The word “anime” has become increasingly popular in English-speaking countries, thanks to the global rise of Japanese animation. Whether you’re discussing your favorite series, writing an essay, or chatting on a fan forum, knowing how to use “anime” correctly—especially in the plural—is important for clear communication.
Understanding the plural form of anime matters in many contexts: from academic writing to pop culture conversations. Mistakes can lead to confusion, distract readers, or even signal a lack of familiarity with both English grammar and Japanese culture. The confusion arises because anime is a foreign loanword with irregular pluralization in English.
This article is designed for English learners, teachers, writers, anime fans, and linguists. You’ll find a thorough exploration of definitions, grammar rules, real-life examples, common mistakes, practice exercises, and advanced topics related to the pluralization of anime.
We’ll cover: the origin and meaning of anime, English pluralization rules, how anime fits into these patterns, when and why “animes” appears, usage in formal and informal contexts, and practical advice. There are tables, examples, and exercises to help you master this topic.
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1. What is “Anime”?
Etymology: The English word anime comes from the Japanese “アニメ” (anime), short for “アニメーション” (animēshon), which means “animation.” In Japanese, anime refers to all animation, but in English, it specifically means Japanese animated films or television shows.
Modern English Usage: In global English, anime refers to the distinctive style of animation originating from Japan, including TV series, movies, and web animations.
Grammatical Classification: Anime is most often used as a countable noun (referring to individual series or titles), but can be uncountable (meaning the medium or genre as a whole).
3.2. Pluralization in English
Standard English Pluralization: Most English nouns form the plural by adding -s (cat/cats) or -es (box/boxes).
Regular vs. Irregular Plurals: Some nouns change spelling or use unique forms (child/children, mouse/mice).
Foreign Loanwords: Words borrowed from other languages sometimes keep their original plural forms (cactus/cacti, phenomenon/phenomena), while others adapt to English rules or become invariable.
3.3. The Plural of “Anime”
Possible Forms: English speakers use both “anime” (unchanged) and “animes” (with -s) as plurals, but “anime” is the standard, widely accepted plural. “Animes” is rare and often considered nonstandard.
Usage Contexts: Anime can be plural when referring to multiple series, movies, or works: “I watched three anime yesterday.” “Animes” may appear in informal speech or fan communities.
Function: As a noun, anime can be subject (Anime is popular.), object (I love anime.), or predicative noun (That is anime.).
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1. Regular Pluralization in English
The most common way to make nouns plural in English is by adding -s or -es to the end. This rule applies to the majority of English nouns.
| Singular | Plural | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| cat | cats | I have two cats. |
| dog | dogs | The dogs are barking. |
| book | books | She bought some books. |
| car | cars | There are three cars. |
| friend | friends | We are friends. |
4.2. Irregular and Foreign Plurals
Some nouns have irregular plurals, changing form entirely. Others, especially foreign loanwords, may keep their original plural or adopt the English -s ending.
| Word (Origin) | Singular | Plural | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| cactus (Latin) | cactus | cacti / cactuses | Both accepted |
| phenomenon (Greek) | phenomenon | phenomena | Irregular plural |
| index (Latin) | index | indices / indexes | Context-dependent |
| sushi (Japanese) | sushi | sushi | No change |
| samurai (Japanese) | samurai | samurai | No change |
4.3. Pluralization of Japanese Loanwords
Japanese nouns in English often do not change in the plural. Adding -s is generally less common, but does occur informally.
| Word | Singular | Plural (Standard) | Plural (-s, Informal/Rare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| anime | anime | anime | animes |
| samurai | samurai | samurai | samurais |
| sushi | sushi | sushi | sushis |
| ninja | ninja | ninja | ninjas |
| karaoke | karaoke | karaoke | karaokes |
4.4. “Anime” as Countable vs. Uncountable
Uncountable: Used like music or art. Refers to the medium or genre as a whole. (“Anime is popular worldwide.”)
Countable: Refers to individual works (series, shows, movies). (“I watched five anime this month.”)
4.5. “Animes”: Accepted or Not?
Dictionary and Style Guide Analysis: Most major dictionaries (e.g., Oxford, Merriam-Webster) and style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago) do not accept “animes” as standard. However, “animes” does appear in some informal settings, especially in online communities.
| Form | Frequency (COCA/Google Ngrams) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| anime | Very High | Standard, all contexts |
| animes | Very Low | Informal, fan discussions |
5. Types or Categories
5.1. Grammatical Number
- Singular: anime (one show, series, or movie)
- Plural: anime (unchanged, standard); animes (informal/rare)
Example: Singular: “This anime is my favorite.” Plural: “These anime are popular.”
5.2. Count Noun vs. Mass Noun Usage
- Count Noun: Refers to individual titles (e.g., “three anime” = three separate series)
- Mass Noun: Refers to the medium (e.g., “Anime is a global phenomenon.”)
Example: “There are many anime to watch.” / “Anime is a unique art form.”
5.3. Regional and Register Differences
Academic/Formal English: Always use “anime” for both singular and plural.
Informal/Colloquial Speech: “Animes” may appear, especially among new learners or in fan circles. American English is slightly more tolerant of “animes” informally than British English, but both prefer “anime.”
5.4. Contextual vs. Grammatical Plurality
The plural can be clear from context, even without changing the noun form.
- Semantic Plural: “I have seen five anime.” (Context shows plural.)
- Grammatical Plural: Normally marked with -s, but not needed with “anime.”
6. Examples Section
6.1. Examples: Singular and Plural in Sentences
- I love this anime.
- This anime is very popular.
- I have watched many anime this year.
- Several anime were released last month.
- My friend recommended an anime to me.
- There are three anime I want to watch.
- Each anime has a unique style.
- Have you seen the new anime on Netflix?
- These anime are my favorites.
- Anime from the 1990s are still popular.
- Some anime are based on manga.
- The anime I watched last night was amazing.
6.2. Examples: Countable vs. Uncountable Usage
- Anime is a popular genre worldwide. (uncountable)
- There are several anime I want to watch. (countable)
- Anime has influenced many artists. (uncountable)
- I bought three anime last week. (countable)
- She studies anime as part of her degree. (uncountable)
- He owns dozens of anime on DVD. (countable)
- Anime appeals to all ages. (uncountable)
- Many anime were nominated for awards. (countable)
6.3. Examples: “Anime” vs. “Animes”
- I own five anime. (correct)
- I own five animes. (nonstandard/incorrect in formal English)
- She likes anime. (correct)
- She likes animes. (nonstandard/rare, may appear online)
- They discussed different anime at the club. (correct)
- They discussed different animes at the club. (informal/fan slang)
6.4. Examples: Regional or Informal Differences
- Forum post: “What are your favorite animes?”
- Fan blog: “I’ve seen so many animes this year!”
- British magazine: “Several anime are shortlisted for the award.”
- American English: “I collect anime.”
- Online chat: “Let’s watch some animes tonight!”
6.5. Examples: Other Japanese Loanwords
| Word | Singular Example | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|
| samurai | A samurai is a Japanese warrior. | Many samurai served their lords. |
| sushi | He ordered sushi for lunch. | We ate lots of sushi at the party. |
| karaoke | I enjoy karaoke on weekends. | Karaoke is popular in many countries. |
| ninja | The ninja moved silently. | Stories about ninja are fascinating. |
| origami | She made an origami crane. | He displayed his origami on the shelf. |
| kimono | She wore a kimono to the festival. | Traditional kimono are beautiful. |
| ramen | Ramen is a type of noodle soup. | We tried different ramen on our trip. |
| bonsai | This bonsai is over 50 years old. | He collects bonsai as a hobby. |
| tsunami | A tsunami struck the coast. | Several tsunami have hit Japan in history. |
| geisha | She learned about geisha culture. | The museum featured stories of geisha. |
6.6. Comprehensive Example Tables
| Form | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Singular | I started a new anime last night. |
| Plural | We watched three anime over the weekend. |
| Singular | This anime is highly recommended. |
| Plural | Several anime feature powerful themes. |
| Type | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Countable | I want to collect all the anime in this series. |
| Uncountable | Anime has become part of global pop culture. |
| Countable | She owns five anime on Blu-ray. |
| Uncountable | His research focuses on anime. |
| Source | Example |
|---|---|
| News Article | Anime has surged in popularity outside Japan. |
| Academic Journal | Many anime incorporate traditional Japanese themes. |
| Online Forum | I enjoy watching different animes, but Naruto is the best. |
| Blog Post | There are so many anime to choose from these days. |
7. Usage Rules
7.1. Standard Rule: “Anime” as Both Singular and Plural
Rule: In standard English, “anime” is both the singular and plural form. Use “anime” for one work or multiple works.
- Singular: “That anime is new.”
- Plural: “Many anime are released every year.”
7.2. Acceptability of “Animes”
Most style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago) do not accept “animes”. Dictionaries list “anime” as both singular and plural. “Animes” is considered nonstandard in formal or academic writing, but may be used informally in fan communities.
7.3. Using Articles and Quantifiers
When referring to one work, use “an anime”. For plural, use quantifiers without “s”: “some anime,” “many anime,” “several anime”.
| Correct Usage | Incorrect Usage |
|---|---|
| an anime | an animes |
| some anime | some animes |
| many anime | many animes |
| several anime | several animes |
7.4. Agreement with Verbs
When “anime” is singular: Use singular verb—“Anime is…”
When “anime” is plural: Use plural verb—“Anime are…” (less common; context matters)
- “Anime is my favorite genre.” (uncountable)
- “These anime are popular.” (plural)
7.5. Exceptions and Special Cases
“Animes” may appear in creative writing, fan slang, or specific communities where informal language is accepted. Always consider your audience and context.
7.6. Consistency in Academic and Professional Writing
Advice: Teachers and students should always use “anime” for both singular and plural in formal writing. Consistency is key for clarity and professionalism.
8. Common Mistakes
8.1. Using “Animes” as Plural in Formal Contexts
- Incorrect: “I have seen three animes.”
- Correct: “I have seen three anime.”
8.2. Using “Anime” as Strictly Uncountable
- Mistake: “I watched three anime shows.” (redundant)
- Correct: “I watched three anime.”
8.3. Verb Agreement Errors
- Incorrect: “Anime are popular with kids.” (if used as mass noun)
- Correct: “Anime is popular with kids.”
- Correct plural: “These anime are popular with kids.”
8.4. Confusing “Anime” with Other Media Types
- Incorrect: “I like animes and comics.”
- Correct: “I like anime and comics.”
8.5. Overgeneralizing Pluralization Rules
- Incorrect: “I ate sushis and ramens.”
- Correct: “I ate sushi and ramen.”
8.6. Table 10: Summary of Common Mistakes with Corrections
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| I have five animes. | I have five anime. |
| She owns many animes. | She owns many anime. |
| Anime are great. (referring to the medium) | Anime is great. |
| There are several animes airing. | There are several anime airing. |
| He likes sushis. | He likes sushi. |
9. Practice Exercises
9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank
- She watches _____ every weekend. (anime/animes)
- There are many _____ to choose from. (anime/animes)
- I bought three _____ at the store. (anime/animes)
- My favorite _____ is “Spirited Away.” (anime/animes)
- Have you seen these _____? (anime/animes)
- He is a fan of classic _____. (anime/animes)
- We discussed several _____. (anime/animes)
- “Naruto” is an _____. (anime/animes)
9.2. Correction Exercises
- I have watched five animes this month.
- She collects many animes.
- Anime are popular in America.
- He loves sushis and ramens.
- There are several animes worth watching.
- Many animes have strong female characters.
9.3. Identification Exercises
Read the paragraphs below. Underline the correct or incorrect plural usage of “anime” and “animes.”
- Sarah loves watching anime. She has seen over twenty animes, and her favorite animes are from the 1990s.
- Anime is a global phenomenon. Many anime have been translated into English. Some people say “animes,” but most dictionaries use “anime” for both singular and plural.
- There are several animes airing this season. I’m excited about the new anime from Studio Ghibli.
- Fans often discuss their favorite anime online. Sometimes, they argue about which animes are the best.
- Anime has inspired artists worldwide. Many animes feature beautiful animation and music.
9.4. Sentence Construction
Write sentences using “anime” in both singular and plural forms. Example prompts:
- Describe a single anime you enjoy.
- List several anime you have watched.
- Explain why anime is popular.
- Talk about your favorite anime characters.
- Discuss how anime differs from cartoons.
9.5. Table Completion Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct plural forms.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| anime | ______ |
| samurai | ______ |
| ninja | ______ |
| sushi | ______ |
| manga | ______ |
9.6. Answer Key
- anime
- anime
- anime
- anime
- anime
- anime
- anime
- anime
Correction Exercises:
1. I have watched five anime this month.
2. She collects many anime.
3. Anime is popular in America.
4. He loves sushi and ramen.
5. There are several anime worth watching.
6. Many anime have strong female characters.
Identification Exercises:
1. Incorrect plural: “animes” (should be “anime”)
2. Correct usage: “anime”
3. Incorrect: “animes” (should be “anime”)
4. Incorrect: “animes” (should be “anime”)
5. Incorrect: “animes” (should be “anime”)
Table Completion:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| anime | anime |
| samurai | samurai |
| ninja | ninja |
| sushi | sushi |
| manga | manga |
10. Advanced Topics
10.1. Linguistic Borrowing and Pluralization
English often borrows words from other languages, sometimes keeping their original plural forms, sometimes adopting English patterns, or making the word invariable. Examples: cactus/cacti (Latin), samurai/samurai (Japanese), anime/anime (Japanese).
10.2. Semantic Plurality and Context
The meaning of a plural is often clear from context, especially with invariable plurals like anime. Quantifiers, numbers, and articles make it clear whether you mean one or many.
10.3. Register and Genre Sensitivity
The choice between “anime” and “animes” can depend on context, audience, and formality. Academic and journalistic writing demands “anime,” while fan fiction or forums may accept “animes.”
10.4. Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Grammar
Prescriptive grammar recommends the standard form (“anime” for both singular and plural). Descriptive grammar observes that “animes” is used in some communities, though not widely recognized.
10.5. Evolution of Loanwords
Loanwords may eventually change in their pluralization as usage evolves. “Animes” could become more accepted over time, but for now, “anime” remains standard.
11. FAQ Section
-
What is the correct plural of “anime” in English?
The correct plural is “anime” (unchanged). -
Is “animes” ever acceptable?
It is nonstandard but may be used informally in fan communities. Avoid it in formal writing. -
Why do some people say “animes”?
Some English speakers add -s to all nouns for plurals, especially if they are unfamiliar with the word’s origin. -
Should I use “anime is” or “anime are”?
Use “anime is” for the medium (uncountable), “anime are” for multiple works (countable). -
Is “anime” countable or uncountable?
It can be both, depending on the context. -
How do I talk about multiple anime series?
Use “anime” as the plural: “I watched three anime.” -
Are there other Japanese words in English that don’t change in plural?
Yes, examples include “samurai,” “ninja,” “sushi,” and “karaoke.” -
Do academic style guides accept “animes”?
No, style guides recommend “anime” for both singular and plural. -
How should I use articles and quantifiers with “anime”?
Use “an anime” for one, “some/many/several anime” for plural. -
Does pluralization differ in American and British English?
Both prefer “anime”; “animes” is rare and considered nonstandard in both. -
What mistakes should I avoid when writing about anime?
Avoid “animes” in formal writing, don’t overgeneralize plural rules, and use correct verb agreement. -
Can I use “animes” in creative writing or fan fiction?
It may be accepted within some fan communities, but standard English prefers “anime.”
12. Conclusion
To summarize, “anime” is both the singular and plural form in standard English. The form “animes” is nonstandard and should be avoided in academic, professional, and most formal contexts. Always use “anime” when referring to one or multiple works, and be mindful of countable and uncountable usage.
Context, audience, and register play a crucial role: use “anime” in formal settings, but be aware that “animes” may appear in informal communities. Language is always evolving, so watch for changes in usage over time.
Final advice: Always check your context and audience, consult up-to-date style guides, and practice with real examples to ensure clear and correct communication about anime in English.