anisong

English

Etymology

From Japanese アニソン (anison), from アニ(メ) (anime) +‎ ソン(グ) (songu), itself from English anime song. Equivalent to a blend of anime +‎ song.

Pronunciation

(Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈæn.ɪˌsɒŋ/
(General American) IPA^(key): /ˈæn.ɪˌsɔŋ/
- (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /ˈæn.ɪˌsɑŋ/
Audio (US): (file)

Noun

anisong (countable and uncountable, plural anisongs)

(fandom slang, anime) An anime song; anime music.
- (Can we date this quote?), Claire Austin, Otaku Odyssey: Uncovering the Anime and Manga Subculture in Japan, T Turner, page 22:
  Another popular otaku cuisine is "Anisong" bars and karaoke. These bars and karaoke places offer a wide range of anime and manga-related songs and music videos, making them popular spots for otaku to gather and sing along to the songs from their favorite anime and manga series.
- 2016 November 28, Tai Wei Lim, Merlion And Mt. Fuji: 50 Years Of Singapore-Japan Relations, Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Company, page 220:
  Moving on, most, if not all, Japanese animations come with a unique opening (theme) and ending (theme) that belong to this genre called Anisong (short for Animation music/song). Although not actually knowing the lyrics of these songs back then, constantly listening to those catchy tunes caused a continuous growth in the interest I have in the Japanese popular culture.
- 2017 August 3, Dojyomaru, translated by Sean McCann, edited by Emily Sorensen, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, volume 3, J-Novel Club, page 20:
  “Have no worries on that front,” Juna assured me. “She’s been singing sea shanties while out fishing, so she has a powerful voice, one that’s both feminine and masculine, and if you give her a cool song to sing, she can easily outdo me. I believe she’s a good match for those ‘anisongs’ you taught me, sire.”
- 2018 October, Ao Jyumonji, translated by Sean McCann, edited by Emily Sorensen, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, volume 11, J-Novel Club, page 157:
  I study Japanese. My main study materials are anime and manga. Also, anisong and J-Pop. Then I read Japanese novels. I study.
- 2021 January, Akamitsu Awamura, translated by Kristine Johnson and airco, edited by Jennifer Sherman, She's the Cutest... But We're Just Friends!, volume 1, J-Novel Club, page 151:
  A bubbly person like Jun could easily party along with Reina and the girls, and also feel right at home doing a 100 Anisong Marathon with Kai. Kai definitely wasn’t a ‘party’ kind of guy, though! He had no idea what songs were popular. All he could sing were songs from anime.