(The Awesome Mini Glossary!)
anti-hero • A character who is either angst-ridden, or potentially a "bad guy", who does the right thing and/or saves the day, usually at the last minute. These characters are intriguing mostly because it is often difficult to be sure just who's side they are on. While not all anti-hero's walk the fence as far as choosing sides, most have some very anti-heroic tendencies, hence the name. Some are reformed murderers, hitmen, incurable perverts, womanizers, or just plain bad-bad boys/girls that somehow find the good in themselves as the story progresses. Often this is at the hands of a "pure" character who is so nauseatingly sweet and good that they could rot a chocolate bar's teeth. Anti-hero's tend to remain angsty, often about their pasts, throughout nearly every storyline in which one appears, with few exceptions. Vash the Stampede, for instance, is one of the only cheerful anti-heros in the manga universe.
bishonen (bishie) • A pretty man, usually slender and effeminate. Can be mistaken for a woman. Lusted after by most fangirls
fangirl(s) • A female fan of an anime or manga series. Stereotypically behaves in a silly or overzealous manner and has a crush on one or more "bishies". (see also "fanboy")
fanboy(s) • A male fan of an anime or manga series. Stereotypically dateless and clueless about women, they fantasize about female anime characters, typically those with volumptuous figures. (see also "fangirl)
fan-service • The portrayl of characters in a provokative of suggestive manner. Examples are the "panty-shot", taking spontaneous showers, losing articles of clothing in a fightscene, or even going so far as sex-scenes. Fan-service is primarilly meant to titilate the viewer and use the "sex sells" meathod to keep their attention. (see also "panty-shot" and "hentai")
Feudal Japan • [Wikipedia Article]
floating rose petals • An effect common in both anime and manga, it is meant to show that a romantic or magical moment is taking place. For example, rose petals are usually used in the background of a panel in which two characters kiss.
fuku • A Japanese girl's school uniform. It is typically a blouse and skirt, sometimes including a blazer, that is made to look similar to a sailor's uniform.
gag character(s) • A character whose sole purpose in an Anime or Manga series is to provide comedy relief or lighten the mood of the comic. This character is usually fairly minor and very distorted in appearance.
hentai • Japanese for "pervert" it is the word generally used for "naughty" or sexual situations or comics.
kimono • A traditional Japanese garment. It is a beautiful silk robe, usually with very long, flowing sleeves and a collar that dips slightly in the back. Formal kimono are usually worn with a "juban" or underslip that shows at the collar. A traditional kimono comes in a few set lengths, and the extra fabric is gathered at the waist and held in place by two small belts which manage the fabric and keep it smooth. These are then covered by a long sash called an "obi" which is in turn held in place by a decorative cord called an "obe-jime". (For more information see link). Modern day kimono are fairly simplified compared to their earlier forms and often use velcro, snaps, and other shortcuts in order to make them easier to get in and out of.
Manga • Japanese comic books
metrosexual • Often mistaken for a "homosexual", (someone who is attracted to their own gender) because of their slightly "feminine" behavioral traits, a metrosexual is a man who is very fastidious about his appearance and is always careful to look his best at all times.
panty-shot • Just what it sounds like, this is the taking of an opportunity to show off a female character's panties. Common meathods are strong updrafts catching a skirt, a combination of a very short skirt and leaning over, a pervert with his hand where it shouldn't be, showing a girl climbing something from beneath/behind, and showing girls changing clothes, or trying to entice a love interest. While most anime/manga will thankfully use these shots sparingly, some insert them wherever possible and find new and creative ways to employ the panty-shot.
swirly-glasses • An effect employed in both anime and manga to show extremely thick glasses or poor eyesight. It is often used to denote "nerdy" characters as well.
