gothicmarshmallon

Nakama

"Nakama" is a Japanese term that describes, roughly, the members of a group who are as close as real family would be because of the circumstances under which the group of companions find themselves. As the term is not a uniquely Japanese concept, other words such as "comrades", "brothers in arms", crew, team, posse, war buddies, and clique are also nearly synonymous.

The members of the group may not necessarily like each other, but know they can depend upon each other in crisis. The relationship is often considered as "more pure", or deeper than mere friendship, but more innocent than romance. After one helps another, gratitude is often dismissed with "Think Nothing Of It — you would have done it for me."

Another distinguishing feature that seperates a nakama from a normal group of friends is the sheer amount of group 'traditions', inside jokes, and unofficial rules of the group which Nakamas tend to have.

As a Nakama resembles a family, it is not uncommon for the members of one to regard themselves as 'brothers and sisters', the members of your parents' Nakama are your uncles — unless they're your aunts — regardless of any blood connection.

The concept of Nakama apears often in fiction, with groups such as the marauders in Harry Potter, to an extent the Dead Poets Society (with the exception of Cameron), and pretty much any group in anime.

Image from TV Tropes, info from either that site or my own head, it varies.