There are both supporters and critics when it comes to learning Japanese through anime and manga. The stories and conversations depicted in these media often involve events that may not happen in the real world. However, there are many advanced Japanese speakers who primarily learned Japanese through anime. In this article, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of learning Japanese through anime and introduce recommended works tailored to various Japanese language levels.
Learning Japanese Through Anime
Advantages
There are numerous benefits to using anime for learning Japanese. Firstly, it allows learners to acquire everyday expressions and casual phrases that are not typically found in textbooks. This enables them to learn more realistic and natural Japanese. Additionally, these works provide an opportunity to learn about Japanese culture, aiding in the understanding of context beyond just language. Anime, which can also enhance listening skills, serves as an enjoyable and effective learning method.
Disadvantages
On the other hand, there are aspects of caution when using anime for learning. The anime world often employs unique role-language and distinctive speech patterns. Incorporating these into a real conversation may give an unintended impression. To avoid the influence of role-specific expressions on learners’ colloquial expressions, it is crucial to carefully choose anime and consider combining it with other learning methods.
How To Choose Study Materials
When selecting an anime for learning Japanese, the following points should be considered.
- Naturalness of speech: Choose animes where expressions and conversations align with real-world Japanese. This ensures the learning of practical expressions for daily conversation.
- Realism of the Story: Consider whether characters and scenes are realistic. Works with stories that reflect reality are suitable for learning common Japanese expressions.
- Difficulty Level Adjustment: It is important to choose works that match your language skill level. Beginners should opt for simple expressions, while advanced learners can choose works with complex grammar and vocabulary.
- Genre Selection: Choosing works in a genre you are interested in makes learning more enjoyable and enhances the learning experience beyond mere study.
- Use of Subtitles: For beginners, subtitles aid comprehension. However, challenging oneself to watch without subtitles is crucial for intermediate and advanced stages.
By considering these points, selecting anime becomes an effective means of Japanese learning.
Best Anime For Beginners
Ghibli Animations
Overview:
Known for beautiful artwork, emotional stories, and deep messages, Studio Ghibli animated films such as “Spirited Away,” “KiKi’s Delivery Service,” and “My Neighbor Totoro” are beloved worldwide. These films cater to a wide audience, from children to adults, earning international acclaim for their artistic merit and profound themes.
Reason for recommendation:
Studio Ghibli works are ideal for beginners. The simple and approachable language used in these films, coupled with the realistic everyday conversations of the characters, makes them easily understandable. Particularly, “My Neighbor Totoro” revolves around family bonds with a slow-paced tempo, providing a relaxed viewing experience for learners. Studio Ghibli not only captivates with its anime appeal but also serves as an excellent entry point to Japanese culture and daily conversations for Japanese beginners.
Pokémon
Overview:
“Pokémon” is an anime based on the world-famous series that originated from video games. The story follows protagonist Satoshi (Ash) and his friends as they discover creatures called Pokémon, engaging in Trainer battles and personal growth. Beyond battles and adventures, the series portrays character bonds and growth, offering insights into Japanese culture and values.
Reason for recommendation:
“Pokémon” is a fantastic learning resource for beginners. The language used is simple and clear, making the plot relatively easy to follow. The abundance of action and adventure naturally incorporates Japanese instructions and situational explanations. This aids viewers in understanding language context, making “Pokémon” an enjoyable and best educational choice for Japanese learners.
Best Anime For Intermediate Learners
K-On!
Overview:
“K-On!” revolves around school life and the band club. The story follows Yui Hirasawa and her friends as they form a band club, growing through musical activities and school life. This animation serise, which combines comedy and emotion, is widely loved both domestically and internationally.
Reason for recommendation:
“K-On!” is an ideal choice for intermediate learners. The characters face various situations throughout their student lives, providing rich Japanese expressions for dealing with diverse circumstances. The topics span daily life, friendship, and music-related activities, introducing a wide range of native-used words and phrases. Music enthusiasts will find this series particularly appealing.
Yuri on Ice
Overview:
“Yuri on Ice” is an anime centered around figure skating. The story focuses on the relationship between professional figure skater Yuri (Yūri) and his coach Victor. The anime beautifully depicts the elegance of skating and unfolds a touching narrative.
Reason for recommendation:
“Yuri on Ice” is suitable for intermediate learners due to its realistic storytelling. The emotions and dialogues of the main characters are portrayed realistically, contributing to the improvement of nuanced expressions. Furthermore, the series provides an opportunity to learn vocabulary and expressions related to sports.
Spy Family
Overview:
“Spy Family” is a comedy featuring a skilled male spy, his clumsy assassin wife, and their humorous daughter with superpowers. The family conceals their true identities from each other while facing everyday troubles, combining dark humor with heartwarming stories.
Reason for recommendation:
“Spy Family,” intersects scenes of ordinary family life with dynamics of spy activities, introducing words and expressions relevant to both contexts. Intermediate learners can enhance their understanding of everyday Japanese while learning to differentiate language use in different situations.
Tokyo Revengers
Overview:
“Tokyo Revengers” tells a passionate and moving story that uses the idea of time travel. The protagonist goes back in time to confront a criminal organisation in an attempt to save a girl. The appeal of this anime lies in its unpredictable storyline and the passionate friendships among the characters.
Reason for recommendation:
“Tokyo Revengers” includes youth language and street slang, providing an opportunity for learners to pick up casual expressions used among young people. The evolving language of characters in different time periods and different relationships enhances comprehension of contextual changes. The series also contributes to understanding Japanese youth culture and societal structures.
Best Anime For Advanced Learners
Death Note
Overview:
“Death Note” revolves around a mysterious notebook, the Death Note, which grants the power to cause the death of anyone whose name is written in it. The anime delves into a psychological battle between characters, creating a dark and intellectual atmosphere.
Reason for recommendation:
“Death Note” serves as stimulating material for advanced learners. The series features complex and intellectual dialogue, exposing viewers to sophisticated expressions and philosophical conversations. Learning the intricate vocabulary and phrases used throughout the story allows advanced learners to deepen their understanding of Japanese.
Detective Conan
Overview:
“Detective Conan” is a well-known anime series globally, featuring high school detective Shinichi Kudo, who transforms into a child after being poisoned. This is a mystery in which Conan solves numerous cases while tracking the whereabouts of a criminal organisation.
Reason for recommendation:
“Detective Conan” is recommended for advanced learners due to its focus on complex case-solving processes and logical dialogues. The anime introduces specialised Japanese related to investigation and reasoning. Additionally, the series showcases various regions in Japan, offering opportunities to learn about Japanese geography and history.
Anime NOT Recommended for Learning Japanese
- Dragon Ball Z: While globally famous, “Dragon Ball Z” is not recommended for Japanese learning. An anime centered around battles in an unrealistic world may limit opportunities to learn practical Japanese expressions and phrases.
- One Piece: In “One Piece”, there are numerous characters with unique speech patterns. The long-running anime with a complex story and character relations may make it challenging for beginners to comprehend.
- Naruto: Similar to “One Piece,” “Naruto” uses many role-language and unique expressions not commonly used in real life. Moreover, the story centered around ninjas and another world involves many specialised terms and technique names, making it less suitable for learning Japanese.
- Attack on Titan: “Attack on Titan” presents a complex storyline and unique language specific to its world. The usage of terminology and expressions peculiar to the series may limit its effectiveness for learning Japanese.
- Demon Slayer: “Demon Slayer is a unique anime that combines a fantastical story with comical scenes, making it less suitable for practical Japanese learning. The characters’ original expressions and the specific context of the story create a gap with everyday Japanese expressions.
In your Japanese learning journey, anime can be an appealing companion. From beginners to advanced learners, a variety of works cater to different language levels, covering realistic daily life to frequently used native slang. Anime also provides a gateway to understanding Japanese culture and context. Watching anime is definitely one of the best methods to improve your Japanese skill while having fun.
