Learning Japanese through Anime
Let’s face it: we’ve all at some point wished we could simply learn a language just by watching anime (here I curse my parents for not taking advantage of my childhood elastic brain so I could subconsciously learn another language). While it may not be as simple as simply binging all of One Piece to become a fluent speaker, watching anime and consuming Japanese media can actually be a helpful addition to your language-learning journey.
Set goals
Before loading up Crunchyroll and 800 episodes of Naruto, decide on what your language learning goals are while watching anime. Some examples of what you could work towards include: improving your listening skills, building up vocabulary, practising pronunciation, or even picking up Japanese cultural nuances from some of the slice-of-life anime. Also consider the level of proficiency you’d like to achieve, such as being able to understand anime without subtitles or conversational level to confidently navigate Japan.
How to actually study from anime
Now here comes the fun part: getting stuck into your anime and manga to learn Japanese. Set aside a notebook specifically for your language studies and separate sections for vocabulary, grammar, and kanji (if you’re brave enough). While watching anime or reading manga, note down any new words, including exclamations and phrases, as well as useful examples of grammar patterns and particle usage. Particles in Japanese can be confusing in how and when they should be used, but by using examples from media you enjoy, it can be easier to remember them. You could even try to summarise the plot in Japanese using the grammar and vocabulary from the episode.
Active vs passive watching
Set aside time to engage in active watching: this is where you note down words and phrases as you watch while pausing and rewinding as needed. It can also be helpful to review or summarise the episode using any grammar or vocab you’ve recently learned! Attaching the information to a story that you’re interested in helps with remembering it. Passive watching is the more relaxed version, where you don’t have to be making notes at the same time, but you can still pay attention to things like vocab and word order.
Supplement with language learning tools!
Could you build a house purely by manifesting it? If you can, please build one for me. Thank you. If not, you probably need tools to do it - and it's just the same with learning a language. Here are some key tools that will help you build up your skills:
- Flashcards: useful for drilling (okay, I’ll stop with the building puns) vocab and kanji. You can also try flashcard apps like Ankki so you always have them handy!
- Podcasts or videos: great for practising listening or spoken Japanese, try resources like Japanese Pod 101 or Human Japanese.
- The Green Bird: While it may not necessarily be the best app for language learning, Duolingo can be a great way to help you get into the habit of reviewing your studies daily. Consistency is key!
The fun part: pick something for your language level!
For beginners, look for something in the slice of life genre, as the vocabulary and sentence structures will be easier to pick up and use in your day-to-day life. We recommend Doraemon, Yotsuba!&, Azumanga Daioh, and Shirokuma Cafe!
For the intermediate - you can expand your anime and manga range into series with more complex vocab and sentences, along with some slang and idioms. Try something like K-On, Naruto, Attack on Titan, or My Hero Academia! For the advanced - if you’re getting comfortable with the everyday language usage, you can try something with more specialised vocab, complex sentence structures, and cultural references. Choose something that matches your interests! Or try starting with Steins; Gate, Death Note, or Bakuman.
Learning a language can be a challenging journey, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun along the way! Try incorporating some anime and manga immersion to help supplement those listening skills and vocabulary.
Written by Susan Craggs for Colin Magazine Edition 9.