Anime world is a vast land full of different types and flavors of anime. Each different type has distinct features and qualities and is different from the other. There are tons of people out there looking for new anime. However, because of lack of knowledge of genre they are not sure themselves what they actually seek. So Senpai has decided to briefly discuss about different genres of anime with the hopes of helping people understand what each anime genre represents and the type of anime most suitable for them. So without further wait, let us get into it:
Action
This is one of the most frequently used/viewed genre of anime and one of the most popular as well. Basically, this genre refers that the anime will contain lots of action and fight scenes. Sometimes the action may be the primary focus of that anime. In other words any kind of aggressive form of activity will fall under the action genre. Some anime with action genre are: Claymore, Berserk, Bleach etc.
Adventure
Adventure is one the most popular genres of anime. Adventure genre implies that the main character or a set of characters will go out on a journey or on an expedition or in a quest to seek something. One of the specialties of adventure genre is that almost all genre like shoujo, shounen, magic, sci-fi can be incorporated in this genre. Some notable adventure anime are: Inuyasha, Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, Akatsuki no Yona etc.
Bishounen
This genre is not too common and used mostly in Japan as opposed to the western countries. Male characters with stunning charm who appear extremely appealing to the females are basically what this genre is all about. This genre can also contain some level of homosexuality as well. Some bishounen anime are: Vampire Knight, Ouran Highschool Host Club, Free etc.
Comedy
Comedy is a frequently used and an extremely popular genre of anime. As the name suggests the anime of this genre will have mediocre to extreme level of humor. Its main purpose is to make you laugh and have a good time. Some comedy anime are: Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki Kun, School Rumble, Shimoneta etc.
Drama
Drama is one of the trickiest genre to pull off. There is always a risk that you are not creating enough suspense or on the contrary making it over dramatic. To put it simply a drama genre anime will contain lots of twists, surprises and of course lots of emotions. Some drama anime are: Nana, Angel Beats, Kyokai No Kanata etc.
Ecchi
Ecchi genre generally deals with various sexual innuendos. However, they won’t show any sexual intercourse and will not expose the reproductory organs rather it will be kept up to the viewer’s imagination. These anime are mostly made for adults. Some ecchi anime are: High School DxD, Prison School, Highschool of the Dead etc.
Fantasy
Fantasy and magic genre are very closely related. The anime of this genre will contain imaginary and unrealistic settings and creatures, there will be magical elements and so on. Some fantasy anime are: Natsume Yuujinchou, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, Fairy Tail etc.
Game
This genre indicates that the characters will be involved in playing some sort of game. These games that the can be of different types and often competitive. The characters will play these games with one another often in battles of superiority. Some game anime are Bakugan, Beyblade, Yu-Gi-Oh etc.
Harem/Reverse Harem
This is one of the most popular genres of anime nowadays. Harem genre means that the male protagonist will have more than one female love interest from other female or close relation with more than one female. Similarly Reverse Harem means female protagonist will have more than one male love interests in the anime. These love interests will influence the progression of the story. Some harem/reverse harem anime are: Campione, Sekirei, Uta No Prince Sama etc.
Hentai
Oh boy! How do I explain this? To be blunt hentai is just animated porn. This is for adults. Kids if you didn’t know of hentai before and learned it first from this article, don’t tell your parents. Senpai will be sad. Lol. Some hentai anime are: Nope!! I am not going to suggest you guys Hentai, you little pervs! -_-
Historical
Historical is another rare genre of anime. Historical genre is probably one of the most fascinating yet less utilized genre out there. The set up of such anime will be in a particular historical age and the surroundings will be in co-ordination with that historical time and era. Some Historical anime are: Rurouni Kenshin, Baccano, Taisho Baseball Girls.
Horror
The name is enough to describe what horror genre is but still for better understanding I should say that anime possessing the attributes to scare the viewers falls under the criteria of horror genre. These anime often use dark themes and ominous soundtracks. They also use dark but vivid colors to give the viewers that feeling of unease and anxiety. Some horror anime are: Shiki, Hellgirl, Another etc.
Josei
This is a seldom seen genre of anime in the west however pretty common in Japan. The main focus of this genre are adult women, mostly 18 or above. The genre basically has a very mature setup. However, having a school setup is not impossible. This type of anime will contain drama, romance and slice of life elements etc. Some Josei anime are: Chihayafuru, Princess Jellyfish, Paradise kiss etc.
Magic
Magic is closely related with fantasy genre. It generally deals with characters with magical powers. This if a genre of anime that is more popular among younger demographics. Some magic anime are: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, Cardcaptor Sakura, Zero No Tsukaima etc.
Mecha
This is very popular genre of anime among young teenage boys. The anime related to the use of robots falls under the criteria of mecha genre. These often contain fast pace battles and epic wars using giant robots. Some mecha anime are: Mobile Suit Gundam, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Full Metal Panic etc.
Military
This is a rare genre of anime. Anime that have a military setup is generally termed as military genre. These anime often feature wars between factions or nations and usually catered towards a more mature demographics. Some military anime are: Fullmetal Alchemist, Sora No Woto, Ghost in the Shell etc.
Music
Being a musician this is one of my most favorite genre of anime. When the show is based on a music setup or has a musical environment that one will be considered to be fallen under the music genre. In music genre anime the music is the driving factor and often influence the progression of the plot. Some music anime are: Nodame Cantabille, Beck, Kids on the Slope etc.
Mystery
Mystery is one of the most common genre of anime out there. Basically in this genre the viewers will be kept in a suspense as to what will happen next. They will either have to figure out the answer themselves or have to wait quite a while to get answers. Some mystery anime are: Ergo Proxy, Death Parade, Hyouka etc.
Psychological
This is one of the most popular genre of anime and one of my most favorite. Basically the genre is also somewhat like the mystery genre. However, unlike mystery genre in this genre you won’t get your answers till the very last moment and will often involve mind games and psychological warfare among the characters of the anime. Some psychological Anime are: Death Note, Monster, Serial Experiments Lain etc.
Romance
Romance is a very common genre of anime. These anime involve the main characters of the show having romantic relationships. Romance is the main driving force of the story and romance is the main focus. Some pure romance anime are: Kaichou Wa Maid Sama, Say I Love You, Kimi Ni Todoke etc.
School
This genre is pretty simple and just as the name suggests. This genre implies that the show will have school setup and focus on the school life of the main characters. Some school genre anime are: Little Busters, Tari Tari, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya etc.
Sci-fi
This genre includes science fiction elements. these anime often feature advanced scientific or futuristic concepts and setup. They also often feature advanced technology and take place in the future. Some Sci-Fi Anime are: Steins;Gate, Tengen Toppa, Psycho Pass etc.
Seinen
Seinen is an extremely popular genre of anime. This genre is targeted towards matured audiences. Since it is tough to grasp violence, nudity, adultery or even gore unless you have fair bit of mental maturity, the main audience of these anime are matured men an women. Sienen anime often feature controversial concepts of topics that only adults can grasp and ponder upon. Some seinen anime are: Rainbow, Black Lagoon, Hellsing etc.
Shoujo
Shoujo anime are basically targeted for teen females. The anime will have a charming male lead and will often contain great friendship between female friends. These anime also often focus on school life of the characters. Some Shoujo anime are: Ao Haru Ride, Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Itazura Na Kiss etc.
Shoujo Ai/Yuri
Shoujo Ai deals with lesbian romance or homosexual romantic relationships between females. Some shoujo ai anime are: Candy Boy, Simoun, Aoi Hana etc.
Shounen
Shounen anime are targeted for young boys. It tends have lots of fighting and also shows how the protagonist overcome various adversities and struggles. The main portaginst often conveys values of perseverance, friendship, comradarie (Nakama-ship), and team work. Some notable shounen anime are: One piece, Naruto, Hunter x hunter etc.
Shounen Ai/Yaoi
Shounen ai basically deals with homosexual romantic relation between boys. For example: Junjo Romantica, Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi, Gravitation etc.
Space
This genre of anime basically has an outer space setting. These anime are often considered as sci-fi. For example: Cowboy Bebop, Planetes, Legend of the galactic Heroes etc.
Slice of Life
Slice of life anime deals with every day life and the trials and tribulations of a normal life. These are mostly anti climactic and drama based but have depth of story. Some Slice of life anime are: Honey and Clover, Welcome to The NHK, Bakuman etc.
Sports
Sports is an extremely popular genre and as the name suggests it is about sports. This genre of anime features main characters involved in some type of physical sport which is often competitive and the compete for greatness. Some notable sports anime are: Slam dunk, Initial D, Giant killing etc.
Supernatural
This genre of anime Involves spirits and ghosts and other supernatural Elements. Supernatural anime often features characters having unrealistic and/or supernatural abilities. The Some supernatural Anime are: Ao no Exorcist, Witchblade, Bakemonogatari etc.
With this concludes the different genre of anime out their in the world. To be honest there are so many types that it can be really difficult to chose the between them. It is tough to identify which type of anime is best suited for. But thankfully Senpai is here to help! Hope this article is useful to identify among all the different sort of anime.
