is there an anime that teaches japanese

by Berniece Borer 3 min read
image

しろくまカフェ (“Shirokuma Cafe”)
This is one of the most popular anime series for learning Japanese due to the extensive use of dialogue that mimics everyday conversation in Japan.
Apr 10, 2020

Full Answer

What is the best anime for Japanese learners?

Shirokuma Cafe (しろくまカフェ), a.k.a. Polar Bear Cafe, is one of the best anime for Japanese learners. The comedy anime, which was originally made as a manga, was made into an anime adaption with 50 episodes in 2012-2013. It consists of random topics conversations with animals including Polar Bear, Panda and Penguin.

What can anime teach us about Japanese culture?

Courageous, conflicted, cantankerous or just plain cute, the colorful characters brought to life in Japanese anime film and television can teach a great deal about the country’s culture, says Michael Arnold, incoming Japanese studies instructor at Washington State University.

Is it possible to learn Japanese just by watching anime?

So remember to take it as it is, entertainment rather than a guide, but otherwise anime can be a useful aide, albeit not a good main source for learning Japanese. Originally Answered: Can someone learn Japanese just by watching anime? That would be like learning English by just watching South Park, the Simpsons, or Family Guy.

Is anime aimed at educating people about Japanese slang?

It is geared towards entertaining people, not educating people. There are many forms of Japanese slang used in anime, most of them adhere to the characters’ stereotypes. Teenage male characters often talk in rash language, while female ones often talk in a girly “cute” way, either by tone or by words.

image

Can anime teach you Japanese?

Watching Anime can certainly be a useful tool to learn Japanese language. Yes, people can learn at least a bit watching anime! Although it may be tricky at times, it is possible to enjoy and learn Japanese at the same time.

Does watching anime improve Japanese?

Even though you could not be actively involved in the pronunciation practice, watching the anime gives you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the speech melody. This will in turn help improve your Japanese language.

Where can I learn Japanese anime?

Where to Find Anime for Learning JapaneseNetflix, Hulu and Amazon: These three streaming services might be better known for their shows and movies, but all three have a pretty impressive selection of anime, as well. ... Crunchyroll: This is perhaps the most well-known anime streaming service.More items...

What to watch to learn Japanese?

Japanese TV Shows for BeginnersDoraemon– This is a very popular anime in Japan and great for beginners due to its basic vocabulary. ... Chirubii– This is another animated series with simple vocabulary perfect for beginners. ... Sazae-San– This show was inspired by a comic series that was released in 1946.

How long will it take to learn Japanese from anime?

On a Reddit thread about how long it take to learn Japanese, users shared that it took about 800 hours of study time to be able to watch anime with full comprehension. Others said it takes 2-5 years of effort to reach mastery, adding that you could survive in the language after one year.

How can I really learn Japanese?

10 Simple Steps to Teach Yourself JapaneseLearn to Read Hiragana. ... Become Familiar with Katakana. ... Familiarize Yourself with Kanji. ... Build a Core Vocabulary. ... Learn Basic Japanese Pronunciation. ... Start Reading Japanese Books. ... Watch Subtitled Movies. ... Watch Japanese Television.More items...•

What language is all anime?

JapaneseAnime or アニメ is the Japanese word to describe any type of animation, regardless of style. However, outside of Japan, anime is categorized as a common style of Japanese animation, which is hand-drawn and computer-animated.

What Japanese is used in Naruto?

Considering kishimoto was born and raised in the prefecture Okoyama till he became an adult and moved out it wouldn't be a surprise that the Japanese dialect used in naruto is Hiroshima Ben a native dialect from Chūgoku a rural heavy industrial region as Hiroshima or okoyama( note, chūgoku isn't a town it's a region)At ...

Does watching anime without subs help you learn Japanese?

The context and visuals convey so much nuance that the actual spoken dialogue become periphery to one's understanding of the story. In other words, it's very easy to understand the gist of anime without subtitles even if you possess very limited Japanese.

Which Japanese is used in anime?

In anime, non-formal japanese are used. it's very dynamic and doesn't follow the grammatical rules at all. Most people who learn japanese would most likely learn “keigo” (敬語) or Formal Japanese.

How long should I study Japanese everyday?

Study Japanese every day Grab a few recommended textbooks and knuckle down for at least twenty minutes a day (ideally an hour or two, but twenty minutes is better than nothing). This will give you the basics and the “correct” forms of grammar, situationally appropriate language, clear examples and practice exercises.

How long does it take to learn Japanese in Japan?

Learning Japanese isn't easy and it will take time. It's probably fair to say that you can expect a commitment of at least three years in order to achieve something resembling fluency. The average learner gets to the advanced level in three or four years.

Is anime normal in Japan?

So, yes, anime is popular in Japan. However, it wouldn't be so surprising if we were to find out that Japanese people often ask, why is Disney so popular in America? These would be good questions. Yet, we know, living here, that, really, not everyone likes or even watches Disney Shows.

Does watching anime improve English?

It will definitely help. It doesn't really give you the proper basic on how to learn Japanese, but you will be familiar on how Japanese talk and you might even catch up a few word that the Japanese usually use in their conversation. Overall, even the small things as anime will help if you really pay attention!!

How is anime perceived in Japan?

While manga is ubiquitous, anime is still considered for kids and younger teens by most Japanese people, and if an adult in his twenties said to other adults "I'm a big fan of anime" I think people would look at that person funny, supposing he might even be an "otaku" (used here in the stereotypical negative sense, as ...

Is anime more popular than movies in Japan?

Manga and Movies are more lucrative than anime. Anime adapted from manga is often times simply advertisement for the manga. Live Action, anime is below actual novels, LNs, and manga. Manga and Movies are more lucrative than anime.

What are some good interests for Japanese learners?

This helps to keep you motivated and progressing toward your goal. For many Japanese learners, manga and anime are two great interests that can be used to advance your learning in a fun way.

What is the anime K-On about?

K-On! This is an anime about the trials and tribulations of four high school girls who attend Sakuragaoka High School. The school has a light music club, that needs at least four members in order to stay active. Hirasawa Yui who has just started high school, sees a poster for the light music club, and decides to join.

What is the role of Doraemon in the book?

It’s a great starting point to improve your listening and comprehension skills. Doraemon is a robot cat from the future, who is sent back (by Nobita’s grandson) to help Nobita Nobi. Nobita is a young school boy dealing with everyday issues children face in school such as bullying and childhood crushes.

How long are the episodes of Chi?

The vocabulary is simple and the sentences short, making it an ideal anime to watch for beginning Japanese learners. The episodes are only about three minutes.

What duck does Akira have?

They also meet Akira who has a duck named Tapioca. The dialogue in this show is perfect for a Japanese language learner. The grammar, vocab and sentence structure are simple and easy to follow. And many of the topics, such as making new friends, are very useful for learning Japanese.

Who are the three girls in Nichijiou?

Nichijiou is a cute and funny anime that focuses on the daily lives of three high school girls named Mai Minakami, Mio Naganohara and Yuuko Aioi. And their interactions with a genius named Hakasa Shinonome, her robot named Nano Shinonome, and their cat Sakamoto.

Is it important to watch anime?

While it’s important to find an anime that’s suitable to your level of Japanese, it’s also important to find one that you are interested in. Watching anime should not be your main method of learning Japanese. It should be a fun supplement to your study routine. So if you aren’t enjoying the stories, it may be best to find another anime.

Is there an anime that teaches you Japanese?

Doraemon was created with children and aimed to teach them the most basic Japanese words and phrases. The anime’s characters speak in Tokyo dialect, so learning this type of speech will help you familiarize yourself with informal Japanese.

How long does it take to learn Japanese from anime?

It’s a question I get asked regularly, so here’s my answer. This article is written for someone with little to no exposure to Japanese. It assumes that you live in (or are willing to move to) Japan and that you will learn through immersion (e.g., at school or work).

How can I learn Japanese fast?

Basics first: When trying to learn Japanese fast, you should understand why it’s so hard. Despite being one of the more accessible languages for English speakers to pick up, Japanese is still a harsh language to learn with straightforward grammar and pronunciation.

What does "call off tour" mean?

This phrase is basically used in a negative sense and for something which is out of your control. For example, if you have to call off a tour because of the poor weather condition, then this phrase is appropriate for that situation.

Why is learning Asian languages so hard?

Learning an Asian language is always difficult for a native English speaker because of the different roots of the language. Also, the characters, symbols, grammar, and everything else is so very unique in Asian languages that it becomes a challenging task to grasp it properly.

What is the story of Sasakura Ryuu?

The story of this anime show revolves around the bartender named Sasakura Ryuu. He makes wonderful wine and solves the problems of others. This drama will be wonderful to watch from your Japanese learning perspective as well.

What does "best wishes" mean in Japanese?

When you start watching anime in Japanese, you will hear this phrase quite often. It means to give your best or all the best wishes for your endeavour. You will also hear this phrase in various sports events in Japan.

How many kanji characters are there in Japanese?

There are over 7000 Kanji characters in the Japanese language. These characters are incorporated from Chinese Hanzhi style of writing. Each of these characters has a dual meaning and used to convey noun, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs.

What is the meaning of Katakana?

Also, Katakana is used to give emphasis to words like the way italics are used for emphasis in English. Basically, it is a more masculine form of the Japanese writing style.

Can you write in Hiragana?

However, as there is no space in the Japanese language, you will not understand anything written in Hiragana solely unless you include Kanji style.

10 Chihayafuru Features Characters Who Want To Become Top Karuta Players

In Chihayafuru, Chihaya Ayase is inspired to become a top Karuta player after she meets a transfer student, Arata Wataya, with the same dream.

9 Barakamon Focuses On The Goto Islands

In Barakamon, Sei Handa, also known as "Seishuu" or "Sensei," is a young calligrapher who gets in trouble for attacking a critic of his work. His punishment is being sent to the Goto Islands, causing him to adjust to island living as the locals become involved in his life.

8 Hanayamata Is About Yosakoi Dancing, Which Combines Tradition With Modernity

In Hanayamata, Naru Sekiya is a young girl obsessed with fairy tales who sees what she thinks is a fairy only to learn she is a foreign dancer. Through this encounter, Naru enters the world of yosakoi dancing.

7 Joshiraku Stars Five Rakugo Storytellers

In Joshiraku, the main cast is comprised of five rakugo comedians. The series revolves around their everyday lives and their conversations with each other.

6 Golden Kamuy Shines Light On Ainu Culture

Loosely based on real events, Golden Kamuy revolves around Saichi Sugimoto, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War. He's searching for a golden treasure of the Ainu people, who are indigenous people and an ethnic group in Japan's northern region of Hokkaido.

5 Those Snow White Notes Focuses On Shamisen Music

In Those Snow White Notes, Setsu Sawamura is a gifted musician who plays a shamisen he inherited from his grandfather. The shamisen is a traditional Japanese, three-stringed instrument that has a long history in the country.

4 Mitsuwano Tells The Story Of Three Young Apprentice Geishas

In the Mitsuwano OVA, three young maikos, Riko, Midori, and Mai, prepare for an upcoming festival while working at an inn in Kyoto. Making it through a maiko apprenticeship was one of the only ways that a girl could hope to become a geisha.

2. The Ambition Of Oda Nobuna

There’s probably nothing more realistic and accurate than this anime series for good reason.

4. Golden Kamuy

Golden Kamuy is one of the latest anime series to come out of Japan in 2018. With a 2nd season already airing.

5. Bamboo Blade

Bamboo Blade is a little more simple compared to other shows on this list. When it comes to its depictions of Japanese culture that is.

6. Dagashi Kashi

Dagashi Kashi is all about a set of cheap sweets sold in Japan for literally pennies on the pound (or dollar).

7. Hinamatsuri

Hinamatsuri takes slice of life and blends it with the lives of Yakuza members in Japan. Painting a unique picture of what the Yakuza are like when “off duty” so to speak.

8. Lucky Star

Lucky Star is all about Otaku Culture at its core. Because the main character: Konata Izumi is an Otaku herself.

9. Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is based in the Edo period of Japan. You can tell from the style of clothing, the houses, buildings, shoes, and everything in between.

How long does it take to watch anime twice?

Since most anime episodes are about 20 minutes long, watching it twice in a row will take about 40 minutes in total. Make sure you pick a good one, since you don’t want to get board on that “Japanese only” replay. Also, all of this is going to be harder if you’re just starting out with Japanese.

How long does it take for a baby to learn a language?

Babies literally take years to learn a language this way. And a lot of times people talk to them in short, simple sentences. Plus, babies tend to participate with the language more than most people who passively listen to it.

Can you watch anime while studying?

You first study them in isolation, that is, not while watching anime. And then you watch the anime afterwords to hear the words that you studied in action. (1) Get a list of the most common words used in the specific anime that you watch to watch.

Can Japanese listen to anime?

They are able to fully hear the different sounds of each language and there is very little crossover. How this applies to Japanese with anime is that when you are watching it, your brain is going to ignore the Japanese sounds that you’re not used to hearing.

About the program

WSU offers major and minor study options in Japanese language and Japanese culture studies that prepare students for a range of career possibilities and further language study at the graduate level. The Japanese for the Professions degree is a skills‑based second major that prepares students to communicate in Japanese in professional settings.

About the instructors

Michael Arnold earned his doctoral degree through a dual‑degree program at the University of Michigan (UM) with emphases in Asian languages and cultures and screen arts and cultures.

Next Story

WSU has resources available for students, faculty, and staff looking for additional support in the wake of the attacks against Ukraine.

Subscribe for more updates

Subscribe to WSU Insider to receive free daily updates by email. University employees are automatically subscribed—no sign up is necessary.

image