In western countries “anime” is used usually only to refer to animated programming of Japanese origin, with the term “cartoon” or “animated series” used for most other visual styles. While some anime is hand drawn, computer assisted animation techniques have become quite common in recent years as computer processing power and data storage capability has increased exponentially.

While different titles and different artists have their own artistic styles, many stylistic elements have become so common such that they are described as being definitive of anime in general. Some anime titles are written for a very specific audience, even narrower than those described below. It is not uncommon for an action themed anime to also involve humor, drama, horror, romance, and even social commentary. However, anime is also available in other genres including xxx-dvd adult themes and pornography, available from DVD online distributors.

Anime exhibits several common stylistic elements and genres. In comedic anime, for example, characters that are shocked or surprised will perform a “face fault”, in which they display an extremely exaggerated expression. Another variation is “chibi” or “super deformed”; which usually features huge eyes, an enlarged head, and small body. Male characters will develop a bloody nose around their female love interests (typically to indicate arousal, based on an old wives’ tale). Embarrassed characters will invariably produce a massive sweat-drop, which has become one of the most widely recognized stereotype motifs of anime.

Anime has many genres typically found in any mass media form, including DVD Movies. “Manga” is frequently used interchangeably with anime, and usually has the stricter meaning of Japanese comics. If you wish to be aware of a few genres that are popular among young viewers, then read on.

Bishojo: Japanese for ‘beautiful girl’, blanket term that can be used to describe any anime that features pretty girl characters, for example Magic Knight Rayearth.

Josei: Japanese for ‘young woman’, this is anime or manga that is aimed at young women and is one of the rarest forms, for example NANA.

Kodomo: Japanese for ‘child’, this is anime or manga that is aimed at young children, for example Doraemon, Hello Kitty, Keropi, or Panda-Z.

Maho shonen: Male equivalent of Maho Shojo, for example DNAngel.

Mo: Characters that are extremely perky or cute, for example A Little Snow Fairy Sugar or Akazukin Chacha.

Robot/Mecha: Anime or manga featuring giant or super robots, (known as “mecha” outside Japan for example Mobile Suit Gundam or Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Seinen: Anime targeted at teenage or young male adults, for example Oh My Goddess!, Outlaw Star or Cowboy Bebop.

Sentai/Super Sentai: Literally “fighting team” in Japanese, refers to any show that involves a superhero team, for example Cyborg 009.

Shonen: Japanese for ‘boys’, Shonen is like Seinen, but refers to anime targeted at younger boys, for example Dragon Ball Z or Naruto.

Shonen-ai/Yaoi: Japanese for ‘boy-love’ refers to anime that focus on love and romance between male characters.

(Source: Wikipedia.com)