For any Otaku or plain old Anime watcher out there, I am sure you have heard the term “Moe” countless times, but what exactly is Moe? It’s one of the most important words in Otaku culture today. Moe is used to describe anything from a really cute girl, a situation. Now for starters I have a pretty decent generic answer from answers.com that states moe is:

“Moe”. pronounced “mo-eh”/ literally ‘budding’, as with a plant) is a Japanese slang word originally referring to fetish for or love for characters in video games or anime and manga. For example, 眼鏡っ娘萌え, meganekko-moe, “glasses-girl moe”, describes a person who is attracted to fictional characters with eyeglasses. Since then, the term has come to be used as a general term for a hobby, mania or fetish (non-sexual) — 鉄道萌え, tetsudou-moe, “train moe”, is simply a passionate interest in trains. A moekko is a character who could be considered stereotypically attractive — youthful and cute.

Now that may be true to an extent but Moe has broadened a bit more in our usage today.

Over at Xorsyst, there are some ideas on the term Moe itself:

Others say that the word originates from the Japanese word Moeru, which means “burning” (the burning desire that fills your soul when you see a cute girl)

Moe at its most purest form means “a plant sprouting.” In anime and manga, it’s common to see a character obtain an older brother role to the girl he finds moe. He is willing to protect her from harm, and anything perverse.

Moe as a word can be used a few different ways:

• Sakura-chan is so moe.
• I am moe over Kitahara Sayaka from MilkyWay.
• I am Miko moe.
• Oh my god, Becky, moeeeee!

Some people claim that despite not knowing the exact origins or definition of Moe, it is something they understand through feeling (some of my stupid friends…), Although this may sound a bit far fetched, I can partially understand what they mean. When you see a cute image such as Mikuru from Haruhi Suzumiya, you just get that feeling that cannot be described in words.

When all said and done I guess I personally don’t even truly know what moe means but I think that the answers I received through my research from answers and xorsyst as well as several Otaku comrades has enlightened me a bit more than I use to be. I guess it is somewhat true about knowing what moe is through feeling, I sure do feel that way sometimes. How about all of you out there, what do you think of Moe? Do you think the answers found can accurately describe what Moe is?