Yes, you can learn Japanese just by watching anime. However, your understanding will be quite basic; therefore, you will only understand simple conversations in Japanese. Also, the learning will be quite casual, so it may not be enough for you to speak Japanese well. It is worthwhile to note that if you learn Japanese by only watching anime, you will likely not be able to write the language at all.
This is because learning through anime does not equip you with the knowledge of the proper and standard grammar and vocabulary in the Japanese language. Besides, you will miss out on a lot of the rules that guide the various writing systems of the Japanese language such as hiragana, katakana, and kanji. This also applies to when you are learning other languages through movies without joining any online or offline class to learn the fundamentals of the language.
In addition, learning through anime will limit how you can speak in Japanese. This is because anime characters do not usually speak in the same way that most real Japanese speakers do. With anime, you will probably be accustomed to speaking that way; hence, you will likely speak weirdly.
Again, you can learn Japanese by just watching anime, but your learning will be significantly deficient.
What is anime and how can it help you learn Japanese?
Since we have concluded that you can learn Japanese just by watching anime, you may want to learn more about anime. Basically, anime is a special Japanese style of computer-based and hand-drawn animation. Anime can come in the form of television series or movies that can be watched by adults and/or children.
Without mincing words, anime is one of the biggest exports of Japan as millions of people all around the world often watch it. Some of the anime can come in the form of traditional scenes while others have modern settings. Also, they have different storylines; hence, they appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Notably, these films and TV series are usually done in Japanese with translations into other languages. Therefore, lots of individuals usually learn some Japanese words while watching anime. Similarly, anime can have formal or casual settings; hence, you can learn the use the Japanese language based on different contexts.
The outstanding thing about learning Japanese with anime is that you will learn in a fun-filled and relaxed atmosphere. You don’t have to repeat the same vocabulary from time to time. There is no need for a quiz or review of flashcards, and reading additional materials. However, you will miss out on the foundational elements that make up the Japanese language.
Where can you get anime to learn Japanese?
This cannot be a problem as there are tons of websites and apps that have several anime TV series or films that you will enjoy. As you are watching the anime, you will also start learning the language. These sites include:
- Netflix
Netflix is undoubtedly one of the biggest platforms for finding all sorts of movies and TV series in the world. So, it is not surprising that it comprises lots of anime. Generally, any Netflix anime will be of good quality; hence, you will be able to see and hear everything correctly. Besides, the subtitle you will get from Netflix will be top-quality; therefore, you can be certain they are correct.
After downloading the Netflix app, you should get an extension that will allow you to utilize Yomichan. Notably, Yomichan is specifically designed as a built-in Japanese dictionary that can provide quality Japanese subtitles for the anime. This will be quite helpful in your learning process.
- Animelon
This is another streaming site that offers you anime and other genres of movies and TV series. When compared to Netflix and other streaming services, Animelon features a larger library of awesome anime movies and series. Therefore, you are likely going to get anime that will help your learning here.
On this platform, you can get subtitles in Japanese, English, romaji, and several other languages. Although the quality of the anime on Animelon is lower than those on Netflix, you should still be able to use it to learn Japanese.
- Funimation
This is an American platform that is known for the distribution of anime in America. You can visit the website of this company to find some of the best anime of the highest quality. Funimation also offers its services to other places such as the UK, New Zealand, and Australia.
- AnimeLab
AnimeLab is a streaming platform whose services are only available in New Zealand and Australia. This site allows both paid and free subscribers to watch their favorite anime with a few restrictions for free users.
- Crunchyroll
This is another American website that offers lots of Asian music, manga, anime, and lots more. You can also use this site to learn Japanese as it provides several anime movies and series. You can watch some of the anime titles for free on Crunchyroll while others are available for only paid subscribers.
Although Amazon is not so popular for movies and series, the site has lots of good anime that can aid your learning process. Hulu also has various anime TV series and films that you can use for learning the Japanese language.
Verdict
Can you learn Japanese just by watching anime? Yes, you can Japanese just be watching anime. Nevertheless, you will miss out on learning some essentials of the Japanese language. Resultantly, your understanding of Japanese will only be casual. Also, you may find it hard to speak the language or even understand some things you listen to because of the difference in the speaking patterns of anime characters and real people.
Therefore, you are advised to combine learning through other means with watching anime so that you can have a good understanding of Japanese. Some of the other means of learning you can choose include websites dedicated to teaching the Japanese language and classroom learning. You can also get vital resources such as Genki I & II, Minna No Nihongo, A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, and lots more.