chibis."

Seinen {say-nen}
Manga aimed at older audiences, about 18-25 years of age.

Seiyuu {say-yoo-oo}
A voice actor.

Sensei {sen-say}
Teacher. Used as a term of respect as well as address.

Senpai {sen-pie}
Senior. Refers to someone who is of higher rank than you.

Senshi {sen-shee}
Soldier or warrior.

Sentai {sen-tie}
An anime sub-genre invloving heroes who wear costumes. (ex. "Gatchaman" and "Bubblegum Crisis")

Seppuku
Ritual suicide, often practiced among the samurai class. Considered the more elegant term for the act. Also known as 'hara-kiri.' See hara kiri

Settei {set-tay}
Line artwork used as reference when beginning production of an anime.

Shi {shee}
^[1]Death.
^[2]Four.

Shichi {shee-chee}
Seven.

Shichigatsu {shee-chee-gah-tsoo}
July.

Shigatsu {shee-gah-tsoo}
April.

Shimatta {shmat-ta}
Damn.

Shine! {shee-nay}
Die.

Shinigami {shee-nee-gah-mee}
God of Death.

Shitajiki {shta-jee-kee}
See Pencil board

Shitteru {shte-roo}
I know.

Shiranai {shee-rah-nye}
I don't know.

Shounen {shoow-nen}
^[1]Young boy.
^[2]A genre of anime and manga that is geared more torwards boys, with lots of action and fighting.

Shounen-ai {shoow-nen eye}
A genre of anime, manga, and fanfics that has male/male homosexual relationships. Usually more romantic than yaoi. See yaoi

Shoujo {show-oh-jo}
^[1]Young girl.
^[2] A genre of anime and manga geared more to girls, with complex storylines, drama, and romance.

Side story
A story set in the same universe as a series, but focusing on different characters and situations. (Ex. "Angel Links" & "Outlaw Star")

Soba {soh-bah}
Buckwheat noodles.

Son-May
A Taiwan-based record company known for illegally pirating CD's, especially anime and game soundtracks.

Sub
An anime that is subtitled (the translated dialogue is written on the bottom of the screen rather than spoken). A sub's translation tends to be more accurate.

Sugoi {soo-goy}
^[1]Cool; wonderful. (most common meaning among anime fandom)
^[2]Terrible, awful.

Sukebe {skay-bay}
Lecher; vulgar.

Suki {skee}
Liking; fondness.

Sukoshi {skoh-shee}
A little bit, a few, a moment, a little way.

Sumimasen {smee-mah-sen}
Excuse me.

Sumo{soo-moh}
A form of wrestling where opponents try to push one another out of the ring or throw them to the ground. A traditional sport in Japan, which has its roots in religious ritual.

Suteki (na) {steh-ki}
Wonderful; splendid.

Sweat Drop
A large drop of sweat that appears on anime characters' heads when they are nervous or annoyed.

Tadaima! {tah-dye-ma}
I'm home!

Tankoubon {tahn-koh-oh-bone}
A volume of collected manga. Basically a graphic novel.

Tanto {tahn-toh}
A short sword or dagger, usually no longer than 16 inches. Usually carried in conjunction with a katana. See katana.

Tanuki {tah-noo-kee}
A raccoon dog (yes, it is a real animal, scientific name Nyctereutes procyonoides). Also refers to a mythical animal that is known to distract travellers and shapeshift in order to steal sake. Statues of these mythical tanuki are often seen outside of small country shops and restaurants, due to the tanuki's ability to sidetrack travelers. Click here for images of tanuki, real and statuary.