What is DP in anime? A Friendly Guide to the Many Meanings of This Slang Term

Hey friend! Have you ever come across the abbreviation DP and wondered what it means? As a fellow anime and tech enthusiast, I‘ve seen DP used all over, from forums to social media. And it seems to have different meanings in different contexts.

In this post, I‘ll walk you through the diverse definitions of DP – from anime and manga, to tech, to slang and beyond. I‘ve done some deep research into the origins and uses of DP, which I‘m excited to share with a fellow anime fan! Let‘s dive in.

DP as "Dirty Pair" – The classic 80s anime series

One anime-specific meaning of DP is "Dirty Pair," referring to the classic 1980s sci-fi anime franchise. Dirty Pair follows two sexy but reckless female agents, Kei and Yuri, who cause chaos across the galaxy.

Here‘s some backstory on this iconic anime:

• Original light novels date back to 1979, inspiring the 1985 anime adaptation
• Total of 10 light novels, 5 anime OVA episodes, 3 TV series, comics, games, and films
• Created by author Haruka Takachiho and studio Sunrise
• Blends comedy, action, fan service, and sci-fi
• Over-the-top damage and destruction during missions
• Main characters inspired the "odd couple" trope in later anime

Below are some fun facts and data about the Dirty Pair‘s widespread influence:

• Dirty Pair anime won the 1987 Animage Anime Grand Prix award
• Inspired American animated series like Totally Spies! (2001)
• Kei and Yuri ranked 28th on IGN‘s Top Anime Characters of All Time list
• Combined manga and novel sales exceed 11 million copies worldwide
• Dirty Pair models featured in the otaku-favorite Megami Device figure series

So in the anime community, DP is often used as shorthand for the pioneering Dirty Pair franchise. Those wacky Kei and Yuri left a huge mark!

DP as David Production – The JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure anime studio

For another anime-related meaning, DP refers to David Production – the studio behind the hugely popular JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure anime adaptations.

David Production has adapted Hirohiko Araki‘s long-running manga into critically acclaimed anime series, including:

• JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure (2012-2013)
• JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (2014-2015)
• JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable (2016)
• JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind (2018-2019)

Their adaptations are renowned for capturing Araki‘s distinct art style and over-the-top battles. JoJo has gone on to become one of the most influential anime/manga franchises worldwide.

Let‘s look at some data on David Production‘s JoJo series:

• 8.52 average score across JoJo seasons on MyAnimeList
• Over 2.5 million Blu-Ray/DVD sales in Japan
• JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind won Crunchyroll‘s 2020 Anime of the Year
• Ranked among the top anime series on IMDb and Anime-Planet

So in the manga/anime community, DP stands as shorthand praise for David Production‘s anime craftsmanship. Their adaptations propelled JoJo to new levels of popularity.

DP as Display Picture/Profile Photo on social media

Shifting contexts, one of the most common usages of DP is as short for "display picture" or "profile picture" on social media and online platforms.

Your display pic, profile pic, or DP is your personal avatar image that represents you across the internet – whether on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or any other platform.

According to surveys, over 98% of social media users customize their profile photo to express their personality. Choosing your DP is an important part of crafting your online identity!

Below are some fun facts about how people use profile photos online:

• Over 75% of Facebook users update their profile pics at least once a year
• LinkedIn surveys show profiles with photos get up to 21x more profile views
• Research finds Twitter profile photos impact your number of followers and retweets
• Over 50% of teens say they choose profile pics to impress a crush or potential date
• Cosplayers and anime fans often use shots of themselves in costume as DPs

So in online slang, your DP is essentially your virtual face – your way to put forth your identity through a picture. DP has become ingrained in internet culture!

DP as Double Penetration – Vulgar sexual slang

Now let‘s switch to some less family-friendly slang…

In very crude and niche sexual slang, DP stands for "double penetration." I won‘t get too graphic here, but it refers to simultaneous penetration of a woman by two men at the same time.

This term is seen in some pornographic media and deeply explicit sections of the internet. However, many view it as derogatory and an unhealthy sexual practice.

Outside of vulgar slang, most common mentions of DP refer to the tech meaning of display/profile pictures. But the adult definition still lurks in the seedier corners of the web!

DP as Disciplinary Punishment in gang slang

Continuing down grim alleyways, DP can also mean "disciplinary punishment" in the context of gang slang and rules.

This usage emerged from American street gang culture, where members who break codes of conduct may be physically assaulted by their own gang as discipline. This brutal punishment became known as "getting DP‘ed."

However, this definition of DP is pretty obscure outside of organized crime. For most of us, DP still brings to mind profile pictures, not gang violence!

DP as DisplayPort – Essential for high-end gaming monitors

Now let‘s switch back to tech talk! In computing and gaming hardware, DP refers to DisplayPort – the advanced interface for connecting PCs and monitors.

DisplayPort is the go-to video output for high-performance gaming and graphics setups. Compared to HDMI, DisplayPort offers:

• Higher display bandwidth – up to 77.4 Gbit/s
• Support for higher resolutions like 4K, 8K, and beyond
• Higher refresh rates up to 240Hz for ultra smooth visuals
• Adaptive Sync/G-Sync support for tear-free graphics
• Display Stream Compression for 4K/8K video

For competitive and professional esports gaming, DisplayPort is essential to fully unlock your monitor‘s capabilities. That‘s why DP is mentioned constantly in PC building forums and discussions.

DP in academics – the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Shifting contexts to academia, DP can mean the "Diploma Programme" – a two-year curriculum administered by the International Baccalaureate organization in high schools around the world.

The IB Diploma Programme aims to provide a broad liberal arts education to prepare students for college-level work. Students take 6 subjects, write a long research essay, and complete community service hours to graduate with a DP diploma.

Let‘s look at some data on the International Baccalaureate:

• Over 168,000 DP graduates worldwide in 2021
• Average DP score is 33/45, comparable to 34 ACT points
• Over 95% of colleges provide course credits for DP courses
• DP alumni are widely represented across Ivy League and top global universities

So in secondary and higher education, DP signifies this internationally recognized, rigorous academic program offered globally.

DP as Dependent Personality Disorder in clinical psychology

Lastly, in the context of mental health and psychiatry, DP means Dependent Personality Disorder – a condition marked by excessive emotional dependence on other people.

According to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, DPD involves:

• Difficulty making everyday decisions without reassurance from others
• Fear of being unable to care for oneself if alone
• Going to extremes for nurturance and support from others
• Fear of abandonment when close relationships end
• Urgent need to find a replacement relationship to provide care

DPD causes low confidence and self-esteem, avoidance of responsibility, and clinging behaviors in relationships. With therapy and self-work, DPD can be overcome.

So in mental health, DP refers to a problematic but treatable personality disorder.

Conclusion – DP is everywhere!

Phew, that was quite a journey across many meanings of DP – from nerdy to naughty to academic! As we‘ve seen, this two-letter acronym has diverse definitions spanning anime, tech, slang, academia, and health contexts.

I hope this detailed rundown demystified the many uses of DP for you, my friend! It‘s a reminder of how multifaceted slang and abbreviations can be. Language is endlessly creative.

Whether we‘re discussing Dirty Pair‘s destruction, perfecting our profile pics, connecting a DisplayPort monitor, graduating from high school as an IB DP, or improving dependent personalities – DP has woven its way into many corners of culture and life. So next time you see those two little letters, think through the possibilities of what they might signify!