Herein lies the definitions and explanations of the terms used by the Japanese animation fans known as Mu Epsilon Kappa. Yes, we are aware that much of our language makes little to no sense. Just bear with us here. It'll be ok, I promise.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Japanese for animation.
Often used by American fans of Japanese Animation to denote Japanese animation, though this usage is technically incorrect. Correctly it should be called Nippon Anime or Japanese Animation. By using these elongated proper phrases you would, however, be either thought of as psuedo-intellectual or just pompous.
B
The Bet, the semi-factual account of the origin of Mu Epsilon Kappa. A bet between Mike Hsia and Dave "Inky" Scott to see if Mr. Scott could get MEK accepted as an offical Texas Tech organization before year 1995. Naturally Dave "The Founder" Scott won.
Back Ground Music. Music ranging from peices by Beethoven (Legend of Galactic Heroes) to Japanese pop singles.
An abbreviation of the Japanese word "Bishonen." Bishi commonly refers to sexually appealing male characters. These characters often tend to be statuesque and androgynous. Referring to characters as "bishi" or "my bishi" is often a symptom of fangirling and should be brought to the attention of your family doctor.
C
D
Dojin: Fan produced comics, based off a commercial series or original content. Sometimes of a mature nature; ie. Badly done smut.
Any instance in which there is a sudden gust of wind causing a character's hair, cape, etc. to billow out when none of the other characters are affected. It is used for dramatic effect to show any variety of personality traits such as evilness, heroic might, mysterym, or just general bad-ass-ness.
E
The first 'syllable' of Hentai in Japanese, used to mean pervert or perverted.
See: Hentai
F
A derogatory reference to fans of any stripe or type, used by those not participating in the activity or hobby. It is often also used in arguments to 'discredit' the opposing side, but considering the negative steroetype associated with the tag it tarnishes both sides of the argument. See Also: Otaku
A reference to fans who obsess over any given aspect of anime. It is often used as a verb such as, "She is so fangirling over Sephiroth." Fangirling can lead to dangerous consequences ranging from devoting one's life to a fictional character to physical violence from the subculture of fans who "eat fangirls."
'Fan service' is any gratuitous shots of the human anotomy in a show that does not contribute or further the plot. For example, the usually female character being unclothed or close to is shown in a variety of ways to show off the physical attractiveness of the character; including shower scenes, full body pans of the character in a skintight outfit, panty shots, bondage shots, etc.
It must be noted that fan service can be cross gender, male characters are often given the same treatment in shows meant primarily for female veiwers.
Anime that is subtitled by fans for fans. Anime is imported from Japan, translated, subtitled and then distributed for a (hopefully) nominal fee. This is all done by people on their own time and money, as an act of (near religious) devotion to the hobby. Those of us on the receiving end are sometimes truly grateful, though many of us sometimes bite the hand that feeds us. Once fansubs are produced they can be copied more or less freely, though to relieve the strain on the few main sources and to keep costs down, most people get second or later generation copies from the huge network of people involved in copying and trading the fan subbed work.
Fan subbers are generally an honored bunch, though considered insane by the bulk of mainstream fandom, who are often responsible for the fansubbers reaching that condition.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation. The nice folks that enforce US copyright laws, among other things. They keep a lid on fan excesses, such as copying and other naughtiness. See the copyright warning at the beginning or end of commercial releases. Not to be trifled with.
You're not cleared for that. (web masters note: It's ok, I'm not leet enough for clearance either...)
G
1) A company that has produced many popular and strange series and movies. Produced the first OVA's.
2) "Gainax Factor" Term used by fans for the excessive breast bounce that some female characters exhibit. Derivative of certain video's produced by Gainax, such as Gunbuster. See Also: Fanservice
Japanese Animation has too many genre's to be named here. Used as a general category of viewing material by fans. 'Magical Girl' 'Drama' 'Shonen Ai' 'Mecha'.
(Noun) The master work of Japanese Animators Hajime Yadate and Yoshiyuko Tomino, noted for its complex story and characters, along with a fairly 'realistic' use of mecha as war machine.
(Verb) An American fandom term, coming from the afore mentioned 'GUNDAM.' Used (Usually in the past tense of 'Gundamed') when a popular character gets killed in the middle or the beginning of a series.
H
Adult material. From the Japanese word meaning pervert. Ranging from soft core to hard core, rated at least PG-16, generally not for the faint of heart or strong morale fiber. Tentacles are sometimes involved. For pornography meant for a female audience, see Yaoi.
I
J
K
L
M
The Macross Missile Attack comes from its original and heavy use in the animated series 'Super Dimension Fortress Macross'. It is an all out missile salvo with the missiles spiraling picturesquely away after launch before striking the target in an orange fireball.
Technically a subgenre of Shojo, it deals with girls granted or possessing great power, either secertly or in the open, to combat supernatural enemies while dealing with a mundane life. It is something of a bastard child of the Shonen and Shojo genre's, using elements of both styles. This genre appeals to both men and women, though often for vastly different reasons at times.
As Anime is to animation, Manga is to comics. Japanese Comics, usually first published in large weekly 'phone books', have a wide appeal to the Japanese public. Later titles are republished in collected books.
Manglish is a contraction of 'Mangled English'. What happens to the English language when it goes through first the Americans, then the Japanese.
example: Although these cards is scheduled to be totally sold 80,000 copies, such a number of children rushed around the counter that the promoter decided to stop selling these cards fearing any accident might happen; Against this decision not a few children and their parents eagerly protested, which did not stopped until the band of 80 policemen hastened to the dome.
Mecha is the Japanese terms for any machine, no matter the scale or use. A three hundred foot tall robot to the smallest communicator is considered 'mecha'. American fans usually use a more narrow definition, appling it only to power armor or gaint robots.
Also a genre that extensively used robots or power armor in its background and plot.
N
O
Otaku [oh-ta-koo]
A Japanese word meaning, depending on context, 'home' or a derogatory term for a 'fan'. Picked up by American fandom of Japanese animation as a self label. One of the reasons why American fans are considers slightly more insane then Japanese fans of Animation. The other reason is that American fans will gladly pay out the mouth for merchandise and videos form Japan. For a better understanding of the way of the Otaku, see Genshiken - an anime about the life of otaku.
Also OAV. Meaning Original Video Animation. A production, ranging from thirty to ninety minutes released directly to the public. Rather then being shown on TV or movie theatres. Orginated by Gainax.
P
Q
R
S
Scott, Dave 'Inky' 'Baby-cress' 'Captian Harlock' 'The Founder'
The Founder of Mu Epsilon Kappy, the man of a thousand faces and conspriacy theories. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Noted for his use of a tiedyed lab coat and a thousand buttons. Unarmed and dangerous, appoarch with extreme caution for your sanity! He succeeded in winning The Bet in the year nineteen hundred and ninety four and gleefully founded Mu Epsilon Kappa. Fnord
Shojo [sho-jo]
Anime or Manga focusing on emotional conflict, growing up, etc.; predominately consumed by girls and women. Often telling an interesting story if a bit complex.
Shonen [sho-nin]
A classification of anime or manga, deals with more physical conflict, sports, etc. Directed mainly for consumation by boys.
Shonen Ai [sho-nin i]
Literally boy love, a genre that shows romantic love between men, popular among female audiences. Much less explicit than Yaoi.
Villians and Heroes have them, though heroes rarely have as many as the villians. This is speculated to be the reason why women and men seem more attracted to villains then heroes. Heroes usually have high levels of style points invested in their last, ultimate attack or fighting style.
T
U
V
W
A mythological substance or drink that bestows high levels of combat ability to anyone that uses it. For some reason it is found in cans. Anime characters seem to have an unlimited source, though you never seen them actually using it. As that would deduct style points.
Used: "Looks like Kenshin opened up the ole can o' whup ass on Shishio."
X
Y
A term for the genre of male homosexual love, usually of a fairly explicit nature. Popular among mature female audiences in Japan and America. See also: Shonen Ai.
Not the Dirty Pair character, but instead, lesbian relationships and/or sex. Also known as Resu or Rezu.
Z
