A table of trope names with their Japanese equivalents, including but by no means limited to Japanese Media Tropes. As always with translation, bear in mind that 1:1 equivalence isn't always possible - some of these terms are broader or narrower in definition than the ones we use, or have slightly different implications (even when they're borrowed directly from English), so be sure to check the translation notes where they exist.
Abandoned Area | 廃地 (Haichi) |
Academic Athlete | 文武両道 (Bunbu ryodo) |
All Just a Dream | 夢オチ (Yume Ochi)Translation |
Animalistic Abomination | 魔獣 (Majuu)Translation |
Anti-Air | 対空 (Taikū) |
Anthropomorphic Personification | 擬人化 (Gijinka) |
Asian Fox Spirit | 狐 (kitsune)note 妖狐 (yoko)Translation |
Ass Shove | カンチョー (Kancho) |
The Assimilator | 同化者 (Douka-sha) |
Astral Projection | 幽体離脱 (Yuutai Ridatsu)note |
Attack! Attack! Attack! | 暴れ (Abare) Translation |
Attack Its Weak Point | 泣き所 (Nakidokoro)Translation |
Attack Reflector | 反射技 (Hansha-waza)Translation 跳ね返し技 (Hanekaeshi-waza) Translation |
Baka | バカ 馬鹿 |
Bara Genre | 薔薇 Translation |
Barehanded Blade Block | 白刃取り (Shirahadori)Translation |
Being Evil Sucks | 悪因悪果 (Akuin Akka)Translation |
Beneath the Earth | 地底 (Chitei) |
Bifauxnen | 男装の麗人 (Dansou no reijin) Translation |
Big Bad | 悪の親玉 (Akuno oyadama) |
Big Sibling Attraction | ブラコン (Brocon), シスコン (Siscon)Translation |
Bishoujo | 美少女note |
Bishounen | 美少年note |
Black Knight | 暗黒の騎士 (Ankoku no kishi) |
Black Magic | 黒魔法 (Kuro Mahou) |
Blood Knight | 戦闘狂 (Sento Kyo)Translation |
Blue Blood | 華冑 (Kachū) Translation |
Body Double | 影武者 (Kagemusha)Translation |
Body Language | 肉体言語 (Nikutai Gengo) |
Boke and Tsukkomi Routine | 漫才 (Manzai)Translation |
Bokukko | ボクっ子 |
Breaking Out | ブロックくずし (Block Kuzushi)Translation |
Brother–Sister Incest | 近親相姦 (Kinshinsoukan / Konshinsoukan) |
Bullet Hell | 弾丸地獄 (Dangan Jigoku) 弾幕 (Danmaku)Translation |
Caltrops | 撒菱 (Makibishi) |
The Cape | 正義の味方 (Seigi no Mikata)Translation |
Cape Snag | マントはなし (Manto wa Nashi)Translation |
The Captain | 隊長 (Taicho)note 船長 (Sencho)note or 艦長 (Kancho)note 大尉 (Taii)note キャプテン (Captain) |
Charged Attack | ため or タメ (Tame) note |
Cherry Blossoms | 桜花 (Sakurabana) |
Chest Blaster | 胸からビーム (Mune-kara Beam)Translation |
Chuunibyou | 中二病 Translation |
Clean Cut | 一刀両断 (Ittou Ryoudan) Translation |
Cloudcuckoolander | 電波系 (Dempa Kei)Translation |
Combination Attack | 合体技 (Gattai-waza) or 合体攻撃 (Gattai Kougeki) |
Combining Mecha | 合体ロボ (Gattai-robo)Translation |
Comic-Book Time | サザエさん時空 (Sazae-san Jikuu)Translation |
Compensated Dating | 援助交際 (Enjo Kosai) |
Complete Monster | 吐き気を催す邪悪 (Hakike o moyōsu jāku) Translation |
Conclusion in Another Medium | あのね商法 (Anone Shohou)Translation |
Cornered Rattlesnake | 窮鼠猫を噛む (Kyuuso Neko o Kamu)Translation |
Counter-Attack | 反撃技 (Hangeki-waza)Translation リバサ (Reversal) 当て身技 (Atemi-waza) Translation |
Cranial Eruption | たんこぶ (Tankobu) |
Cranium Ride | 頭乗り (Atama-nori) |
Crossdresser | 異性装者 (iseisō-sha) |
Cuckold | 寝取られ (Netorare) Translation |
Cute and Psycho | やんぎれ (Yangire) Translation |
Cute Clumsy Girl | ドジっ子 (Dojikko) |
Cute Little Fangs | 八重歯 (Yaeba)Translation |
Cute Witch | 魔女っ子 (Majokko)Translation |
Cyberspace | 仮想世界 (Kasou Sekai)Translation |
Cycle of Hurting | ずっと俺のターン (Zutto Ore no Turn)Translation |
Dangerous Forbidden Technique | 禁義 (Kingi) 禁術 (Kinjutsu) |
The Dark Arts | 邪道 (Jadou)Translation |
Deal with the Devil | 悪魔の取引 (Akuma no Torihiki) |
Death or Glory Attack | 乾坤一擲 (Kenkon Itteki)Translation |
Defective Detective | 迷探偵 (Mei-tantei) note |
Deflector Shields | 結界 (Kekkai)Translation |
Demon King Nobunaga | 魔王信長 (Maou Nobunaga) 大六天魔王 (Dairokuten Maou)Translation |
Derivative Works | 二次創作 (Nijou Saku)Translation |
Determinator | 七転び八起き (Nana Korobi, Ya Oki)Translation |
Died Standing Up | 立往生 (Tachi Oujou)Translation |
Differently Powered Individual | (超)能力者 ([Chou-]nouryokusha)Translation |
Difficulty Levels | 難易度 (Gaido) |
Discredited Meme | ネタ古すぎ (Neta Furusugi)Translation |
Disguised in Drag | 女装 (Josō) Translation |
Doting Parent | 親バカ (Oya Baka)Translation |
Double Jump | 二段ジャンプ (Ni-dan Jump) |
Doujin | 同人Translation |
Dream Within a Dream | 夢の中の夢 (Yume no Naka no Yume) |
Dude Looks Like a Lady | 男の娘 (Otoko no Ko)Translation |
Dumb Muscle | 脳筋 (Nokin)Translation |
During the War | 戦記 (Senki)Translation |
Earth-Shattering Kaboom | 惑星破壊 (Wakusei hakai) Translation |
Ecchi | えっち |
Elegant Gothic Lolita | ゴシックロリータ (Gothic Lolita) ゴスロリ (Gothloli) |
Elite Four | 四天王 (Shitennou)Translation |
The End | 完 (Kan) or おわり (Owari) |
Energy Ball | 光球 (Koukyuu)Translation |
The Epic | 英雄譚 (Eiyuutan) |
Enter Eponymous | その名は (So no Na wa)Translation |
Every 10,000 Points | 万点毎 (Man Tenmai) |
Everything Explodes Ending | 爆発オチ (Bakuhatsu ochi)Translation |
Evil Overlord | 魔王 (Maou) Translation 大魔王 (Dai-Maou) Translation |
Experience Points | 経験値 (Keiken-chi) |
Eye Beams | 目からビーム (Me-kara Beam) |
Face–Heel Turn | 闇堕ち (Yami-ochi)Translation |
Fanservice | サービス (Service) |
Festival Episode | 祭りの話 (Matsuri no Hanashi) |
Fiery Salamander | 火蜥蜴 (Hitokage) Translation |
Fighter-Launching Sequence | 全機に発進命令 (Zenki ni Hasshin Meirei) Translation |
Fighting Game | 格闘ゲーム (Kakutou Game) |
Final Boss | 最終ボス (Saishuu Boss) ラスボス (Last Boss) |
Finger Gun | 指からビーム (Yubi-kara Beam)Translation |
Finish Him! | 止めを刺せ! (Todome wo sase!) |
Finishing Move | 必殺技 (Hissatsu-waza)Translation |
Fireballs | 火の玉 (Hinotama) |
Fire, Ice, Lightning | 火・氷・電 (Hi・Koori・Den) |
Flash Step | 縮地 (Shukuchi)note |
Folk Hero | 文化英雄 (Bunka Eiyuu) |
Forced Transformation | 強制変身 (Kyousei Henshin) |
For Great Justice | 大義のために (Taigi no Tame Ni) |
The Four Gods | 四神 (Shishin / Shijin) |
Freeze Ray | 冷凍光線 (Reitou Kousen) |
Fujoshi | 腐女子 Translation |
Functional Magic | 魔法 (Mahou)Translation 魔術 (Majutsu)Translation |
Fusion Dance | 合体 (Gattai) |
The Future | 未来 (Mirai) |
Fuuma Shuriken | 風魔手裏剣 |
Gaiden Game | 外伝ゲーム |
Gender Flip | 性転換 (Seitenkan) |
Geometric Magic | 魔法陣 (Mahou-jin)Translation |
Genki Girl | 元気娘 (Genki Musume) |
Giant Wall of Watery Doom | 津波 (Tsunami) |
Girlish Pigtails | ツインテール (Twintails) |
Giving Them the Strip | 空蝉 (Utsusemi)Translation |
God in Human Form | 化身 (Keshin)Translation |
Goldfish Scooping Game | 金魚すくい (Kingyo-sukui) |
Grapple Move | (コマンド)投げ ([Command] Nage) Translation |
Great Detective | 名探偵 (Mei-tantei) |
Gyaru Girl | ギャル (Gyaru/Gal) |
Hair Intakes | インテーク (Intake) |
Hand Blast | 手からビーム (Te-kara Beam)Translation |
Hatsuyume | 初夢 |
"Hell, Yes!" Moment | 起死回生 (Kishi Kaisei)Translation |
Henshin Hero | 変身ヒーロー |
Hentai | 変態 |
The Heretic | 異端者 (Itansha)Translation 外道 (Gedou)Translation |
The Hero | 勇者 (Yuusha)Translation 英雄 (Eiyuu)Translation ヒーロー (Hero)note |
Hidden Buxom | 隠れ巨乳 (Kakure Kyonyuu) |
High School AU | 学園化 (Gakuenka) Translation |
Hihi'irokane | 緋々色金 |
Hikikomori | 引きこもり |
Hime Cut | 姫カット |
Hitodama Light | 人魂 (Hitodama) |
The Horde | 魔族 (Mazoku)Translation |
Horizontal Scrolling Shooter | 横シューティングゲーム (Yoko Shooting Game) Translation |
Horrifying Hero | 鬼畜ヒーロー (Kichiku Hero)Translation |
Hot-Blooded | 熱血 (Nekketsu) |
House Husband | 主夫 (Shufu) |
Housewife | 主婦 (Shufu) |
Humanshifting | 他者変身 (Tasha Henshin)Translation |
Humongous Mecha | 巨大ロボット (Kyodai Robot) |
Hunk | イケメン (Ikemen) |
Hurricane Kick | 竜巻旋風脚 (Tatsumaki Senpukyaku) Translation |
Iaijutsu Practitioner | 居合術師 (Iaijutsushi) |
Idiot Hair | アホ毛 (Ahoge) |
I'll Kill You! | (お前を)殺すよ! ([Omae wo] Korosu yo!) |
Interspecies Romance | 異種間恋愛 (Ishu kan ren'ai) Translation |
Invocation | 詠唱 (Eishou)Translation |
Invulnerable Attack | 無敵技 (Muteki-waza) Translation |
I Regret Nothing | 我が生涯に一片の悔いなし (Waga Shōgai ni Ippen no Kui Nashi) |
It Can't Be Helped | しょうがない (Shou ga Nai) |
Iyashikei | 癒し系 |
Japanese Delinquents | ヤンキー (Yankee) 番長 (Banchou)note スケ番 (Sukeban)note |
Jidaigeki | 時代劇 |
Journey to Find Oneself | 自分探し(の旅) (Jibun Sagashi [no Tabi]) |
Kaiju | 怪獣 |
Kamehame Hadoken | かめはめ波動拳 |
Kappa | 河童 |
Karakasa | 唐傘 |
Kawaisa | 可愛さ |
Kiai | 気合 |
Kichiku | 鬼畜Translation |
Killing Intent | 殺気 (Sakki)Translation |
Kimodameshi | 肝試し |
Knockback Evasion | 受身 (Ukemi) Translation |
Kodomomuke | 子供向け |
Kyu and Dan Ranks | 級と段 |
Land, Sea, Sky | 陸海空 (Rikukaikuu) |
Laser-Guided Karma | 自業自得 (Jigou Jitoku) or 因果応報 (Inga Ohou) Translation |
Launcher Move | 浮かせ技 (Ukase-waza) Translation 空中コンボ始動技 (Kuuchuu-combo shidou-waza) Translation |
Lens Flare Censor | 謎の光 (Nazo no Hikari)Translation |
Life Drain | HP吸収 (HP-kyushuu)Translation |
Life Meter | 体力(ゲージ) (Tairyoku[-gauge])Translation |
Lightning Bruiser | 風林火山 (Fuu-Rin-Ka-Zan)Translation |
Limit Break | 限界突破 (Genkai toppa) |
Little Bit Beastly | 獣耳 (Kemonomimi)Translation |
Lolicon and Shotacon | ロリコン&ショタコン |
Long-Dead Badass | 英霊 (Eirei)Translation |
Long-Range Fighter | 遠距離キャラ (Enkyori Chara) Translation |
The Lost Woods | 迷いの森 (Mayoi no Mori) Translation |
Love Letter | 恋文 (Koibumi) |
Love Confession | 愛の告白 (Ai no Kokuhaku) |
Love Triangle | 三角関係 (Sankaku Kankei) Translation |
Macross Missile Massacre | 板野サーカス (Itano Circus)note |
Magical Girl | 魔法少女 (Mahou Shoujo) |
Magical Girl Warrior | 戦闘美少女 (Sentou Bishoujo) Translation |
Magical Girlfriend | 魔法彼女 (Mahou Kanojo) |
Magical Incantation | 呪文 (Jumon) |
Magic Knight | 魔法騎士 (Mahou Kishi) |
Magitek | 魔導 (Madou)note |
Mana | 魔力 (Maryoku)Translation 霊力 (Reiryoku)Translation |
Mana Drain | MP吸収 (MP-kyushuu)Translation |
Mana Meter | 魔力ゲージ (Maryoku-gauge) |
Maneki Neko | 招き猫 |
Maou the Demon King | 魔王 (Maou) 大魔王 (Daimaou) |
Martial Arts Headband | 鉢巻 (Hachimaki) |
Master Swordsman | 剣聖 (Kensei)Translation |
Meditating Under a Waterfall | 禊 (Misogi) |
Mega Neko | メガ猫 |
Meganekko | メガネっ娘 |
Miko | 巫女 |
Military Moe | 萌えミリ (Moe-mili) |
Mind over Matter | 念力 (Nenriki)Translation |
Mini-Boss | 中ボス (Chuu-Boss)Translation |
Moe | 萌え |
Mondegreen Gag | 空耳 (Soramimi)Translation |
Mono no Aware | 物の哀れ |
Monstrous Humanoid | 怪人 (Kaijin) |
Mooks | 雑魚 (Zako) Translation 戦闘員 (Sentōin) Translation |
The Nameless | 名無し (Nanashi) or 無名 (Mumei) |
Narm | シリアスな笑い (Shiriasu na warai) Translation |
Nature Spirit | 精霊 (Seirei)Translation 木霊, 木魂 or 木魅 (Kodama)Translation |
Nerves of Steel | 不動心 (Fudoushin)Translation |
New Game Plus | 強くてニューゲーム (Tsuyokute New Game)Translation |
New Transfer Student | 転校生 (Tenkōsei) |
Nightmare Fuel | みんなのトラウマ (Minna no torauma) Translation |
Night Parade of One Hundred Demons | 百鬼夜行 (Hyakki Yagyo) |
Ninja | 忍者 |
Ninja Log | 変わり身 (Kawarimi)Translation |
Oblivious to Love | 鈍感 (Donkan)Translation |
Odango Hair | お団子ヘア |
Off-Model | 作画崩壊 (Sakuga Houkai)Translation |
Ojou | お嬢 |
Old-School Chivalry | フェミニスト (Feminist)note |
Old Shame | 黒歴史 (Kuro Rekishi)Translation |
One-Hit Kill | 一撃必殺 (Ichigeki Hissatsu) |
One-Man Army | 一騎当千 (Ikki Tousen)Translation |
Oni | 鬼 |
Operation: [Blank] | 作戦名 (Sakusen-mei) |
Opposite-Sex Clone | 異性クローン (Isei Clone) |
Ordinary High-School Student | 普通の高校生 (Futsū no Kōkōsei) |
Otaku | オタク note |
The Paragon | 人傑 (Jinketsu) 傑士 (Kesshi) |
Paper Fan of Doom | ハリセン (Harisen) |
Paper Talisman | お札 (Ofuda) |
The Peeping Tom | 出歯亀 (Debagame) |
Personality Blood Types | 血液型性格分類 (Ketsueki-gata Seikaku Bunrui) |
Pettanko | ぺったんこnote |
The Phoenix | 火の鳥 (Hi no Tori)Translation 鳳凰 (Ho-ou)Translation |
Pinky Swear | 指切りげんまん(うそついたら針千本のます) (Yubikiri Genman [Uso Tsuitara Harisenbon Nomasu])Translation |
Pinned to the Wall | 壁バウンド (Kabe Bound) |
Pirate | 海賊 (Kaizoku) |
Pop-Cultural Osmosis | 門前の小僧(習わぬ経を読む) (Monzen no Kozou [Narawanu Kei o Yomu]) Translation |
Pose of Supplication | 土下座 (Dogeza) |
Princely Young Man | 貴公子 (Kikōshi)Translation |
The Protagonist | 主人公 (Shujinko) |
Psychic Powers | 超能力 (Cho-noryoku)Translation 精神力 (Seishin-ryoku)Translation |
Rail Enthusiast | 電車オタク (Densha Otaku) Translation |
Ray Gun | 光線銃 (Kousenjuu) |
Red String of Fate | 運命の赤い糸 (Unmei no Akai Ito) |
Reflecting Laser | 反射レーザー (Hansha Laser) |
Ride the Lightning | 電光石火 (Denkou Sekka) Translation |
Rock–Paper–Scissors | じゃんけんぽん (Janken-pon) |
Rōnin | 浪人 |
Ryokan Inn | 旅館; |
Sailor Fuku | セーラー服 |
Samurai | 侍 |
Save the Princess | プリンセスを救え (Princess wo Sukue) |
School Festival | 文化祭 (Bunkasai) |
Science Hero | 俊傑 (Shunketsu)Translation |
Screw Yourself | 同一カップリング (Douitsu Coupling)Translation |
Screw Your Ultimatum! | だが断る (Daga kotowaru)Translation |
Secret Art | 秘術 (Hijutsu) 奥義 (Ougi)Translation |
Sekaikei Genre | セカイ系 |
Self-Duplication | (影)分身の術 ([Kage] Bunshin)Translation |
Seme | 攻めTranslation |
Sentai | 戦隊 |
Senseless Sacrifice | 犬死 (Inujini)Translation |
Seppuku | 切腹 |
Shapeshifting | 変身 (Henshin) or 変化 (Henge) |
Sheltered Aristocrat | ボンボン (Bonbon) |
Shinigami | 死神 |
Shipping | カップリング (coupling) |
Shoryuken | 昇竜拳 |
Show Within a Show | 劇中劇 (Gekichūgeki) |
Shrine to the Fallen | 仏壇 (Butsudan)Translation (御)霊屋 ([Mi]tamaya)Translation |
Sitting on the Roof | 屋根の上 (Yane no ue)Translation |
Sleep Deprivation | 寝不足 (Nebusoku)Translation |
Slice of Life | 日常 (Nichijou)Translation |
Smashing Watermelons | スイカ割り (Suikawari) |
Smug Smiler | ドヤ顔 (Doyagao)Translation |
The Smurfette Principle | 紅一点 (Kō itten) Translation |
The Social Darwinist | 弱肉強食 (Jakuniku Kyoushoku)Translation |
Special Attack | 特殊攻撃 (Tokushu kōgeki) |
Speed Blitz | 疾風迅雷 (Shippu Jinrai)Translation |
Spell Book | 魔導書 (Madousho)Translation |
Split Personality | 二重人格 (Nijuu Jinkaku)Translation |
Spoiler | ネタバレ (Netabare)Translation |
Spoon Bending | スプーン曲げ (Spoon-mage) |
Sprint Shoes | 快足シューズ (Kaisoku Shoes) |
Stringy-Haired Ghost Girl | 怨霊 (Onryou)Translation |
Strip Poker | 脱衣ポーカー (Datsui Poker) |
Student Council President | 生徒会長 (Seito Kaichou) |
Sugar-and-Ice Personality | クーデレ (Kuudere)Translation |
Sweet Polly Oliver | 男装 (Dansō)Translation |
Swiss-Army Hero | 多段変身 (Tadan Henshin) or 多段変形 (Tadan Henkei)Translation |
The Syndicate | 犯罪組織 (Hanzai Soshiki) |
Tall Poppy Syndrome | 出る杭は打たれる (Deru Kui wa Utaeru) Translation |
Tanuki | 狸 |
Taught by Experience | 海千山千 (Umisen Yamasen)Translation |
Taunt Button | 挑発ボタン (Chouhatsu Button) |
Tengu | 天狗 |
This Cannot Be! | まさか...?! (Masaka...?!) |
This Is Unforgivable! | [Xは]許さない ([X wa] yurusanai!) |
Throw a Barrel at It | 樽を投げる (Taru o Nageru) |
The Time of Myths | 神代 (Jindai / Kamiyo)Translation |
Time Stands Still | 時よ止まれ (Toki yo Tomare) |
Tragic Villain | 哀しき悪役 (Kanashiki akuyaku) |
To Be Continued | 続く (Tsudzuku) |
Tokusatsu | 特撮 |
Tokyo Tower | 東京タワー (Tōkyō tawā) |
Too Much Alike | 同族嫌悪 (Douzoku ken-o)Translation |
Torpedo Tits | おっぱいミサイル (Oppai Missile) |
Transformation Sequence | 変身シーン (Henshin Scene) |
Transformation Trinket | 変身アイテム (Henshin Item) |
Transforming Mecha | 可変メカ (Kahen Mecha) |
Trapped in Another World | 異世界 (Isekai)Translation |
Trial-and-Error Gameplay | 試行錯誤遊び (Shikou-sakugo Asobi) 初見殺し (Shoken-goroshi)Translation |
Troublesome Pet | 悪いペット (Warui Petto)Translation |
True Companions | 仲間 (Nakama)Translation |
Tsundere | ツンデレTranslation |
Twice Shy | 両片想い (ryo kataomoi)Translation |
Uke | 受けTranslation |
Ultimate Life Form | 究極生命体 (Kyuukyoku Seimei-tai) |
Umbrella of Togetherness | アイアイ傘 (Ai-ai Gasa)Translation |
Unblockable Attack | ガード不能技 (Guard-funou-waza) Translation |
Under the Sea | 海底 (Kaitei) |
Universe Bible | せってい書 (Settei Sho)Translation |
Use Item | アイテム使用 (Item Shiyō) |
Utsuge | 鬱ゲー Translation |
Vacuum Mouth | 口内吸い込み (Kounai Suikomi) Translation |
Verbal Tic | 口癖 (Kuchiguse) Translation |
Vertical Scrolling Shooter | 縦シューティングゲーム (Tate Shooting Game) |
Villains | 悪人 (Akunin) |
Wall Jump | 三角跳び (Sankaku Tobi)Translation |
Wall Pin of Love | 壁ドン (Kabe Don)Translation |
War Was Beginning | 戦いは始まった (Tatakai wa Hajimatta) |
Wave-Motion Gun | 波動砲 (Hadou-hou) |
Whack-a-Monster | モンスター叩き (Monster Tataki) |
White Magic | 白魔法 (Shiro Mahou) 法術 (Houjutsu)Translation |
Why Am I Ticking? | 人間爆弾 (Ningen Bakudan) Translation |
World War III | 第三次世界大戦 (Dai-San-ji Sekai Taisen) |
Yamato Nadeshiko | 大和撫子 |
Yandere | ヤンデレ Translation |
Years Too Early | (お前は)X年早すぎる/X年早いんだよ ([Omae wa] X-nen Hayasugiru/X-nen Hayaindayo) |
Year X | 西暦 X 年 (Seireki X-nen) |
Yin-Yang Bomb | 太極 (Taikyoku)Translation |
Yonkoma | 4コマ |
You Are Already Dead | お前はもう死んでいる (Omae wa Mou Shindeiru) |
Youkai | 妖怪 |
Yubitsume | 指詰め |
Yuri Genre | 百合 Translation |
Zashiki-warashi | 座敷童子 |
Zettai Ryouiki | 絶対領域 |