Anime has transcended being a mere form of entertainment in Japan; it’s now an integral part of Japanese pop culture, known and appreciated worldwide. For learners of the Japanese language, anime can be a fun and engaging tool. Here are some excellent resources that use anime as a learning medium for Japanese.
1. FluentU
FluentU takes real-world videos like anime, music videos, news, and inspiring talks, and turns them into personalized language learning lessons. FluentU is an excellent resource as it provides interactive subtitles in Japanese, allowing learners to learn words in context. They also have quizzes to test comprehension and recall.
2. Anime Talk – JapanesePod101
JapanesePod101 has a series of lessons called “Anime Talk,” where they discuss anime scenes and break down dialogue. This way, you can learn grammar, vocabulary, and cultural references in a fun and engaging manner.
3. Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a platform that streams anime online. While it’s not strictly a learning resource, you can use it to watch anime with Japanese audio and subtitles. Listening to the language as it’s naturally spoken while reading along in Japanese can be a powerful way to improve your listening skills and reinforce kanji recognition.
4. Animelon
Animelon is an incredible tool that lets you watch anime with interactive subtitles. You can toggle between English and Japanese subtitles, look up definitions simply by clicking on a word, and even adjust the playback speed to match your comprehension level.
5. Kitsunekko
Kitsunekko is a website that provides Japanese subtitles for a variety of anime. It’s a great resource if you’re looking for subtitles to accompany anime that you’re watching.
6. Anki Decks
Anki is a popular flashcard software that can help reinforce vocabulary and kanji. Several users have created Anki decks based on popular anime, allowing you to learn the words and phrases commonly used in these shows.
7. Anime Japanese subreddit
The Anime Japanese subreddit is a community dedicated to learning Japanese through anime. Members often post questions, share resources, and discuss language points that they’ve encountered in anime.
8. “Learn Japanese with Anime” Book
“Learn Japanese with Anime: 20 Series You Can Use to Start Learning Today” by Kevin Marx is a book that introduces you to the common words, phrases, and linguistic features found in anime. It’s a great resource for any anime-loving Japanese learner.
Conclusion
Learning Japanese with anime can make your language journey more engaging and enjoyable. Anime exposes you to the language’s natural flow, different accents and dialects, and a wealth of cultural references. However, it’s important to remember that the language used in anime can often be informal and overly dramatic, so it’s best to use these resources as a supplement to more traditional study materials. Happy learning!
