The well-known expression “the more languages you know, the more human you are” has a profound meaning. Knowledge of languages is an inevitable attribute of immersion in the culture of a certain nationality and country. There are a large number of methods and recommendations that allow you to quickly and effectively learn English, French, Spanish, etc. For this purpose, one of the ways is to learn language by watching TV, e.g., anime to learn Japanese. Indeed, sometimes passive listening (a TV series in the background) works better than memorizing rules and grammar. 

Besides, one should study humanitarian disciplines to better understand one of the world’s most mysterious and complex languages. It will allow you to realize how certain expressions are formed and how their meaning changes in a certain context. If you are looking for tips on learning a new language, you should adopt the approach we present below. 

How to Learn Japanese While Watching TV?

In Japan, children start learning their native language very young. Nevertheless, they cannot claim to know the language perfectly: it is so multifaceted. The same hieroglyph can have hundreds of meanings and thousands in combination with other symbols. However, it is admitted that the best way to learn Japanese is to watch anime. Thus, the viewer sees vivid characters, hears the sound, and memorizes, thanks to the emotionality of such shows. The learning system becomes a clear schematic structure where visual frames are accompanied by text or audio content. Watching with subtitles will allow you to gradually memorize what the characters look like and mean individually and in combination with other characters. In addition, Japanese anime has many subcategories and topics, allowing you to learn the language gradually and comfortably.

The Importance of Subtitles When Learning Language

Subtitles are pivotal in augmenting language learning by serving as invaluable study materials. As a study aid, subtitles offer a dynamic and interactive dimension to language education, making learning more engaging and effective. When incorporated into educational content, subtitles are a comprehensive study guide, fostering a deeper understanding of language. Thus, they aid language comprehension by visually reinforcing spoken words, allowing learners to correlate written and spoken forms. 

Moreover, subtitles significantly contribute to vocabulary acquisition. Learners can associate new terms with their auditory counterparts by presenting written translations alongside spoken words and reinforcing the memorization process in such a way. Consequently, this synchronized exposure to written and spoken language enhances word recognition and retention. Subtitles in language learning become an essential tool in the language acquisition toolkit, providing learners with a multisensory approach that caters to diverse learning styles. 

How Should You Choose Anime to Boost Up Your Japanese?

You may be highly motivated, but it will quickly wane if you encounter difficulties. Since anime has many varieties, choosing easy movies to watch will be best. Typically, they are not overloaded with complex philosophical events and conversations. A good choice relates to works based on dialogues: lively and fast conversational speech will be the easiest to understand for a beginner.

Also, choose the best anime shows based on ratings and reviews. Here is the trick: You can start watching a fascinating anime that will make you want to understand the subtitles to grasp everything you hear. That said, really good movies are often available online, where you can easily opt to watch with subtitles.

Here are some helpful guidelines to get you started to learn Japanese with anime:

  • Ask for a tutor recommendation.

People who teach the language can often recommend good anime to watch.

  • Start with “children’s” anime.

You’d be surprised, but this is the most popular advice for language learners because children’s content is often the easiest to digest.

  • Enjoy the process.

Focus on the fact that you are just watching a movie, not trying to “memorize” everything at once. Trust me, your brain will be working on memorization while not creating unnecessary stress.

How Watching Movies Can Help You Understand Culture?

The secret to learning a foreign language is understanding the country’s culture. For example, you know the differences between “British” and “American” English. In the first case, the speech we hear seems more refined and clear, while in the second case, it is fast, and some words and endings are swallowed. All these differences are part of a culture shaped in different regions for centuries. The same applies to Japanese anime, which can be completely opposite: from fun and even comedic to full of battles and struggles.

However, differences like these show the need for cultural study, which will help you better understand the language itself. Another important aspect belongs to idioms: what literally translates to one meaning actually means something completely different among native speakers. The best way to understand the essence of such idioms is through movies about languages and content in the original language. In addition, the screen often shows and tells interesting facts about the culture as a whole: the emergence of national clothing, food consumption traditions, and communication between people of different statuses. 

Integrate Watching TV to Your Learning Plan

Integrating films and anime into a structured learning plan can be a dynamic strategy to enhance linguistic proficiency. Here are steps to combine the pleasant with the useful:

  • Start by selecting content with clear dialogues and subtitles in the target language, allowing learners to follow along.
  • Create study notes summarizing key phrases, idioms, and cultural nuances encountered in the material.
  • Establish a routine, dedicating specific time slots for watching and analyzing content, ensuring consistency in exposure.
  • Encourage active engagement by pausing at intervals to review lecture notes and reinforce understanding.
  • Utilize discussion forums or language exchange platforms to share insights and seek clarification on challenging aspects. 

Is It Possible to Learn Japanese Only With Anime?

Surprisingly, you will easily come across success stories in language learning. Even children can master Japanese at a basic understanding and conversation level quite quickly. It’s all about motivation and a learning plan. You can find a lot of people on the Internet who are happy to tell you how easy it is to learn Japanese with anime. Many people who mastered the language in just 1-2 months say they chose the best anime from the existing ones. They also tried to watch series with characters they already knew.

You can also often find reviews of fans of such content where they explain the meaning of certain expressions or situations shown on the screen. It is a good way to improve your understanding of the language in a short period.

Japanese: How Do You Deal With the Challenges?

Of course, you may encounter language learning challenges. That is why you need to know about the effective solutions to deal with them:

  • Remind yourself of your motivation.

Perhaps you dream of moving to Japan or becoming fluent in a language. Keep your goal in mind at all times: when you know why you are doing it, it will be easier to deal with overcoming learning obstacles.

  • Get used to discipline.

Determine exactly how much time you devote to learning per day (30 minutes, an hour, or more). Allow your schedule to be flexible but mandatory. For example, you can watch a Japanese anime series on your phone while you drive home.

  • Take note of your progress.

Of course, you want to achieve a result quickly, so we tend to devalue accomplishments. Keep a diary of how many new words you’ve learned in a week, or record interesting phrases whose meaning has become clear.

Useful Resources and Tools to Level Up Japanese

Not only will Japanese anime help you improve your language to another level. You can also use language learning tools and resources that offer diversified learning experiences:

  • Duolingo provides interactive exercises and lessons tailored to complement film-based material.
  • FluentU is another valuable resource that transforms videos, including anime and films, into personalized language lessons with interactive subtitles.
  • LingoDeer is a good way to get comprehensive grammar and vocabulary support.
  • Anki is an excellent flashcard app that can be customized for vocabulary retention based on content from films and anime.

These tools seamlessly integrate with film-based learning, offering a well-rounded approach that combines visual and interactive elements, ultimately reinforcing language acquisition. Embracing these resources with supplementary learning materials enhances the effectiveness of the language learning journey and promotes a holistic understanding of the target language.

Summing Up

Everyone interested in effective language learning should remember that no one formula fits all. You should try different options and make up your system, and the most important thing is that it should be based on enjoying language study. Try to avoid overloading yourself initially: watching Japanese anime can be a great start in the language-learning process. Treat the process as an interesting hobby, and you won’t notice how quickly and tangibly the results will come!