Anime Meta-Review

       
                 
                 
       

Glossary Entry : Kawaii

       
                 
                 
 

Index's
Home
Alphabetic
Quality
Genre
People
Recent
By Date

Support
Titles
Sources
History
Glossary
Notes
Misc.

Sites
Australia
Russia

 		    Abstract:   Roughly translates as cute, it's a fairly frequently occuring word in anime. The actual Japanese context may be more complex than the translation suggests

This is a japanese word which occurs quite frequently in anime, but it is even more useful as a word to describe some of the common aspects of anime. The literal english translation is `cute', but some people have described it as virtually a philosophy of innocent enthusiasm and joy in life. Thus many anime, generally featuring cheerful young girls, could be seen as experiments in Kawaii. It can also extend to explaining the japanese fetish for `cute' products and collectibles. Of course since I'm just a gaijin I don't understand any of it, but it may help to explain the logic behind some anime design work.

       
                 
                 
       

Words by Andrew Shelton, Web by Ticti, Last Compile: Wed Aug 5 12:39:50 WST 2009