| Action (Major Genre) - By far one of the most common genres out there and the name basically explains it all, normally anime based solely on this genre tends to be lacking in substance although exciting due to lack of character development or an underlying story, to resolve this creators of action based anime try to mix in other genres, usually comedy, Adventure or Fantasy. Examples of this genre are Bleach and One Piece. Adventure (Major Genre) - Also another popular genre of Anime, as the same suggests it deals a lot with characters moving around and exploring new places, these anime tend to be very long and drawn out but the characters typically have a solid background. The anime itself usually has a well formed story-line but due to the nature of this genre viewers often get bored and annoyed at the slow progression. Overall its a pretty decent anime genre and allows pretty much every other genre to almost seamlessly integrate themselves into it. Common mixtures are: Adventure – Action, Adventure-Historical (due to its uncanny ability to tell a story) and Adventure – Slice of Life. Examples are Fullmetal Alchemist and Pokemon. Bishounen (Genre) - This genre is pretty rare in the West but in japan it has proved to be a successful alley. It deals with a young male whose beauty exceeds gender somewhat and is mostly targeted at the girls and women in japan. This genre often includes a strong sense of homosexuality and has very unique social relationships. Examples are Ouran High School Host Club and Fruits Basket. Comedy (Major Genre) - The most predominantly Used Anime genres yet is almost never used on its own, as its name implies deals with usually light humor although it is very easily overdone. This is is usually achieved by the use of Props, Character Designs and the composition of the Japanese Language. Common combinations are Action Comedy’s or Romantic Comedy’s. Examples are Yuru Yuri and Nichijou. Demons (Genre) - Pretty common genre, deals with evil spirits, demons, witches etc, normally combined with the action or adventure genres. Examples are Inuyasha and Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou. Drama (Major Genre) - Suspenseful, shocking and full of emotion, the Drama anime genre is one of the most appreciated anime Genres, characters and the plot are usually well developed and viewers are very easily swept up with emotion and side with one character or a group of characters, it is usually well paired with Romance as well as Adventure, in fact, the Drama anime genre is very often synonymous with the Romance genre. Examples are School Days and Monster. Ecchi (Genre) - This is the PG-13 of anime, although some shows drive it to the extreme where it could be Rated R, it is usually frivolous and lighthearted with the use of implied sexual innuendos. Ecchi animes do not show sexual intercourse nor the Primary Sexual Organs but leaves it up to the viewer’s imagination. Ecchi is usually used as fan service (due to its popularity among anime lovers alike) and recently the ratio at which anime is created with ecchi related content is drastically increasing. It is often incorporated with the comedy, harem and shounen/seinen genres. Examples are Elfen Leid, and High School of the Dead. Fantasy (Major Genre) - Magic worlds, magical powers and monsters, these are the main components that make up fantasy anime. It is usually combined with the adventure, action and history genres. Mythology and folklore is usually the foundation on which this genre is based upon, unfortunately the characters often have very poor backgrounds but the art is almost always breathtaking with unique scenery and magnificent character detail. It is normally paired with the adventure, harem and romance genres. Examples are Fullmetal Alchemist and Inuyasha. Game (Genre) - As the name says, it basically involves the characters playing some sort of game. (normally card / monster based). It on its own cannot be a genre, it has to accompany another which is normally either Adventure or Psychological. Examples are Yu-Gi-Oh and Bakugan. Harem (Genre) - Almost always accompanied by the comedy or romance genres, Harem is more or less the scenario where the main character is surrounded amorously by three or more members of the opposite sex, usually with the protagonist being a guy. Almost always comical and has a certain degree of love/romance. Examples are Love Hina and Girls Bravo. Hentai (Genre) - This is the Rated MA Stuff, basically anime pornography, unlike its softer sister ecchi it shows all the sexual organs and well as intercourse. This genre more often than not has no background and poorly developed characters with most of the content being from explicit scenes. Almost always paired with harem with a male protagonist. Examples are Bible Black and Crimsons Girls. Historical (Genre) - Anime based on a particular time period, very often the Edo/Tokugawa period in Japan where the shoguns ruled the country (althought it can be american based). Characters are often fashioned from well known figures in Japanese past such as commanders and even the shoguns themselves. Almost always paired with the samurai genre. Examples are Baccano and Shigurui. Horror (Major Genre) - Despite the name, the horror anime isn't very scary, instead it implies alot of bloodshed and mutilation, i suppose a better word would have been gruesome. Often used with the Drama, demon or psychological genres. Examples are Shinsekai yori and Higurashi. Josei (Genre) - A very rare (at least in the west) genre aimed at the adult woman (ages 18-40). They are normally themed about living the life of an ordinary woman although some can be held in a school setting. The animation is very mature and realistic and tends to focus very realistically on romance, and character relationships. Examples are Paradise Kiss, Honey and Clover. Kids (Major Genre) - As the name implies, lighthearted and ‘kiddy’ themes, usually paired with comedy. Characters are normally small and somewhat cute. Examples are Digimon and Pokemon. Love / Romance (Major Genre) - This is a relatively popular genre which deals with the detailed creation and progression of the romantic relationship between two characters. Normally paired with comedy and harem it has developed into somewhat an industry on its own with tons of devoted followers due to the inclination for it viewers to form somewhat of a connection between themselves and one or multiple characters. Examples are Toradora! and Clannad. Magic (Genre) - Synonymous with superpower but used when referring to a more ‘kiddy’ styled anime (young girl with magic wand, etc). It can also be used to refer to animes with a ‘realistic’ sense of superpowers such as, results from praying, magic charms etc. Examples are Fairy Tail and Madoka Magica. Martial Arts (Genre) - Action Packed with the majority of the ‘actiony’ scenes from a form of martial arts such as boxing, kenpo or mixed martial arts. Examples are Histories Strongest Disciple Kenshi and Hajime no Ippo. Mecha (Major Genre) - Another action packed anime genre, but with the use of giant robots or Mechas. Often includes space, military and fantasy. Examples are Code Geass and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Military/Police (Genre)- Where the main character is often in the military or ex-military. Frequent use of military weapons and military combat knowledge, involves the action, mecha or adventure genres. Examples are Ghost in the Shell and 07-Ghost. Moe (Style)- This one is hard to describe, but I’ll give it a shot. Moe is not considered as a concrete term. It is constantly evolving and being used in a variety of ways. People use Moe as a feeling or characteristic. The term "moe" can be tacked on to the end of any personality trait or physical trait to create a new type of moe. Since this word is also a homonym for "burning" pronounced moe, there is speculation that the word stems from the burning passion felt for the characters. The word has come to be used to mean one particular kind of "adorable", one specific type of "cute", mainly as applied to fictional characters. Examples are K-On! and Minami-ke. Music (Genre) - Where the theme of the show encompasses the art of music, either where it is used to express emotion or as a hobby. Usually incorporated with the love/romance genre. Examples are K-On! and The iDOLM@STERS. Mystery (Genre) - Anime Genre that keeps the views wondering whats going to happen next, usually involves a chain of unexplained events, where the protagonist tried to solve them. Normally with an above average intellect the protagonist slowly encompasses himself in the mystery and often becomes obsessed with the case. As the story unfolds the dark cloud that shrouded the answers is broken apart piece by piece letting the viewers enjoy a thrilling ride until the end. Examples are Death Note and Monster. Psychological (Major Genre) - The genre that continues to never fail in producing anime masterpieces. Like mystery it keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering whats next, but there is always an additional twist with the entire series seeming somewhat like a game of chess, one character trying to keep 10 steps ahead of the other. Although it goes hand in hand with the mystery genre, psychological anime tends to leave the viewer guessing till the very last moment about what will happen instead of mystery’s way of slowly revealing truths. Overall, when it comes to an excellent story-line, this is one of the best genres out there. Examples are Mawaru Penguindrum and Higurashi. Samurai (Genre) - Often (if not always) used with the historical genre with the time frame being centered around the Edo Period in Japan, often has a lot of action although the element of drama is also seen due to the time setting. Examples are Gintama and Blade of the Immortal. School (Major Genre) - A very common genre on the lighter side of anime, usually incorporates drama, comedy, slice of life and love/romance, typically a middle school - university setting. Anime usually progresses in chronological order (exams, summer break, first day of school etc) and typically incorporates school activities such as running/swimming/basketball etc. The mood of this genre varies a great deal depending on the level of the institution, with the level of maturity of the characters increasing respectively. Examples are The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and K-On! Sci-Fi (Major Genre) - Very often incorporated with the fantasy, mecha and space genres, typically includes technology that may be possible in the future but currently isn't, such as teleportation, intergalaxy space flight and advanced civilizations. Also often includes alien creatures and to some extent giant monsters or robots. Examples are Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu. Seinen (Genre) - Is basically an indicator of an anime aimed at the adult male (ages 18-40). They tend to usually be psychological, sexual and violent while dealing with character development and relationships in a very mature way. Examples are Cowboy Bebop and Futari Ecchiand Rainbow. Shoujo (Style) - Is basically an indicator of an anime aimed at the young female (ages 7-18). They tend to usually be very visual and aimed at telling a particular story, it tends to have a strong focus on romance, relationships and character development. Examples are Fruits Basket, Ouran Host Club. Shoujo-ai (Style) - Relates to lesbian romance and relationships, is less graphic than Yuri (its more explicit counterpart). It tends to focus on romance, relationships and character development. Candy Boy, Ga-Rei: Zero. Shounen (Style) - Is basically an indicator of an anime aimed at the young male (ages 7-18). They tend to be incorporated with the harem, mecha and martial arts genres, it tends to have a strong focus conflict resolution via fighting (with superpowers or giant robots). Usually with and indecisive protagonist surrounded by a large quantity of beautiful women normally fighting for his attention. Examples are Chobits and Naruto. Shounen-ai (Style) - Relates to the sexual relationship between two males but is less graphic than Yaoi (its more explicit counterpart). It tends to focus on romance, relationships and character development. Examples are Junjo Romantica and Kono Danshi, Ningyo Hiroimashita. Slice of Life (Major Genre) - In anime and manga, "slice of life" is a genre that often parallels teen melodrama in addition to using slice-of-life narrative techniques. Another common trait in slice-of-life comics is their emphasis on seasonality or procedures. Basically implies the use of mundane realism in expressing everyday life. Usually mixed with the romance, school and josei genres. Examples are Hidamari Sketch and School Rumble. Space (Genre) - Often incorporated with Sci-Fi and fantasy genres, and usually implies there is alot of space travel or a large amount of the show’s setting is on a space colony, or in a spacecraft. Examples are Cowboy Bebop and Mobile Suit Gundam. Sports (Genre) - Often used with the School and action genre, and simply involves alot of sports where to protagonist is either incredibly gifted or extremely bad where he has to work throughout the anime to become better at it. Examples are Hajime no Ippo and Prince of Tennis. Super Power (Genre) - Action or Adventure Based where the protagonist has variety of super powers (super speed, strength, etc). Examples are Dragonball Z and Kotoura-san. Supernatural (Major Genre) - Has to do with, spirits, demons and other supernatural entities, different from the magic genre as it includes more out of the ordinary characteristics such as aliens, time travel and ESPers. Examples are The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Ao no Excorsist. Vampire (Genre) - As the name states, deals with vampires, it by default is a subcategory of the Supernatural genre but has risen in popularity to the point where it became its own genre. Examples are Rosario + Vampire, Trinity Blood and Blood +. Yaoi (Genre) - More explicit variation of Shounen-ai (male x male). A COMMON JOKE ON BEGINNERS IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF BOKU NO PICO. I suggest you watch it. :) Yuri- (Genre) More explicit variation of Shojo-ai (girl x girl). An example of this is Strawberry Panic. |
BlackShadsMar 23, 2013 9:21 PM
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| I like a mix of Slice of Life and moe. I like to think of anime as its own unique kind of entertainment, and SoL genre you don't see many places outside of it. This is why I hate shounen, especially those with guns. If I want a high-action show with guns, I can go to just about any channel on TV. I also don't enjoy mecha, for reasons unknown to me. I guess I just don't like the idea of giant robot characters. :P Anyways, back to SoL. I think one of the best shows you can start with in this genre is Yuru (TL Note: Yuru = easygoing) Yuri. http://myanimelist.net/anime/10495/Yuru_Yuri Despite the name, Yuru Yuri is PG-13 and is more Shojo-ai then Yuri. It is honestly one of the funniest things I have ever seen, even outside of anime. Right now there are only two seasons, 12 episodes each. I highly recommend it to anyone intrested in the genre, and even anyone who likes comedy. You'll love it. |
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| Thanks, I just edited the examples of each one! :) |
BlackShadsMar 23, 2013 9:14 PM
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