If you’re learning the Japanese language, every little extra nudge helps. Sometimes, it’s finding out a classmate, co-worker, or friend already knows Japanese. Other times, it’s a keen interest in a news story based in Japan. But don’t forget those unexpected episodes when learning inspiration is brought front and center, courtesy of a cultural phenomenon.
Take anime, for instance.
In Japan, anime refers to any animated work: cartoons, movies based on graphic novels (known as manga), and even video games. Outside Japan, especially in the United States, the term mostly applies to the distinct, stylized medium produced in Japan. Japanese anime began in the mid 20th century but exploded in popularity around the world in the early 2000s with the release of critically acclaimed films like Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away in 2001, which won an Academy Award.
Anime’s influence has seeped into so many aspects of pop culture that you might encounter it without even realizing it – from fashion to video games, and from food packaging to social media and you’ll quickly see anime’s unmatched influence in modern design. Japanese production studios have responded to the tremendous surge in interest. Today, hundreds of companies are involved in the creation, production, and marketing of anime all over the world.But you might be asking, what does this have to do with learning Japanese? Can you learn Japanese from anime?
The Appeal of Learning Japanese Through Anime
With anime everywhere, language learners would like to know: is anime good for learning Japanese? The short answer is yes! Any exposure to the language, whether movies or TV, social media, gaming or chatting with friends is helpful in some way. You can certainly learn Japanese through anime, but be aware that anime often uses informal or exaggerated speech that isn’t appropriate in real-life situations, especially in professional or formal settings. Many anime include slang, regional dialects, or even made-up words that aren’t commonly used in everyday Japanese.
In short, Learning Japanese through anime won’t work all by itself. Like any add-on learning tool, anime can help, but when combined with a dedicated commitment to a formal learning platform, like Pimsleur’s Japanese courses, it becomes a powerful motivator.Much like listening to or watching Italian opera or Brazilian football can help anyone learn Italian and Brazilian Portuguese, anime is good for learning Japanese – as a part of your “language learning toolbox” that you can deploy while simply enjoying comics, movies, and more for anime’s sake.
Key Aspects of Japanese You Can Learn from Anime
So, what language elements can you learn through Japanese anime? If you’re interested in anime and you want to learn Japanese, you’ll be happy to know that the fundamental aspects of the language are all on the table (er, the screen):
- Vocabulary. Anime’s expressive, colorful language is ideal for new language learners. Learning Japanese with anime will help you pick up new words along the way. And with serial anime productions, which foster a running narrative, you can put into context new words as characters grow and develop – you’ll learn more words as they progress through the story.
- Pronunciation. Particularly with high-quality anime, pronunciation is a key part of the very best productions. 100% Japanese-made anime is the perfect medium to hear expert Japanese speakers in natural, free-flowing conversations.
Listening skills. Want to know how to learn some Japanese from anime? Simply listen! Just like in your native tongue, listening is an underrated yet highly valuable skill. As you build your listening prowess, this naturally leads you to speak better Japanese.
How to Learn Japanese from Anime
Use these tips while working on learning Japanese through anime:
- Start small. Watch an episode or two of an anime subject you’re interested in. Don’t feel like you have to consume an entire series all at once. Enjoy the story which will help you understand the context.
- Find a genre that interests you. Language learning is all about you. Being selfish isn’t usually an admirable trait … but, when you’re learning Japanese, put yourself first. For anime, that means finding a genre that grabs your attention and holds it. So if the “current thing” in anime is a fantasy story, but you’re interested in horror, by all means, go for zombies or haunted houses!
- Integrate your viewing with your learning. Go back and check pronunciation. Practice and recite your favorite phrases, but before using it in real life, verify that they’re polite and appropriate. Keep in mind that speech in anime may be exaggerated or heavy on slang. As an added bonus, read the source manga (if any) to further strengthen your skills.
Watch the best of the best. Our humble suggestions for anime movies include Penguin Highway, My Neighbor Totoro, and In This Corner of the World. Series recommendations include Pokémon (ideal for beginners), K-On!, and Yokai Watch.
Common Challenges to Using Anime to Learn Japanese
The biggest challenge while learning Japanese through anime is how the main characters and protagonists address others within a comic, movie, or graphic novel animation. This concept is known as keigo, a sophisticated language structure that’s very fluid. It literally morphs speaking patterns of Japanese, which might sound odd to a native Japanese speaker.
For example, the main character in an anime movie often speaks to acquaintances, superiors, family, and others with a distinctive voice and quirky vocabulary. Additionally, depending on the context and setting, the use of slang or fictional words unique to that anime universe can create challenges for language learners.The bottom line is that you can learn some Japanese from anime – you just have to recognize that not everything you hear or see translates to real life. Using an app like Pimsleur lets you learn the framework of how Japanese is really spoken. Once you get that down, you can easily pick and choose when to slip in some choice anime phrases.
Embracing Anime as a Fun and Engaging Language Tool
Studying anime is a good way to motivate yourself to learn a new language. But it’s just one small part of a smart plan. Using and enjoying anime gives you insight into the culture helping you to learn faster and understand more, all while proceeding at your own pace.But that pace starts with the right base: Pimsleur’s Japanese lessons and courses. Sign up today to get started. And while you’re learning with us, go ahead and enjoy some exciting anime on your way to conversational fluency in Japanese!
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