One of my many problems with DC, to be perfectly honest.
I do realize that "Well everyone else does it too" is a poor response to an inherent problem but, unfortunately, everyone else does do this too. DC really doesn't do it more or less than the norm. Japanese media itself is hardly very multiculturally-inclusive.
Not from my research. It applies only to Special Effects, nothing more. Audition--a very creepy J-Horror film has no special effects at all.
Furthermore, Manga/Anime does just refer to comics/animation last time I checked around. I could be wrong, mind you, but that's what my research has shown.
I have to agree with kamino on this one. Virtually without exception, the distinction between a word's literal origins and its vernacular usage is very clear, particularly in fandom.