前期

• Reading: ぜんき
• Romaji: zenki
• Kanji breakdown: 前 (previous/before) + 期 (period/season) → last season/previous period
• Pronunciation: /zeɴ.ki/

Meaning

Last season — referring to the previous anime broadcast quarter.

前期 in anime context means the previous broadcast season (3-month quarter). Fans use it to compare current shows to those from the last quarter, discuss carryover series, or reminisce about recently ended favorites. It is often paired with 今期 (this season) in seasonal anime discussions.

Examples

1. 前期で一番面白かったアニメ何だった？ What was the best anime from last season?
2. 前期の覇権アニメはあれだよね。 The top anime from last season was definitely that one.
3. 前期から継続してる作品が今期も強い。 The shows carrying over from last season are still going strong this season.

Usage Guide

Context: anime discussion, seasonal reviews, social media

Tone: informational, comparative

Do Say

• 前期のアニメでまだ見てないやつある？ (Are there any anime from last season you haven't watched yet?)
• 前期と今期でジャンルの傾向変わったね (The genre trends changed from last season to this one)

Don't Say

• ビジネスの場で「前期」と言うと前半期・前四半期と解釈される (Saying 'zenki' at work will be interpreted as the previous fiscal half/quarter)

Common Mistakes

• Confusing 前期 (last quarter) with 前シーズン (previous season of a specific show)
• Using 前期 when you mean 前作 (previous work/installment) of the same series

Origin & History

Standard Japanese term meaning 'previous period.' 前 (previous/before) + 期 (period/season). In anime fandom, specifically refers to the previous broadcast quarter. Used alongside 今期 (this season) and 来期 (next season) in seasonal anime tracking.

Cultural Context

Era: Standard term, anime seasonal usage from 2000s

Generation: All ages anime fans

Social background: Anime community

Regional notes: Used across Japan. Part of the seasonal anime vocabulary alongside 今期, 来期, and specific season names.