How I Learned a Language Watching Anime

Paul M Maloney
2 min readFeb 27, 2023
(konata reading) — anime character

How I Learned a Language Watching Anime

Learning a new language can be a daunting task. There are countless methods and approaches, each with its own set of pros and cons. From textbooks to apps, language classes to immersion programs, the options are endless. However, what if I told you that one of the most effective ways to learn a language is by simply watching anime?

Yes, you read that right. Watching anime can be a fun and effective way to learn a new language. Let me tell you my story of how I did it.

I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture, and I’ve been a big fan of anime since I was a kid. When I decided to learn Japanese, I was overwhelmed by the options available. I tried textbooks and classes, but I found them too dry and boring. That’s when I stumbled upon the idea of using anime to learn Japanese.

At first, I was skeptical. How could watching cartoons help me learn a language? But I decided to give it a try anyway. I started by watching anime with English subtitles, but I soon realized that wasn’t very helpful. I was just reading the subtitles and not really paying attention to the Japanese being spoken.

So I switched to watching anime with Japanese subtitles. This was a game-changer. Not only did I get to hear the language being spoken, but I could also read along and see how the words were written. I started to pick up on words and phrases and began to understand more and more of what was being said.

Here are some apps that I used to learn japanese:

Duolingo — A popular language learning app that offers Japanese language courses.

Lingodeer — A comprehensive language learning app that offers Japanese courses that use anime and other multimedia content.

Memrise — A language learning app that offers Japanese language courses, including a course that teaches Japanese through anime.

Crunchyroll — A streaming service for anime that offers Japanese language audio with English subtitles, allowing you to practice your listening skills.

Anki — A flashcard app that you can use to create your own Japanese vocabulary decks based on the anime you watch

Keep in mind that while these apps can be helpful in your language learning journey, they should not be relied upon as your only source of language learning. It’s important to practice speaking and writing as well, and to use a variety of resources to build a well-rounded understanding of the language.

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