Q: What is Anime?
A: Anime is animation produced in Japan, titled so by Americans. It also goes by Japanimation. The related manga is Japanese comics.
Q: Okay, so answer the question. What exactly is anime?
A: Anime spans many genres. Although it can be classified as a type of animation, it has categories as diverse as books. Animation, though directed towards young audiences in America, is equally, maybe even more so, directed towards adults in Japan, unlike animation in the United States and most of the world. It is viewed as an art form, a way of relating a story, a medium, like live action film or books. Anime is usually seen as the stereotypical big eyes, funky hairstyles and color, etc.
Q: Is this stuff alright for kids to watch?
A: Most anime is directed towards a teen or adult audience and is not suitable for children. The stuff they show on WB or Fox Kids is okay though (Pokemon, Digimon, Medabots) but if you're looking for top animation and storyline as well as something that would delight kiddies, we highly recommend Hayao Miyazaki's works (My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service). Check out our review section for more information.
Q: Is this series/show/movie okay for somebody who doesn't like strong language/violence/nudity/etc.?
A: Please check the review section. Either that or read the rating. ^__^ Anime isn't as severely censored as most animation in the world. Blood, violence and nudity are something Japan isn't so touchy on. In fact, some is essential for the audience to get a good feel of what's going on. But, if you get queasy at the sight of blood or abhor violence then don't watch it. You can usually find some good descriptions of content on our review section, or email Rowen for recommendations. She's big on "clean" anime. ^^;
Q: Why is there so much nudity?
A: Okie, nudity isn't as big of a censorship issue in Japan. In fact, it's common to see an eyeful of skin in anime, including those directed towards kiddies. It's a cultural thing.
Q: What's yaoi/shonen-ai/yuri?
A: Yaoi/shonen-ai is male homosexuality. Yuri is the same except it's two girls. So if you're homophobic, don't bother watching these animes. Please refrain from referring to such anime because this is a G-rated site.
Q: What's hentai?
A: Hentai is the anime form of pornography. Once again, not for little kiddies. There is not to be any hentai-related material (pics or posts) circulating anywhere on the site or in the forum.
Q: What's with the huge eyes?
A: Tezuka Osamu, father of anime, first used that style with Astro Boy. Since then, the style has been popular and has become the leading trademark of all things anime. But not all anime use the big eyes. Many of the more serious or adult anime use smaller eyes. The reason for the size is because the Japanese believe that's where all the emotion lies. Big eyes help to portray the character's emotions better. Hence the big watery tears and cascading waterfalls when a person is crying.
Q: Any more helpful anime info?
A: A short anime history: The artform we now call "anime" doesn't have a specific birthdate, and it wasn't exactly created by anyone. But, partly as a result of being the first or among the first to use the big eyed style, Tezuka Osamu is generally considered the "father of anime." He started creating comics in 1947, which were extremely popular, and at the begining of 1963 Tetsuwan Atomu (known outside Japan as Astroboy) began airing. That is generally considered the first anime-style animated production.
Q: What's up with all the weird English in the titles?
A: Many young people in Japan are really into English -- kind of like the way Victorian Americans thought French was cool, but with a more modern image. English phrases (some fine, some rather nonsensical) are common in advertising, and many popular songs have titles and a few lyrics in English. Likewise, many anime titles end up in English; some of them make sense (Vampire Hunter), and others (Plastic Little) are only used because they sound cool.
Q: How come they keep saying English words in the Japanese songs?
A: As mentioned above, English in Japan is cool, particularly with the youngsters. As a result, it has become very common to see few words or phrases of English in a Japanese song, particularly in the refrain. I would go so far as to say that almost all pop songs have at least a few words of English in them (helped, of course, by the large number of English words borrowed into the Japanese language).
Q: What anime would be good to see?
A: It depends on what's appealing to you. I believe there's an anime that caters to every person. So for starters, check out the review section! ^___^ Another wonderful resource is the features archive on the Animerica site. (Animerica is an American Anime magazine.)
Q: What does [Japanese word] mean? I keep hearing anime fans use it.
A: A Japanese translator can be found at http://www.trussel.com for all your translation needs. :D A few common words include:
- otaku - This word is the one that anime fans use to refer to themselves. It generally means an obsessed fan or fanatic.
- mecha - These giant robots are very popular in anime. If you see big cool looking equipment, it's likely to be mecha. ^^
- shojo - This refers to "girl's anime." Shojo anime is usually characterized by romantic plot triangles and general cuteness. Think chick flick.
- shonen - Likewise, "boy's anime." Giant mecha, action, etc.
- bishoujo - Literally, "pretty girl."
- bishonen - Male version of bishoujo. "Pretty boys" usually have long hair and are almost as pretty as the girls. Very touchy-feely types.
- kawaii - No, this is not the alternate Hawai'i. Kawaii means "cute," in a really, er, cute way.
Q: What do -Chan, -San, and all those words stuck onto Japanese names mean?
A: Where in English we have a basic set of prefixes (Mr., Mrs., Ms.), Japanese titles are suffixes (they come after the name), there are more of them, and they are more strictly based on the speaker's rank in society relative to the person they're talking to. They are also not usually gender specific. Ones you will hear most commonly in anime are:
- -san: The basic "Mr."/"Ms." suffix; not gender specific. Used by adults (or sometimes younger people) to refer to roughly social equals, or as an all-purpose polite suffix.
- -chan: The standard "cute" suffix. Generally used with the names of small children or younger girls; also occasionally used affectionately by boyfrieds/girlfriends to refer to each other.
- -sama: Very honoriffic stuffix. Used when being extremely polite, or more commonly toward people far socially superior (kings, lords, gods). Not common in modern use, but frequently heard in anime.
- -kun: Generally used to refer to social equals or slight inferiors, particularly younger males.
- -dono: Rarely used, old fashioned honoriffic; similar to -sama.
- -sempai/Sempai: Can be used as a suffix or as a stand alone title (not attached to a name, that is). Usually used to refer to people in the same group as you, but somewhat higher (for example, students in a higher grade -- uperclassmen --).
- -kohai/Kohai: The opposite of "sempai" - used to refer to social inferiors.
- -sensei/Sensei: Roughly "Teacher", also used as both a suffix and term of reference. Can also be used for respected people in educated positions, such as doctors. This is the once case where there is a rough English equivalent; one can say, for example, "Professor Smith," or merely call him/her "Professor" (the word sensei, however, includes other English titles, like Doctor or Teacher as well).
Most info © Marc Marshall, 2001
Designs are © HOLAA Staff, 2002
All artworks are copyright respective to their owners. Protected by law.
