Japan Concepts

A popular comicstrip format in Japan, usually used for gag comic strips. Consists of four equal-sized panels depicting a sequence going from top to bottom.

In the Guilty Crown Franchise, the Apocalypse Virus is a mysterious virus which broke out in Japan.

Baseball is a field sport played between two teams. The sport is very popular in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere throughout the world. It has also been a popular theme in anime and manga for more than 50 years.

Betrayal is the act of treachery or a violation of a trust or allegiance. This can be to one's friends, country, or God.

Chibi means to be small in stature. In anime/manga the term is used for a character that is small in appearance and exaggerated features.

A Class President is the elected leader of a student council in most academies. They are in charge of most student events and serve as representative of the student body to the faculty.

The Class Representative is the person who is appointed as the spokesperson for a classroom in certain school committees. They also enforce the rules amongst the students in class.

A performer who wears colored wigs, stylistic makeup, outlandish costumes, unusually large footwear, and red nose.

Huge spikes, multiple colors, gravity-defying ponytails... and it's probably all natural somehow too.

This concept describes how people from different race, background, and religion interact. In certain anime and manga series, there are diversity in their characters like Bleach, Code Geass, and Shaman King.

A object that has negative effects on it owner or wielder.

A fictional being that is part organic and part machine.

Translates roughly to "big strange beast," and usually refers though not limited to the costumed monsters of tokusatsu as well as their own genre of live wrestling (in-costume, of course).

The disease that cause humans to become demon-monsters in the Devilman Lady Universe.

A Devilman is a human being merged with a Demon and is capable of using it's powers without losing their heart and soul.

Doujinshi is amateur-published manga, usually in a format similar to American floppy comics. Doujinshi is most commonly adult stories revolving around a pre-existing series, but also a lot of original works and non-adult materials.

Prearranged fight with two people. It is used in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor.

Ecchi is a Japanese term meaning sexy or erotic, anything that evolves sexy characters. Derived from the word "Hentai" but their meanings are completely different. Ecchi walks that line between sexy, but never crosses it into full graphic nudity or sex.

Eden of the East is a communication company founded by Kazuomi Hirasawa.

People who help writers and artist with the creation of their series. They give them ideas, tell them what to change, and help represent them to publishers.

The Edo Period is a portion of Japanese history that was ruled over by the Tokugawa Imperial family from 1603 to 1868. This region of Japan's history has been highly popular in many anime/manga series.

The most rich and popular group that the whole school idolizes, consisting of Tsukasa Domyouji, Rui Hanazawa, Sojiro Nishikado and Akira Mimasaka.

A battle that features excessive fanservice.

Fatherhood as a concept. A man who has conceived or raised a child.

A Female Ninja in Japanese is referred to as a kunoichi. They were given special training that took advantage of a woman's natural gifts.

A Chinese system of geomancy believed to use the laws of both Heaven and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi.

Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. It is used in animes or manga to build a atmospheric element.

Forgeries are artificial Deadmen created by Tamaki to serve his purposes in several experiments.

The Four Holy Swords are an elite squad of KMF pilots of the Black Knights, led by Kyoshiro Tohdoh. They are formally of the Japanese Liberation Front.

The monsters that appear in Blood-C.

Ganguro is a fashion trend where young girls have deep tans, bleached out hair, and heavy make up.

Traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.

An international government association in the Guilty Crown franchise that has taken over Japan, known as GHQ

Girl Games or "bishōjo games" are dating simulation games that are classically targeted toward a male audience.

A week period that contains a number of public holidays, such as the Emperor's Birthday, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children's Day. This week is usually a school and work holiday for many, and is a huge release time in the entertainment world.

Also known as corruption, this is when someone previously goodhearted becomes sinister.

The mother of one's mother or father.

A Form Of anime that depicts extreme injury, mutilation Or death. Normally In a Sexual Manner.

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on October 31st that was originally based upon a Celtic festival. It's more commonly celebrated in the United States by dressing up in costumes and Trick-or-Treating, but is also observed in other parts of the world.

A Japanese card game that are used for a number of games. The name literally translates as "flower cards".

A Japanese tradition of sitting under sakura (cherry) trees while they're in full bloom and the petals are falling. Usually during this time the Japanese drink and essentially have a big spring party.

The Japanese word for "transformation," literally meaning, to change or transform the body. Generally used in tokusatsu and magical girl series.

A house mother is the elder woman placed in charge of an all girl's dormitory.

Just your average person!

Iincho is a Japanese term meaning class representative,

Japanese for "Little sister" - this may refer to the family relationship of blood or adopted sister, or it may also refer to a younger girl who one treats as a little sister even though not related as such.

Powered exoskeleton's abbreviated as IS. A IS was originally designed for outer space exploration but became a new mainstream weapon for the world.

The Investigation Team is a group of students who banded together to solve the mysterious murders of Inaba and explore the TV World.

Japanese Archery (kyudo) is the Japanese practice of archery. It is a sport/martial art that is practiced as part of sports and competitions.

Visual kei, tsuyome joshi, gothic lolita, you name it-- it's Japanese fashion.