Words You Should Know as An Otaku #1
Tags: Otaku, Anime, Terms, Meaning, Japanese

The anime industry has not only done well in entertaining viewers but also connecting them. If you are an anime lover, chances are you will relate better when you meet another anime lover. You might wonder why complete strangers start to bond as friends with just a word or two. It is because of some anime-related terms which they both understand. If you are new to anime and don’t know what these terms and their meanings are, here are some you should check out.

Otaku

The term Otaku is of Japanese origin and simply means someone with heightened interest in a particular area. Otaku is mainly associated with people who love anime and manga, but the term is actually not restricted to that. You can be a shoe otaku, train otaku, or an art otaku, meaning you have heightened interests in these areas. In the past, the wort otaku used to be offensive, but it has become a thing of pride currently.

Senpai

Senpai is a Japanese honorific term frequently used to address seniors at work, school, or other organizations. It’s common in high school or work-related animes and is used to show respect when addressing seniors. You will often hear it as “Kaname senpai,” which means “senior Kaname.”

Sensei

Just like “senpai,” sensei is also used to address addressing seniors, but it’s used for teachers or mentors alone. The term is commonly used among anime fans as a greeting to show they are more knowledgeable in that field. So, if your colleague or friend calls you sensei, they are likely telling you to enlighten them.

Manga

Manga is a famous comic that originates from Japan and is most times converted into anime. Other comics may look similar to it, but it’s not manga if it’s not from Japan. Other comics sometimes have a unique name which they are called. Korean comics are called manhwa. While Chinese comics are called manhua.

Isekai

The word isekai is a Japanese word that translates to “Different World,” a genre of manga or anime. It is a genre where a character is transported to another world sometime after dying in the current one. Anime fans usually prefer to say isekai instead of explaining the entire process or title since it’s a bit lengthy. An example of this kind of franchise is “the rising of the shield hero.”

Sauce

Yes, this is a term that confuses many but not all anime fans. The term sauce is used to request a particular franchise title, either anime, manga, games, etc. Like saying isekai, anime fans prefer speaking “sauce” instead of “what is the title of that anime.” See! It is not too complicated. So, when you hear someone say sauce, don’t run or point to the kitchen.

Seichi Junrei

Seichi Junrei is a popular one but might not be popular with anime lovers living outside Japan. The reason is that most locations used in anime and manga actually exist somewhere in Japan. Seichi junrei is a Japanese word meaning pilgrimage, so planning for it as an anime fan means visiting those locations.

Kawaii

If you have been around some otaku groups, you should be familiar with this term, especially as a lady. Otakus uses the word “kawaii” to address ladies and children, which means adorable. So, if someone calls you kawaii out of nowhere, you should really blush because they most likely mean it.

As a newbie in the otaku community, you might get confused when some terms go flying around. Learning the words above and their meanings will help you understand and fit into anime discussions better. Can’t find the words you were looking for? Drop a comment, ill be sure to add it to the next post.