Learning About Anime - an A-Z Guide

Anime - Anime is the affectionately shortened name for animation in Japan. It's written in Katakana, as a derivative of English and general refers to any animation conceived and drawn in Japan. There is however a certain style and method to anime that can be recognized the world over as unique to Japanese animation. The simple, exaggerated character features and surprisingly detailed settings along with the actual thematic content, usually a coming of age story of some sort. Some character's development through a series of trials via uniquely Japanese morals of perseverance and strength.

Baka - Japanese slang for stupid. It's affectionately used to describe every goofball, oddball, and erstwhile character in an anime. Usually applied by a female toward a male, it's best defined as the catch all insult for a nerdy, insecure male (and sometimes female) who accordingly does something stupid. Hence, Baka.

Cosplay - The unique and overwhelming practice by anime fans the world over of dressing as their favorite anime and video game characters for the sake of meeting up with other extreme fans and comparing their realism. Because anime is drawn (mostly) to scale, and the clothing is generally brightly colored and completely impractical, characters are easily recognized on those who have a particular talent in this arena. Expos are held for cosplayers annually, as well as contests. It's something of an underground phenomenon in the culture that's become much less underground in recent years.

Doujinshi - The Japanese word for fan created manga based on existing characters. Pretty much the anime equivalent of the Star Wars novels. There's a huge market for these fan created fictions in Japan, and because of the massive pool of talent they're often of equal or greater quality than the source material. Seems like a good way to go. Keep your future employees on the outside, drawing for free.