Glossary Terms

Shonen (少年) refers to anime and manga targeted at teenage boys. While generally action-focused and age-appropriate, some shonen works contain mild sexual themes. For adult-themed works of fiction, check Seinen.

Seinen (青年) manga and anime are targeted at adult male audiences, featuring mature themes such as violence, politics, psychological drama, and adult relationships. Yes, yes, including ecchi.

Lewd refers to sexually suggestive or explicit content. In online anime culture, it’s often used as a tag or descriptor for NSFW material.

Baka (バカ) means “idiot” or “fool” in Japanese. It’s commonly used in anime dialogue, especially in comedic or romantic contexts.

Yandere (ヤンデレ) is a character type that appears loving and sweet but becomes obsessively violent or possessive, especially in romantic situations. Commonly featured in Japanese fiction across different media such as manga, anime, and more.

Tsundere (ツンデレ) is a character archetype that shows cold or hostile behavior at first but gradually reveals a softer, more affectionate side. Commonly featured in Japanese fiction across different media such as manga, anime, and more.

Kouhai (後輩) refers to someone younger or less experienced, often in school or work settings. The dynamic between senpai and kouhai is common in anime relationships.

Senpai (先輩) means an upperclassman or someone senior in experience. In anime and manga, it’s often used in school or work settings to signify admiration or romantic tension. Also see > Kouhai.

Cosplay is the act of dressing up as characters from anime, manga, or video games. It ranges from casual social media content to professional modeling and adult cosplay.

Eroge (エロゲー) is short for “erotic game,” a genre of adult Japanese video games that often include visual novels with interactive storylines and explicit scenes. Sometimes people use “ecchi game” as a synonym.