Knowledge Organization (KO) is published by IMR Press from Volume 52 Issue 1 (2025). Previous articles were published by another publisher under the CC-BY licence, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement.
Facet Analysis of Anime Genres: The Challenges of Defining Genre Information for Popular Cultural Objects
Hyerim Cho 1, Thomas Disher 1, Wan-Chen Lee 1, Stephen A. Keating 1, Jin Ha Lee 1
Affiliation
Article Info
1 University of Washington, Information School, Mary Gates Hall 330y Gamer Lab, 1851 NE Grant Ln., Seattle, WA 98105, USA
Abstract
Anime, as a growing form of multimedia, needs a better and more thorough organization for its myriad unique terminologies. Existing studies show patrons’ desire to search and get recommendations for anime. However, due to inadequate indexing and often confusing or inaccurate usage of terms, searching and acquiring recommendations remain challenging. Our research seeks to close the gap and make discovery and recommendations more viable. In this study, we conducted a facet analysis of anime genre terms that are currently used in thirty-six anime-related English-language databases and websites. Using a card sorting method with an inductive approach to the 1,597 terms collected, we identified and defined nine facets and 153 foci terms that describe different genres of anime. Identified terms can be implemented within different organizational systems including library catalogs, recommendation systems, and online databases to improve genre definitions and search experiences.
