Japanese Art Terminology

Manga and anime employ a rich vocabulary drawn from Japanese language and culture. Understanding these terms can help you navigate genres, demographics and character archetypes. Below you will find concise definitions along with references to reliable sources.

Demographic Categories

Shōnen (少年): Manga aimed at adolescent boys roughly 12–18 years old; it is the most popular demographic and is enjoyed by readers of all genders. The Ohio State University library lists shōnen under comics for boys aged 12–18.

Shōjo (少女): Targeted at young teenage girls aged 8–18. Stories often focus on romance and personal growth.

Seinen (青年): Aimed at young adult men aged 18–40. Seinen works can include mature themes and complex storytelling.

Josei (女性): Created for adult women aged 18–40. Compared to shōjo, josei often portrays realistic relationships and adult life.

Kodomo (子供): Literally “children”; manga for kids under eight. These stories are family‑friendly and educational.

Character Archetypes

Bishōjo (美少女): Literally “beautiful girl.” The term refers to attractive young female characters and is used in many video games and comics.

Bishōnen (美少年): Meaning “beautiful youth (boy),” this term describes an aesthetic of young men with androgynous beauty.

Relationship Genres

Yaoi/Boys’ Love (BL): Fiction depicting romantic or sexual relationships between male characters. The Simple English encyclopedia notes that yaoi is a subgenre of Boys’ Love that leans toward sexual content.

Yuri: Stories featuring romantic or pseudo‑romantic relationships between women. According to Tofugu, the term literally means “lily” and describes series that explore relationships between female characters.

Other Terms

Otaku: In English, this loanword describes someone with obsessive interests—particularly in anime and manga. Merriam‑Webster explains that in Japanese the word began as a formal second‑person pronoun meaning “house,” but by the late 20th century it referred to people whose hobby interests could be regarded as obsessive. The term has shifted in meaning and carries both negative and neutral connotations.

Glossary Table

The following table summarises key terms. For detailed explanations see the text above.

Continue exploring with our History of Mature Manga and Hentai vs. Ecchi vs. Fan Service articles.