Learning Japanese With Manga and Anime: How to?

Learning a new language can seem like a daunting task, but what if I told you that you could make it enjoyable? Enter the world of Anime and Manga – two incredibly popular forms of Japanese entertainment that can also be fantastic tools for learning the Japanese language.

In this article, I’ll explore how you can embark on your language-learning journey by immersing yourself in the colourful worlds of Anime and Manga. It’s a fun and engaging way to get started!

What’s Manga?

According to Wikipedia:

Manga covers a vast array of genres, from action-packed adventures and heartwarming romances to boys and girls to complex and thought-provoking dramas for adults. With its diverse themes and styles, manga has something to offer everyone, whether you’re a casual reader or a devout enthusiast.

I grew up in Japan, so I can happily say that Managa is deep in our culture. I remember that I learned Japanese history through the Educational Manga series!

What’s Anime then?

Let’s see what Wikipedia says:

Anime is like watching cartoons but with a special twist—it comes from Japan and has lots of exciting stories for everyone. From action and adventure to romance and friendship, there’s an anime for every mood. It’s not just for kids; grown-ups love it too!

Find your Favourite Manga & Anime to start!

So, if you’d like to start learning Japanese through Manga and Anime, I would recommend you to start with finding your favourite series.

If you already have one, please keep watching or reading it.

My 5 recommendations:

Skip and Loafer (スキップとローファー)

The blurb on Netflix says:

“When country girl Mitsumi gets hopelessly lost on the way to her Tokyo high school’s entrance ceremony, a fellow student sees her and offers to help.”

It is set in a high school in Tokyo, however, I really enjoyed watching it as an adult as well. You can easily get hooked and you may need to watch the season in one go like I did!

The original Managa was published in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon in 2018. Then it was made into Anime and broadcasted on Japanese TV in 2023.

One Piece　(ワンピース)

If you are interested in Japanese Manga or Anime, I am certain that you have heard of this long running Manga and TV series. I read some over 20 years ago! It is a passionately beloved Managa and Anime for a long time.

This manga series is written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda and it has been serialised since July 1997, with its individual chapters compiled into 106 volumes as of July 2023.

Based on the Manga series,  Anime Television series premiered on Japanese Fuji TV in October 1999.

The story follows the adventures of Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates, where he explores the Grand Line in search of the mythical treasure known as the “One Piece” in order to become the next King of the Pirates.

The Apothecary Diaries　(薬屋のひとりごと)

The Apothecary Diaries is a Japanese light novel series written by NatsuHyuga and illustrated by Touko Shino. Manga is available in English and the TV series just began airing in October 2023 on Nihon TV and many other online streaming services!

Story: Maomao, a humble girl raised in a quiet town by her apothecary father, never imagined that the rear palace would have anything to do with her—until she was kidnapped and sold into service there. Though she appears ordinary, Maomao possesses a quick wit, a sharp mind, and an extensive knowledge of medicine.

Beastars

Beastars is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. 

The story takes place in a modern world of civilised, humanlike animals with a cultural divide between carnivores and herbivores, and where eating meat is strictly illegal. The series takes its name from the in-universe title of Beastar, an individual of great talent, service, and notoriety.

I am still watching this series on Netflix at the moment. It took a little while to get used to the unusual setting as a school that variety of humanlike animals live together, but after a few episodes, I was completely hooked!

I love all the colours, the style of drawings and interesting and attractive characters! I found it very stylish as well.

Horimiya　(ホリミヤ)

If you’re a fan of Romantic Comedy set in a school, this is definitely the one to read or watch!

I’ve been watching this series on Netflix and I enjoy watching it even though I was a school girl a long time ago. If you’re an adult, this can probably bring you back to when you were in high school and you would feel some sort of sympathy for the characters.

Original Manga “Hori-san to Miyamura-kun” (堀さんと宮村くん) was written and illustrated by Hiroki Adachi, under the pen name Hero. It was self-published as a webcomic on Hero’s website from February 2007 to December 2011.

Then Daisuke Hagiwara adapted the manga under Hero’s supervision under the title Horimiya (ホリミヤ), which was serialised in October 2011. It was compiled into sixteen volumes. A seventeenth volume containing new chapters was released in July 2023.

An Anime television series adaptation of Horimiya produced aired from January to April 2021. A second anime series, titled Horimiya: The Missing Pieces (ホリミヤ -piece-), aired from July to September 2023.

Use Subtitles

While you’re watching anime, it’s okay to rely on English subtitles (or any other language you understand) in the beginning. This helps you connect spoken Japanese to its English equivalent. As you get more comfortable, you can gradually reduce your reliance on translations.

However, reading Japanese characters isn’t that easy for beginners, so you can start to read in English to just enjoy! Then if you have more confidence with reading Japanese, you can have the same book in Japanese. You can refer to each book to check some vocabulary or expressions to learn.

Repeat and Replicate

Pay attention to how the characters in anime speak and the phrases they use. Try to mimic their pronunciation and tone. If you have a favourite episode, watch it again or read it again. Repetition is key to mastering any language!

Build Your Vocabulary

Anime and manga introduce you to a wide range of words and expressions. Keep a notebook or digital app handy to jot down new words you come across. Learning a few new words with each episode or chapter can steadily grow your vocabulary.

Immerse Yourself in Culture

Japanese culture often plays a big role in anime and manga. Take this opportunity to learn about Japanese customs, festivals, and everyday life. Understanding the culture enhances your comprehension of the language.

Practice with Native Speakers

If possible, practise what you’ve learned with native Japanese speakers. Language exchange partners or language learning apps can provide valuable opportunities to converse and receive feedback.

The Final Words from me

Learning Japanese through anime and manga is like embarking on an exciting quest full of fun surprises. It’s not just about studying but about diving into fantastic stories and getting to know amazing characters.

Remember, every word you pick up, every phrase you understand, is like finding treasure on your language-learning journey. So, keep enjoying your anime episodes and manga pages, and little by little, you’ll become a Japanese language pro!

Lastly, if you have enjoyed reading this article, you may find my YouTube channel useful as well. I create short animations for you to learn Japanese characters in a fun way! Please stop by Animated Japanese.

Thank you very much for reading till the end and Happy learning! 📚🇯🇵✨