With the rise of the internet, anime enthusiasts have been granted unprecedented access to creators, their beloved series, and their fellow community members. The days of having to meet an anime fan in person to discuss high-quality anime are long gone; now all it takes is a computer and an internet connection for fans to connect and engage in discussions.
As a result, a significant number of anime enthusiasts, reactors, video essayists, and memers now have a diverse range of styles to communicate with fellow fans. However, this increased openness has also resulted in the widespread misuse of certain terms within the anime community. Whether due to a lack of knowledge or intentional malice, terms such as “filler,””woke,”and “edgy,”among others, have become commonplace in the vocabulary of anime fans and are often used incorrectly.
Please note that this article may contain spoilers for the anime being discussed. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Commonly Misused Terms in the Anime Community
Section 1: Filler
The term “filler”refers to the use of anime-original content when adapting a manga, and it is not necessarily a negative aspect. For instance, the well-known Endless Eight from Haruhi Suzumiya is considered filler, as well as the episode in Dragon Ball Z where Goku and Piccolo learn to drive. Other examples include the Bount arc in Bleach and the Doom Tree arc in the original Sailor Moon anime.
In the past, filler episodes were often created to keep anime fans entertained while waiting for the manga to catch up. This was because anime adaptations were known for quickly catching up to the manga. However, with advancements in technology, more frequent season breaks, and improved writing, filler episodes have become less common in newer anime such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer.
One major issue with how anime fans utilize this term is that it has a dual effect. Firstly, any element that does not directly pertain to the main storyline, or what is considered the most engaging parts, is often wrongly categorized as filler. For example, some fans have mistakenly labeled the initial 50 chapters of Bleach as filler, or the first two arcs of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure as filler. However, these segments serve as crucial introductions to significant characters and essential concepts that play a significant role in the overall story of both series.
One downside of this misuse is that it deprives stories of moments of downtime, which are important for allowing the audience and characters to relax and for character development to occur. When strictly focusing on plot-related elements, stories can feel incomplete and fail to give the audience enough time to form attachments. This concept, known as “padding,”is already disliked by many.
2) Woke Culture
“A widely used phrase among a particular group on the internet, “woke”originated from African American Vernacular English (AAVE). It conveys the idea of being conscious and vigilant towards racial bias and unfair treatment, and has been utilized by African American advocates since the 1930s.”
The term gained widespread recognition and became commonly used in the mid-2010s, coinciding with the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement against discrimination. Throughout X, the phrase “always be woke”or “stay woke”served as a powerful call to remain vigilant against racial injustice, particularly in light of the increased attention to police brutality towards African Americans in the United States.
Despite the ongoing protests, the backlash against them persisted. The term “woke”was adopted as a dog whistle by conservatives, particularly those who were also fans of anime. It served as a replacement for “politically correct”and “SJW”in referring to any form of progressive expression or decision.
The term “woke”is often used by conservative anime fans to discredit anything that goes against their beliefs, such as the inclusion of LGBT+ characters, female characters with short hair, or protagonists with dark skin. This appropriation of a term that holds significance for a marginalized community is troubling and unfortunately, not the only instance of such behavior.
Exploring the Concept of Queerbaiting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBe2PHGAajc
The term queerbaiting has also been adopted by anime fans, but its true meaning remains the same. It is a tactic used by creators to promote a series by teasing LGBT+ characters or relationships, without ever actually including them. This concept has been around since the 1970s, during a time when LGBT+ representation was becoming more prevalent in media such as film and television.
LBGT+ fans often cite Sherlock Holmes and John Watson from Sherlock or Dean and Castiel from Supernatural as clear examples of this, while others may be less apparent. It is crucial to acknowledge that there must be some form of explicit or implicit romantic undertones for these examples to be considered legitimate. If a heterosexual couple were to exhibit the same behavior, it would likely be immediately perceived as romantic by the fans.
When discussing the ways in which anime fans misuse this term, the situation becomes significantly more complex. Essentially, the misuse of the term can be attributed to two main reasons: either legitimate LGBT+ characters are labeled as such because they did not engage in a romantic kiss, or they did, but it did not occur quickly enough for the liking of anime fans.
Despite having multiple LGBT+ characters, shows like Yuri on Ice, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, and RWBY often face criticism for their portrayal of these characters. They are often reduced to their romantic relationships and not given the same depth and development as other characters. For example, although these shows include LGBT+ characters, they have been accused of queerbaiting due to the lack of traditional romantic interactions, such as kissing, or for rushing the development of these relationships, despite having built up to them.
Edgy
The word “Edgy”can have three different meanings: feeling anxious or easily annoyed, having a sharp or cutting edge, or being bold, provocative, or innovative. It is often used to describe behavior or ideas that deviate from the norm and are considered exciting or exhilarating.
Undoubtedly, any deviation from what is deemed as the societal norm will be labeled as such. South Park was long regarded as “daring”for its frequent use of profanity and crudeness. Similarly, fans of anime have also used this term to describe various shows, such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Higurashi, Future Diary, Blue Gender, and more.
Anime fans frequently misuse the term, often using it to mask bigotry or offensive language. However, in the context of anime fans, it typically refers to the original definition.
Despite the first episode of Goblin Slayer being rightfully criticized for its edginess, the rest of the series did not continue to push those boundaries. However, many still unfairly dismissed it as garbage.
Censorship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grgTiuqBTAM
Censorship is defined as the act of restricting speech, public communication, or information that is deemed inappropriate, damaging, delicate, or offensive. It is commonly practiced by governments, private organizations, and other authoritative entities, with motives ranging from managing information and society to preventing opposition to a specific ideology.
In the world of mass media, censorship is frequently seen in the banning of certain works from being sold or distributed. This is especially evident in the anime industry, with numerous titles being banned in various countries. The localization of anime has also faced its fair share of censorship, as longtime fans of English dubs for shows like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z can attest to with examples such as the removal of guns, reduction of blood, and even entire episodes being left unaired.
Whenever a television show is broadcasted or intended for a wide audience, it often comes under the scrutiny of Standards & Practices (S&P for brevity), which dictates what is permissible to air on their channel. Fanservice, which involves showing certain body parts such as the chest or hips, is often censored by covering them with bars of light, but these restrictions are lifted in the uncut versions released on Blu-ray.
Despite this, anime fans frequently accuse censorship for elements that are not significant or are necessary for the adaptation of a manga. For instance, in Undead Unluck episode 19, Fuko’s encounter with Shueisha and her use of a gun to meet the original author of To You, From Me in the manga was altered to Andy’s intimidation in the anime. While the reason behind this change is not officially stated, many believe it may have been influenced by events such as the Kyoto Animation arson attack and other acts of terror.
Normalization
Normalization is a commonly used sociological term that describes the process of accepting certain ideas or behaviors as the norm or “normal.”It often pertains to the progression of certain actions or attitudes, such as the acceptance of minority groups or discriminatory beliefs.
It is common for anime fans to use the term in unconventional ways. A frequent criticism is that certain series normalize attitudes or behaviors through their content. This is often directed towards fanservice anime, harem anime, and others, with claims that they perpetuate misogyny or misogynistic attitudes.
This form of criticism primarily focuses on individual aspects of sociology, such as the notion that individuals can be easily swayed by the media they consume. This is particularly applicable to propaganda, as it is specifically crafted for persuasion. However, when examining the media as a whole, complications arise.
Despite the fact that certain media releases, such as Jaws, may have contributed to an increase in people fearing shark attacks and shark hunting, this fear was already present and not solely caused by Jaws. Other forms of media, like anime, also expect viewers to distinguish between fiction and reality, and have a moral understanding. Recently, there has been a positive shift among anime fans who now recognize the importance of LGBT+ representation in media, and how it helps to normalize LGBT+ relationships.
Retcon
The term retcon, derived from retroactive continuity, refers to a literary technique in which the events of a fictional work are altered, expanded, disregarded, or contradicted by a later work that can provide a new context. An early instance of this is seen when Arthur Conan Doyle resurrected Sherlock Holmes in the Return of Sherlock Holmes anthology, following his supposed demise in a final showdown with James Moriarty.
The term “retcon”has gained popularity for its use in describing various noteworthy occurrences and unexpected changes in anime, video games, comic books, and other works of fiction. However, there is a common misuse among anime fans where they confuse it with reveals, plot twists, and the filling in of previously unexplained backstories. For instance, the Dragon Ball franchise often receives accusations of retconning, when in reality, it is simply providing further depth to characters, similar to how Superman’s roster has expanded over time. An example of this is the revelation of Goku’s Saiyan heritage.
Despite its popularity, RWBY often faces criticism for alleged “retcons.”These complaints often claim that in volumes 3 and beyond, the characters of Adam Taurus and James Ironwood were suddenly portrayed as an abusive lover and fanatical terrorist for the former, and a military dictator for the latter in volumes 7 and 8.
The Black Trailer reveals Adam’s willingness to blow up a train while robbing it, and his disregard for the safety of innocent workers. At the end of Volume 2, he confidently declares his ability to gather more supporters, even if it means risking the lives of others. Similarly, Ironwood’s actions in Volumes 2 and 4 demonstrate his tendency to use his military without regard for consequences, allowing allies to take the blame when plans fail, and intimidating those who do not comply with his orders.
Cringe
“The term “cringe”has become increasingly popular in modern slang and lexicons, especially among reviewers, reactors, gamers, and anime fans. It has multiple definitions, including recoiling in terror or fear from someone, and physically displaying embarrassment or awkward discomfort.”
In the early 2000s, the term “cringe”was commonly used to describe the feeling of second-hand embarrassment that people experienced when witnessing others do something embarrassing. However, the term has become overused and often used to describe situations that are simply awkward or unpleasant, such as a mistake in speech or poor performance, leading to it being used as an insult.
“Cringe”has become a prevalent insult in the modern internet and anime fandom, which can be incredibly bothersome. It has been transformed into a negative label used to ridicule harmless activities such as cosplaying, writing fanfiction, and roleplaying as characters, all of which are common among anime enthusiasts.
The current trend is to label any excitement or hype surrounding new anime as cringy, and any expressions of delight or happiness are frowned upon. The term “cringe”is often used as a means to discourage people from openly showing their joy or enthusiasm, and is frequently featured in TikTok and YouTube compilations.
Morally Gray
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOlM4aZezs0
The phrase morally gray refers to individuals who possess a sense of moral ambiguity, meaning they are not completely good or entirely evil. This label applies to characters known as anti-heroes, who often have attitudes and behaviors that do not conform to traditional moral standards. Examples of morally gray characters can be seen in popular media, such as Walter White in Breaking Bad, certain interpretations of Batman from DC Comics, and Dorian Gray in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
The term has become popular among various communities, including comic book and anime fans, to characterize characters similar to the aforementioned examples. However, a significant dilemma and debate surrounding its usage is that some fans tend to exaggerate when labeling characters as primarily villains or aligned with the antagonist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYP3qLNzlXY
Some fans attempt to categorize antagonists such as Homelander or Stormfront from The Boys as morally ambiguous, despite their sadistic tendencies. In the anime community, this term is sometimes distorted in order to defend the actions of villains, as seen in the case of Pain/Nagato in Naruto, or to justify one’s admiration for them.
Despite attempts by some individuals to manipulate the portrayal of Star Wars antagonists such as Count Dooku, Darth Vader, Baylan Skoll, and the Galactic Empire, it is clear that these characters are among the worst examples of villainy. These efforts to complicate their motives by discrediting the actions of the heroes have ultimately rendered the term “morally gray”meaningless for many fans.
Deconstruction
“Among the numerous terms related to sociology and psychology listed, “Deconstruction”is often used to describe works that parodies or satirizes established genres of anime. However, the term was originally introduced by French philosopher Jacques Derrida in the 1960s to explain the ever-changing nature of meaning in language and the absence of a singular, definitive example for anything.”
Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely recognized as a deconstruction of the mecha genre, particularly in its portrayal of children as pilots. Unlike the typical trope of a young hero evolving into a super soldier, the main character Shinji Ikari never fulfills this expectation, much like Amuro Ray in the original Mobile Suit Gundam. This aspect of the series is often easier for anime fans to understand and relate to.
These two examples challenge traditional shonen tropes and set the foundation for others: the protagonist is not a perfect, destined child with a stoic demeanor; they encounter realistic problems, anxieties, and situations. These can be viewed as dismantling shonen tropes and the mecha genre. This is also evident in series such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, as well as others like Bokurano.
The issue with its usage lies in the misconception that anything that challenges social norms or satirizes them is automatically deconstructing them. However, characters like Omni-Man and Homelander are not deconstructions of Superman; rather, they are simply examples of the longstanding trope of the “Evil Superman.”
Final Thoughts
While this compilation of 10 terms frequently misused by anime fans is not comprehensive, there are numerous other terms, such as “incel”and “fanservice,”that are also often misused. The anime community consists of individuals who may use language and terminology in varying ways or without regard for context or intended meaning.
Therefore, it is not constructive to criticize anime fans for their language usage. Each individual has their own unique way of expressing themselves and their own interpretations of terms such as “deconstruction”or “morally gray.”This applies to all individuals, regardless of whether they are anime fans or not, as everyone has their own distinct experiences and knowledge.
Despite the expanding lexicons of anime fans, it is important to pause and assess the usage of words, ensuring they are not being used incorrectly or with harmful intentions. While this may spark debates about freedom of speech and the censorship of language, anime fans should consider having these discussions in order to prevent words from being manipulated for malicious purposes.
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