Action Anime

Genre in which fast-paced action sequences either take precedence or, in finer examples of the
genre, are used as a form of exposition and character development. Main plot might involve a
moral interplay between “good” and “bad” characters played out through violence and physical
force. The protagonist is usually in fights against the villains, taking a part of the lonely hero
struggling with evil and injustice. The story often takes a sudden turns, leading to desperate, but
visually impressive, situations – explosions, fight scenes, daring escapes or acrobatic stunts.

Adventure Anime

In the classic form, adventure manga/anime’s plot revolves around a protagonist, who sets on a
journey to epic or distant places to accomplish something. On his road, he’s consistently placed
in dangerous situations, meet new characters and gathers pieces of information that help him
achieve his goal. Very often, all his adventures help him to develop and become more mature.
Adventure story might include some fantasy or supernatural elements. In modern form,
adventure, as a genre, is similar to action, with fast-paced change of events/places and sudden
plot’s turns.

Comedy Anime

Genre in which the main emphasis is on humor, the tendency of particular cognitive experiences
to provoke laughter and provide amusement. May be divided into multiply genres based on the
source of the humor, the method of delivery, and the context in which it’s delivered. Comedy
might contain variations on the elements of surprise, conflict, repetitiveness, ambiguity or
paradox. The plot in comedy anime/manga is usually similar to reality, but not real, with
characters reacting in exaggerated or irrational way. Instead of rationalism, it appeals to feelings
and emotions. Stories in this style typically have a happy ending.

Drama Anime

While action, as a genre, is defined by it’s fast-paced change of events, narration and story flows
in drama are typically smoother and deeper. This genre depends mostly on in-depth development
of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes or everyday life hardships. Drama story is
supposed to evoke emotions and capture the audience’s attention, by revolving around failed
romance or friendship, strained familial situations, tragedy, illness or physical hardship.
Sometimes though, in exaggerated form of drama – melodrama, plot might turn into unrealistic,
pathos-filled campy tale of romance, losing its realism and becoming so called tearjerker.

Ecchi Anime

Term derived from a Japanese Word meaning „lewd”, „sexy”, “lascivious”, or “naughty”. It’s
used to describe manga/anime that has vague sexual context, but at the same time – doesn’t show
sex/pornography. Ecchi anime/manga often contains lots of sexual humor and slapstick scenes.
Typical elements of ecchi anime/manga are: female characters with bouncing, over-sized breasts
dressed in very tight, provocative cloths [very often uniforms], which fall off them In the
strangest situations; upskirt panty shots and cleavage; suggestive, often phallic imagery;
exaggerated sexuality.

Fantasy Anime

Genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a main element of plot, theme and/or
setting. The identifying trait of fantasy is the inclusion of fantastic elements in a self-coherent
(internally consistent) setting. Within such a structure, any location of the fantastical element is
possible: it may be hidden in, or leak into the apparently real world setting, it may draw the
characters into a world with such elements, or it may occur entirely in a fantasy world setting,
where such elements are part of the world. In the most common form of fantasy, the story takes
place in settings similar to the European Middle Ages, although actually it might be other
continent, time or even planet. Fantasy plots usually revolve around few main tropes: the conflict
of good against evil personified in single, Dark Lord’s form; quests, in which main characters are
taking part [and which might be a central point of the plot]; heroic characters capable of more
than ordinary behavior, whose aim is to obtain something, or someone, by the quest and with this
object return home; overwhelming in presence magic; sentient “races”/species which co-exists in
one reality.

Gender Bender Anime

An informal term used to describe a person, who actively transgresses, or “bends”, expected
gender roles. Gender benders in anime/manga might refer not only to characters modeled after
real life gender benders, but also to characters who undergo changes in their physical sex –
magically or in other way – throughout the story. Because of that, gender bending forms in
fiction might vary from simple change of cloths, through girl/boy roles switching, to bodies
exchange.

Harem Anime

The term comes from the English use of the word “harem” meaning “a group o woman
associated with one man”. When related to anime/manga, describes stories in which a single
average male character is surrounded by three or more attractive females romantically interested
in relationship with him. While male character is in most cases an everyman-type of guy, girls
are personifications of stock characters popular in moe fandom. Despite the gender
disproportions and sexual connotations, harem story doesn’t necessarily contain sex or erotic
scenes. The opposite of standard harem genre [in which single girl is surrounded by numerous
males] is referred to as reverse harem or male harem.

Historical Anime

Genre in which stories are based upon historical events and famous persons. Some of the
historical artworks attempt to accurately portray a historical event or biography, while others are
using historical settings to tell alternative, fictionalized, or dramatized story.

Horror Anime
Genre that includes any work of fiction with a morbid, gruesome, surreal, or exceptionally
suspenseful or frightening theme. The main aim of horror is to scare, or horrify the audience.
Danger in horror anime/manga might take different forms: from ghosts, or evil spirits, through
zombies, to simply insane, serial killers. Except for the last case, they usually include a central
villain, who might be described as the master of puppets. In the most popular scheme, the plot
starts, when everyday reality suddenly collides with supernatural happening, which forces main
characters to facing the danger and to struggle for their lives.

Josei Anime

In Japanese, the word “josei” means “female”. When used in anime/manga context, indicates
stories created mostly by women authors for late teenage and adult female audiences. Both,
content and visual sides of the josei manga/anime tend to be realistic and restrained. In most
cases, main plot is focused on everyday life of adult, Japanese women, which makes office life,
marriages and babies popular themes of this genre. Josei stories are usually more mature and
explicit, than shojo.

Martial Arts Anime

Sub-genre of the action type of the anime/manga. It’s characterized by extensive fighting scenes
employing various types of martial arts and numerous Asian weapons.

Mecha Anime

Term derived from the Japanese abbrevation "meka" for the English word "mechanical". In
Japanese, "mecha" is used to describe all mechanical objects, including cars, computers and
other devices. Despite that, in the west it's mostly associated with piloted robotic vehicles
[sometimes transforming] or powered armored battlesuits. In anime/manga tagged with this term,
main plot is usually focused on the equipped in the super weapons, undestructable vehicles and
their pilots [very often teenagers].

Mystery Anime

The term is often used as a synonym of detective fiction. In that case, the main plot usually
revolves around a detective [either professional or amateur], who solves a crime, focusing on the
puzzle element and its logical solution. Other usage of the term “mystery” is referred to a genre,
where the focus is on supernatural mystery, and where no crime has to be involved. In both
meanings, mystery story can include elements of drama, suspense, character development,
uncertainty and surprise twists with the sleuth, as the main character.

Psychological Anime

This genre provides complicated stories centered on the mental condition of the main
character[s]. His/Their behavior might suggest struggle with mental problems, although it
doesn’t have to be clearly stated, if the character is really mentally instable. Psychological
anime/manga’s plot often deliberately confuse the audience, by showing only contradicting each
other pieces of information about the characters, breaking the linear way of telling the story or
reversing the meaning of reality and dream, truth and false, or good and evil.

Romance Anime

Genre, in which main plot revolves around character’s relationships, or engagements. Popular
themes include the characters making decisions based on a newly-found romantic attraction,
which might lead to sudden break-ups, difficulties and plot’s twists. General rule of romance
stories is emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending, although as all rules, although this one
might have some exceptions.

School Life Anime

The story of school life type of anime/manga focuses on school-age characters, going through
school’s ups and downs. Although the happenings related to school are usually the central point
of the plot, it might also include elements of drama, comedy or ecchi.

Sci-fi Anime

Sci-Fi story usually takes place in the future and revolves around technology effectively
changing everyday’s life. It’s fiction based upon imagined development of science, which might
be [although doesn’t have to] contradicting laws of nature or scientific principles. Variations of
this genre might move the action into alternative time line, or a historical past. Popular settings
are also outer space and other planets, which in addition might involve often aliens appearances.

Seinen Anime

Literally: young man, young adult. Term used to describe anime/manga aimed at young adult
male audience [18-30 year old]. Variety of styles and subjects rages from the avant-garde to
pornographic. The most important part of the seinen art is the plot, strongly rooted in reality,
portraying ups and downs of everyday life. The story focuses on characters development,
romances and relationships presented with great realism, depth and maturity.

Shotacon Anime

The term “shotacon” is a Japanese portmanteau of Shotaro complex, a reference to the young
male character Shotaro from series Tetsujin 28-go. It’s used to describe a complex of sexual
attraction towards a young and/or underage boy. Shotacon typically features relationships
between young boys and adult women [so called straight shota]. Yaoi shotacon features young
boys, but includes men or other young boys, often in explicit, sexual situations. The female
equivalent to shotacon is lolicon.

Shoujo Anime

The term “shoujo” literally means “[young] girl” in Japanese. It’s used to describe manga/anime
marketed to a female audience roughly between the ages of 10 and 18. Since it’s rather an
indicator of a target demographic, than a style of genre per se, it’s difficult to point main subject,
narrative, or a graphic style, that would be exclusive for this type of the stories. Most of them
though, focuses on romantic relationships and emotional states of the main characters.

Shoujo Ai Anime

The term literally means “Girl Love”. It refers to the stories which feature romantic relations
between female characters. Shoujo ai usually doesn’t contain any explicit material.

Shounen Anime

Term meaning “boys”, “juveniles”, commonly used to describe anime/manga with a target
demographic of young boys between the ages of about 10 and 17. The most characteristic
elements of this genre are: fast-paced action, humorous plots featuring male protagonists,
camaraderie between boys or men [specially in sport-related groups], attractive females with
impressive looks.

Shounen Ai Anime

Literally – “Boy-Love”. Originally, this term meant ephebophilia or pederasty in Japan.

Slice Of Life Anime

A phrase used to describe a category of stories portraying a “cut-out” sequence of events in a

Smut Anime

A colloquial term for both: obscenity and pornography. It’s used to describe a content that was
created with the sole intention of sexually exciting the viewer and/or might offend the prevalent
sexual morality.

Sports Anime

A genre focusing on professional or amateur athletes, trainers, or coaches. It’s main goal is to
present them during the training, competitions and other related activities. Sports anime/manga is
usually realistic and sticks closely to the true human’s abilities, excluding supernatural powers,
or magical interventions.

Supernatural Anime
The term supernatural refers to entities, events or powers regarded as beyond nature, which lack
a clear, scientific explanation. Stories tagged with “supernatural” label often include different
types of “mediums” as a main characters, surrounded by [and often fighting with] numerous
ghosts, demons, monsters, or occult groups

Tragedy Anime

A story, in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow. Bad events,
that happen to him, might be a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or lack of ability to
deal with unfavorable circumstances.

Yaoi Anime

An acronym standing for YAma nashi, Ochi nashi, Imi nashi – No Climax, no point, no
meaning. It’s used to describe manga/anime focusing on male relationships, not avoiding strong,
graphically portrayed homosexual themes. Very often, yaoi story focuses only on the sex,
ignoring elements like true plot, emotions or characters development.

Yuri Anime

The word “yuri” literally means “lily”, which is relatively common Japanese feminine name. In
the anime/manga context it’s used to describe stories involving love between women. It can
focuses on both, the sexual and the emotional aspects of the relationship. Unlike yaoi, in most
cases yuri includes solid plots and characters development.