Have you ever heard an anime character say moe moe? Have you heard of the anime genre moe? In this article, we will conduct a deep study on the origin and meaning of moe, as well as recommend and discuss some curiosities about the subject.
In this article, we will also see the origin of one of the most famous virals and memes called moe moe kyun, pronounced by maids in maid cafes all over Japan. In addition to a list of moe anime and characters.
Table of Contents
What does Moe mean?
The Japanese word moe [萌え] is often used to indicate that a female character is cute, innocent, and adorable. The origin of the word refers to something that is germinating or budding, indicating young people in the bloom of youth.
The slang is usually used exactly when an anime or real life character presents or exudes cuteness, strengthening once again the word germinate. The term can also indicate feelings, fascination and ion.
The word moe can be used to refer to something that is lovable and cute, for both imaginary characters, idols, people, animals, etc. The word ends up having a childlike and innocent tone similar to the term kawaii.
Thus the word has come to refer to feelings of affection for any subject, which can even lead to sexual feelings and desires. Many believe that moe is nothing more than an innocent and pure cuteness.
Generally, moe anime have a distinct characteristic based on the traits and reactions of the characters. Moe anime typically feature characters with a somewhat chibi appearance and a light story focused on pure cuteness.
What is the origin of moe?
The word moe emerged in the late 1980s in Japan, possibly through Japanese media. The word became popular alongside the term kawaii, becoming a major contributor to the Japanese economy.
Some believe that this expression originated because of the character Hotaru Tomoe (土萌) from Sailor Moon, who has the same ideogram. In addition to the verb moeru (萌える), which means to sprout, the word has a homonym (燃える) that means to burn.
Both make sense, burning indicates the feeling of burning the heart or ion, while budding is when that feeling is created. There are several interpretations of the concept of “moe”, the subject is heavily discussed.
Some believe that the word moe should be used only for a pure beauty without perverted thoughts, indicating innocent, sweet, and adorable girls. Others believe that this word has involvement, generates a sexual attraction, and even an excitement.
K-On it was one of the first animes to popularize and viralize the concept of moe in the West. It was through this anime and the character Yui that many came to know the famous phrase deliciously become moe moe kyun.
What does moe moe kyun mean?
There is no meaning beyond what has already been mentioned about moe. Except that it is something similar to a ritual or magic word that the empregadas use when serving food in a maid café. Like an abracadabra of life.
Kyun is an onomatopoeia that conveys the idea of being choked up with emotion, a twist of the heart, a momentary tightness in the chest caused by powerful feelings. As if it were hitting an arrow in your heart with moe.
It may not seem like it, but kyun is something equivalent to crush in English. However, it is not usually used in the same sense as senpai to refer to a person you like; it merely demonstrates the feeling of a heart flutter.
Moe Moe Kyun is something touching to delight the heart and can be seen in maid cafes and in anime where maids appear. Sometimes some people use kyun or kyan as a name suffix, it's not related but gives the same feeling.
Usually before moe moe kyun the maids also say oishiku nare [美味しくなれ] which means something like become tasty, be delicious and things like that. It's as if they are saying: make this food have a delicious flavor.
What makes a character moe?
Today, girls who have certain characteristics are labeled as moe. The word is usually used for girls or characters that mainly exhibit the following characteristics below:
- Shyness;
- Kindness;
- Beauty;
- Innocence;
A character can be called moe because of her appearance or behavior. On many occasions, the characters are dressed as maids, nurses, wearing 猫耳, etc.
In addition to appearance, there are situations where characters are in a “cute” or “romantic” mood, most of the time when they are embarrassed about something. One should not get stuck on these characteristics alone, as there are no requirements.
The intention of moe is to awaken the inner ion of a man. If a girl evokes feelings of ion, protection, and iration, she is your moe character. It doesn't matter if the person has a strong, annoying personality or if she is a tsundere, yandere, or kuudere.
Even men are often called using the word moe. This already happened in episode 23 of the anime Ouran High School Host Club, to represent an alleged homosexual relationship. The term is widely used when it comes to more fragile or appealing characters for the female gender.
The best moe anime
We have already written an article about the best cutest, kawaii, and moe anime of all time. Still, I want to mention some of these moe anime below in this article. We won't go into details; just watch if you want to understand the meaning of moe:
- K-On
- Usagi Drop;
- Little Sister!
- Umaru-chan;
- Lucky Star;
- Ichigo Mashimaro;
- Mikakunin de Shinkoukei;
- Love Live and other idol anime;
- Hanamaru Kindergarten;
- Acchi Kocchi;
- Yuyushiki
- Minami-Ke;
- Hetalia Axis Powers;
- Yuru Yuri;
- Is the Order a Rabbit?
- The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
- Non Non Biyori;
- Sound! Euphonium;
- Shinryaku! Ika Musume;
- Sound! Euphonium;
- Shinryaku! Ika Musume;
What are the most moe characters?
Moe is not limited to anime and doramas; it can be found in games, novels, books, doramas, and in real life. Feel free to research each one and comment on a character you consider moe.
To conclude the article, let's leave a list of the most moe moe characters of all time, chosen through internet voting.
- Mami Tomoe - Madoka Magica;
- Shizu Murasame - To love ru;
- Mikoto Misaka - Toaru/Railgun Index;
- Mio Akiyama - K-On;
- Mikuru Asahina - Suzumiya Haruhi;
- Meiko Honma - Anohana;
- Mirai Kuriyama - Kyoukai no Kanata;
- Fuuko Ibuki - Clannad;
- Kosaki Onodera - nisekoi;
- Ayumi Otosaka - Charlotte;
- Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi - HanNeko;
- White - No Game No Life;
- Rikka Takanashi - Chuunibyou;
- Rem - Re: Zero;
