Anime
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 its non-Japanese origins.
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).
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. These novels are usually highly illustrated and aimed at young adults. Some light novels are further adapted into anime and manga, and some light novels were originally based on web novels.
Web Novel
An online, typically self-published novel from Japan. Some webnovels, such as Miya Kazuki’s Ascendance of a Bookworm are further adapted into light novels, mangas, 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.
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.
*Please note that this page will be updated with new definitions as the need arises.
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