10 anime to watch if you're trying to learn Japanese

With the help of these anime, you can quickly learn Japanese (Image via Studio Ghibli, Pierrot)
With the help of these anime, you can quickly learn Japanese (Image via Studio Ghibli, Pierrot)

In addition to being an entertaining way to learn Japanese, anime is also a major source of inspiration for non-native speakers who want to pursue further study of the language. It also helps students stay motivated and increase their cultural and artistic awareness while learning a new language.

If you've decided to learn Japanese, you're in for a treat. One of the world's most popular cultural booms, anime, may help you learn Japanese. So, binge-watching a new program is a good use of your time.

These are some of the greatest Japanese anime to help fans improve their language skills.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the opinions of the writer.


Watch these amazing anime while learning Japanese

10) Bakemonogatari

Bakemonogatari (Image via Studio Shaft)
Bakemonogatari (Image via Studio Shaft)

One of the most popular anime series is Bakemonogatari, which premiered in 2009. The story begins with a vampire's bite on Koyomi Araragi, a high school student. After being healed, he discovers that he still has some of his vampire talents.

Several women and Koyomi Araragi were subjected to unexplained events in Bakemonogatari. The series is a paranormal anime, even though it is set in a school. If you're looking for more exciting storylines, Bakemonogatari is a good choice.

It's worth noting that Bakemonogatari has a fast-paced speaking style and many tricky words. It's best suited for more advanced students.


9) Kiki’s Delivery Service

Kiki's Delivery Service (Image via Studio Ghibli)
Kiki's Delivery Service (Image via Studio Ghibli)

Kiki's Delivery service is ideal for most people learning a new language. The story, location, and characters will all be recognizable if you've watched the film.

Kiki's Delivery Service, a classic animation adventure by Hayao Miyazaki, is an excellent film for the whole family. A lovely coming-of-age tale in contrast to some of his previous films, which involve characters and moments that may be considered unsettling.


8) Polar Bear Cafe

Polar Bear Cafe (image via Pierrot)
Polar Bear Cafe (image via Pierrot)

The manga series Shirokuma Café is about a sleepy panda bear that visits Polar Bear's Café and talks with the coffee shop's proprietor, a kind polar bear named Shirokuma. The narrative portrays a world where wildlife animals live side by side with people, behaving the same way.

After some time, you feel as if you're part of a planet where cute creatures that understand human languages live. As far as Japanese learning resources go, Shirokuma Café is outstanding. The series has been described as excellent in several online reviews for Japanese learners, particularly novices.


7) Doraemon

Main protagonists from Doraemon (Image via Sportskeeda)
Main protagonists from Doraemon (Image via Sportskeeda)

Doraemon is a well-known anime that almost everyone in Japan has witnessed at least once and regularly refers to. This long-running series is geared toward youngsters.

Thus, the language and sentence structures will be simplified. As a magical robotic feline from the future, Doraemon's job is to assist Nobita (the protagonist of the manga) overcome the difficulties of school life and capture the heart of Shizuka (the protagonist's sweetheart).

You may choose to download the Japanese version. The benefit of this is that the furigana translation will appear next to any kanji in the manga.


6) Dragon Ball

DBZ (Image via Toei Animation)
DBZ (Image via Toei Animation)

Since its inception in 1986, the anime has aired four separate seasons, the most recent of which premiered in 2009.

Goku and Bulma are on a mission to locate the crucial dragon balls at the beginning of the narrative. Eventually, Goku decides to learn martial arts with the help of his companions and embarks on a grand adventure that includes competing in competitions.

Due to its long run and worldwide appeal, Dragon ball is a true classic of Japanese anime. The vocabulary ranges from serious showdowns and iconic moves or technical names to weirder discourse accompanied by sillier shenanigans.


5) School Rumble

School Rumble (Image via WallpaperSafari)
School Rumble (Image via WallpaperSafari)

A love confession is all it takes to transform a high school romance into a sad rollercoaster ride. Tsukamoto Tenma's objective is to tell the guy she likes that she loves him. Kenji Harima, a notorious criminal, finds himself in a similar predicament, unable to adequately express his affections for the woman he loves. High school romance isn't for the faint of heart, particularly when misconceptions get in the way.

A high-octane romantic comedy, School Rumble features familiar circumstances as Tenma and Kenji struggle to win the people's hearts they adore.


4) My neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro (Image via Studio Ghibli)
My Neighbor Totoro (Image via Studio Ghibli)

Studio Ghibli's most successful movie, My Neighbor Totoro, has been a favorite of children throughout the globe for eons.

Satsuki and Mei, two of the show's central protagonists, and their families all migrate to a remote hamlet. While it's rare to encounter a rural scene like that in modern Japan, figures like Totoro, who is fictional, may help you acquire the language's basic vocabulary.


3) K-on!

K-On! (Image via Studio Kyoto)
K-On! (Image via Studio Kyoto)

The show follows four high school friends as they try to make it big as a band in the popular Idol series. As the story centers on the Light Music Club of Sakuragaoka High School, Yui Hirasawa joins as its fourth member with Mio, Ritsu, and others as the group's last hope of saving itself from extinction.

Ho-kago Tea Time was later formed with the addition of Azusa Nakano as its fifth member. They speak primarily in terms of musical theater and professions to pursue excellence. If you don't want to commit to a multi-season binge, this anime's 13-episode season is a decent place to start.


2) Sket Dance

Sket dance (Image via Studio Tatsunoko)
Sket dance (Image via Studio Tatsunoko)

If you like humour, mystery, and action, you must watch this anime. Sket Dance is a great humorous animation for anyone seeking a good time. This is one of those shows that you'll never regret seeing. In one episode, you'll laugh and weep.

This anime chronicles the adventures of three high schoolers who are motivated to make the most of their lives and find solutions to the problems that they face along the way.

High school vocabulary may be learned via anime, which depicts high school life's ebb and flow and other high school-related emotions. You may enhance your reading abilities by watching this anime and reading the manga, since much of the manga has furigana (characters that prove helpful in understanding kanji).


1) Pokemon

Gary and Goh as seen in Pokemon Journeys (Image via OLM)
Gary and Goh as seen in Pokemon Journeys (Image via OLM)

Pokemon has been a favourite of youngsters for decades because of its suitable lessons about camaraderie and hard work.

Anime fans of all ages will benefit from watching this series, which is geared towards teens. Slow speaking makes it simpler to follow the pronunciation of difficult words.

Ash is on a quest to become the most pleasing Pokemon trainer in the world, and along the way, he makes new friends who help him realise both his and their aspirations.

Because they don't use a lot of complicated vocabulary, this is an excellent animation to begin learning Japanese. A variation of the presentation with quicker speed and more complex language is available for those who want to get the most out of the experience. Those who wish to hone their skills may do so here.


In summation

Learning Japanese through anime series may be an enjoyable and useful approach to becoming fluent in it. However, it is also important to remember that the dialects and emotions used in the anime are exaggerated on many levels to enhance the entertainment value of the anime, and it is recommended to learn Japanese from a professional or native if true knowledge of this beautiful culture is required.


Be sure to follow for more anime updates and manga news as 2023 progresses.

This article was modified on Monday, June 19 at 04:56 PM by Shubham Maity.

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Edited by Srijan Sen
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