All Questions
12,180
questions
140
votes
9
answers
144k
views
What differentiates anime from regular cartoons?
In my region, people don't know the difference between anime and regular cartoons. When they see me watching anime, or they hear about it somehow, they say that I'm watching a regular cartoon and ...
- 4,879
132
votes
5
answers
982k
views
What's the difference between the FMA and FMA Brotherhood series?
I haven't watched Anime in many years, but recently I've had time to get back into it. I've seen that one of my favorite series, Fullmetal Alchemist, has done a series reboot. What I'm wondering is:
...
- 3,773
117
votes
5
answers
1.2m
views
In what order should I watch the Ghost in the Shell series?
The Ghost in the Shell series is comprised of several movies and animated TV series.
TV series:
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG
Ghost in the Shell: Arise
...
- 29.4k
110
votes
10
answers
38k
views
Why are the protagonists generally seated by the window?
I've noticed that in some anime the protagonist is seated by the window in the classroom. More specifically, the protagonist is generally on the second seat from the back (or sometimes on the very ...
JNat♦
- 17.8k
106
votes
7
answers
54k
views
Do people in the anime or manga actually eat Pokemon?
In the anime, certain species of Pokemon are mentioned or depicted to be edible (by people or other Pokemon), like Magikarp and Farfetch'd.
Do people actually eat Pokemon? If so, what other species ...
- 42k
95
votes
6
answers
137k
views
Where is this picture from? How do I use Reverse Image Search to find the source of an anime/manga image?
So I see an image that I believe is from either an anime or a manga. What are some ways that I can go about finding what series it's from?
Try these options:
Google reverse image search (browser ...
83
votes
6
answers
94k
views
The treasure in One Piece is at the end of the Grand Line. But isn't that the same as the beginning?
Assuming the world in the One Piece universe is round, then there is not really a beginning or an end of the Grand Line.
The Straw Hats started out from the first half and are now sailing across the ...
- 1,135
82
votes
9
answers
46k
views
What is the purpose of characters shouting out the name of their attack?
It seems to me that in a lot of anime (Naruto, Dragon Ball, Gurren Lagann, and Digimon are four that come to mind), characters or creatures who perform an attack tend to shout its name, almost as if ...
- 29.4k
74
votes
8
answers
46k
views
Does the "bloody nose" trope necessarily imply a sexual situation?
If you've seen much anime, you're familiar with the male character getting a bloody nose when he gets sexually excited. For example:
Master Roshi (Dragon Ball) and Umino Iruka (Naruto)
However, when ...
- 1,903
70
votes
10
answers
201k
views
Why do ninjas run with their hands at the back?
Ninjas in Naruto run with their hands at the back,
which is very different from normal anime character running.
Why is that? Is it because of their too much running speed or the wind force that ...
- 11.3k
65
votes
15
answers
261k
views
When and where does Attack on Titan take place?
Is the setting of "Attack on Titan" (Shingeki no kyojin) supposed to be Earth in the distant future and Titans suddenly appeared out of nowhere and devolved society to medieval level of technology? Or ...
- 28.1k
65
votes
1
answer
46k
views
When and why did the trend of 1:30-long openings and endings begin?
I've started to notice lately that the vast majority of anime (that I can find, anyway) seems to have opening (OP) and ending (ED) sequences which are 1 minute and 30 seconds long.
Some examples (...
- 29.4k
64
votes
3
answers
105k
views
What does 'moe' mean?
I've now watched quite a few anime and I'm still at a loss as to what the term moe represents. Is there an agreed upon definition for it? If a character is moe, what does that mean?
- 5,819
63
votes
5
answers
68k
views
Why do some anime in Japanese contain English?
It seems that many anime and manga aired or printed in Japanese, before they are dubbed or localized, contain English text or lyrics.
I've tagged a couple of examples here.
The first is from ...
- 29.4k
58
votes
6
answers
91k
views
Is Fullmetal Alchemist based on Nazi Germany?
It may be because I'm Jewish (yes, Madara is Jewish), but I couldn't help but noticing the similarities between Fullmetal Alchemist to the German Nazi regime.
German names (Edward, Alphonse, Olivier, ...
- 19.1k
58
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Is Pikachu on a diet?
I noticed that Pikachu evolved a little over time.
I wonder why he changed his form so much, so I'm a bit worried about Pikachu.
- 5,591
57
votes
3
answers
159k
views
How are Chaos;Head, Steins;Gate, and Robotics;Notes connected?
These series all seem to be connected, but asides from sharing the same production company and having the semi-colon separate their titles I can't see any relation between them. The plots seem to be ...
- 34.2k
56
votes
9
answers
15k
views
How is Misaka's railgun so destructive?
In episode 1 of Railgun, Misaka's railgun up-ends a good chunk of what appears to be an olympic-sized swimming pool. Later in the same episode, it is revealed that her railgun travels at a velocity of ...
- 7,398
56
votes
2
answers
1.3m
views
Which episodes of Bleach are filler?
I want to watch Bleach, but the anime has a lot of filler content not in the manga. I'd rather not watch the filler content and only watch the episodes which are directly related to the plot. To be ...
- 28.3k
55
votes
3
answers
35k
views
Where does the term "waifu" come from?
I was stalking a forum looking for images to nab to use as wallpapers, and there was a post where posters were claiming characters as their "waifu".
Seeing how it is spelled, I would assume that what ...
- 39.6k
55
votes
3
answers
20k
views
Why is Edward Newgate called Whitebeard?
Why do they call him "Whitebeard"?
He doesn't even have a beard!
55
votes
2
answers
42k
views
Why do anime/manga characters have big eyes?
Going as far back as Astroboy, anime and manga characters have had big eyes.
What is basis of this trend? How and where did this originate?
- 42k
55
votes
4
answers
4k
views
What happens when Naruto is talking to the Kyuubi?
When Naruto is talking to the Kyuubi is his mind or his spirit inside the Kyuubi?
What happens while he is running? Does he have something like an autopilot?
- 1,586
54
votes
4
answers
246k
views
Was Lelouch the person driving the cart in the last scene of Code Geass R2?
At the ending of Code Geass R2, the last scene showed someone whose face wasn't showed riding a horse-pulling-cart with CC. I believe that it is indeed Lelouch (who was previously stabbed by Suzaku ...
- 11.3k
52
votes
1
answer
64k
views
What does the 'D' stand for in all the names?
There are a lot of characters with the middle initial "D". Is this an indication of something, or do they really all just have middle initials of the letter D? If they are initials, do we know what ...
- 1,404
52
votes
4
answers
142k
views
Is No Face from Spirited Away based on any traditional Japanese legends?
Spirited Away borrows a lot of its side characters from various Japanese legends, although many are also original. One of the most mysterious such characters is No Face, who is perhaps slightly ...
- 28.3k
51
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Can I increase my lifespan by killing myself using the Death Note?
Suppose I wrote that I will be killed by a UFO falling from space in the year 2315 while I am lifting.
Will the Note increase my lifespan? In other words, will I still be alive by then?
- 993
49
votes
4
answers
53k
views
Do we know what happens to Spike at the end of Cowboy Bebop?
At the end of the last episode of Cowboy Bebop, Spike collapses. It's not clear, but it looks as though he may be dead. Is there a way to know whether he is alive or dead (something in the ...
- 1,903
49
votes
1
answer
10k
views
What are Type A and Type B viewers?
I keep hearing the terms Type A viewers and Type B viewers in discussions and chat.
What do they mean? What is a Type A viewer and what is a Type B?
- 19.1k
48
votes
2
answers
147k
views
What is the first ever produced anime and manga?
What is the first anime ever produced in Japan?
And what is the first anime film and first anime series produced?
I heard that it was Astro Boy, is that true? And what is the first ever manga ...
- 11.3k
48
votes
5
answers
192k
views
How much is One Piece's currency worth?
There are many transliterations of the currency: Berry, Beli, Berri. Which one is the official one?
The Navy just give large bounties for pirates, Buggy has a 15 million bounty and Luffy has a 30 ...
- 2,560
48
votes
1
answer
20k
views
Do people who use the Death Note become Shinigami themselves?
In both the Death Note manga and anime, it is stated multiple times by Ryuk that once you use the Death Note, a human can go to neither Heaven nor Hell.
However, it is hinted in an additional movie ...
- 1,309
45
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Why does Final Fantasy contain "Final" in the title?
Why does the Final Fantasy franchise of RPGs, anime, manga, etc. contain "Final" in the title?
Is it that the original concept of the first game was intended to portray the ending of a story? Was it ...
- 10.8k
45
votes
2
answers
20k
views
What is the difference between an OVA and an OAV?
I've heard the terms OVA and OAV used interchangeably with one another, but is there a distinct difference between the two?
Do the definitions differ in Japan versus overseas? Where did the two ...
- 42k
44
votes
4
answers
568k
views
What is the viewing order of Fate-related works?
I've watched just the 2006 Fate/Stay Night anime series. I know there are other series in the franchise (Fate/Zero, Fate/kaleid Liner Prisma Ilya), as well as the Unlimited Blade Works movie, and the ...
- 12.5k
44
votes
3
answers
33k
views
Is Ditto a Failed Mew Clone?
This theory got some attention on the internet a few years back, but I haven't found a definitive source on it.
Both Ditto and Mew are genderless pokemon, with similar color schemes for both their ...
- 28.3k
44
votes
3
answers
12k
views
Why is "I won't forgive you" a commonly used threat?
In a number of shows, "I won't forgive you" or some variation is used as a threat. Rukia uses it when she is trying to keep Ichigo to follow her into the Soul Society, saying, "If you follow me, I ...
- 23.6k
44
votes
4
answers
50k
views
Why does the Death Note never run out of pages?
It is kind of intriguing the Death Note never runs out of pages...
How to Use: XXXI
The number of pages of the Death Note will never run out.
Source
Since it's made of an unknown matter it's not ...
- 1,503
43
votes
2
answers
15k
views
What is the purpose served by cicadas in anime?
Why do so many anime (e.g. Code Geass, Steins; Gate, Ano Hana) have cicadas in the background?
- 613
43
votes
4
answers
25k
views
Why do airing shows have times listed beyond a 24-hour clock?
I know of the time notation for some anime—between 22:00-27:00. I know that this indicates that the show airs at a particular time, and likely targets a particular audience.
Why would this notation ...
- 6,833
43
votes
2
answers
84k
views
What do the black and red scenes mean?
In Bakemonogatari, it often happens that suddenly, a red screen with "Red Scene (Aka)" or a black screen with "Black Scene (Kuro)" appears for a short time. (At least these are written in my sub.)
...
- 11.1k
42
votes
3
answers
17k
views
Why are tentacles prevalent in anime?
What is the reason/motivation for the prevalence of tentacles (possibly NSFW Wikipedia link) in anime (esp. hentai)?
Did the anime subculture lead to it or does it stem from various aspects (possibly ...
user277
42
votes
1
answer
1.5m
views
Where do the Naruto movies fall in the timeline?
I know that the Naruto movies are outside the timeline in the sense that they don't affect whatever happens after them. However, they must fall somewhere in the Naruto timeline — based on who are in ...
- 23.6k
41
votes
1
answer
36k
views
What databases and listing sites exist for anime, manga, etc?
What are the major online databases of anime, manga, light novels, visual novels, and other related media? What are the differences between them?
To qualify as an answer, the source should list a ...
41
votes
2
answers
146k
views
Why is "Shingeki no Kyojin" translated as "Attack on Titan"?
The direct English translation of 進撃の巨人 ("Shingeki no Kyojin") isn't actually "Attack on Titan", and the name seems like an odd translation because it implies either an attack on a person/thing named "...
- 23.6k
41
votes
7
answers
171k
views
What happens at the end of CLANNAD: After Story?
This is a question that I really can't get my head around. I've asked many people but I still have not come to a good understanding of the ending of CLANNAD: After Story.
In the end of the anime, ...
- 681
40
votes
4
answers
28k
views
How can I identify child-appropriate manga?
I have a 9 year old daughter that has expressed some interest in manga, but I'm having trouble locating series that are appropriate for her age. No one at our local bookstore could offer any advice. ...
- 503
39
votes
9
answers
15k
views
Why isn't anime critically analyzed like other forms of literature or entertainment?
In high school English classes, we read many classics, such as Shakespeare, Steinbeck, Lee, etc. In many other classes, popular TV shows and movies are analyzed. Granted, these are also classics, such ...
- 2,290
39
votes
4
answers
21k
views
Why does Ryuk love apples?
It is often seen in Death Note that Ryuk loves apple. Why is that? Do all Shinigami (Death Gods) love apples, is it the only food for Death Gods or does he just love apples?
Also.. Is it to signify ...
- 11.3k
39
votes
6
answers
125k
views
What exactly is a "Light Novel"?
I am only familiar with this term when I know about the anime.
Is this term only used in Japan?
Sometimes I read light novels on the internet but I never see the book myself. How is a light novel ...
- 19.1k