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Showing posts with label Here Endith the Lesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Here Endith the Lesson. Show all posts
... is a popular catchphrase based on a scene from the anime Azumanga Daioh. While the term “Mai Waifu” (My Wife) is often used in Asian cultures as a casual reference to one’s spouse in conversations, it’s been also adopted by otaku circles and anime fans when discussing one’s favorite manga & anime character.
The term came into widespread use in the internet Otaku culture around 2006 (as shown by Google stats), but the colloquial usage of 'Waifu' in East Asian countries most likely precede its popular usage on the Internet. However, the term was first introduced to the English-speaking communities by a particular scene in Azumanga Daioh where Mr. Kimura, the perverted homeroom teacher, drops a photograph of a mysterious woman on the floor. When asked by his students about the person in the picture, Mr. Kimura simply replies “Mai Waifu.”
The term “Mai Waifu” is often used when speaking of a favorite female anime character (in either 2D on screen or 3D as in cos-play or for a live action character like a fans favorite female idol), either by genuine fans, or by forum trolls who are looking to anger others. However, usage of 'Mai Waifu' is not constricted solely to anime, as it has been seen accompanying pictures of other animated characters and photographs of real life celebrities.
Mai Waifu threads are very popular on sites like 4chan (a large Otaku based image forum and discussion group). On these forums, sometimes the original poster has a genuine otaku-like love for their “waifu” and is met with encouragement, but is sometimes met by those who are critical of the concept that a lonely person could feel fulfillment from a two-dimensional character. “Mai Waifu” threads seem to capture the interest of otakus, weaboos (to display their unhealthy attraction for fictional anime characters), and trolls (to display their scorn for the latter).
A 'weaboo' (a.k.a Wapanese) by the way, is a person (typically of non-Asian descent) who prefers Japan and all things in Japanese over one’s indigenous culture. It's is a derogatory slur referring to western Japanophiles with a strong bias towards Japanese cultural and tech imports. I know a few of these. :-)
And a 'troll', obviously, is an asshole who turns to stone at sunrise.
... is an understanding of a person's character made by knowing his or her ABO blood type. Personal statistics for anime, manga, and video game characters will often include blood type as well as age, height, hair color, etc.
It is a popular belief in Japan that a person's blood type is predictive of his personality, temperament, and compatibility with others, and you'll often be asked by new Japanese friends, "What's your blood type?"
Ketsueki-gata blood type/personality traits:
Blood Type A - The Farmer
Speaking broadly, it is said that people with Type A Blood are calm, composed, and very level-headed and serious. They have a firm character, and are reliable and trustworthy (and hardheaded). They think things over and make plans deliberately, and they plug away at things steadily and assiduously. They try to make themselves more like their own ideal of what they should be. A Types may look aloof or distant to others. They try to suppress their own emotions, and because they have continual practice in doing this, this makes them appear strong. But, actually, they have a fragile, nervous side, as well. They tend to be hard on people who are not of the same type, and so they consequently tend to be surrounded with people of the same temperament.
Some characters who are type A: Shinji Ikari & Misato Katsuragi (Evangelion), Aeka Jerai (Tenchi Muyo), Mamoru Chiba (Sailor Moon), Heero Yue (Gundam Wing),
Blood Type B - The Hunter
People with Type B Blood are curious about and interested in everything. That's may be good, but they also tend to have too many interests and hobbies, and they tend to get all excited about something suddenly and then later drop it again just as quickly. But they do manage to know which of their many interests or loved ones are the ones that are really important, the ones they should hold on to. B Types tend to excel in things rather than just be average. But they tend to be so involved in their own world or become so carried away with something that they neglect other things. They have the image of being bright and cheerful, full of energy and enthusiasm, but some people think that they are really quite different on the inside. And it can also be said about them that they don't really want to have much real contact with others.
Some characters who are type B: Ritsuko Akagi (Evangelion), Minako Aino (Sailor Moon), Duo Maxwell (Gundam Wing),
Blood Type AB - The Humanist
People with Type AB Blood are said to have a delicate sensitivity. They are considerate of other people's feelings and deal with them with care and caution. On the other hand, though, they are strict with themselves and those close to them. They, therefore, seem to have two personalities: one for those "outside," and another for people on the "inside." They often become sentimental, and they tend to think too deeply about things. AB Types have a lot of friends, but they need time to be alone and think things through, as well.
Some characters who are type AB: Misa Hayase (Macross), Celvice Klein (Zone of the Enders), Rei Hino & Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Moon)
Blood Type Type O - The Warrior
Type O Blood people are said to set the mood for a group and to take on the role of creating harmony among its members. Their image is one of taking it easy, of being peaceful and carefree. They are also thought to be big-hearted and benevolent, and they tend to spend money on others generously. O Types are generally "loved by all." But, they also, surprisingly, have a stubborn and strong-willed side, as well, and tend to secretly have their own opinions on things. On the other hand, they have the flexible, adaptable side of readily accepting new things. They are easily influenced by other people or by what they see on TV. They seem to appear level-headed and trustworthy, but they often slip and make big blunders inadvertently. But that is also the point that makes O Types lovable.
Best traits: Agreeable, sociable, optimistic Worst traits: Vain, rude
Some characters who are type O: Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop), Kaoru Kamiya (Rurouni Kenshin), Vash the Stampede (Trigun), Usagi Tsukino (Sailor Moon), Sasami Jurai (Tenchi Muyo), Gene Starwind (Outlaw Star), Asuka Langly Soryu (Evangelion)
Blood Type A is the most common Japanese blood type. In America, Blood Type O is by far the most prevalent. In Japan, schools carry out thorough physical exams, and so the majority of Japanese people find out their own blood types from the results of these exams. Many Japanese are amazed to learn that a large number of Americans don't know their own blood types. "What's your blood type?" is a question heard much more frequently in Japan than, say, "What's your zodiac sign?" is heard in America. It is sometimes even used in casual self-introductions in informal situations.
Of course, if you are a type AB or O you will probably dismiss all of this blood-analysis out of hand as New Age mumbo jumbo, but the more sensitive type A's or B's may want to discover more!
I'm an AB, which in Japan is generally considered the worst type. Oh well...
... is a Japanese word meaning "short person" or "small child". It's meaning is of someone that is small. It can be translated as "little", but is not used the same way as chiisana [小さな] (tiny, small, little in Japanese).
A prototypical example of the former usage in the original Japanese which brought the term to the attention of Western fans is Chibiusa, a pet name for the diminutive daughter of Sailor Moon formed from Chibi Usagi (or "Little Usagi").
In English-speaking anime and manga fandom, the term chibi has mostly been conflated with the term super deformed or it can be used to describe child versions of characters. Super deformed (or 'SD') is a specific style of Japanese caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby, with stubby limbs and over sized heads, to make them resemble small children.
Artists often Super Deform characters in order to show an extreme change in the characters' mood. While the characters' mood may change to anything, seriousness, anger, embarrassment, feigned cuteness, the goal of the animators is always comedic cuteness. Often done at the punchline of a joke for an extra comedic oomph.
The chibi / super deformed style is part of Japanese culture and is seen everywhere from advertising and subway signs to anime and manga. It is often also used on anime and manga in brief interjections to show an extreme or exaggerated emotion, such as anger or surprise, that would be difficult to portray or would seem out of character if expressed on a more realistic face. They are meant to be cute and are often used in humorous diversions from the storyline, such as in Omake scenes between episodes (like the Chibi Tachikoma scenes in the GiTS SAC TV series).
Proportions are often measured using head length as a guide. The average adult is considered to stand seven (1:7) to seven and a half heads tall. Idealized figures are often drawn eight heads (1:8) in length. See this tutorial for more info.
In addition to their modified proportions, super deformed characters typically lack the detail of their normal counterparts. As a result, when a character of average proportions is depicted as a super deformed character, certain aspects of his or her design will be simplified and others will be exaggerated. Details such as folds on a jacket are ignored, and general shapes are favored. If a character has a signature characteristic (odd hair, a particular accessory, etc.) this will typically be prominent on the super deformed version of the character.
In most Anime the SD-Mode only lasts a few seconds, however there are some Anime series where the character designs are completely SD, very often in parodies such as Superior Defender ('SD') Gundam or Scramble Wars. Scramble Wars (1988) was part of AnimEigo's US released Super-Deformed Double Feature (VHS only) which also included Ten Little Gall Force, a mockumentary detailing a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Gall Force: Eternal Story. Characters were drawn as super deformed versions of their Eternal Story counterparts.
Aw man, if that doesn't bring a tear to your eye...!
Hey folks, tell you how long I've been around the Anime scene - I have the Super-Deformed Double Feature VHS in my collection. And no, I won't sell it, so don't ask... -_^ If you have a care, and like me, have very fond memories of Gall Force, BGC, Riding Bean, and Earth Surviver Gaiarth you can watch Scramble Wars on YouTube here.
...is a single strand of hair that sticks out of a character's head. It literally means "foolish hair" or "stupid hair" or "idiot hair" and is a visual cue common to anime and manga. It is most often used to identify foolish, bumbling or carefree characters. In the west, Alfalfa from The Little Rascals would be the most identifiable character with what could be considered an ahoge.
Ahoge are a naturally occurring trait of the hair and are not created with the aid of styling tools. They also appear only near the top of the head, but can be anywhere on top, front or back. The look of ahoge can also vary widely, from long and thin to short and thick. While ahoge have been seen on characters for decades - Osamu Tezuka created characters with ahoge as far back as 1953 - the first series to popularize the specific use of the term is Pani Poni Dash!. In Pani Poni Dash the character Himeko Katagiri sported one and had a major story line in one episode dedicated to it; Himeko's also appears to be living as it moves on its own and mirrors her current mood.
Even if a character is not specifically stupid or naive, an Ahoge also usually represents some sort of mischievous quality about them.
Ahoge have appeared on numerous other characters but are usually limited to those appearing in works with comedic content and then mostly on females. Examples of characters that have an ahoge are Konata Izumi from Lucky Star, Megumi Momono from Mahoraba, Naru Narusegawa from Love Hina, Kenji Harima from School Rumble, Nori from Rozen Maiden, Meg from Burst Angel, and Italy, Romano, and a few other characters from Hetalia: Axis Powers. Male characters with ahoge are more rare but are not unknown, such as Edward Elric from the series Fullmetal Alchemist.
...is derived from a Japanese word meaning "erotic", "lewd", "sexy", or "lascivious" when used as an adjective, or sexual intercourse when used as a noun. The nuance of ecchi varies with context, but in general the word itself is comparable to "naughty" or "dirty".
The origin of the term ecchi is uncertain. Ecchi in Japanese is attached to the Japanese pronunciation of the Roman letter "H" which is the first letter in the Japanese word "Hentai", which may be a backronym. The prefix "H-" is sometimes used to refer to pornographic genres: H-anime, H-manga, etc. (that's how we refer to adult only stuff here at the store - 'H'). Ecchi is another way to say "perverted" in Japanese, but its connotation is not as strong as Hentai. Chotto Ecchi (chotto meaning "slightly") refers to anime that has some light sexual themes.
The word sekkusu is also used in Japan for sex, and Japanese native words for sex (such as 性交 seikō) are often replaced by words of foreign origin such as sekkusu or neologisms such as ecchi.
...are self-published Japanese works, usually magazines, manga or novels. They are often the work of amateurs, though some professional artists participate as a way to publish material outside the regular industry. The term dōjinshi is derived from dōjin (同人?, literally "same person", used to refer to a person or persons with whom one shares a common goal or interest) and shi (誌?, a suffix generally meaning "periodical publication"). Dōjinshi are part of a wider category of dōjin including, but not limited to, art collections, anime, hentai and games.
Dōjinshi are made by artists or writers who prefer to (or have no other choice but to) publish their own materials. Avid fans of dōjinshi attend regular dōjinshi conventions, the largest of which is called Comiket ( the "Comic Market") held twice a year at the Tokyo Big Site. At the convention, over 20 acres of dōjinshi are bought, sold, and traded by attendees. Dōjinshi creators who based their materials on other creators' works normally publish in small numbers to maintain a low profile from litigation.
While dōjinshi is essentially amateur comic publishing, many professional, published artists continue to self-publish dōjinshi in addition to their mainstream manga. These dōjinshi may be new original works that they chose not to (or are unable to) have published by a larger company. They can also be side-stories that the artists create for fans of their published works. Many established artists started their careers as dōjinshi-ka. Yoshitoshi ABe's Haibane Renmei was based on one of his dōjinshi works.
To many western Anime and Manga fans, dōjinshi is usually perceived to be derivative of existing work, analogous to fan fiction and almost exclusively pornographic. This is partly (mostly) true: dōjinshi are often, though not always, parodies or alternative storylines involving the worlds of popular manga, game or anime series, and will often feature overtly sexual material. It is very common for dōjinshi-ka to create sexually explicit stories using characters from established manga such as Sailor Moon, Gravitation, Read or Die, Please Teacher and so-on. Sometimes even the original creators produce pornographic dōjin side-stories to their published work.
In the Dojin community, 2D wins the day.
Examples of Dojin culture in Anime can be found in series like Comic Party in which Kazuki Sendō tries to become a Doujinshi artisis but his childhood friend Mizuki tries to talk him out of it (because she believes otakus are smelly and dirty). The Anime Dojin Work follows the life of a young girl named Najimi Osana and her exposure into the dōjin world, making a group of very (and I mean VERY) interesting friends along the way. In the manga and anime Genshiken the second season's storyline focuses on the The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture's production of a dōjinshi.
...the Japanese ideal for a woman, being humble and skilled in domestic matters.
Yamato Nadeshiko is a complex Japanese concept meaning "personification of an idealized Japanese woman" - "ideal" in the historical context of the patriarchal, traditional culture of Japan. This floral metaphor combines Yamato (an ancient name for Japan) and nadeshiko (Dianthus superbus: large pink or frilled pink carnation) literally translated as "Japanese Dianthus".
The term is often defined as figure of speech for the beauty of Japanese women who are neat and tidy. Per Confucianism, it revolves around acting for the benefit of the family and following instructions or acting in the best interest of patriarchal authority figures. Virtues include: loyalty, domestic ability, wisdom, and humility.
Today, in most cases, the term "Yamato nadeshiko" is used in the context of nostalgia, referring to Japanese women with "good old" traits, as they are critically endangered.
Western Anime fans often mistake this type of characterization as a sort of 'doormat' type, but this is a very ignorant assumption. The nadeshiko is a 'wildflower'. A properly crafted Yamato Nadeshiko will show a subtle, but present 'touch of iron' in that she is unwilling to let circumstances hurt the ones she cares about or distract her from her goals. This is often accomplished very subtly. Older Yamato Nadeshiko are better at this, while a younger one will make up for it in determination - especially when it comes to the man she loves, because that trumps every other consideration.
Some Anime characters that are said to personify examples of Yamato Nadeshiko include Tsubaki from Soul Eater, Yakumo Tsukamoto from School Rumble (who exists as a sort of deconstruction of the concept), Sawako Kuronuma from Kimi ni Todoke, Ruka Souen from Vampire Knight, Belldandy from Ah My Goddess (after all, if she wasn't the universe would cease to exist), Cherry from Saber Marionette J (who is also a Tsundere), Juli Mizrahi from Xenosaga, and of course - my personal all time favorite and the best example of them all - the beautiful Aoi Sakuraba from Ai Yori Aoshi. Kaoru Hanabishi is one of the luckiest men alive - even if he is an idiot sometimes.
More information on this complex concept can be found in the sci.lang.japan FAQ.
... a catgirl with cat ears, a cat tail, or other feline characteristics on an otherwise human body. Catgirls in character typically exhibit a more cat-like attitude, and may sometimes include cat gestures or sounds in written or verbal communications. A frequent running gag among catgirls is that, when talking, they habitually end their speech lines with the catchphrase nya, the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat's meow.
In my experience for common usage, 'Neko' (being the Japanese word for Cat) is usually just used to describe someone as 'cat like'. 'Nekomimi' means 'cat ears', and can refer specifically to Cat Girl cos-play (called Nekomimi Mode) but can also be used to describe any 'cat girl'. Nekomusume literally means 'cat daughter' and can also used to describe any 'cat girl'.
In certain anime and manga series, a boy may be compared to a cat in a similar way that cat girls are. These characters are referred to as catboys. Bishōnen catboys are typically associated with shōjo manga and yaoi; for example, Ritsuka, from the anime and Manga Loveless. In shōnen series, a (usually villainous) catgirl may be portrayed as the leader of a band of anthropomorphic animals. The list of real Nekomimi characters in Anime is nearly endless, but some prime examples include Hiroko from Princess Resurrection, Natsuki Sasahara and Mao from Hyper Police, Sanada, Aiko, Keiko, Yuuko and Eiko from UFO Ultramaiden Valkyrie, Blair from Soul Eater, Alia and Lotte Liese from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's, Aisha Clan-Clan from Outlaw Star, and Merle from The Vision of Escaflowne. Examples of cosplay Nekomimi in Anime includes Hazuki from Moon Phase (Tsukuyomi), Azusa Nakano from K-On!, Chiyo Mihama from Azumanga Daioh, and Sakura Kinomoto from Cardcaptor Sakura.
UPDATE: Since everyone is asking, the song playing during the Cat Witch Blair video is Alfie by Lily Allen.
...literally "pulling away, being confined", i.e., "acute social withdrawal") is a Japanese term to refer to the phenomenon of reclusive people who have chosen to withdraw from social life, often seeking extreme degrees of isolation and confinement because of various personal and social factors in their lives. The term hikikomori refers to both the sociological phenomenon in general as well as to people belonging to this societal group. In Western terminology this group may include individuals suffering from social phobia or social anxiety problems. This could also be due to agoraphobia, avoidant personality disorder or painful or extreme shyness. There are also Hikikomoris who may choose this lifestyle for purely cultural reasons.
Hikikomori can be viewed as a social phobia similar to agoraphobia. In the Anime series Welcome to the N.H.K. and Wallflower, the main characters, Tatsuhiro Satō and Nakahara Sunako, are hikikomori.
...a person who is initially very loving and gentle to someone before their devotion becomes destructive in nature, often through violence. The term is derived from the words yan (ヤン) meaning a mental or emotional illness and dere (デレ) meaning to show affection. Yandere characters are mentally unstable, often using extreme violence as an outlet for their emotions.
Character examples include Ryuuguu Rena from the Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni (When they Cry) series, Akira Kogami from Lucky Star, and Sekai Saionji from School Days (you'll understand why at the end...). A variant of the term, Yangire (ヤンギレ), originated in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS and is used to describe a character who is mentally ill and snaps instantly without showing affection for the victim of their outburst.
..is a Japanese character development process which describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time. The word is derived from the terms Tsun Tsun (ツンツン) , meaning to turn away in disgust, and Dere Dere (デレデレ) meaning to become 'lovey dovey'. It is considered a moe-inspiring character trait.
Waifu (Mai Waifu)
