Whether you’re new to anime or a longtime fan, this collection spans foundational lingo, historic milestones, iconic series and films, creators, music, and fan culture.
Questions start easy and ramp up to challenge even seasoned otaku.
Ready to test your power level? Let’s hit play.
Anime Fundamentals & Lingo
Q: In Japan, what does “anime” refer to?
A: All animation; abroad, mainly Japanese animation.
Q: What are Japanese comics called?
A: Manga.
Q: In credits, what do OP and ED stand for?
A: Opening and ending themes.
Q: What is a “cour”?
A: Roughly one TV quarter (about 11–13 episodes).
Q: OVA versus ONA—what’s the difference?
A: OVA: direct-to-video; ONA: made for streaming/web.
Q: What does “seiyuu” mean?
A: Japanese voice actor/actress.
Q: “Sub” and “dub” refer to what?
A: Subtitled vs. dubbed audio tracks.
Q: What is “isekai”?
A: Stories about being transported to another world.
Q: Define “mecha.”
A: Robot- or power-armor-focused anime.
Q: What is “slice of life”?
A: Everyday-life stories with gentle realism.
Q: What does “sakuga” praise?
A: Standout, particularly fluid animation cuts.
Q: What does “chibi” describe?
A: Super-deformed, tiny, cute character style.
Q: “Tsundere” character type—what’s the idea?
A: Cold at first, later warm and affectionate.
Q: What about “yandere”?
A: Sweet but obsessively possessive, potentially violent.
Q: Define “kuudere.”
A: Calm, stoic demeanor but caring underneath.
Q: What is “iyashikei”?
A: “Healing” slice-of-life that soothes viewers.
Q: What does “two-cour” mean?
A: About a half-year run (two consecutive cours).
Q: “Late-night anime” refers to what?
A: Adult-targeted shows airing after primetime.
Q: When was the big OVA boom?
A: The 1980s.
Q: What does “OST” stand for?
A: Original Soundtrack.
Q: What is Fuji TV’s “NoitaminA” title trick?
A: “Animation” spelled backwards.
History & Milestones
Q: Earliest widely cited surviving anime short (1917)?
A: Namakura Gatana.
Q: Year Astro Boy TV series debuted in Japan?
A: 1963.
Q: “God of Manga/Anime” often refers to whom?
A: Osamu Tezuka.
Q: Japan’s first color feature-length anime (1958)?
A: The Tale of the White Serpent (Hakujaden).
Q: Year Studio Ghibli was founded?
A: 1985.
Q: Landmark cyberpunk film Akira released when?
A: 1988.
Q: Neon Genesis Evangelion first aired in what year?
A: 1995.
Q: Sailor Moon anime premiered in which year?
A: 1992.
Q: Pokémon TV anime began broadcasting when?
A: 1997.
Q: Who directed Ghost in the Shell (1995)?
A: Mamoru Oshii.
Q: Cowboy Bebop first aired in Japan in…
A: 1998.
Q: Spirited Away (2001) won which major prize?
A: The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Q: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood began airing when?
A: 2009.
Q: Attack on Titan anime launched in which year?
A: 2013.
Q: Makoto Shinkai’s breakout hit Your Name. released?
A: 2016.
Q: Record-shattering Demon Slayer: Mugen Train came out?
A: 2020.
Q: Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron released in Japan?
A: 2023.
Q: Which 1979 series defined “real robot” mecha?
A: Mobile Suit Gundam.
Q: Space opera with idols and variable fighters (1982)?
A: Super Dimension Fortress Macross.
Q: Which studio’s TV approach shaped limited animation?
A: Mushi Production with Astro Boy.
Q: What U.S. cable block boosted anime in the late ’90s?
A: Toonami.
Studios & Creators
Q: Who co-founded Ghibli and directed Totoro?
A: Hayao Miyazaki.
Q: Ghibli co-founder behind Grave of the Fireflies?
A: Isao Takahata.
Q: Which studio animates One Piece and Dragon Ball?
A: Toei Animation.
Q: Which studio made Cowboy Bebop?
A: Sunrise (now Bandai Namco Filmworks).
Q: Studio behind Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood?
A: Bones.
Q: Attack on Titan seasons 1–3 came from which studio?
A: Wit Studio.
Q: Which studio handled Attack on Titan’s final season?
A: MAPPA.
Q: Original Evangelion TV studio?
A: Gainax.
Q: Hideaki Anno’s studio for the Rebuild films?
A: Studio Khara.
Q: Kill la Kill and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners studio?
A: Studio Trigger.
Q: One-Punch Man season 1 was animated by…
A: Madhouse.
Q: Haikyu!! and Psycho-Pass were produced by…
A: Production I.G.
Q: Studio famous for K-On! and Violet Evergarden?
A: Kyoto Animation.
Q: Which studio produced Satoshi Kon’s films?
A: Largely Madhouse.
Q: Who directed Paprika?
A: Satoshi Kon.
Q: Which studio produced Shinkai’s Your Name.?
A: CoMix Wave Films.
Q: Bones co-founder who designed Cowboy Bebop characters?
A: Toshihiro Kawamoto.
Q: Director known for The Tatami Galaxy and Devilman Crybaby?
A: Masaaki Yuasa.
Q: Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man studio?
A: MAPPA.
Q: Ghost in the Shell (1995) director?
A: Mamoru Oshii.
Q: Which studio is synonymous with the Gundam franchise?
A: Sunrise (Bandai Namco Filmworks).
Iconic Series & Worlds
Q: In One Piece, the Straw Hats start in which sea?
A: East Blue.
Q: What power does Luffy gain from his Devil Fruit?
A: Rubber-like stretching.
Q: Which tailed beast is sealed in Naruto?
A: The Nine-Tails (Kurama).
Q: Naruto’s home village is called what?
A: Konohagakure (Hidden Leaf Village).
Q: In Bleach, Soul Reapers wield what?
A: Zanpakutō.
Q: What taboo alchemy did the Elrics attempt?
A: Human transmutation.
Q: Core rule repeated in Fullmetal Alchemist?
A: Equivalent exchange.
Q: What gear helps fight titans in AoT?
A: Omni-Directional Mobility (ODM) gear.
Q: Name the three Walls in Attack on Titan.
A: Maria, Rose, and Sina.
Q: In Evangelion, the antagonists are called…
A: Angels.
Q: Cowboy Bebop’s hacker kid is…
A: Radical Edward.
Q: Shinigami who drops the Death Note to Light?
A: Ryuk.
Q: Hero school in My Hero Academia?
A: U.A. High School.
Q: Deku’s inherited Quirk is…
A: One For All.
Q: Tanjiro’s demon sister is named…
A: Nezuko Kamado.
Q: Elite swordsmen rank in Demon Slayer?
A: The Hashira (Pillars).
Q: Jujutsu Kaisen’s blindfolded teacher?
A: Satoru Gojo.
Q: Denji fuses with which devil?
A: The Chainsaw Devil (Pochita).
Q: Sailor Moon’s civilian name?
A: Usagi Tsukino.
Q: On Namek, which form did Goku first attain?
A: Super Saiyan.
Q: Gintama’s alternate-history setting is…
A: Edo beset by alien “Amanto.”
Films & Directors
Q: Who directed Spirited Away?
A: Hayao Miyazaki.
Q: Which major award did Spirited Away win?
A: The Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Q: In Princess Mononoke, who is the deer-like spirit?
A: The Forest Spirit (Shishigami).
Q: The bus-like creature in Totoro is called…
A: Catbus.
Q: Toxic forest in Nausicaä is known as…
A: The Sea of Decay.
Q: Siblings in Grave of the Fireflies?
A: Seita and Setsuko.
Q: Author of Howl’s Moving Castle’s source novel?
A: Diana Wynne Jones.
Q: Red-jacket biker leader in Akira?
A: Shotaro Kaneda.
Q: Cyborg protagonist in Ghost in the Shell?
A: Major Motoko Kusanagi.
Q: Central phenomenon in Your Name.?
A: Body-swapping linked to a comet.
Q: Heroine’s ability in Weathering with You?
A: Summoning sunshine/controlling weather.
Q: In Suzume, what must be closed?
A: Supernatural “doors” to disasters.
Q: A Silent Voice explores which themes?
A: Bullying, disability, and redemption.
Q: Device used to enter dreams in Paprika?
A: The DC Mini.
Q: Perfect Blue follows which career shift?
A: Idol to actress.
Q: Holiday setting of Tokyo Godfathers?
A: Christmas.
Q: Gifted teen power in The Girl Who Leapt Through Time?
A: Time leaps.
Q: Belle reimagines which tale, and where?
A: Beauty and the Beast in virtual “U.”
Q: Highest-grossing anime film worldwide (to date)?
A: Demon Slayer: Mugen Train.
Q: Which Ghibli film introduced Totoro?
A: My Neighbor Totoro (1988).
Q: Japanese title of The Boy and the Heron?
A: Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka.
Characters & Seiyuu (Voice Actors)
Q: Japanese voice of Son Goku (Dragon Ball)?
A: Masako Nozawa.
Q: Japanese voice of Monkey D. Luffy?
A: Mayumi Tanaka.
Q: Japanese voice of Naruto Uzumaki?
A: Junko Takeuchi.
Q: Japanese voice of Eren Yeager?
A: Yuki Kaji.
Q: Japanese voice of Sailor Moon?
A: Kotono Mitsuishi.
Q: Japanese voice of Edward Elric?
A: Romi Park.
Q: Japanese voice of Spike Spiegel?
A: Kōichi Yamadera.
Q: Japanese voice of Light Yagami?
A: Mamoru Miyano.
Q: Japanese voice of Lelouch Lamperouge?
A: Jun Fukuyama.
Q: Japanese voice of Tanjiro Kamado?
A: Natsuki Hanae.
Q: Japanese voice of Anya Forger?
A: Atsumi Tanezaki.
Q: Japanese voice of Saitama (One-Punch Man)?
A: Makoto Furukawa.
Q: Japanese voice of Gintoki Sakata?
A: Tomokazu Sugita.
Q: Japanese voice of Mikasa Ackerman?
A: Yui Ishikawa.
Q: Japanese voice of Rei Ayanami?
A: Megumi Hayashibara.
Q: Japanese voice of Shinji Ikari?
A: Megumi Ogata.
Q: Japanese voice of Satoru Gojo?
A: Yūichi Nakamura.
Q: Japanese voice of Rem (Re:Zero)?
A: Inori Minase.
Q: Japanese voice of Subaru Natsuki?
A: Yūsuke Kobayashi.
Q: Japanese voice of Kaguya Shinomiya?
A: Aoi Koga.
Q: Japanese voice of Chika Fujiwara?
A: Konomi Kohara.
Music & Openings (Anisong)
Q: Opening theme of Cowboy Bebop?
A: “Tank!” by The Seatbelts.
Q: Opening song of Evangelion?
A: “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” by Yoko Takahashi.
Q: Smash hit Demon Slayer theme “Gurenge” singer?
A: LiSA.
Q: Attack on Titan season 1 OP artist?
A: Linked Horizon (“Guren no Yumiya”).
Q: Tokyo Ghoul’s iconic OP is…
A: “Unravel” by TK (Ling Tosite Sigure).
Q: My Hero Academia OP “Peace Sign” artist?
A: Kenshi Yonezu.
Q: Early JoJo OP “Sono Chi no Sadame” singer?
A: Hiroaki “Tommy” Tominaga.
Q: Death Note first OP title and band?
A: “The WORLD” by Nightmare.
Q: Naruto Shippuden OP “Silhouette” band?
A: KANA-BOON.
Q: One-Punch Man OP performer?
A: JAM Project.
Q: Jujutsu Kaisen cour-1 OP artist?
A: Eve (“Kaikai Kitan”).
Q: First Bleach OP and artist?
A: “Asterisk” by Orange Range.
Q: First Haikyu!! OP and artist?
A: “Imagination” by SPYAIR.
Q: In-show band from K-On!?
A: Ho-kago Tea Time.
Q: Composer behind many Ghibli scores?
A: Joe Hisaishi.
Q: Blockbuster composer for AoT and more?
A: Hiroyuki Sawano.
Q: Composer/producer tied to Madoka and SAO?
A: Yuki Kajiura.
Q: Rock band collaborating with Shinkai films?
A: RADWIMPS.
Q: Which series leans heavily on big-band jazz?
A: Cowboy Bebop.
Q: Yuri!!! on Ice OP performer?
A: Dean Fujioka (“History Maker”).
Q: Odd Taxi OP title and artists?
A: “ODDTAXI” by Skirt and PUNPEE.
Fandom, Distribution & Culture
Q: What is cosplay?
A: Dressing as characters from anime/games.
Q: Largest dōjinshi event held in Tokyo?
A: Comiket.
Q: Major U.S. anime convention in Los Angeles?
A: Anime Expo.
Q: What are fan-made comic works called?
A: Dōjinshi.
Q: Define “fansub.”
A: Fan-produced subtitles for anime.
Q: What does “simulcast” mean?
A: Streaming near-simultaneously with Japan.
Q: Which platform absorbed much of Funimation’s library in 2022?
A: Crunchyroll.
Q: “Otaku” generally means what?
A: Deep pop-culture enthusiast (nuances vary).
Q: What’s a “seiyuu idol”?
A: Voice actor who also performs music/events.
Q: Fuji TV block known for experimental late-night anime?
A: NoitaminA.
Q: “Anisong” refers to what?
A: Anime songs and performers.
Q: What is an AMV?
A: Anime Music Video made by fans.
Q: Short bonus skits/extras are called…
A: Omake.
Q: What’s a “filler episode”?
A: Anime-original story not from the source.
Q: Company famous for Nendoroid figures?
A: Good Smile Company.
Q: What is “gacha” in fan/gaming culture?
A: Randomized capsule-toy or loot mechanics.
Q: Big European convention “Japan Expo” is held where?
A: Paris, France.
Q: How often is Comiket held?
A: Twice a year (summer and winter).
Q: What’s an anime “pilgrimage”?
A: Visiting real-world spots from settings.
Q: What are “2.5D stage” shows?
A: Live theater/musicals based on anime/manga.
Q: Cars decorated with anime characters are called…
A: Itasha.
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