ajin

Ajin (亜人) is a Japanese term meaning “demi-human” or “subhuman.” In both folklore and modern fiction, it denotes beings who resemble humans but are not fully human. The word combines the kanji for “sub” or “secondary” (亞) with “human” (人).

In contemporary pop culture, Ajin is best known as the title of a Japanese manga and anime series, Ajin: Demi-Human, created by Gamon Sakurai. The series began serialization in 2012 and has been adapted into an animated series. It centers on a hidden population of Ajin—humans who can resurrect after death—and their persecution by ordinary humans. The work explores themes such as discrimination, civil rights, and the ethics of immortality.

Outside this usage, Ajin can appear in other fantasy or science fiction contexts as a general designation for humanoid beings with special abilities. The term is primarily used within Japanese-language media, but it has gained visibility internationally through its adaptation into anime and translations.