Ask John: What Does “Aniki” Mean?

Question:
I’ve heard a couple of different anime characters use the word “aniki” when referring to someone. I believe it’s a term used to refer to a brother-like character, instead of oniisan. However, in Outlaw Star, Jim uses “aniki” when he’s talking to Gene. What exactly does “aniki” mean, and when is used?

Answer:
Based on context, you seem to already have a pretty firm grasp on the meaning of “aniki.” The term is a masculine one that means “brother” and is usually used by someone referring to a male, older and senior “big brother” figure. This particular phrasing is also usually reserved for more rustic or “tough” personalities. And it’s not necessary that there be any actual blood relationship between the two people. The term does not literally signify a family relationship; it’s merely an honorable pronoun used to show respect. An excellent example comes in Takeshi Kitano’s recent Japanese/American live-action yakuza film Brother. In this film, Omar Epps, a young American black man, refers to the 40+ year old Japanese Beat Takeshi as “aniki” as a sign of respect, honor and loyalty. The relationship signified by this term, in Brother, crosses race, age, language and nationality borderlines.

On a related note, since “ani” itself means “big brother,” you may also notice a slightly altered, more refined and elegant use of the term in Escaflowne, in which Van uses “aniue” to refer to his brother Folken rather than the unrefined and “lower class” “aniki.” A further similar term is “aneki,” the female version of “aniki,” used to refer to an older sister. It would be easy to imagine the boss of a teenage “sukeban deka” gang being referred to as “aneki.” The two male henchmen in Steam Detectives refer to their female boss, Red Scorpion, as “aneki” although they’re not related by blood. They use this term because she acts masculine and commands them as though she were a tough older sister.