is kawaii anime

Full Answer

Why do people like kawaii anime?

Cute moments and chibi characters can appear in any series, but their natural home is kawaii anime, where the dominant adjectives are "soft" and "huggable" and the most common expression is "awww!" These stories are like hot cocoa on a winter's day, the perfect pick-me-up to put a warm feeling in someone's belly and a smile on their face.

Is Pokemon the best kawaii anime?

That one name is the beginning, middle, and resounding conclusion to the argument for the international phenomenon Pokemon being amongst the best kawaii anime. Whether prancing through the grass, shivering in the cold, or smacking other Pokemon with thunderbolts, Pikachu is a relentless kawaii train.

What is kawaii?

(Kinsella, 1996; Manami & Johnson, 2013). Kawaii is anything that stirs feelings of love, care, and protectiveness. It is based on the adorable physical features of children and baby animals, but it also has a strong Western influence (Manami, 2013).

Is the new game series kawaii?

This series is a different kind of kawaii, but no less cute because of that. New Game is about game development, at least on the surface. However, viewers expecting an in-depth analysis of 3D character modeling or level design won't find it here, because New Game is focused on other things.

Is kawaii only Japanese?

An overwhelming number of modern items feature kawaii themes, not only in Japan but also worldwide. And characters associated with kawaii are astoundingly popular. "Global cuteness" is reflected in such billion-dollar sellers as Pokémon and Hello Kitty.

Is Kawai an aesthetic?

Kawaii (かわいい) is a Japanese term and aesthetic referring to the unique concept affirming childlike and pretty things that make your heart flutter.

Is cute and kawaii the same thing?

Kawaii is a Japanese word that roughly translates to cute in English, but its meaning appears to be broader than cute. Specifically, cuteness is often regarded as synonymous with infant physical attractiveness, whereas kawaii is used not only for babies but also for noninfantile objects.

Is it kawaii or kawaii?

Kawaii ("cute") has four syllables: ka wa i and i. Kawai (the piano manufacturer) has three syllables: Ka wa and i. Kaua'i — Not an expert on Hawai'ian but the sense from online is that it is kau-a-i. There is a spoken feature of the word Kauaʻi that is missing in the depiction above and it is known as a w-glide.

What is kawaii in anime?

'Kawaii' is often about endowing seemingly mundane things with personality. Often mentioned alongside anime and manga, kawaii refers to a cultural style that incorporates bright, pastel colors and childlike imagery.

Is kawaii goth a thing?

It is a result of mixing goth or grunge with the sweet pastel elements of the kawaii aesthetic, but also a touch of bohemian chic. It also spread in popularity in Japan for a brief period thanks to the DJ Juria Nakagawa, whose style has always been highly influenced by what is popular on Tumblr.

How do you reply to kawaii?

Well, I'm Japanese and I say "arigatogozaimasu!" when someone says "kawaii" or compliments me in Japanese, and so do a lot of my friends. I see that all the time on Japanese TV. If that doesn't feel right for you, there is always that English expression, "I'm flattered." or "You're flattering me."

How do you become a kawaii?

How To Be KawaiiThrow race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, body shape, and everything you can't control out the window! ... Be sweet, kind, and empathetic. ... Dress adorably! ... Do kawaii make-up! ... Consider circle lenses! ... Have your nails be an extension of your kawaiiness! ... Have youthful hair!More items...•

What is the cutest Japanese word?

Cute Japanese Wordsかわいい (kawaii) or Cute. This is one you've probably heard quite a bit: かわいい. ... きれい (kirei) or Pretty. ... くらくら (kurakura) or Dizzy. ... ときどき (tokidoki) or Sometimes. ... ねこ (neko) or Cat. ... にこにこ (nikoniko) or Smile. ... あたらしい (atarashii) or New. ... たのしい (tanoshi) or Fun.More items...•

What Senpai means?

an upperclassmanSenpai made its first appearance in Urban Dictionary back in 2004, when a user defined it as "an upperclassman." Other entries (a number of which mention anime and manga) have since been added; it's defined there variously as "someone older than you," "someone you look up to," "mentor," "senior," an "older person who ...

What language is the word Baka?

Baka is a Japanese word that means “crazy,” “foolish,” or downright “stupid.” It can also be used as a noun for “a fool” or “a crazy or stupid person.” Anime and manga fans in the West have adopted the use of baka as a (usually joking) insult.

How do you say cute in Japanese?

Kawaii - Kawaii (かわいい, pronounced [kaɰaiꜜi]; "lovable", "cute", or "adorable") is the culture of cuteness in Japan.

10 - Non Non Biyori

This Slice Of Life anime begins when Hotaru Ichijo, a girl who lived in the city of Tokyo for all her life moves to the countryside due to her parents’ work. She then begins making friends with the local children and moves to adapt her lifestyle there.

8 - Mikakunin de Shinkoukei (Engaged To The Unidentified)

This kawaii anime usually takes place in the city. The starring character here is a 16 year old high school girl named Kobeni Yonomori. And there is not much more kawaii then high school girls.

7 - New Game

The main character here is Aoba Suzakaze, a girl who just graduated from high school and begins to work at a game company. This kawaii anime has a lot of appeal and is a great combination of school and game creation.

6 - Hanayamata

This show is basically about cute girls being cute girls. This kawaii anime is about five middle school girls who join a club called Yosakoi dedicated to performing a modern Japanese dance. It’s an anime about the friendship of these girls named: Naru Sekiya, Hana N. Fountainstand, Yaya Sasame, Tami Nishimikado andMachi Tokiwa.

5. Hanamaru Kindergarten

This an anime about a kindergarten where these little children compete for the attention of their caretaker. The characters here are just the cutest you will ever see. I mean, how can kindergarteners not be cute?

4. Himouto! Umaru-chan

This show is about a girl named Umaru Doma. Just like other kawaii anime, it is about a teenage girl in her high school days. What makes this different is she is the perfect example that people are not always what they appear to be.

3 - Pokemon

This anime might be the most famous Japanese anime there is. The Pokémon characters itself is enough reason to be considered kawaii anime. This show is about Ash whose lifelong dream is to be the best Pokémon trainer.

What does "Kawaii Cute" mean?

Kawaii Cute in american souh ( Japanese: Hubsbi sjodin, IPA: [kaɰaiꜜi]; 'lovely', 'loveable', 'cute', or 'adorable') ulture of cuteness in America It can refer to items, humans and non-humans that are charming, vulnerable, shy, and childlike.

Where is Kawaii popular?

In recent years, Kawaii products have gained popularity beyond the borders of Japan in other East and Southeast Asian countries, and are additionally becoming more popular in the US among anime and manga fans as well as others influenced by Japanese culture. Cute merchandise and products are especially popular in other parts of East Asia, such as mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and South Korea, as well as Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

What is cuteness in Japan?

As a cultural phenomenon, cuteness is increasingly accepted in Japan as a part of Japanese culture and national identity.

What are some of the products that are inspired by Kawaii?

Products. The concept of kawaii has had an influence on a variety of products, including candy, such as Hi-Chew, Koala's March and Hello Panda. Cuteness can be added to products by adding cute features, such as hearts, flowers, stars and rainbows.

Why are Japanese women cute?

Japanese women often try to act cute to attract men. A study by Kanebo, a cosmetic company, found that Japanese women in their 20s and 30s favored the "cute look" with a "childish round face". Women also employ a look of innocence in order to further play out this idea of cuteness.

Is kawaii a male or female fashion?

Although typically a female-dominated fashion, some men partake in the kawaii trend. They transform themselves into women—specifically kawaii women—by wearing wigs, false eyelashes, applying makeup, and wearing kawaii female clothing. This is seen predominately in male entertainers, such as Torideta-san, a DJ who transforms himself into a kawaii woman when working at his nightclub.

Do Japanese actors have longer hair?

Japanese pop stars and actors often have longer hair, such as Takuya Kimura of SMAP. Men are also noted as often aspiring to a neotenic look.

10 New Game

New Game is about game development, at least on the surface. However, viewers expecting an in-depth analysis of 3D character modeling or level design won't find it here, because New Game is focused on other things.

9 Tsurezure Children

What's more kawaii than awkward teens? Awkward teens in love. Tsurezure Children is an omnibus series about fledgling relationships in high school. Its characters don't fully understand their feelings and can't express them well, but are nonetheless determined to try.

7 Hanamaru Kindergarten

If it isn't silly to make serious arguments about which show has the cutest characters, then there is a serious argument to be made for Hanamaru Kindergarten. Words like "adorable" and "endearing" simply fail to capture just how kawaii these characters are.

6 Himouto! Umaru-chan

High schooler Umaru Doma lives with her older brother Taihei, though perhaps instead of "lives with" one should say "inflicts herself upon." Umaru makes everything difficult for Taihei.

5 Cardcaptor Sakura

Magical girls cover quite the spectrum, from the wholesome superhero antics of Sailor Moon to the gutting emotional turmoil of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Cardcaptor Sakura occupies a crucial space on the magical girl spectrum, being the perfect entry point for those new to the genre, particularly children.

4 Non Non Biyori

A slice-of-life kawaii anime focused on the lives of girls in a country town, Non Non Biyori is the antidote to a hard day. Too much homework? Non Non Biyori. Watched too much Attack on Titan and need an emotional pick-me-up? Non Non Biyori.

3 Pokemon

Pikachu. That one name is the beginning, middle, and resounding conclusion to the argument for the international phenomenon Pokemon being amongst the best kawaii anime. Whether prancing through the grass, shivering in the cold, or smacking other Pokemon with thunderbolts, Pikachu is a relentless kawaii train.

What does "kawaii" mean?

Kawaii also means a person lacks negative traits (Kato, 2002). As I sketch kawaii’s history and role as an alternative to Japanese culture, I hope this word will clarify. We understand kawaii, cute, unconsciously. We know if something is cute at a glance.

Where does the word "Kawaii" come from?

The word kawaii comes from the word kawayushi. Kawayushi first appeared in dictionaries during the Taisho era (1912-1926). Kawayushi meant shy, pathetic, vulnerable, embarrassed, loveable, and small. Obviously, kawaii retains much of that meaning. (Kinsella, 1996; Manami & Johnson, 2013).

What is kawaii culture?

Kawaii is a conversation between cultures. The west had an heavy influence on the development of kawaii, after all. Cute tends to be a cultural concept. The Cabbage Patch Kids, for example, were considered grotesque in Japan and cute in America.

Why are girls so cute in Kawaii?

Rather, a girl can be cute because she has that mole or a single drooping sock.

What is cute kawaii?

What is Kawaii? What is cute? Actually, the English word “cute” is a poor substitute for kawaii. Kawaii looks to be a simple word, but it hides a host of meanings and implications.

Who was the first to use the word "kawaii"?

Takehisa was the first to use the word kawaii to refer to his chiyogami. Chiyogami is a flat woodblock print pattern on paper. The decorative paper was used for origami and other crafts (Ono, 2006; Manami & Johnson, 2013). Kawaii and shojo – manga for girls – developed together after Takehisa.

Is Hello Kitty a kawaii?

These changes and the commodification of cute play into the efforts of teens to create their own identity. Hello Kitty does not cheapen kawaii culture.

What does "kawaii" mean in Japanese?

The Japanese conception of kawaii; best translated as “cute” or “cuteness” has grown from a national trend to a global happening. But kawaii is much more than cute lettering, colorful fashion.

Where did the word "Kawaii" come from?

First, we need to decipher the word and all the ideas attached to it. The word kawaii originally derives from the phrase “kawayushi “, which literally means “ one’s face is aglow, radiant,” commonly used to refer to blushing of the face.

What are the most typical traits of a kawaii woman?

These are indispensable and the most typical traits of a kawaii woman.To be fair and honest, kawaii is not limited by gender.

When did the Kawaii culture start?

The kawaii concept first began as a rebellion against traditional Japanese culture in the 1970’s. The culture of cute began with a youth movement developed by teenage girls, involving cute handwriting. They wrote in a childlike style, doodled, wore cuter styles of dress. It has also appeared in wide range of products, shops, cafes, and food.

What is the cutest form of anime?

Giant eyes, rounded shapes, little mouth and simplistic features are one of the cutest forms of this art. It’s known as “ kawaii ”. Kawaii looks to be a simple at the first time, but it hides a lot of meanings and entanglements.The kawaii movement is worldwide in scope, including Manga, Anime Comics, and Harajuku Fashion.

Overview

Etymology

History

Aesthetics

Influence upon other cultures

Controversy

See also

Further reading