DramaWiki:Glossary of terms

This is a glossary of words and phrases commonly used on DramaWiki. Only Eastern Asian language words and phrases, and words and phrases specific to television dramas can be placed in this list. To add an item to the list, use the format:

;<word or phrase>: definition

Collate the list in ascending alphabetical order.

A - D

asadora (朝ドラ / あさドラ)

A trademark owned by Nihon Housou (NHK), an asadora is NHK's morning drama series. Asadora air Monday through Saturday at 8:15am (JST), and runs for 15 minutes without commercials. To break it down, asa (朝) means "morning", while dora (ドラ) is an English loanword meaning "drama".

chanbara / chambara (ちゃんばら)

Refers to a specific sub-genre of the jidaigeki drama. Focuses on sword fighting, kendo or samurai, which was made popular during the 1940's through 1960's. Normally, you would not use chanbara when referencing period Japanese dramas. Instead, jidaigeki drama would be the more appropriate name. Both romaji spellings are used throughout the Internet, however in either form everyone knows what it means.

I - L

jidaigeki (時代劇)

Japanese word referring to a specific sub-genre of Japanese drama. A drama series or movie that is considered a period drama, or a drama referencing a period before the 1900's. Usually, jidaigeki focuses on the Edo or Tokugawa period (1600 AD to 1867 AD), but it could involve periods even before it.

jitsuroku (実録)

A japanese word meaning non-fiction.

junai (純粋な愛)

Japanese short-cut word referring to stories of pure love. The actual word is junsui na ai.

kanzen-choaku

Japanese phrase literally translated as "rewarding good and punishing evil." Used when referencing a certain Japanese drama theme when the theme deals with a protagonist battling evil and rewarding the good. A good example in Western literature is Robin Hood. Many of the jidaigeki and chanbara films are written along the kanzen-choaku theme.

kitchen sink

A genre of drama focusing on storylines identical to real-life living. This genre is rarely ever used in Asian dramas. However, it is commonly used in American daytime dramas (aka soap opera). The production of these types of dramas is very low-budget, in comparison to the more popular trendy dramas. And, the episodes air during the daytime, thereby appealing to housewives and others who watch TV during the day. The subject matter usually involve issues within families, parent/children situations, mother-in-law/daughter conflicts, and professionals like doctors and attorneys. Examples of kitchen sink dramas include Wataru Seken wa oni Bakari, Mama no Idenshi and Daisuki! Itsutsugo (大好き!五つ子).

kurai (暗い)

A Japanese word referring to a specific sub-genre of Japanese drama, focusing on dark or gloomy themes.

M - P

michiyuki

A conventional form of Japanese drama wherein a character's thoughts and feelings are evoked through the places he or she visits on a journey; often, by means of symbolism and allusion, the journey suggests a spiritual transformation. An example of a drama using this form is Musashi.

monogatari (物語 / ものがたり)

Japanese word meaning a story or tale.

1 wa kanketsu keishiki (1話完結形式)

Japanese phrase literally meaning "one conclusion per-episode format". Basically, an episode of a drama series is a complete story that can stand on its own. The next episode would then have a completely different story altogether, regardless of whether or not the same characters are used. This is a popular style of drama writing in the west - especially in Hollywood. In Japan, this style is used almost exclusively in keiji/deka (police) dramas, "mystery theater" type dramas, and jidaigeki/kanzen-choaku dramas. This style is very seldom used in trendy dramas because the screenwriter would like for the audience to keep watching the renzoku drama for the entire season.

Q - T

renai (恋愛ゲ / れない)

A Japanese word meaning romance. A renzoku renai is a romance drama series, while tanpatsu renai is a romance TV-movie.

renzoku (連続 / れんぞく)

Japanese word referring to a continuation Japanese drama, i.e. a drama that goes on for more than one episode. A drama is not qualified to be a renzoku if it is referenced as being "in parts", a format known as tanpatsu.

shousetsu (小説 / しょうせつ)

Japanese word referring to a Japanese drama that is based on a novel. Usage: a "renzoku shousetsu" is a serial drama based on a novel.

soushuuhen (総集編 / そうしゅうへん )

Japanese word meaning a highlight, summary, or compilation. In Japanese entertainment, the word is usually used in reference to a DVD collection where a large renzoku series is edited, and the finished product is a highlights edition. NHK is known for releasing their morning and taiga drama series in this format.

taiga (タイガ / たいが)

A trademark owned by Nihon Housou (NHK), a taiga drama is NHK's annual period drama series. Taiga dramas air every Sunday at 20:00 (JST), running for around 45 minutes without commercials. Against popular belief, the word taiga does not reference period dramas in general. Rather, period dramas should be properly referenced using the more generic term jidaigeki. The word taiga means "great river" as in the river of time.

tanpatsu (単発 / たんぱつ)

A Japanese word literally meaning "one-shot", refers to a specific format of Japanese drama movie designed to be aired on television - either in one day, or split into parts across multiple days. It is very similar to an American made-for-TV movie. A tanpatsu can be either a movie with no relation to a renzoku, a special (SP) if the show is related to a previous renzoku drama, or an episode of a series with a plot that starts and finishes within the episode (also known as 1 wa kanketsu keishiki (1話完結形式)).

tarento (タレント)

Japanese loanword from the English word "talent". Technically, tarento encompasses ALL people who are members of the geinokai. However, tarento has recently been used specifically for geinojin who specialize in hosting variety shows and other type of shows. In other words, he doesn't act, sing, dance or perform any other specific form of entertainment. Japanese personalities considered tarento include Mino Monta and Tamori (タモリ). By comparison, western personalities that could be considered tarento include Regis Philbin and David Letterman.

trendy drama

A style of drama writing that originated in Japan during the late 1980's. Originally, trendy dramas focused on contemporary issues young Japanese were faced with everyday, such as love, family problems, and other social issues. Experts point out that Japan's bubble economy (1986 to 1990) had an effect on many of the themes used in the dramas at the time. And, many of the viewers could relate to the social issues, thereby making this style of screenwriting the footprint of virtually all dramas in Japan. Soon, other Eastern Asian industries adapted the trendy drama format. Today, the themes used in trendy dramas have become much less gloomy since economic and social conditions have improved. Also, television is increasingly becoming a popular medium for marketing of products and services. As a result, the screenwriting and casting in trendy dramas appeal to a younger demographic that is economically more attractive - the fanboy/fangirl base. Themes include school, Asian pop culture, and stories adapted from comic books and novels.

U - Z

yorudora (よるドラ)

A trademark owned by Nihon Housou (NHK), a yorudora is NHK's late-night drama series that aired for a short period of time, from 2002 to 2005. Yorudora aired Monday through Thursday at at 23:00 (JST). NHK stopped the drama series in December 2005.