Definition: Japanese cartoons

In Japan, "anime," pronounced "ah-nee-meh," are cartoons that date back to the early 1900s. A related Japanese term is "manga," which refers to animated cartoons and comics in general, not necessarily in the anime style.

Outside Japan, the terms manga and anime are often used synonymously. Also, "hentai" usually means anime or manga pornography, although the Japanese word actually refers to any bizarre act of sexuality. See weeb.

Educate With Cartoons

San Francisco-based No Starch Press and Tokyo-based Ohmsha Ltd. publish the highly praised Manga Guides in English that teach a variety of subjects in science and mathematics using the manga comic book style.