<p>These terms are used a bit inconsistently, but what I'm answering here should be fairly uniform across a lot of the English-speaking community. I can't tell where the terms originated, but it might be an analogy to blood types, which <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_types_in_Japanese_culture" rel="nofollow noreferrer">are important in Japanese culture</a>. It could also be a reference to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_A_and_Type_B_personality_theory" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Type A and B personality theory</a>.</p>

<p><strong>Type A</strong></p>

<p>Type A fans are mostly interested in story. They choose anime because they think the story is interesting and the environment is immersive. The characters exist to drive the story, but their own characteristics are less important than the story. Many don't like the trend towards moe anime over the past decade (see <a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/894/what-does-moe-mean">What does &#39;moe&#39; mean?</a>). They tend to be fans of genres like action, mystery, and drama. They often watch longer or older shows.</p>

<p>Shows that might appeal to Type A fans include Monster, Serial Experiments Lain, Eden of the East, and Fullmetal Alchemist.</p>

<p><strong>Type B</strong></p>

<p>Type B fans are mostly interested in the characters. They view the story as a way to explore the lives of the characters, rather than interesting in-and-of itself, and it can become a distraction if it is too complicated. Moe anime are primarily targeted at this group of viewers. They tend to be fans of genres like comedy and slice-of-life, and tend to watch shorter and more recent shows.</p>

<p>Shows that might appeal to Type B fans include K-On, Highschool of the Dead, Strike Witches, and A Certain Magical Index.</p>

<hr>

<p>There are some major omissions from this categorization, and it's hard to say that anyone is actually one or the other type. Even most people who self-identify as one or the other type will still watch and enjoy a good show that doesn't match their type.</p>

<p>It's also worth noting that some people like to add the criterion of fanservice, and say that Type B fans like shows with more fanservice. I am not doing so here because this is often disputed by type B fans themselves.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-01T17:43:55.900Z
Apparently this originated from a thread on 2ch (I haven't been able to find the orginal thread), but it was notably popularized by Sankaku Complex.
кяαzєя
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-04T13:43:56.070Z
In which category would you put the [Twelve Kingdoms](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Kingdoms) anime?
StackedCrooked
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-04T16:34:44.230Z
@StackedCrooked I don't think every anime falls into one or the other, and I haven't watched Twelve Kingdoms so I can't say for certain. Based on the summary it looks like the sort of thing a type A fan would like, but I really don't know. Ultimately, I don't think it's terribly useful to try to describe individual series as one or the other category, because most anime really don't fall in only one or the other category.
Logan M
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-24T23:21:44.663Z
This is really good categorizing. Type B sounds like character moe(kyara-moe). @StackedCrooked I love Twelve kindoms's story(Type A) and Syusyou is my waifu(Type B).
kumagoro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-01T14:00:59.323Z
2013-02-04T04:38:33.043Z
2017-04-13T12:54:48.523Z
Logan M
<p>I keep hearing the terms <strong>Type A viewers</strong> and <strong>Type B viewers</strong> in discussions and chat.</p>

<p>What do they mean? What is a Type A viewer and what is a Type B?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-01T16:57:32.170Z
I'll also note that there is a bit of a connotation for being labeled a Type B fan.
Mysticial
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-03T09:27:05.130Z
Never heard of such term. Can you specify where you heard about it? I.e. I'm pretty sure in Italy it's not commonly used (yet).
chirale
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-03T15:18:43.633Z
@chirale: I heard it a lot in [chat], as well as English speaking anime related forums.
Madara's Ghost
<terminology>
What are Type A and Type B viewers?
# What are Type A and Type B viewers?
Posted by: username_0 on 2013-02-01
I keep hearing the terms **Type A viewers** and **Type B viewers** in discussions and chat.

What do they mean? What is a Type A viewer and what is a Type B?
**Tags:** terminology
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I'll also note that there is a bit of a connotation for being labeled a Type B fan.  
> **username_2**: Never heard of such term. Can you specify where you heard about it? I.e. I'm pretty sure in Italy it's not commonly used (yet).  
> **username_0**: @chirale: I heard it a lot in [chat], as well as English speaking anime related forums.  
---
## 1 answers
### Answer by username_3 on 2013-02-01. Score: 42 | Accepted answer
These terms are used a bit inconsistently, but what I'm answering here should be fairly uniform across a lot of the English-speaking community. I can't tell where the terms originated, but it might be an analogy to blood types, which [are important in Japanese culture](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_types_in_Japanese_culture). It could also be a reference to [Type A and B personality theory](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_A_and_Type_B_personality_theory).

**Type A**

Type A fans are mostly interested in story. They choose anime because they think the story is interesting and the environment is immersive. The characters exist to drive the story, but their own characteristics are less important than the story. Many don't like the trend towards moe anime over the past decade (see [What does 'moe' mean?](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/894/what-does-moe-mean)). They tend to be fans of genres like action, mystery, and drama. They often watch longer or older shows.

Shows that might appeal to Type A fans include Monster, Serial Experiments Lain, Eden of the East, and Fullmetal Alchemist.

**Type B**

Type B fans are mostly interested in the characters. They view the story as a way to explore the lives of the characters, rather than interesting in-and-of itself, and it can become a distraction if it is too complicated. Moe anime are primarily targeted at this group of viewers. They tend to be fans of genres like comedy and slice-of-life, and tend to watch shorter and more recent shows.

Shows that might appeal to Type B fans include K-On, Highschool of the Dead, Strike Witches, and A Certain Magical Index.

---

There are some major omissions from this categorization, and it's hard to say that anyone is actually one or the other type. Even most people who self-identify as one or the other type will still watch and enjoy a good show that doesn't match their type.

It's also worth noting that some people like to add the criterion of fanservice, and say that Type B fans like shows with more fanservice. I am not doing so here because this is often disputed by type B fans themselves.
> **Comments:**
> **username_4** (2013-02-01): Apparently this originated from a thread on 2ch (I haven't been able to find the orginal thread), but it was notably popularized by Sankaku Complex.  
> **username_5** (2013-02-04): In which category would you put the [Twelve Kingdoms](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Kingdoms) anime?  
> **username_3** (2013-02-04): @StackedCrooked I don't think every anime falls into one or the other, and I haven't watched Twelve Kingdoms so I can't say for certain. Based on the summary it looks like the sort of thing a type A fan would like, but I really don't know. Ultimately, I don't think it's terribly useful to try to describe individual series as one or the other category, because most anime really don't fall in only one or the other category.  
> **username_6** (2014-08-24): This is really good categorizing. Type B sounds like character moe(kyara-moe). @StackedCrooked I love Twelve kindoms's story(Type A) and Syusyou is my waifu(Type B).  
---
