Japanese

If you've been watching anime or studying Japanese, you’ve probably noticed people rarely call each other by their full names. Instead, they use all sorts of modified versions with special endings attached. For instance, Ai Scream’s latest song, called "愛♡スクリ～ム！”, consistently uses the

Have you seen anime characters who act mean but secretly like someone? Or maybe a super shy girl who only talks when alone with her crush? These are called "dere" types in anime! Dere types are special character personalities in Japanese anime. They show how characters act when

So you want to learn Japanese? Great choice! But now you're facing that mountain of learning resources, conflicting advice, and the big question: “What’s the actually effective way to learn Japanese?" I've spent years researching Japanese learning methods and tracking the experiences of thousands

Did you know learners at any age can acquire Japanese naturally through animation? Research shows anime's visual storytelling and clear vocal delivery enhance vocabulary retention - a 2023 dissertation on manga-based learning found multimodal content boosts word inference and contextual understanding5, while studies confirm anime improves listening skills,

If you’ve ever wondered how to say ‘me in Japanese’ or seen words like boku, watashi, or ore in anime or textbooks—this guide is for you.

Watching anime and spotting words that sound suspiciously English? Yep, that's exactly what it is! Those moments when anime characters say "スマホ" (sumaho) or grab something from a "コンビニ" (konbini) are the best examples of Japanese English words in action. If you’re learning

Ever noticed how characters in your favorite Japanese dramas seem to share the same few Japanese surnames? You’re not imagining things. Names like Watanabe, Tanaka, and Yamaguchi appear frequently because Japan has a relatively small pool of common family names compared to many Western countries. For Japanese language learners

When I worked as an ALT in Japan, I noticed how students would huddle around phones, stealing every last minute of their break time to watch their favorite anime. Their faces lit up at familiar catchphrases, laughing and mimicking characters with perfect intonation. If you love anime too (and really,

When I landed in Sumida Tokyo as an ALT, I thought I knew enough Japanese to get by. Boy, was I wrong! My first week, I embarrassed myself countless times by using the wrong version of yes in Japanese in different situations. My students erupted in laughter when I casually