Each hobby has its own insider terminology, and Otaku's favorite woods are no exception to this rule. The purpose of this article, then, is to provide a kind of quick course for the layman on the most common terms.
Much of it is direct loanwords from the Japanese language - some are well-established as they occur constantly, some are introduced simply because there is no suitable word for them to translate. On the other hand, a similar object or method is simply not generally found outside of Japan and therefore there is only a Japanese expression for it.
On this page you can refresh your memory a bit or maybe even learn something new if the terms are still unknown!
drown
It is the hair design or "bump" above the bangs on several characters, most of the time the ahoge also reacts to the character's emotional states. Not to be confused with, and in no way related to, the term "Ahegao".
Akiba
Abbreviation for Akihabara. Akihabara is a district in Tokyo where the streetscape has been captured by anime, manga, maid cafes and Otaku culture in general. Akiba is the holy land of Otaku.
Bishoujo / Bishounen
Bishoujo means a beautiful young woman, Bishounen means a handsome young man. Figures are often referred to in these terms.
BL
An acronym from the English loan words "Boys Love", literally means love between young men - physical or platonic. See also Yaoi and Yuri.
(IC) Card Sticker
This is a cover sticker to be affixed to the travel card. Most, but not always, two different stickers are included - for both sides of the card. In the Japanese city, you can basically travel with public tickets, and unlike in Finland, tickets purchased via smartphones are not actually used at all, but the majority use a travel card.
Comic
The fan event in the field, which has grown to a huge scale and has become a concept, was originally a kind of flea market where enthusiasts in the field sold their own magazines, posters and other art. Comiket is now held twice a year at Tokyo’s Big Sight Exhibition Center and includes doujin in addition, fixed cosplay - some of the costumes present cosplay professional models as a kind of business card.
Cosplay (Finnish abbreviated “cossi”)
The purpose of cosplay is to get as close as possible to the essence of a particular character by dressing and making up (as well as manners and otherwise empathy).
Dakimakura (Abbreviation Daki)
Body pillow or "hugging pillow", usually 150cm-160cm long and 50cm wide pillow, on top of which is placed, for example, a pillowcase with a full body image of the character. These bed linens are almost always made of special fabrics and the price range is from one hundred euros upwards, depending on the license and the popularity of the artist.
Doujin (shi)
Self-published production by fans, either manga or other fan art printed as a physical magazine or album. Doujins are usually in the name of a "circle". This "circle" means a group of artists who produce art in collaboration.
Ecchi
Ecchi practically means some degree of nudity, but this is not yet an actual pornographic Nude, but rather a mere bare surface to peek at.
Figma
A collection of figures launched by Good Smile Company, the figures are in standard proportions and the positions can be changed. Replacement parts are also often included to change the look of the character, the position of the fingers, etc., as well as a stand to support the figure.
gacha
Gacha basically means randomness, this is the otaku lottery. The most well-known example in Finland is the various Collector's card games where you can buy additional cards in sealed booster packs, the cards inside of which cannot be known in advance - these are the gachos of the game. (As a side note, let's mention the often occurring sub-concepts "E-lucky" and "EX-lucky" which are derived from Japanese games and character characteristics, here meaning the luck of the opener - E is the worst possible outcome and EX, on the other hand, always gets the rarest card/shikishi/etc gacha on his first try .)
Hentai
Perhaps the most well-known and "notorious" term among the general public, which most commonly refers to drawn pornography as a category. When used of a person, it means a pervert.
itasha
The appearance of a car (or any vehicle) is to be modified, usually with tape - to the taste of the otaku! The term is established from the Japanese way of saying "painful to look at". This is hard to explain, you have to see it yourself in, for example, Akihabara.
Cobutsu
The word literally means antique, but in this context it means the older production of doujin and others. For example, the production of an artist who gained great popularity early in his career when the artist was not yet known.
kuudere
An archetype of a character who rarely, if ever, shows his emotional states prominently. The sixer is often but not necessarily calm, some sixers are well prepared to resort to force if necessary.
Loli
Young or very young looking girl / woman.
Maid Cafe
A cafe where the staff/waiters are young women who are dressed as maids and treat customers like the Lord of the manor arriving at his home. Waiters are encouraged to play with each other if they have "free time" and the restaurant is not full, sometimes there are spontaneous song and dance performances. If the customer orders something to eat, the waiter usually recites a little rhyme to make the food especially tasty.
Nendoroid
Again, a very popular (could you say a caricature?) Collection of figures launched by the Good Smile Company, the Nendoroids are to some extent in standard proportions with each other and the positions can be changed. Even if applicable, the parts of most neodoroids are interchangeable, allowing, for example, the mutual cosplay of the characters to be represented! Also included are usually accessories that can be used to change the look of the character, the position of the fingers, etc., as well as a stand to support the figure.
otaku
Direct translation is probably a nerd even though the word contains more. Outside of Japan, Otaku is not so much offensive but more descriptive, meaning that someone is dedicated to pursuing anime and the associated subculture. In Japan, the term is mostly derogatory for young people, although it is not perceived as such by Otakus.
Seinen Manga (or anime)
Seinen means youth and in this context there is an established concept as a genre of series for teenagers or parents.
Seiyuu
Voice actor, this concept explains itself. Seiyuu, however, does a lot of other work in addition to just recording the series (the character is on display in many places; e.g. conit, Listening, games, many are even talented singers, etc.). With Seiyu being such a significant part of the character’s essence, changing the voice actor is usually not possible without the immediate and strong reaction of the fans.
Shikishi
Shikishi is a simplified graphic made on a certain type and size of cardboard, the edge is almost always decorated with gold or silver colored foil, etc. There are many kinds of Shikishi; through machine-printed high-quality "gacha" collectible graphics to the artist's own hand-drawn sketches. Signatures of the voice actors/artists are also requested for the shikishi when the opportunity arises, which of course significantly increases the value of the shikishi in question.
Shikishe can thus be used in many ways - either as backgrounds for the figures, as a base or directly as such on the wall. Only your imagination is the limit!
Shoujo / Shounen Manga (or anime)
As mentioned earlier, shoujo & shounen mean a young girl or boy, respectively; at the same time, these words are also well established to describe a series / genre for the target audience. Naruto and Dragonball Z are well-known examples in this category.
Trap
This is probably the term originally used by some enthusiasts, meaning a character who, by their appearance and dress, easily suggests that they are of the opposite sex. The most famous examples are probably Fate / Apocryphan Astolfo and Re: Zeron Felix.
tsundere
The archetype of the character, which at first seems outwardly unfriendly, hostile, and arrogant, but underneath the hard shell is inwardly caring and cordial, perhaps a little shy.
Waifu is Husbando
A female character in an anime or manga that a fan has picked up as a favorite, just as fans of pop stars, for example, sometimes fall in love with one of their particular favorite artists. Husbando, on the other hand, means a similar male character.
Wall Scroll
As the name implies, it is usually a work of art printed on a canvas to be hung on a wall. Like paintings can be found in wall scrollings for every taste and departure. The term scroll derives from the way the work can be packed on a roll for storage and transport. The largest wall scrolls can even be used creatively as room dividers instead of screens and the like.
Yaeba
The term refers to a clearly distinguishable canine on the figure. Yaeba is usually found in a slightly mischievous character who is not evil in nature - just a little unruly and rebellious. As an interesting side note, in Japan it is possible to get a "genuine" yaeba or two installed on one's own canines at some dental clinics, the price is about 10,000yen. It is therefore a temporary cosmetic supplement made with adhesive technology that can be removed if desired without damaging your own teeth.
Yandere
An archetype of a character that shows unwavering affection, admiration, and love for the object of his choice. Almost without exception also really jealous, and does not shy away from any means to eliminate their racing positions.
Yaoi / yuri
The terms describe love and physical, sexual intimacy between same-sex characters. Yaoi means intercourse between men and Yuri between women, respectively. We have never heard these terms used in a derogatory or derogatory manner in the Japanese Otaku subculture.