Anime genres and tags

A virtual reality is an immersive, computer-simulated environment that can be accessed using a computer, through a video game console, or even jacked into directly. These anime either take place inside a virtual reality, or might showcase a world where a virtual reality is commonplace.

These anime feature Mecha that are based on hard science, and have realistic abilities and limitations. These anime tend to have overarching plots and more mature themes than their Super Robot counterparts.

Isekai is a fantasy genre where a person from Earth is transported to, reborn, or trapped in a parallel universe or fantasy world. For beings from other worlds visiting Earth, see Reverse Isekai.

Psychological anime delve into mental or emotional states of a character in the midst of a difficult situation, letting you observe them change as tension increases. Internal monologues are a key feature, allowing narration to delve into a character's mind, revealing their innermost ideas and motivations - even as they may be driven to the brink of sanity.

These anime feature characters who are currently going through a divorce, or have recently gotten divorced. Typical themes include facing the emotional ramifications of ending a marriage, dealing with child custody issues, and finding new love.

These anime showcase the daily life of an employee, whether they are a waitress, a salaryman or beyond. Office politics, relationships, daily duties or little things the characters do to pass the time are frequent themes in these titles.

Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time, usually with an invention called a time machine. The science is loosely based in theoretical physics, with quantum mechanics and wormholes as common themes. These titles either focus on the concept of time travel or include time travel, often involving a Person in a Strange World.

In these anime, infidelity is an important aspect of the story. Characters may be dealing with an unfaithful partner, or having an affair with someone else. Their actions may result in a Divorce or unplanned Pregnancy.

These anime usually have original Chinese dialogue and/or were first released in China. This type of animation is referred to as Donghua. For Chinese manga, see Manhua.

These Historical anime are set in the 18th century.

These Historical anime are set in the 17th century.

These anime explore manga from the industry or consumer side. Common themes include the creative and design process, editing or meeting publishing deadlines, distribution and marketing, or the culture of manga consumption.

These anime feature characters created by San-X, a Japanese stationary company that creates adorable products and franchises. Unlike Sanrio, San-X's characters are often quirky or bizarre, such as a zombie rabbit, a dog with an afro, or a family made of cheese. Famous examples of more traditional characters include Tarepanda, Sumikko Gurashi, and Rilakkuma.

Characters in these anime are dealing with debt, be it their own issue through Gambling or other activities, or are saddled with someone else's debt and must work to pay it off through financial or other means.

A biography is a story that recounts a person’s life, written by another person. These anime are biographies that are either factual or fantastical in nature; even if the story is loosely based on the person’s life, it is marked as a biography.

Gag comedies are usually episodic, focusing on a specific pun, joke, situation, or character, for a series of episodes for anime, or one or more chapters for manga. The breakdown is similar to a single sketch in a stand-up comedy show. 4-koma manga typically use a single strip for a single joke.

The world was nearly wiped clean of life, whether through nuclear war, an alien invasion, a natural disaster, or a pandemic. From the ashes of the old world, some societies struggle to endure and rebuild, while others live new, agrarian lifestyles and the old days are merely legends.

Unlike idyllic utopias, a Dystopia is an imagined timeline where something has gone terribly wrong. In these anime, invasive, totalitarian governments might rule the populace with an iron fist and use fear as a controlling mechanism. Sentient machines, ethics violations, forced population control and corrupt justice systems are common Dystopian themes. Some Dystopias might appear to be utopias, but once you look beneath the surface, terrible secrets are exposed.

These anime take place in a setting thematically similar to Europe in the middle ages. Castles, moats and small villages adorn the landscape, and knights, military forces and feudal kingdoms rule the populace.

Guns are an important focus of these anime. Characters may frequently engage in gunfights or other battles involving firearms, use guns to engage in criminal activity, or are enthusiasts who research or collect them, such as gun otaku.

These anime predominantly or fully take place in Australia.

These anime follow bounty hunters as they travel the land or the galaxy, tracking criminals or targets, capturing or killing them, and collecting the bounties on their heads.

Kendo is the focus of these anime. Training and competing in tournaments or championships are common themes in sports titles, as well as individual or team spirit, or being an underdog who goes against the odds to succeed.

These anime feature characters created by Sanrio, a company that creates adorable Japanese products and franchises. Famous examples include Hello Kitty, Gudetama, and Keroppi.

These anime are all about show business. Characters are involved in the industry as actors, idols, or other talents.

Noir is a genre from the 40s and 50s that features hardboiled cynical heroes, femme fatale, and bleak, sleazy settings. These anime either take place in 40s and 50s, or are considered Neo-Noir: titles that combine elements of Noir in a modern or futuristic setting.

Track and Field sports such as running, pole-vaulting, jumping, shot-putting or hurdling is the focus of these anime. Training and competing in Tournaments or championships are common themes in Sports titles, as well as team spirit, or being an underdog who goes against the odds to succeed.

These anime are based on a Western cartoon.

Characters in these anime wear suits of powered armor that are not much larger than the wearer, unlike Mecha, which are giant in size. These suits give the wearer abilities such as enhanced strength or speed, magic shields, or laser weapons. The suits are the product of advanced science or robotics, or have magical origins.

Demons are non-human entities generally believed to be dark or evil in nature. If demons are a core aspect of the work, their actions - often harmful to humans - will generally be the focus. Characters may engage in fighting demons physically; may attempt exorcisms or other rituals or spells to deal with them; or may be the demons or their servants or allies, carrying out their own agendas.

Kickboxing is a Hand-to-Hand Combat sport that is similar to Boxing. Kickboxing features two unarmed opponents who kick and punch. These anime typically focus on characters training and then traversing amateur or professional circuits, earning fame and fortune with their skills.

Coming-of-age refers to the process by which a child becomes an adult. These anime showcase characters who make the transition naturally, or are forced to grow due to outside pressures. Learning about one's self, about others, about the world, and what society requires from adults, are all common themes of coming-of-age works.

Characters in these anime live in a boarding house: a large building or complex that houses multiple individuals or renters, usually with shared areas for the community. Off-campus, shared dormitory buildings qualify for the tag as well, as long as the housing situation is similar to a traditional boarding house.

Rabbits are the focus of these anime.

Ninjas study the ancient art of ninjitsu. Skills include disappearing in a puff of smoke, making temporary clones, heightened physical agility and speed, stealthy movements, and precision accuracy. Bright-orange attire is optional.