Descriptive terms

• Akiba-kei Similar to ota-kei, refers to anime fans who gather around Akihabara (see geography page). See Wikipedia.

• Bishoujo Beautiful girl. See Wikipedia.

• Bishounen Beautiful boy. The term is often used to refer to male characters in anime or manga who look feminine. See Wikipedia, TV Tropes, or Everything2.

• Ecchi Japanese way of pronouncing the letter "H," it is often used to refer to a mild form of hentai, or as a mildly derogatory term for something or someone that is perverse (usually applied to a male). See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Hentai Japanese term for sexually explicit or perverse anime or manga; or a derogatory term for someone or something that is sexually perverse. It's a stronger term than ecchi. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Hikiko-kei Hikikomori-type. A less intense term for hikikomori. (I rather think of myself this way.)

• Hikikomori is kind of like a shut-in, basically. An adult who has withdrawn from society, doesn't leave their home, and very possibly still lives with their parents. This may be caused by social anxiety, an inability to cope with the expectations of transitioning into adulthood. It may also be related to pervasive developmental disorders such as Asperger's syndrome. The problem may not be limited to Japan or other Asian countries, but is considerably more prevalent there because of the higher expectations placed on people there by society. See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Kanojo Girlfriend. (Romantic, not just a girl who's a friend.)

• Kare Boyfriend. (Romantic, not just a boy who's a friend; though actually, does anyone in the world ever use "boyfriend" in a non-romantic sense?)

• Kogal See culture page.

• Meganekko Glasses-wearing girl (usually a pretty girl). Often seen in anime and manga. See Ah! Megane-sama: Rob's Anime Meganekko Gallery, Wikipedia, Everything2, or TV Tropes.

• Nakama Comrade, colleague, circle of friends (generally ones who are like family). See Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Nakayoshi Close friend.

• Ota-kei Otaku-type. A less intense term for otaku. (I rather think of myself this way.)

• Otaku In Japan, a greatly insulting term for a person with an all-consuming obsession. Elsewhere, a term some hard-core anime fans may apply to themselves, though I'm sure some would eschew this, not wanting to corrupt the word's proper, negative meaning. See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Otome Literally, "maiden," but also a word some female fans of anime and manga call themselves, as opposed to otaku.

• Taremekko A girl with drooping eyes (see tareme on the anime page). Often seen in anime and manga.

• Tomodachi Friend.

• Tsunderekko A girl with a tsundere personality (see anime page).

• Imouto Younger sister.
• Itoko Cousin.
• Kanai Wife.
• Kyoudai Siblings.
• Musuko Son.
• Musume Daughter.
• Oba Aunt.
• Obaasan Grandmother.
• Oji Uncle.
• Ojiisan Grandfather.
• Okaasan Mother.
• Oneesan Older sister.
• Oniisan Older brother.
• Otouto Younger brother.
• Otousan Father.
• Shujin Husband.

• Daikan Prefectural governor in Japan's Edo period (see history page).

• Daimyo Feudal lords to whom samurai owed their allegiance. It was usually from the daimyo class that shogun arose. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Geisha Japanese hostesses who entertain in various ways, including singing, dancing, tea ceremonies (see history & culture page), etc. See About.com, Wikipedia, TV Tropes, or Everything2.

• Gravure idoru (See also idoru.) Japanese models who pose in bikinis or other provocative clothing. See Wikipedia.

• Hime Princess.

• Idoru Idol. Media personalities, usually girls in their teens and early 20s, who are very cute. May sing, act, and/or model. See Wikipedia, TV Tropes, or Everything2.

• Isha Medical doctor.

• Kanushi Shinto shrine priest.

• Komuso A type of Buddhist monk during the Edo period (see history page), known for wearing straw hats over their heads and playing the shakuhachi (see stuff page). See Wikipedia.

• Kunoichi Female ninja. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Manga-ka Cartoonist, manga artist. (See anime & manga page.) See Wikipedia, TV Tropes, or Everything2.

• Miko Shinto shrine maiden. See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Ninja A person who is good at concealment, a spy. Also called shinobi. See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Onmyoji Practitioner of onmyodo (see philosophy page).

• Rikishi Literally "strong man," this usually refers to sumo wrestlers (see martial arts page). There are various ranks, the highest two being Ozeki and Yokozuna. See Wikipedia.

• Ronin In Feudal Japan, a masterless samurai who has become a thief or mercenary, and therefore a burden to society. In modern Japan, a student who hasn't passed university entrance exams, and is therefore a burden to society. See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Samurai A class of noble warriors which originated in the Heian Period (see history page), and lasted through several periods, ending after the Meiji Restoration. See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Seiyuu Japanese term for voice actors. See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Sensei Master, teacher. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Shinobi Spy, sneak thief. Another word for ninja. Shinobi is also the name of a series of video games which I've never played. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Shogun Originally a title for military commanders during the Heian period (see history page), this class eventually grew more powerful than the emperor. A series of shogunates held power from 1185 until the Meiji Restoration of imperial power in 1868. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Triads Chinese mafia/gangs. I think these are also called Tongs (or perhaps that's just in America). See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Tsujigiri A samurai who would kill people to test a new sword. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Yakuza Japanese mafia. See Wikipedia or Everything2 or TV Tropes.

• Ainoko Derogatory term meaning person of mixed race. See also konketsu no hito.

• Ainu An indigenous Japanese people who have historically suffered discrimination. See Japan-Guide, The Ainu Museum, Suite101, Wikipedia, or Everything2.

• Gaijin is the informal form of the word gaikokujin, which means foreigner (non-Japanese). "Gaijin" may be used as a derogatory term (but not necessarily). See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Konketsu no hito Person of mixed race. I think this isn't derogatory, as Ainoko is, but I could be wrong.

• Issei Person born in Japan who has emigrated to another country. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Nihonjin Japanese person/people. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Nikkei People of Japanese descent who are living in another country. Wikipedia.

• Nisei A person born in another country to first generation Japanese emigrants (issei) See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Jin Man; person; people.

• Kodomo Child, or children. See Wikipedia.

• Minna All, everyone. As in "konnichiwa, minna!"

• Onna Woman.

• Otome Maiden; young girl.

• Seinen Young man.

• Shoujo Girl. Also can be used to refer to manga or anime targeted at girls. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• Shounen Boy. Also can be used to refer to manga or anime targeted at boys. See Wikipedia or Everything2.

• -chan A term of endearment added to the end of names, especially when addressing young girls. See Everything2.
• -dono Added to the name of a lord or lady, but rarely heard these days outside of anime. See Wikipedia.
• -kohai Someone junior to you, usually an underclassman at school. See Wikipedia or Everything2.
• -kun A term added to the end of names, most commonly with boys. See Everything2.
• -sama An address of greatest respect. See Everything2.
• -san A common address of respect. See Everything2.
• -senpai Someone senior to you, usually an upperclassman at school. See Wikipedia or Everything2.
• -sensei Added to the name of a teacher. (See higher this page under "professions/ societal roles.")
• -tai Indicates a team.