Here’s a handy list of Japanese terms used in the entertainment industry. Sometimes trying to translate them into English is just too complicated to fit inside an article, so we link to this list.

• Aidoru: the Japanese pronunciation of “idol” (see idol)
• Anime: the Japanese abbreviation of “animation.” The word is often used in English to distinguish the distinctive Japanese style of animation.
• Ana: short for anaunsaa, or “announcer.” Usually used as a suffix to someone’s name, eg. Suzuki-ana. See also joshiana.
• Boke: literally “out of focus/senile,” it is used to describe the funny man in a manzai comedy duo. See manzai, tsukkomi.
• Butai: literally “stage,” it is used to describe a theater production.
• Deshi: apprentice. In entertainment as in martial arts, most young artists start out as apprentices to a master or shisho.
• Dorama: the Japanese pronunciation of drama.
• Enka: a form of Japanese popular music, though it definiely appeals to an older age group. It can be hard to tell one song from another but they are predominantly ballads of broken hearts, homes and loved ones left behind, and too much sake.
• Geinojin: this can most easily be translated as “celebrity.” It has a wide scope, but if someone is mainly a singer, they will usually be called a kashu, an actor will be called a haiyu, and so on.
• Guravia: the Japanese pronunciation of a word usually written in English as “gravure.” Used to describe girls who pose in bikinis and other revealing clothing for books, calendars, DVDs, etc. This is a common way to get into showbiz.
• Haiyu: an actor. It is a unisex word but is usually used for males, whereas joyu is used for females.
• Hello! Project: a collective of female J-pop artists under contract with the Up-Front Group. Originally founded around the ever-changing group Morning Musume. The main producer and songwriter is Tsunku. Read more.
• Idol: a term most commonly used to describe a young female starlet, usually a pop singer. With other terms attached, it can refer to other specific areas, such as a bikini model (guravia idol). In Japanese it is pronounced aidoru.
• Ippanjin: this literally means “regular person.” It’s used to describe someone outside the entertainment industry. It’s usually used when a geinojin is sensible enough to marry outside the industry.
• Johnny’s: short for Johnny’s Jimusho. This talent agency has managed many of the biggest male pop acts of the last several decades. Popular Johnny’s stars are cross-marketed into TV, movies, TV and magazine commercials, and just about anything else you can think of. Read more.
• Joshiana: joshi is “female,” while ana is short for anaunsaa, or “announcer.”
• Joyu: an actress. Used to distinguish from the unisex word haiyu, usually used for males, whereas joyu is used for females.
• Kabuki: the ancient form of traditional Japanese theater. With its elaborate costumes and makeup, it is a common image of Japan overseas and popular with foreign tourists. Though it is very stylized and appeals mainly to an older audience, young kabuki actors tend to be real playboys. Read more.
• Kohai: used to describe someone of a junior rank. In showbiz, as in Japanese society as a whole, the sempai-kohai relationship is very important. Bad-mouthing or slapping your kohai around the head is perfectly acceptable.
• Manga: Manga is the Japanese form of comic, which can range from 4-frame comics in newspapers to multi-volume graphic novels that sell tens of millions of copies.
• Manga-ka: A manga artist.
• Manzai: the most popular form of comedy, usually by a duo (though trios and even groups are possible). The tsukkomi is the straight man, while the boke is the funny man. See tsukkomi, boke.
• Manzai-shi: a more formal word for a practitioner of manzai. More usual is the word owarai.
• Oricon: Japan’s most popular chart ranking company, established in 1999. Similar to the U.S. Billboard, it ranks the top selling singles, albums, DVDs and karaoke sales.
• Owarai: a shortened version of Owarai Geinojin.
• Owarai Geinojin: literally meaning laughter entertainer, this word can be translated simply as comedian. The borrowed English word can also be seen as komedi, though this is less common.
• Rakugo: the traditional art of comic storytelling. Stage names, stories and characters are handed down from one generation to the next.
• Rakugo-ka: a practioner of rakugo. A traditional comic storyteller. Many make the crossover to become popular TV personalities.
• Sempai: used to describe someone of a senior rank. In showbiz, as in Japanese society as a whole, the sempai-kohai relationship is very important. To disrespect your sempai will land you in serious hot water. To address someone as “Suzuki-sempai” is polite (kohai is not used in this way).
• Shikaisha: a presenter, emcee or Master of Ceremonies. This is a role that brings a lot of prestige and usually indicates that someone is well respected.
• Shisho: a master or teacher. An older established artist will often take on apprentices, or deshi, who are expected to show respect and remain loyal through thick and thin.
• Talento: borrowed from the English “talent,” ironically it’s often used to describe someone with no obvious or distinctive talent. It could be translated as celebrity, someone who is famous for being famous. Many talento start out as singers, sports athletes, chefs and so on. The usual common demoninator is that they are good talkers who can hold their own on a variety show panel.
• Tsukkomi: literally “retort/plunge into” it is used to describe the straight man in a manzai comedy duo. The tsukkomi’s role is usually reacting to the offbeat or wacky comments of the boke. See manzai, boke.
• Yoshimoto: Yoshimoto Kogyo is the Osaka-based agency that handles many of Japan’s top comedy acts. It runs a chain of theaters, where audiences can see a lineup of TV stars and stage veterans perform slapstick comedy. The compan’s focus is on comedy but it does have other musical an sports figures in its ranks. See our full profile of Yoshimoto Kogyo