Post 11: Anime From A-Z

Every country has their own dialect, their own language and their own alphabet, and evidently anime has its very own alphabet too. This alphabet is not a guide to a specific language but more of a guide to the basics of anime.

According to Anthony Chatfield's The Basics of Anime From A-Z every letter of the English Alphabet corresponds to one anime term or series, I didn't agree to some of his meanings so I added my own to some of his terms. So, let's start with letter A.

Anime- is the abbreviated term for "animation" in Japanese. It is the Japanese style of animation which features colorful graphics, characters and action-filled plots of different genres. The earliest record of animation was in 1917 and it grew for the ensuing decades.

Baka- Japanese slang for "idiot". Affectionately used to describe every goofball, stupid-head and annoying character in an Anime, Manga and Game. It is an insult given whenever a character does an act of stupidity hence the word, "BAKA!"

Vocaloid: Camellia Cosplay

Cosplay- short for "costume play", is a performance art in which participants wear costumes and accessories that represent a specific character or idea. Cosplay is centered on role play, making cosplayers portray their knowledge on their chosen characters.

Doujinshi- A Japanese word meaning a work published by a specific interest group for other members of that interest group. Doujinshi usually refers to fan made manga. Because of the copyright laws in Japan fans can get away with making and selling doujinshi featuring their favorite characters from anime and video games although doujinshi also often times feature original characters and stories. A common misunderstanding is that all doujinshi are x-rated fan works but this is not always the case.(http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Doujinshi)

Ecchi- A Japanese word that roughly translates to 'pervert'. Basically it's used to describe all those school girl animes in which the skirts stop about two inches above their panty line, and yet somehow magically stay on. It's not quite the caliber of Hentai as it tries not to be pornographic, but the fan service and suggestive themes quotient are fairly off the map.

Fairy Tail's main cast

Fairy Tail- is an anime series based on the manga of same name by Hiro Mashima. It follows the story of Lucy Heartfilia as she seeks to become a member of the famous Fairy Tail Guild. Helped into joining by Natsu Dragneel and Happy, she goes on an array of adventures with them, along with Gray Fullbuster and Erza Scarlet. (http://fairytail.wikia.com/wiki/Episodes)

Gundam- One of the original fathers of anime. Around for 25 or more years now, Gundam has produced more than 25 series and movies since it debuted in 1979, and continues to be one of the most popular series every year, with an exponential growth of productions of late. The show was one of the pioneers of the giant mecha anime and an underground favorite in America for years....and it makes for some pretty awesome cosplayers.

Hentai- is a Sino-Japanese compound term widely used in modern Japanese to designate a person, action or state that is considered queer or perverse, particularly in a sexual sense.  Apart from this general use of the term hentai, it can also be used to designate a specific genre of Japanese manga and animation that features extreme or perverse sexual content and it is in this sense that hentai has become well-known among western fans of Japanese popular culture.

Initial D- is a manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995. The story focus on the world of illegal Japanese street racing, where all the action is concentrated in the mountain passes and rarely in cities nor urban areas, and the drift racing style is emphasized in particular.This anime series also became a hit game and the epitome of other racing anime series. (http://initiald.wikia.com/wiki/Initial_D)

Jump- Jump or Shonen Jump is the monthly manga publication in Japan that broke some of the biggest names in anime. Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, Rurouni Kenshin and so on. The super popular children oriented anime that rules the charts comes out of this little gem repeatedly.It is now circulized internationally for the viewing of many.

Kawaii- Japanese adjective for cute. And that's how you describe half of what they produce. Super cute, to the point of nausea at times. The ability to turn the ugliest, most disturbing things into cute and cuddly mascots is a distinctly Japanese ability.

Alodia as a Lolita Doll

Lolita- A fashion from Japan that tries to capture the innocence of youth, and nostalgia for the 19th century. Knee length puffy skirts, lacy blouses, platform mary janes and head dresses are standared attire.There are several types of Lolita: Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita and the Classic Lolita. (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lolita)

Manga- "Manga" are Japanese comic books/graphic novels. The word literally means "whimsical pictures" in Japanese. It is somewhat the same as American comics in means of reading entertainment.

Naruto- is an ongoing anime and manga series by Masashi Kishimoto. The plot tells the story of Naruto Uzumaki, an adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition and dreams to become the Hokage, the ninja in his village who is acknowledged as the leader and the strongest of all. Naruto reigns supreme as one of the five kings of Shonen Jump.

Otaku- is the Japanese term for people with obsessive hobbies bordering to the extent that it becomes a major part of their identity.

Pokemon- short for Pocket Monsters, is the new generation of child-oriented anime born of marketing necessity. It's been on for almost 17 years now, and still new episodes pop up.Pokemon's main character Satoshi or popularly known as Ash Ketchum is the center of query in Pokemon, as Ash is 10 when the series started, after 17 years of airing, Ash is just about to turn 11, this states the immortality and impossible feats of anime at its finest.

Rurouni Kenshin- Rurouni Kenshin or popularly known as Samurai X is the story of a wandering samurai in the Meiji Era of Japan known as Kenshin Himura. He seeks forgiveness for his sins as he once was the assasin, "Batusai the Slasher". In his journey he finds friends, who ultimately becomes his family and undertakes various quests to help the government to form a few years and survive. This is an epic anime series that still warms the hearts of many.

Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online- is a light novel by Reki Kawahara turned hit-anime series. Sword Art Online or SAO for short, swept the anime charts with its refreshing anime plot and the love it presented to the viewers in the forms of the two main characters, Kirito and Asuna. It is a much recommended series, if you haven't watched it, then go watch it now!

Tezuka Osamu- is the "Godfather of Anime and Manga". He gave rise to classic anime series like Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack. His prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the father of manga", "the god of comics" and "kamisama of manga".

Uchuujin- Japanese word meaning "Alien". This is not a common word before but as of the start of the anime Kaichou wa Maid-sama and other anime like To-Love-Ru this became a common ground for anime plots.  In Maid-sama, Misaki Ayuzawa calls Usui Takumi as a "Perverted Outer-space Alien".

A scene from Episode 19 of Maid-sama

Voice Acting/Dubbing- Voice acting or dubbing is the way the anime characters come to life. Unlike American and the Philippine voice actors, Japan has a wide range of voice actors that present a big role to Anime.

Wagamama Fairy Mirumo De Pon- or Mirmo de Pon! is a manga series by Hiromu Shinozuka. It centers on teenager Katie Minami who wishes on a mug and eventually summons the fairy, Mirmo. At the expanse of the series Mirmo helps Katie to catch the eye of her crush, Dylan. This a basic anime series but nonetheless it has attracted the hearts of many Otakus and fans all around the world.

 

XXXHolic- a work by manga quartet, CLAMP. XXXHolic, the storyline of xxxHolic crosses over with that of a number of other Clamp series, Tsubasa Chronicles. XXXHolic is a supernatural genre anime that centers on the life of teenager Kimihiro Watanuki as he helps out in the shop of dimensional witch, Yuuko Ichihara. It is an anime full of suspense, horror and also an introduction to Japanese folklore.

Yaoi Anime: Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

Yaoi- Yaoi or Boy's Love, is the depiction of Man to Man love, meaning gay relationships. Yaoi is on a higher scale as opposed to Shounen Ai which is a softer approach to the relationships in the gay community. It is predominantly aimed at the shojo (girls), josei (older women) and homosexual markets.

Dragon Ball Z- Dragon ball Z was one of the key reasons that anime spread to the mainstream here in the states after all, with a couple hundred episodes and memorably long (and I mean looooong) fights, Dragon ball Z captured the fan base of all the young violence prone kids nationwide and kept them enthralled throughout the years.

As the ending  goes~Now I know my ABC's next time wont you sing with me?~ Anime is not just a common past time it is a language that people agree upon and understand fully.