First there was kabe-don, then there was agokui. Now, there's katazun! Along with the former terms, you may not have even known that there was such a term for something like katazun, but you've probably seen them in action in one anime or another. Even if you haven't seen it, you've most likely experienced it one time or another.

Definition
What is katazun exactly? It's the term used to describe a scene in which someone's head hits someone. Well, that's the basics of it. Technically, it's the sound effect used to describe when someone's head lightly hits someone, though it's usually on the shoulder and is in no way a headbutt! It's generally an accident, though sometimes it can be intentional due to certain circumstances depending on the characters.

What is katazun exactly? It's the term used to describe a scene in which someone's head hits someone. Well, that's the basics of it. Technically, it's the sound effect used to describe when someone's head lightly hits someone, though it's usually on the shoulder and is in no way a headbutt! It's generally an accident, though sometimes it can be intentional due to certain circumstances depending on the characters.

Usually the circumstances are something along the lines of when one character is extremely tired after a long day, they may nod off on the train and their head will lightly hit and fall onto their neighbor's shoulder. While Izumi from Lucky Star says it can happen any time, most anime tend to just show katazun between close characters.

There's another time when katazun happens, but this situation is seen more in shoujo anime and manga than other types of series. It occurs when the male protagonist resigns or is exhausted so, while facing the heroine, he slumps over and his head lands on her shoulder. Usually this type of situation occurs when the male lead has been desperately trying to save the heroine or something dire happens that puts stress on the male lead.

Ignoring the real life situation that Izumi highlights in which you can katazun a stranger on the train, katazun is something that shows just how intimate two characters can be. Despite how much characters can bicker, when you see two characters katazun after a long day, you know that they are close.

That doesn't mean it has to be just between couples. Siblings and friends can katazun as well. It shows you just how comfortable they are with each other to let themselves be vulnerable.

Although katazun isn't widely known as a term, you've probably seen it in action plenty of times. There aren't too many sources outside of pictures defining it, so hopefully you now know that it is the sound effect used to describe someone's head lightly hitting or falling on someone. It's a sign of intimacy and friendship, so it's not something to be missed!