Questions tagged [japanese-language]
For questions which are likely to require knowledge of the Japanese language to answer. Note that generic questions about the Japanese language are off-topic here. Questions with this tag must still be primarily about anime or manga.
269
questions
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why is it called "Rurouni" Kenshin? What is "Rurouni"?
The MC is called Himura Kenshin. And Kenshin is a name given to him (meaning "heart of the sword", or something similar). But I can't remember "rurouni" ever being mentioned ...
- 239
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is "Rasetsu"?
I come across the term "Rasetsu" in Japanese games and anime, but I can't find a specific kanji or translation of term.
According to Google Translator, "Rasetsu" in Japanese means &...
- 163
0
votes
1
answer
111
views
What did Kaku mean when he said 'assassins can never find other work'?
In the Enies Lobby Arc of One Piece, Kaku says to Roronoa Zolo 'they say assassins can never find other work' after their fight.
As a native English speaker, I have never heard this phrase be used ...
user69850
1
vote
1
answer
71
views
Why does Mizuto say Yuni-san but Yume says Mineaki-oji-san?
You can answer either for the series in particular or for in general about Japanese culture/language.
Mizuto both addresses and refer to Yuni as Yuni-san while Yume both addresses and refers to ...
- 1,957
0
votes
1
answer
36
views
Why does Yuni change between Mineaki-san and Mine-kun? (S01E05)
You can either answer based on the series or guess based on knowledge about general Japanese culture / language.
In S01E01: Yuni addresses Mineaki as Mineaki-san.
(slightly NSFW)
In S01E05: Yuni ...
- 1,957
4
votes
1
answer
150
views
Why does Saten call Uiharu (a girl) "Kazari-kun" (her given name, which she almost never uses) when failing to find Shadow Metal?
In season 3 of the Railgun anime, episode 4 starting at 3:52 and happening at 4:15, Saten and Uiharu are working together to look for Shadow Metal in a stadium during the Daihaseisai festival. When ...
- 507
2
votes
0
answers
213
views
What's the most popular manga rating site for the Japanese readership?
I'm thinking something along the lines of MyAnimeList but it does not have to include anime per se. I'm just interested to see how some series are viewed among the Japanese fanbase.
If there isn't a ...
- 291
4
votes
1
answer
318
views
What is the Japanese term for the CGDCT tag/genre?
What is the genre or tag in Japanese terms for CGDCT? (Cute Girls Doing Cute Things for those that are not aware)
- 291
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What pronouns are used to refer to Foo Fighters in the Japanese version of Stone Ocean?
I'm asking what pronouns Foo Fighters uses for herself, or what other characters use when referring to him/her in the Japanese version of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 6: Stone Ocean. I am aware that ...
-2
votes
1
answer
188
views
Why does Chika call Miyuki as 'kun' (not 'san') but Kaguya 'san' (not 'chan')? (Re anime s2 and live action 1st movie)
Chika Fujiwara calls Miyuki Shirogane as Miyuki-kun during the brief periods in s2 and the 1st live action that Miyuki isn't president. However, for the entire anime, manga and live action movies last ...
- 1,957
-4
votes
1
answer
86
views
Why does Miku's colleague refer to Miku by last name but addresses Miku by 1st name?
From S02E10 of The Quintessential Quintuplets
Above, we see that Miku is working part-time at some bakery. Yotsuba is visiting Miku at the bakery where Miku has just started working part-time. Miku's ...
- 1,957
-5
votes
1
answer
86
views
Is Moeha the 2nd person Kaguya has addressed by 1st name only?
I ask here about how in S03E10, Kaguya addresses Moeha (Chika Fujiwara's imouto) by 1st name only after previously, in S02E02,
A - expressing reluctance to do the same for Kei (Miyuki Shirogane's ...
- 1,957
-5
votes
1
answer
91
views
How Kaguya addresses Moeha Fujiwara
In S03E10, why does Kaguya address Moeha (Chika Fujiwara's imouto) by 1st name only after previously, in S02E02,
A - expressing reluctance to do the same for Kei (Miyuki Shirogane's imouto) and
B - ...
- 1,957
-1
votes
1
answer
329
views
Do new Japanese step-siblings or new step-siblings in Japan often change their last name?
From here. Mizuto Irido's dad Mineaki Irido married Yuni Ayai who is the mom of Yume Ayai. Yuni's last name changed from Ayai to Irido. For some reason Yume Ayai became Yume Irido too.
Is it common ...
- 1,957
-2
votes
2
answers
215
views
Why when being romantically affectionate do these ex-romantic partner step-siblings call each other by last name? (Motokano S01E01)
1st episode of new anime adaptation of light novel series My Stepmom's Daughter Is My Ex aka Mamahaha no Tsurego ga Motokano datta:
Yume Ayai and Mizuto Irido have recently become step-siblings. ...
- 1,957
-2
votes
1
answer
454
views
Why does Yor call Loid as Loid-san when with others?
I thought it was part of Yor's politeness trope, but this is what ConMan said:
To each other, probably just Loid-san. When I said she would call him anata, I was thinking more in the situations where ...
- 1,957
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Why does Yor call Anya as Anya-san instead of Anya-chan?
In this pretend family, Yor is Anya's step-mom even though in a way Loid is like Anya's step-father in adopting Anya. I guess this is why Yor calls Anya as Anya-san? Idk.
- 1,957
4
votes
2
answers
622
views
What is a Moopie?
I’m reading Tezuka’s Phoenix, Yamato book and in it there is a species of shapeshifter called “Moopie” in the English translation. Is this just a nonsense word picked by the translator or does it have ...
- 292
-2
votes
1
answer
176
views
1st episode: Why does Raiha call Itsuki by 1st name (presumably without knowing the existence of the other quints until S01E04)?
What I understand is that the quints are called by their 1st names, in situations where they would normally be called by their last names, for obvious reasons (that they're quints. Extend in general ...
- 1,957
-4
votes
2
answers
117
views
What do witches say when they refuse a repetition request (復唱 要求)? [closed]
For example Episode 18, Eva-Beatrice refuses a repetition request by saying 'I refuse!' Sounds like 'kyohi suru wa'.
In episode 9, Beatrice says 'I refuse.' Sounds like 'kyohi suru'.
In episode 14, ...
- 1,957
1
vote
1
answer
731
views
Kaiji in Kaguya-sama S03E04: Why is zawa (ざわ) translated as 'ecstasy'?
From S03E04, there's this 1 second Kaiji reference/similarity where Miko Iino's face goes nobuyuki Fukumoto-style and either Miko or the narrator or some sound effect whatever says 'zawa (ざわ)'.
...
- 1,957
-5
votes
1
answer
530
views
Why is Kaiji referred to by 1st name while Akagi is referred to by last name?
Kaiji and Akagi similarities
They are both gambling manga series written by Nobuyuki Fukumoto.
They were both adapted into anime series and live action series/movies.
They both have a single word ...
- 1,957
1
vote
2
answers
231
views
What's the katakana for the 'down' in kabedown instead of kabedon that Miyuki Shirogane 'invented'?
S01E02 Miyuki gives advice to Tsubasa Tanuma. Part of the advice includes the 'kabe-down', an original invention of Miyuki.
Wait no actually as Kaguya points out it's something that's been around ...
- 1,957
5
votes
1
answer
695
views
Why does the narrator call Kaguya by 1st name but everyone else by either last name or full name?
(If your answer is 'because the manga does it', then I'll just convert my question about the anime to a question about the manga.) In both sub and dub, what I recall is that the narrator calls Kaguya ...
- 1,957
-2
votes
1
answer
305
views
What is Battler saying in Japanese whenever e asks a witch to repeat something (in red)?
It sounds like 'shoyukyu'. For example, here, in episode 18 of the anime (part of the 3rd arc of the anime, which corresponds to the 3rd episode of the VN Banquet of the Golden Witch), Battler (or ...
- 1,957
3
votes
1
answer
404
views
Difference between the 2 'true love' that Kaguya says
In the pilot/premiere (specifically Kaguya Wants to be Stopped, ch12 of the manga), Kaguya calls 'true love' as 真実の恋 (I think shinjitsu no koi しんじつのこい).
Later in the sleep-deprived fetish episode (in ...
- 1,957
2
votes
1
answer
415
views
What does 'konnichi sappo' mean in episode 8 of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War?
In season 1 episode 8 of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Miyuki's sister Kei and Chika say to each other 'konnichi sappo'. (A YouTube video showing the scene)
What does this mean?
- 1,957
0
votes
1
answer
118
views
The Quintessential Quintuplets (aka 五等分の花嫁) : Is 届くんです (it reaches) a mondegreen that should be 五等分です (It's divided into five equal parts)?
In animesonglyrics, you can see in the season 1 opening (Gotoubun no Kimochi) for the anime adaptation of The Quintessential Quintuplets
the Romaji: Go-tōbundesu, demo (...) --> the Kanji of which ...
- 1,957
1
vote
1
answer
208
views
What is the document that Horikita Manabu saw in episode 4?
I was watching Classroom of the Elite on Muse Asia YouTube channel where I encountered this scene in episode 04 time ~08:22. After seeing this document, president Horikita Manabu started laughing. ...
- 232
4
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Why does Zero Two use 'boku' when referring to herself?
As far as I know, 'boku' is a male pronoun in Japanese, and is usually used by young boys. But, in the series Darling in the Franxx, the female lead character, Zero Two, consistently uses 'boku' to ...
- 802
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Why are Maki and Nobara surprised by Megumi's response that Panda smells like the sun ('ohisama')?
In the "Jujutsu Stroll" short at the end of episode 5 "Curse Womb Must Die—II—"
(Transcription: "Jutai Taiten—Ni—"; Japanese: 呪胎戴天—弐—), Zenin Maki asks Fushiguro Megumi ...
- 802
2
votes
0
answers
937
views
What does Hanami mean by the words, "Die and become a sage"?
In Jujutsu Kaisen's episode 18 "Sage" (Transcription: "Kenja"; Japanese: 賢者), Hanami disrupts the Goodwill Event and engages Fushiguro Megumi, Inumaki Toge and Kamo Noritoshi in ...
- 802
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
What exactly does Sukuna say when Itadori breaks into Mahito's Domain Expansion?
In Jujutsu Kaisen's episode 13 "Tomorrow" (Transcription: "Mata Ashita"; Japanese: また明日), when Nanami Kento is trapped in Mahito's Domain Expansion "Self-Embodiment of ...
- 802
5
votes
1
answer
93
views
Why do people think people with good knife skills are hiding things?
When I was playing Tales of Graces f, if Pascal and Cheria were in the party, there would be a victory scene where Pascal would comment on Cheria's knife work and questions if she's hiding anything ...
- 39.9k
2
votes
1
answer
330
views
In Erased, why does Satoru refers to his mother as "okaasan"?
In Erased, when Satoru got transported back to 1988, he mistakenly referred to his mother as "kaasan". However, when pointed out, he quickly switches to "okaasan". Why is that?
As ...
4
votes
1
answer
124
views
What honorific does Panda use when speaking to Yaga Masamichi?
In Jujutsu Kaisen's episode 16 "Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event—Group Battle 2—" (Transcription: Kyōto Shimai-kō Kōryū-kai—Dantai-sen ②—; Japanese: 京都姉 妹校交流会—団体戦②—), during a flashback ...
- 802
2
votes
1
answer
152
views
Why is cafe pronounced "kisa" in Kobayashi's Dragon Maid?
In the first episode of Kobayashi's Dragon maid, Tohru joins a maid cafe. But, in Japanese, Tohru refers to maid cafe as "maido kisa". How does cafe become "kisa" if I consider ...
- 2,920
0
votes
0
answers
152
views
What does Kano mean by "having intercourse with Lukuss" in the ending of Texhnolyze?
At the end of Texhnolyze, Kano gives the following dialogue:
I became free of all genes by having intercourse with Lukuss.
What does the above mean? How can he have intercourse with a city?
Did he ...
user48078
0
votes
0
answers
738
views
What did White Fang tell Kakashi about Might Guy in episode 421?
In episode 421, White Fang and Kakashi meets Maito Dai and Might Guy. Kakashi kind of despises Might Guy because he didnt get into the Academy. After that, Might Guy smiles, makes a thumb up with his ...
- 13.3k
0
votes
2
answers
493
views
How does Vegeta new transformation name translates to English?
I've seen over half a dozen names for Vegeta's new transformation in English. The Japanese name is 我儘【わがまま】の極意【ごくい】 (Wagamama no Gokui) but in English people calls it Ultra Ego, Mega Instinct, ...
- 13.3k
1
vote
1
answer
109
views
Are Japanese watermelons crispy?
In the anime Haikyuu (second season to be specific) when Karasuno High goes to tokyo for a week for practice matches, there is a scene where some high school girls brings watermelons for the players.
...
- 11
4
votes
1
answer
254
views
Why is "Hope and Despair" (希望と絶望) such a common theme? [closed]
It seems to be popular in a lot of Japanese writing, actually. The exact words 希望 and 絶望 are very common. Just look at Danganronpa. Anyone know the origins of such a theme, specifically of the ...
- 1,095
1
vote
1
answer
56
views
When people talk about Princess Sapphire's male and female "hearts"... Is it possible it's supposed to be "souls"?
When people talk about Princess Sapphire's male and female "hearts"... Is it possible it's supposed to be "souls"?
Because it seems that memories are tied to her "hearts",...
- 945
3
votes
2
answers
359
views
Why is "Uso Da!" used in Higurashi?
I haven't heard "Uso Da!" used to mean "Liar!" in any other anime from what I can remember, and when I type the phrase into google, it seems to exclusively be a Higurashi thing. ...
-1
votes
1
answer
6k
views
What is "One Piece" called in Japanese?
Attack on Titan = Shingeki no Kyojin
Food Wars = Shokugeki no Soma
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure = JoJo no Kimyou na Bouke
Darker Than Black = Kuro no Keiyakusha
Fighting Spirit = Hajime no Ippo
...
2
votes
1
answer
147
views
Why does 定命 have the furigana さだめ in the Oreimo: Kuroneko manga?
I was trying to read a raw copy of the Ore no Kouhai ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai and on the page shown below, there's this kanji, 定命:
As seen, it has the furigana さだめ. However, when I tried looking ...
- 8,961
1
vote
1
answer
778
views
What is the Japanese term for an old man/grandpa who is into anime/is otaku?
Is there a casual/slang term in Japanese for an old geezer who's a hardcore otaku? I know terms like erojiji and such but there are more referred to old men who are just perverted in general, but what ...
- 11
-3
votes
3
answers
8k
views
What is the difference between "weeb", "weeaboo", and "otaku"?
I would like to know why people would like being called a weeb instead of an otaku and why there is so much drama about "weeb", "weeaboo", and "otaku".
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
182
views
What is the significane of 8 in Anime and Manga?
I have recently noticed 8 is a pretty common number in the manga I have been reading. Like Samurai 8 and Kaiju NO.8 have the number in their title. There are also 8 gyms in pokemon. Like the number 8 ...
3
votes
2
answers
412
views
Are some unusual honorifics used in Shougeki no Soma actually used in regional dialects?
I noticed some unusual honorifics used in the Shokugeki no Soma anime series:
Yuki Yoshino tends to use "-cchi", as in "Erinacchi" or "Takumicchi"
Terunori Kuga tends to ...
- 213