In all my travels around the net visiting Anime sites, the one thing that I've found is that the author/web designer has often included Japanese terminology to their fiction and their sites.  Of course in the case of Weiß Kreuz they've also included some German.  I think one extra language is enough to deal with when all you're really doing is trying to relax and enjoy yourself.

What I've realized, is that these little touches that they do with the language, color schemes, and Far Eastern graphics, sets a tone that really is necessary if you really want to slip into the world of Japanese animation.  Even when the characters look like your normal boy next door and everything seems Western there is still a flavor behind the anime of the Eastern culture.  Okay, yes, sometimes that is only because what your hearing is Japanese as you try desperately to follow the subtitles.  But still it's there.

So I have included this terminology to my own anime section.  One to help set the mood.  Two to help introduce any of you who pick up and follow my "other" addiction, to what you'll see as you branch out away from here.  Those of you who have never delved into the world of anime but love to read... I encourage you to check it out.  There are some exceptional Yaoi(slash) Fanfiction Writers out there and some absolutely beautiful men to fill your dreams.

First off lets run through what you'll find when checking out Fanfiction Ratings.

1. Yaoi - Typically you can regard this as equal to Slash. But in reality I've found that in many cases even a fic that is labeled yaoi may be pretty tame. So it may say yaoi but the most you'll get is some kissing or hand holding. On the other hand it can also include extremely graphic sexual scenes. That's where the next three terms come in.

2. Shounen ai - Literally this means boy love. This doesn't necessarily mean a relationship though. It could just be a couple of friends who indulge in a little heavy petting or cuddling for comfort and friendship, when say, they can't get a date with a girl. So you probably won't see them going "all the way".

3. Lime - Now this I've seen several different ways. But the most predominant is that yes this is a relationship, but we don't really get to see much of what happens in the bedroom. Typically more than Shounen ai, but still not heavily graphic.

4. Lemon - This almost always means that somewhere in the story your going to get a hot and heavy loving scene. But beware, check your R, PG etc rating for an X if you see that it may mean that the only Lemon in the story is a Noncon/rape scene finished off with Lime or Shounen ai as the victim recovers. If sexual violence squicks you be aware that what is coming may be graphic.

5. OOC - This stand for Out of Character. I have found that Anime fic writers are careful to say "Yes I've written them a little different from the series." more than any other authors. And typically this is when they make a character a top or bottom in fic where most people familiar with the anime would go "Huh?".

6. Yuri - This stands for F/F or Lesbian relationship. But again the amount of actual sex depends on the rating either alpha or the Shounen ai, Lime or Lemon.

I'm not going to bore you with the rest. Your all slash reading adults and have been around the block. You know what NC-17, PWP, and SAP/Fluff mean. If you don't then email me.

Next let's get acquainted with some of the terms or phrases that you will generally see in Anime Fic. Some of the them you may actually know just casual trivia. What I've listed here are ones that I've been able to find translations for as I went around the net, luckily these are also some of the more common ones you'll find in the fic and can actually be pretty self explanitory.

1. Konnichiwa - Hello

2. Ohayou gomaimasu - Good Morning

3. Konbanwa - Good Evening

4. Arigatou - Thank you

5. Do itashimashite - You're Welcome

6. Hai - Yes or Yes Sir

7. Iie - No (can also be spelled iya)

8. Yamero - This is a very strong or stern no.

9. Nani - What?

10. Nazi - Why?

11. Baka - Idiot/fool (man was I glad to find this one. If you read Gundam Wing they are always calling Duo this. I had an idea of what it meant but I hated to take it for granted because sometimes it was almost used as an endearment.

12. Bakayaro - Foolish

13. No baka - Usually you'll see this as say "Duo no baka," or Duo don't be foolish.

14. Oi - Hey!

15. Kisama - "Hey you" meant in a derogatory way. Can also be compared to "hey you bastard".

16. K'so - Shit

17. Daijoubu - According to whether it's a question or statement it can mean - "Are you okay?" or "I'm okay."

18. Gomen - I'm sorry.

19. Ano - Excuse me.

20. Onegai - Please.

21. Honto - Really?

22. Yamatte - Wait!

23. Ne - You usually see this at the end of a sentence and is about the same as "eh?" like "hard test. Ne?"

Okay now that we've gotten some of the general terms out of the way, let's look at some of the family terminology you might run into. These still give me fits sometimes.

1. Otousan - Father (also seen as tousan)

2. Okassan - Mother (also kassan)

3. Oneechan/oniichan - Term for older sister. In Weiß Kreuz Ran Fujimiya takes on his sister's name while getting the revenge for her hit and run. The other characters differentiate between Ran/Aya and Aya when they are talking by adding the -chan at the end of her name. It took me forever to figure that out when I first started reading the fic.

4. Oneesan/oniisan - Older brother

5. Sensei - Used as Master/Teacher interchangably

6. -sama - This used at the end of someone's name means great respect. Could also mean they're kissing Ass too. LOL

Something to keep in mind, in some of the Far Eastern countries it is common for a persons last name to be given first or even spoken by someone who is not a relative or friend mostly as a show of respect. You will see it in some of the fic that is out there. So technically if you see Tsukiyono Omi, in America he would be Omi Tsukiyono. Unfortunately only by knowing the characters can you really be certain when that is happening in a fic. Sorry.

Okay, last but by no means least lets get to some of the stuff I've used on my intro page and that we'll see during those loving/sappy scenes. ~grin~

1. Koi - Lover, and usually seen like Omi-Koi or Omi my love/my love Omi.

2. Kawaii - Cute

3. Bishounen - Pretty Boys/Beautiful boys, not meant in a derogatory manner.

4. Bishoujo - Pretty Girls

5. Wo ai ni - I love you/Friend or familial term

6. Ai shiteru - I love you/Lover's formal

7. Koibito - Lover

8. Aibou - Partner or mate

Okay, so endeth the terminology lesson. I hope it was at least a little interesting and that maybe it will help those of you who go on to enjoy some of the fantastic anime fic that's out there. If any one runs across or knows other terms that I should have up here drop me a line and let me know, okay?