In this post, we will offer some common anime definitions for parents.
Whether you’re a parent exploring kid-friendly anime, a Christian anime fan, someone just researching anime, or a full-blown otaku, there are some terms that you will often see in anime discussions, including on our Christian anime reviews. We have compiled a list of the anime terms we believe are most important to define and will update this page as needed.
Anime/Manga Demographics
This section will offer anime definitions for parents, otakus, and Christians specifically about the various demographics of anime (and manga). Certain anime/manga are aimed at certain age groups, outlined below.
Kodomomuke
Children’s anime/manga. Examples include Pokemon, Hello Kitty, and potentially films like Ponyo or My Neighbor Totoro.
Shonen
A demographic of anime/manga created for preteen/teenage boys often containing action, adventure, and coming of age themes. Arguably the most popular genre in the United States, some examples are Dragon Ball Z, My Hero Academia, and Spy x Family.
There are many great shonen anime out there, but just because it’s technically “shonen” doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for your preteen/teen. For example, the Chainsaw Man manga was published in a shonen magazine despite a TV-MA anime rating.
Shoujo
A demographic of anime/manga created for tween/teenage girls. Often, the stories include romance and strong bonds between characters. Some examples are Snow White with the Red Hair, Fruits Basket, and Yona of the Dawn.
There are many great shoujo anime out there (some of my favorite anime are shoujo), but just because it’s technically classified as a “shoujo” doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for your preteen/teen.
For example, Banana Fish and Nana are both technically shoujo despite containing mature content.
Seinen
A demographic of anime/manga intended for adult men. Seinen stories are not necessarily sexual. Some examples include Steins;Gate, Erased, and The Rising of the Shield Hero.
I’d recommend caution and heavy research before considering a seinen show for anyone under the age of 16 (or even 18).
Josei
A demographic of anime/manga created for adult women. Josei can take on many forms, but generally focus on content relevant to the adult female. Sometimes, josei may contain romance or adult-life themes. Nina the Starry Bride is an example of a josei.
I’d recommend caution and heavy research before considering a josei show for anyone under the age of 16 (or even 18). Some josei is great, but it depends on the story, the age of the audience, etc.
Formats of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese Storytelling
In this section, we will offer additional anime definitions for parents, otakus, and Christians. This section is focused on the different formats of storytelling that Japan uses.
We’ve included some formats from China and South Korea as well since anime fans often read/watch content from these countries as well.
Anime
In Western usage, anime is a term for shows and films created in Japan—Japanese animation. Other countries may take inspiration from anime (Avatar: The Last Airbender) but are not considered true anime due to their non-Japanese origins.
Donghua
Chinese animation. An example is Link Click.
Manga
Comic style books from Japan. Usually published in magazines and serialized before eventually being combined into volumes. Generally, even in the United States, these books are printed from right to left, which is the complete opposite from many Western publications, which are often read from left to right.
Light Novel
Illustrated novels from Japan. Some light novels are further adapted into anime and manga, and some light novels originate from web novels.
Web Novel
An online, typically self-published novel from Japan. Some web novels, such as Miya Kazuki’s Ascendance of a Bookworm, are further adapted into light novels, manga, anime, and more.
Webtoon
A South Korean platform where comic-like stories are published in a format where they can be scrolled vertically instead of a typical comic or manga format. Tower of God is an example of a webtoon turned into an anime.
Manhwa
South Korean manga. Read left to right, just like English novels.
Genres, Subgenres & Classifications
Anime often has a bad reputation for being overly violent, sexual, and even p*rnographic. Although there is certainly content out there that fits that description, not all anime is like that. These terms describe content tendencies, not moral quality, and should always be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Hentai
The term used for highly explicit sexual adult content (pornography).
Isekai
A subgenre in which a character is taken from one world (such as Earth) and placed in another (such as a fantasy world). The way someone is isekaied varies, but common ways include reincarnation, dying and being given a second chance, summoning, or being sucked into a video game or book. Sometimes the characters remain themselves. Sometimes they are turned into something ridiculous (slimes, vending machines, spiders) and sometimes they are the exact same person in both worlds. Some examples of isekais include The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent and Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!
Ecchi
Contains sexualized content or suggestive situations, but is softer and less explicit than hentai.
Yuri
A term to describe stories that focus on female relationships with other females. Often romantic. Contains homosexual themes or content.
Yaoi
A term to describe stories that focus on male relationships with other males. Often romantic. Contains homosexual themes or content.
Slice of Life
A genre common in anime and manga that emphasizes daily routines, relationships, and small moments over major plot-driven events. Examples include Fruits Basket, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, and Horimiya.
Bishōnen
Translates to “beautiful youth (boy).” An archetype and aesthetic in some anime/manga describing an exceptionally beautiful (and often androgynous) male character in the middle school/high school age group (although, outside Japan, it’s used generically as a term for all beautiful boys/young men). Bishōnen refers to appearance and style rather than sexual orientation or gender identity. Such characters are not inherently gay or transgender; many, though not all, are portrayed in heterosexual romances. This aesthetic most often appears in shoujo or yaoi stories, though occasionally it appears in shonen, too.
Other Useful Definitions
This section is for miscellaneous anime-related definitions.
Cosplayer
A cosplayer is a person who dresses up as a character. Often, cosplayers will attend anime conventions.
Anime Convention
A place where anime fans and those in the anime industry such as voice actors gather for an event. There are often panels, activities, and vendors.
Crunchyroll
Despite sounding like a delicious snack, Crunchyroll is one of the most popular, legal streaming services for anime in the United States. Their catalogue is extensive and contains a wide variety of content from somewhat family-friendly to explicit adult content.
As with any streaming platform, parental discernment and content research are strongly recommended.
Fanservice
Content included in a show that is primarily designed to appeal to the audience through sexualized depictions, exaggerated features, or suggestive situations, though it can sometimes be non-sexual in nature. While often sexual, fanservice can also include more general “eye-candy” content like excessive focus on character appearances or over-the-top action sequences.
Otaku
A fan of something, in most cases anime/manga. Otaku is considered a positive word in the West, whereas in Japan, it is considered negative and used to describe someone overly interested in these things (to an unhealthy, obsessive extreme).
Maid Cafe
Restaurants where waitresses dress as maids and pretend they are their customer’s personal servants. The maids, though playful, remain professional and do not offer any s*xual services.
Onsen/Sentō
An onsen is a hot spring. Anime sometimes includes an onsen (hot springs) scene or a sentō (public bath) scene. Onsen (and sentō) are traditional parts of the Japanese culture, but the way the scenes are framed varies widely between anime.
*Please note that this page will be updated with new definitions as the need arises.