Glossary Terms

Otaku (オタク) describes someone deeply interested in anime, manga, or gaming culture. In Japan, it can have a negative connotation, but globally it’s often worn with pride.

Weeb is slang for a non-Japanese person with an intense obsession with Japanese culture, especially anime and manga. Often used humorously or self-referentially. Short for “weeaboo”, which sometimes is considered more derogatory or silly.

Husbando (ハズバンド) refers to a fictional male character that a fan considers their ideal partner, typically from anime, manga, or games. Sometimes defined as the male equivalent of the waifu.

Waifu (ワイフ) is a fictional female character from anime, manga, or games that a fan feels a strong affection for, often romantic or emotional in nature. Also see > Husbando.

Ecchi (エッチ) is a genre of anime and manga that includes sexually suggestive scenes or themes without showing explicit sexual acts, commonly considered softcore. If looking for something more hardcore, check > Hentai.

Hentai (変態) is a genre of adult anime and manga that contains explicit sexual content. It’s one of the most widely recognized categories of NSFW Japanese media. For a less explicit type of content, check > Ecchi.

Tankōbon (単行本) refers to a standalone printed volume that compiles chapters of a manga series, often used for collecting completed arcs in physical or digital format.

Doujinshi (同人誌) are independently published Japanese comics, often created by fans or indie authors. They frequently include parodies or unofficial stories and may feature explicit adult content. Also see > Manga.

Manhua (漫画) is the term for Chinese comics, often featuring high-quality visuals and themes such as martial arts, historical drama, fantasy, and adult relationships. There are many genres, such as wuxia, xianxia, etc.

Manhwa (만화) is Korean comic art, typically published in full color and scrollable digital format. It includes genres like romance, fantasy, and mature content aimed at adult readers.