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Terminology
General
CARA    
The Classification and Rating Administration.  Those responsible for rating movies in the US.
 
Fan Service    
Fan service is the term given to scenes that have no relevance to story plot or character development.  These scenes are included for fans of the anime title only.
 
Fanfic    
This is a term used for "fan fiction".  This is written material by fans based on pre-existing anime.
 
Fansub    
This is a term used to described anime that has been subtitled by a fan.  This was very popular when anime was not a prevelant as today and this was the only way that anime fans could get trnslations of it.
 
Foley    
A non-speaking sound effect including grunting, screaming, coughing, laughing, etc.
 
In-between    
In-betweens are animated frames between the key frames of animation.  It is usually not necessary for these to be of the same quality.  In-betweening is regarded as grunt work and is where inexperienced animators usually begin their careers.
 
Japanamation    
A term for Japanese Animation.  This term is usually frowned upon by fans of anime in the US but has become a term used in Japan to specify Japanese animation.  This is because the term anime means any type of animation in Japanese.
 
MPAA    
The Motion Picture Association of America.
 
OAV    
Original Video Animation.  See OVA.
 
OVA    
Original Video Animation.  These are animated videos / laser disks / DVD's that are released straight to the public without ever being broadcast or shown in theatres.  This is sometimes also abbreviated OAV.
 
Self-Defense Force    
Japan's new constitution drafted after World War II was aimed to prevent militaristic nationalism that could allow Japan entering another war.  Japan could not have a standing army but in 1954, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were formed to protect the Japanese nation against invaders.
 
Super Deformed    
Super-deformed characters exaggerate faces and bodies with the idea of appearing cute or funny.  Super-deformed characters are usually drawn to show changes in a character's mood.
 
Language
Anime        ( アニメ )
The term for Japanese Animated movies and television shows.  This term is used in Japan to mean any animated show regardless of country of origin and subject matter.  In the US this term means animation from Japan.
 
Arigatou        ( ありがとう )
Japanese term for "thank you".
 
Arigatou gozaimasu        ( ありがとう ございます )
Japanese term for "thank you" but in a more polite way that just Arigato.
 
Baka        ( 馬鹿 )
This is a derogatory term that roughly translates as idiot or dummy.
 
Bento        ( 弁当 )
Box lunches in Japan and served cold.  They usually contain rice and side items arranged in a visually appealing manner.
 
Doujinshi        ( 同人誌 )
Doujinshi, or doujin for short, are self published comics. There are two basic categories: fan-comics and self-published works.  Fan-comics are non-professional stories from fans based on others' work.  Self-published works are published by the creator of the comic or the ideas behind them and not through a publishing company.
 
Ecchi        ( エッチ )
Ecchi is taken from the Japanese pronunciation of the letter "H".  This is the first letter in the word hentai.  Ecchi is "perverted" in Japanese but is not as strong as the word hentai describes.  Anime that is not pornographic but yet contains sexual humor is sometimes referred to as Ecchi.
 
Hentai        ( 変態 )
Hentai refers to sexual deviancy.  In America this has become the word for pornographic anime.  Beware.
 
Hiragana        ( ひらがな )
The Japanese developed a writing system based on syllables in about the 9th century.  Hiragana and Katakana are two forms of writing (together known as kana).  Hiragana characters are more cursive or rounded than katakana.

Hiragana consist of 46 symbols.  Hiragana is used for grammatical endings of verbs, nouns, adjectives and several other original Japanese words which are not written in kanji.

Hiragana is the first of the alphabets taught to Japanese children.
 
Honorifics    
The Japanese language has several terms that are appended to names that denote status.  This is called keigo (敬語) which means "respectful language".

  • san: This is the most common honorific and denotes respect and formality.  This is similar to "Mr", "Mrs" or "Miss".
  • dono: This is used as a term of respect greter than "san".
  • sama: This denotes a great amount of respect for a person usually for those with a higher status such as teachers and lords.
  • kun: This shows familiarity or friendship with males of the same age or younger.  With younger or lower ranking women it is used in the workplace to refer to ones female employees.
  • chan: This shows familiarity and friendship and used to refer to someone who is the same age or younger (similar to kun).  This is used mostly for females, pets and children and  is only used for males when referring to a boyfriend.
  • ko: Indicates familiarity with a female friend, often used to refer to a girlfriend.
  • sensei: Used for teachers such as in school or in martial arts.
  • senpai: This is used often to address seniors (older people)
  • niichan: Big brother.
  • neechan: Big sister.

      •  
Irasshai        ( いらっしゃい )
Japanese term for "welcome".
 
Irasshaimase        ( いらっしゃいませ )
Japanese term for "welcome" but in a more polite way that just Irasshai.
 
Kanji        ( かんじ )
The Kanji alphabet has it's origins in China and was later brought to Japan.  This alphabet is much more complex than hiragana and katakana (the other two Japanese alphabets).  Kanji symbols represent ideas or words in whole whereas the other alphabets are used to spell out these ideas or words.  Sometimes kana are used with the kanji to show pronunciation.  When this is done it is called furigana.
 
Katakana        ( かたかな )
The Japanese developed a writing system based on syllables in about the 9th century.  Hiragana and Katakana are two forms of writing (together known as kana).  Katakana characters are more angular than hiragana.

Katakana consist of 46 symbols.  Katakana is mainly used for writing words borrowed from other languages and the names of persons and geographical places that can't be written in kanji.
 
Kawaii        ( かわいい )
Japanese term for "cute" or "adorable".
 
Keigo        ( 敬語 )
Respectful language.  (See Honorifics)
 
Konbanha        ( こんばんは )
Japanese term for "good evening".
 
Konnichiwa        ( こにちわ )
Japanese term for "hello" or "good day".
 
Manga        ( 漫画 )
Manga is the term for comic books in Japanese.  These comics are generally more varied in subject matter than the "Super Hero" types found in the US.
 
Mecha    
Mecha is a Japanese word for large robot.
 
Ohayou        ( おはよう )
Japanese term for "good morning".
 
Omiyage        ( お土産 )
A souvenir or present that someone would get upon returning from a trip.
 
Onsen        ( おんせん )
An onsen is a Japanese sento (public bath) fed by natural hot spring water.
 
Otaku        ( オタク )
Otaku is someone who is fanatical about anime or manga and are obsessed with it.  Some people find this term to be offensive.
 
Ronin        ( 浪人 )
Masterless samurai  that usually became mercenaries in order to survive.  This refers back to the feudal days of Japan.
 
Seinen        ( 青年 )
Manga or anime tailored specifically for boys - mostly college aged and thus more mature than shonen.
 
Seiyuu        ( せいゆう )
Seiyuu are Voice Actors.  In Japan, anime voice actors are usually very well paid as compared to the average US voice actor.
 
Sempai        ( 先輩 )
This is a term used in to refer to a person with more seniority, usually in school or at work.
 
sensei        ( 先生 )
Sensei is  the Japanese equivalent for the word "teacher" or instructor.  This can pertain to anyone that instructs or teaches and not just in schools.
 
Sentou        ( 銭湯 )
A sento is a Japanese bath house.  They are usually a large room with a tall barrier separating the areas for the sexes.
 
Shoujo        ( 少女 )
Manga or anime tailored specifically for young girls.
 
Shounen        ( 少年 )
Manga or anime tailored specifically for young boys.
 
Soba    
Buckwheat noodles.
 
Suki        ( 好き )
The Japanese don't usually express love openly.  When they put their feelings into words, it is preferred to use the phrase "suki desu" - literally "to like."  "Suki da," "suki dayo" (male speech) or "suki yo" (female speech) are colloquial expressions.
 
Youkoso        ( ようこそ )
Japanese term for "welcome".
 
Ratings
G    
MPAA Rating: General Audiences (All Ages Admitted).
 
GP    
MPAA Rating: General Patronage.  All Ages Admitted/Parental Guidance Suggested.  Replaced the M rating in 1970 and eventually replaced by the PG rating.
 
M    
MPAA Rating: Suggested for Mature Audiences.  Parental Discretion Advised.  Used from 1968 to 1970.
 
NC-17    
MPAA Rating: No One 17 and Under Admitted.  Started in 1990 and replaced the X rating for movies that are not-necessarily pornographic.
 
PG    
MPAA Rating: Paretnal Guidance Suggested (Some Matarial May Not Be Suitable for Children).  Replaced the GP rating.
 
PG-13    
MPAA Rating: Parents Strongly Cautioned (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13).  Started in 1984 and was used for movies stronger that PG but not as strong as an R rating.
 
R    
MPAA Rating: Restricted (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian).

 
TV-14    
TV Parental Guidelines - Unsuitable for children under 14.
 
TV-G    
TV Parental Guidelines - General audiences.
 
TV-MA    
TV Parental Guidelines - Recommended for mature adults.
 
TV-PG    
TV Parental Guidelines - Unsuitable for younger children.
 
TV-Y    
TV Parental Guidelines - Suitable for all ages.
 
TV-Y7    
TV Parental Guidelines - Unsuitable for children under seven.
 
X    
MPAA Rating:  Persons Under 17 Not Admitted.
 
XXX    
Movie rating that has never been officially sanctioned by the MPAA.  Used by adult movie makers to imply a more hardcore movie than the simple X rating.
 
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