The dictionary info is : Nakao, Seigo Random House Japanese-English English Japanese Dictionary. New York: Random House, 1997.
The dictionary itself has a lot of nifty other features too. It's not the best (the best being one made for Japanese people learning English), but it's the easiest to find, and deal with for minor things.
Also get: Akiyama, Nobuo; Akiyama, Carol. Master the
Basics Japanese. New York: Barron's, 1995.
It has a lot of the basics that I don't put in so if you wanta learn more get it!
To get an electronic version on the Internet:
http://www.solon.org/cgi-bin/j-e/dict
by Jeffrey Friedl.
I survived by using this dictionary and with the combo of the two above. The three of them are very close to the needs of an otaku.
Maximizing use of Jeffery's Dictionary
For those who are not blessed with Japanese capable browsers try this link:
http://www.lfw.org/shodouka/
and then add the other link that you want to view the Japanese in.
For example: http://www.lfw.org/shodouka/http://www.solon.org/cgi-bin/j-e/euc/tty/dict
Warning: Their server can be a bit shaky at times.
If you really want to learn Japanese I reccommend
http://www.japanese-online.com/
These are only basic words. I'll have their characters too eventually.