Manga Genre

4-Panel – This title tells its story in the famous “Yonkoma” format, where a (usually) closed plot is told in only four panels of drawn images.

Adult Audience Only – This title is not suitable for minors.

Age Difference – A romance story in which one character is significantly older than the other.

Alien – The main character or the antagonist is an alien.

Almighty Hero – The male main character is far superior to his opponents in terms of fighting power (e.g. physical or magical).

Almighty Heroine – The female main character is far superior to her opponents in terms of fighting power (e.g. physical or magical).

Alternative World – The story takes place in a world which is different from ours (e.g. other planet or fantasy world).

Amnesia – The main character can’t remember their past.

Animal – The story revolves around an animal, or the main character is an animal (pet, livestock, or wild).

Anime & Movie – The main characters deal with this topic or produce an anime or movie themselves.

Anthology – Collection consisting of unrelated short stories by one or more authors.

Anthology – Feature film consisting of unrelated short films by one or more directors.

Apocalyptic Fiction – The story is set in a dystopian future. Civilization is on the brink of destruction, caused by either wars or natural disasters.

Athletics – Athletics is an essential part of the plot.

Aviation – The main character works in aviation as flight crew (pilot, flight attendant, etc.) or ground staff (air traffic controller, mechanic, etc.).

Ayutthaya Period – The setting is inspired by the Ayutthaya period (Thailand, 1351–1767).

Badminton – Badminton is an essential part of the plot.

Band – The main character is a member of a band.

Baseball – Baseball is an essential part of the plot.

Basketball – Basketball is an essential part of the plot.

Battle Royale – The story depicts a Battle Royale in which an individual or group fights to survive and must eliminate others to be the last one standing.

Beastman – The main character or the antagonist belongs to the class of beastmen (humanoid animals).

Biography – The story revolves around the real-life story of a person.

Bionic Powers – The main characters use powers that are based on bionic implants in their bodies.

Black and White – This title is entirely in black and white.

Body Swap – The main character swaps bodies with another character.

Bounty Hunter – The main character works as a bounty hunter.

Boxing – Boxing is an essential part of the plot.

Brain Games and Gambling – Brain games or gambling are an essential part of the plot.

Bullying – The story revolves around bullying.

CG-Anime – The anime is made completely out of computer generated graphics.

Card Games – Card games are an essential part of the plot.

Celestial Being – The main character or the antagonist is a god, angel, or another celestial being from a mythology. (Not used for Kami.)

Chōsen – The setting is based on the period of Japanese colonial rule in Korea (Korea, 1910–1945).

Climbing – Climbing, bouldering, or mountaineering is an essential part of the plot.

Club – The story is about a school club and its activities.

Combat Sport – Martial arts are an essential part of the plot.

Coming of Age – The story is about the maturing of the main character.

Competitive shooting – Competitive shooting is an essential part of the plot.

Conspiracy – The story revolves around a conspiracy.

Contemporary Fantasy – The story is set in the present time, even though it contains magic and monsters—specifically the period from World War II to the present.

Contract Killer / Assassin – The main character carries out a murder either out of personal conviction or for money.

Cyberpunk – The story is set in a not so idealised world and is usually about the fusion of man and machine (e.g. cyborgs or cyberspace).

Cyborg – The main character or the antagonist is a cyborg.

Cycle Sport – Cycle sport is an essential part of the plot.

Dance – Competitive dancing is an essential part of the plot.

Dark Fantasy – The story is more pessimistic and less idealised than is normally the case in fantasy.

Delinquent – One important character tends to cause trouble in public by being disobedient or violent.

Demon – The main character or the antagonist is a demon (e.g. humanoid monsters, devils or Japanese oni).

Detective – The main character works as a detective.

Dinosaur – The main character or the antagonist is a dinosaur.

Disability – The main character has a physical or mental disability. (Is not used for disabilities that are compensated for by a prosthesis or similar without noticeable limitations or restrictions.)

Diva – One important character is especially arrogant and vain.

Dragon – The main character or antagonist is a dragon.

Drugs – The story revolves around the cultivation, trade, or abuse (up to addiction) of illegal drugs.

Dungeon – The story takes place in a dungeon.

Early Modern Age – The setting is inspired by the European early modern period (15th‒18th century).

Edo Period – The setting is inspired by the Edo period (Japan, 1603–1867).

Educational – The story mainly focuses on the teaching and sharing of knowledge. It covers scientific, historical, cultural, social, or practical topics and often weaves them into the plot.

Elementary School – The story takes place at an elementary school (mostly grades 1 to 6).

Elve – The main character or the antagonist is an elf.

Epic Fantasy – A particularly idealized form of fantasy, usually dealing with tremendous battles between good and evil.

Episodic – There is no real connection in the plot.

Excessive Violence – The violence is over the norm the average human can stand.

Fairy – The main character or antagonist is a fairy.

Fire Department – The main character works for the fire department.

Fishing – Sports fishing is an essential part of the plot.

Food preparation – The main character works as a cook.

Football – Football or rugby is an essential part of the plot.

Full Color – The initial release is entirely in full color.

Future – The story takes place in the future. (The publication year of the title is decisive.)

Geisha – The main character is a Geisha.

Gender Bender – The main character either dresses up as the opposite gender or actually changes their gender.

Genius – One important character has a superior intellect.

Ghost – The main character or the antagonist is a ghost. (In this case, only the soul of a deceased person is meant, not spiritual beings.)

Golf – Golfing is an essential part of the plot.

Guns – The main characters mainly use guns to fight.

Gymnastics – Gymnastics are an essential part of the plot.

Hero of Strong Character – The male main character is confident and does not shy away from confrontation.

Hero of Weak Character – The male main character is whiny, submissive, and has very little self-confidence.

Heroine of Strong Character – The female main character is confident and does not shy away from confrontation.

Heroine of Weak Character – The female main character is whiny, submissive, and has very little self-confidence.

High School – The story takes place at a high school (mostly grades 10 to 12).

Historical – The setting is inspired by an actual historical period (World War II and older).

Host-Club – The main character works at a host club.

Idol – The main character works as an idol (young celebrities who work as singers, actors or models).

Independent Anime – Rather than having been created by commercially active anime studios, independent anime were made by single individuals or small groups of creators.

Industrialisation – The setting is inspired by the European Industrial Revolution (19th century).

Isekai – The main character is, usually unintentionally, transferred from their own world into an alternative, unknown world or is reborn there. A return to their original world is generally impossible or improbable at best.

Japanese Empire – The setting is based on the period of the Japanese Empire (Japan, 1868–1945).

Japanese Feudal Age – The setting is based on the Japanese Feudal Age (Japan, 1185–1603).

Joseon Era – The Setting is inspired by the Joseon period (Korea, 1392—1897).

Kami – The main character or the antagonist is a Japanese deity.

Kemonomimi – The main character or the antagonist is a human with animal-like ears or a tail.

Kindergarten – The story takes place at a kindergarten.

Knight – The main character is a knight.

Korean War – The setting is inspired by the Korean War (Korea, 1950–1953).

LGBTQIA+ – The story revolves around a character whose gender identity or sexual/romantic orientation deviates from heteronormativity.

Legal professional – The main character works as a legal professional (e.g. lawyer or judge).

Mafia – The main character is a member of a criminal organisation (e.g. Yakuza or Cosa Nostra).

Magic – The main characters use magical powers.

Maid – The main character works as a maid (e.g. in a maid café or as an actual housemaid).

Manga & Doujinshi – The main characters deal with this topic or draw a manga or doujinshi themselves (usually amateur manga).

Martial Arts – The main characters resort to martial arts during a fight.

Medic – The main character works in the medical field (e.g. a physician or a nurse).

Meiji Era – The setting is inspired by the Meiji period (Japan, 1868‒1912).

Mental Illness – The main character suffers from a serious or long-term mental (psychological) illness.

Merfolk – The main character or antagonist is a humanoid creature from the sea.

Middle Ages – The setting is inspired by medieval Europe (until 15th century).

Middle School – The story takes place at a middle school (mostly grades 7 to 9).

Military – The story revolves around a military facility and life in it or within a certain military unit.

Ming Dynasty – The setting is inspired by the time of the Ming dynasty (China, 1368–1644).

Moe – The characters are portrayed as little children even though they aren’t.

Monster – The main character or the antagonist is a monster.

Motorsport – Motorsport is an essential part of the plot.

Music – The main characters deal with this topic or are singers, musicians, conductors, composers, or play an instrument.

Musical – The plot is driven through several musical interludes by the main characters. (Not used when it only occurs in commercials or music videos.)

Mythology – The story references mythology (e.g., Greek, Norse, Christian, Japanese, or Egyptian), through depictions of traditional myths or the use of mythological motifs and characters.

Natural Disaster – The story revolves around a natural disaster and its immediate consequences.

Ninja – The main character is a ninja or shinobi (classic Japanese agent and spy).

Nobleman – The main character is a nobleman.

Office Worker – The main character works as an office worker.

Old Asia – The setting is based on the historical Japan, Korea, or China during the time before the Meiji era (during the time till 1868).

Older Man, Younger Woman – Love story in which the man is notably older than the woman.

Older Woman, Younger Man – Love story in which the woman is notably older than the man.

Olympics – Olympic and Paralympic Games or the specific preparation for them is an essential part of the plot.

Omegaverse – In this world, the primary genders, “male” and “female,” are each divided into three secondary genders: “Alpha,” “Beta,” and “Omega.” Male “Omegas” can also become pregnant.

On Spaceship – The story takes place in a large spacecraft.

Otaku – One important character has a passion for anime, manga or similar topics.

Painting – The main characters deal with this topic or paint themselves.

Pandemic – The story is about an endemic, epidemic, or pandemic.

Parenting – The story is about raising children in a familial setting.

Parody – Other titles are hinted at in a humorous way.

Physical Illness – The main character suffers from a serious or long-term physical (bodily) illness.

Pirate – The main character is a pirate.

Policeman – The main character works as a policeman.

Politician – The main character works as a politician.

Present – The setting is based on the real present. In our case, this means: the period from after World War II up to the present.

Prisoner – The main character is a prisoner.

Prostitution – The story revolves around the prostitution industry.

Psi-Powers – The main characters use mind powers (e.g. telepathy or telekinesis)

Qing Era – The Setting is inspired by the Qing period (China, 1644-1912).

Racing – Racing is an essential part of the plot.

Real Robots – Mechs that are mass-produced and used as war material.

Religion – The story revolves around a religion, or the main character holds a religious office or role.

Reluctant Hero – The male main character was pushed into a hero’s role and is not content with it.

Reluctant Heroine – The female main character was pushed into a hero’s role and is not content with it.

Republic of China – The setting is based on the period of the Republic of China (China, 1912–1949).

Rache – The story revolves around revenge.

Reverse Isekai – The main character is, usually unintentionally, transferred from their own world to Earth or is reborn there. A return to their original world is generally impossible or improbable at best.

Robot & Android – The main character or the antagonist is a robot or android.

Samurai – The main character is a samurai.

Satire – Social and other grievances are denounced with a mocking humor.

School – The plot focuses solely on school life and the activities this involves.

School life – The story revolves around everyday life at school.

Secret Agent – The main character works as a secret agent or investigates undercover.

Shrine Maiden – The main character is a shrine maiden.

Silent Movie – Title, which is non-verbal and accompanied only instrumentally. (Isn’t used for CM and Music Video)

Slapstick – Comedy based on exaggerated physical humor.

Soccer – Soccer is an essential part of the plot.

Social Media – The main character engages with social media or works in this field, for example as an influencer, streamer, or content creator.

Solo Singer – The main character works as a solo singer.

Space – The story takes place in space.

Space Opera – Spectacular, sometimes melodramatic sci-fi story that deals with adventures and epic battles.

Splatter & Gore – Depiction of violence involving the spraying of blood, showing open wounds, or the mutilation or severance of body parts.

Stoic Hero – The male main character is calm, composed, and unshakable.

Stoic Heroine – The female main character is calm, composed, and unshakable.

Stop Motion – The anime consists of strung together photos of still objects like puppets that are moved between shots.

Struggle to Survive – This story revolves around the main character’s struggle to survive.

Super Deformed – Title in which the character design is mostly extremely deformed. (Not used when SD only occurs in the opening or ending.)

Super Deformed – Title in which the character design is mostly extremely deformed. (Not used when SD only occurs in bonus chapters.)

Super Robots – Unique mechas, usually with supernatural powers or the ability to transform.

Swords & Co – The main characters mainly use swords and other striking weapons to fight.

Table Tennis – Table tennis is an essential part of the plot.

Teacher – The main character works as a teacher at a school, university, association, club or in a private setting.

Team Sport – Team sport is an essential part of the plot. (Not used for individual sports performed as a team.)

Tennis – Tennis is an essential part of the plot.

Theater – The main characters deal with the craft or perform in theater themselves.

Thief – The main character is a thief.

Three Kingdoms – The Setting is inspired by the Three Kingdoms (China, 220–280 AD).

Time Loop – Through the story, a certain period of time is re-experienced over and over again with small variables.

Time Travel – The story is about a journey into the future or past via magic or a time machine.

Timeskip – The story skips over several time frames in its narrative.

Tokusatsu – Live-action that relies heavily on the use of special effects.

Tomboy – One important character acts like a man and has male interests, but is physically still female.

Tragedy – The main character has a deeply tragic life or experiences something particularly tragic during the story.

Tsundere – One important character appears overly aggressive or violent, even though they are caring on the inside.

Twisted Story – There are a lot of entwined plot lines. The plot is not easy to understand since it’s very complex.

University – The story takes place at a university.

Vampire – The main character or the antagonist is a vampire.

Verbal Comedy – Comedy which is based on humorous dialogues.

Vertical – Title produced in portrait format instead of the usual landscape format, often optimized for viewing on smartphones.

Vertical Anime – Anime produced in portrait format instead of the usual landscape format, often optimized for viewing on smartphones.

Victorian Era – The setting is inspired by the Victorian era (Great Britain, 1837–1901).

Video Games – Video games are an essential part of the plot.

Virtual World – The story takes place in a virtual reality (e.g. a video game).

Volleyball – Volleyball is an essential part of the plot.

War – The story revolves around war and its impacts and consequences.

Warring States Period – The setting is inspired by the time of the Warring States period (China, 475–221 BC).

Water Sports – A Water sport is an essential part of the plot.

Werewolf – The main character or antagonist is a werewolf.

Winter Sports – A winter sport is an essential part of the plot.

Witch – The main character or the antagonist is a witch.

World Wars – The setting is inspired by the wartimes of WWI (1914–1918) or WWII (1939–1945) and their immediate consequences.

Wuxia – The main characters master their martial arts so well that it grants them supernatural abilities. The story usually takes place in a historical world enriched with fantasy elements. Fighting is mostly done with swords or similar weapons.

Yandere – One important character seems very friendly and caring, but is actually a psychopath.

Youkai – The main character or the antagonist is a youkai (Japanese spiritual being).

Zombie – The main character or the antagonist is a zombie.

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