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Are Kids’ Shows the Secret to Learning Japanese?

In this off-the-cuff episode, Tom explores why language learners often overlook the power of “lowbrow” media like anime, kids’ shows, and mass-produced manga—and why that’s a mistake. From the academic polish of the Read Japanese Literature podcast to the underrated artistry of Anpanman and My Hero Academia, we unpack the tension between high art and pop culture in your study routine.

Plus:

• Why you might need to grind Mickey Mouse before you can tackle Gundam
• 5 spring 2025 anime picks ranked by difficulty (including Apocalypse Hotel, Witch Watch, and Kowloon Generic Romance)
• And an interesting yet useful Japanese phrase: 「騙されたと思ってやってみて」(“Just trust me, give it a try!”)

Whether you're a new learner or a long-time fan refining your study strategy, this episode is your reminder that meaningful input doesn’t have to be impossible—or even “high art.”

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Like My Anime!
If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to subscribe, share it with a fellow language nerd, or leave a review — it helps more people find the podcast (and keeps me rambling about Japanese and anime).

Get bonus content and media reviews from a learner's perspective:
🔗 Subscribe to the Like My Anime on Patreon

Watch episodes & extra content (eventually) on YouTube:
🔗 Like My Anime YouTube Channel

More from me:
🔗 Medium Articles on Language Learning & Linguistics

Music: SUMMER TRIANGLE by Sharou

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📝 Key Topics:

The Anime Study Trap

• The difference between exposure vs. acquisition
• Why “just hearing Japanese” isn’t enough
• Paul Nation & vocabulary learning 101

My Learning Pivot: From Passive to Purposeful

• How burnout forced me to rethink my study habits
• Using cognitive load theory to make anime more effective for learning
• Building curiosity over guilt when watching native content

Feature Reviews: Best Shows for Learners

1. Medalist (N3) – Emotional repetition & motivational Japanese
2. Ameku M.D. (N2-N1) – Keigo, code-switching, and business Japanese
3. Blue Box (N3) – Everyday speech & emotional narration
4. Sorairo Utility (N4) – Slice-of-life goldmine for beginners & passive listening
5. Honey Lemon Soda (N3) – High school slang, tone shifts, and emotional awareness

Lightning Round: Other Notable Picks

• Beheneko (N3) – Casual fantasy banter & ending particles
• Red Ranger in Another World (N3) – Assertive speech patterns
• I Have a Crush at Work (N3) – Polite refusals & office small talk
• I’m Marrying Someone I Hate (N3) – Sarcastic retorts & indirect confrontation
• Sakamoto Days (N3) – Reaction speed & shadowing practice
• Okitsura: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl (N2+) – Regional dialect immersion
• Brave Bang Bravern (N3) – Imperative forms & rallying cries

Honorable Mentions:

• Apothecary Diaries S2 – Formal speech & sneaky vocabulary
• Dragon Ball Daima – Beginner-friendly with classic shonen repetition
• 100 Girlfriends Who Really Really Love You – Speech pattern variety pack

🏆 My Personal MVPs:

• Medalist – For its emotional clarity & usable Japanese
• Sorairo Utility – For chill, low-pressure passive learning

💬 Listener Challenge:

What anime helped your Japanese this season?
Drop a comment, DM me, or share your favorites in the Like My Anime community on Patreon! I’d love to feature your picks in a future episode.

🔗 Links & Shoutouts:

• Join the community & get bonus content: patreon.com/likemyanime
• Follow & subscribe on your podcast app of choice
• Rate & review to help fellow learners find the show!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Like My Anime!
If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to subscribe, share it with a fellow language nerd, or leave a review — it helps more people find the podcast (and keeps me rambling about Japanese and anime).

Get bonus content and media reviews from a learner's perspective:
🔗 Subscribe to the Like My Anime on Patreon

Watch episodes & extra content (eventually) on YouTube:
🔗 Like My Anime YouTube Channel

More from me:
🔗 Medium Articles on Language Learning & Linguistics

Music: SUMMER TRIANGLE by Sharou

Send us a text

Today’s topic? One of the most hotly debated issues in Japanese learning communities: pitch accent.

Spoiler: Pitch accent is way overhyped.

In this episode, I’ll break down:

• What pitch accent is (and isn’t)
• Why it’s so hard to hear and learn
• What actually matters more for sounding natural
• How to improve your pronunciation without stressing over perfection

Plus, I’ll recommend four Japanese dramas that are great for shadowing and improving your accent naturally.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:32 – Intro: Why pitch accent stresses people out
02:30 – What is pitch accent, actually?
03:45 – Pitch vs. tone vs. stress: clearing up confusion
07:31 – Why pitch accent is hard (even for native speakers)
10:37 – “But won’t I be misunderstood?” (Short answer: nope)
12:23 – What to focus on instead: phonetics, vowel length, and shadowing
17:22 – Beginner-friendly and Intermediate+ Japanese dramas with great dialogue and pacing for shadowing
19:22 – Final thoughts: You don’t need perfect pitch—you need a voice

🎬 Media Recommendations for Shadowing Practice

Beginner-Friendly:

1. サ道 (Sa-dou)
   A relaxing slice-of-life series about Japanese sauna culture.
   👉 Casual, everyday language. Super chill pacing—great for beginners.
2. 半沢直樹 (Hanzawa Naoki)
   Intense business drama with crystal-clear enunciation.
   👉 Perfect for formal/business Japanese. Be prepared for dramatic yelling.

Intermediate and Up:

1. ブラッシュアップライフ (Rebooting)
   A dry, clever comedy with relaxed pacing and realistic conversation.
   👉 Excellent for internalizing casual speech rhythms.
2. 逃げるは恥だが役に立つ (We Married as a Job)
   A rom-com with natural enunciation and day-to-day speech.
   👉 Great for polite speech, workplace vocabulary, and soft romantic tone.

💬 Your Turn
Have you ever gotten pitch accent comically wrong?
Until next time… おつかれさま！

Support the show

Thanks for listening to Like My Anime!
If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to subscribe, share it with a fellow language nerd, or leave a review — it helps more people find the podcast (and keeps me rambling about Japanese and anime).

Get bonus content and media reviews from a learner's perspective:
🔗 Subscribe to the Like My Anime on Patreon

Watch episodes & extra content (eventually) on YouTube:
🔗 Like My Anime YouTube Channel

More from me:
🔗 Medium Articles on Language Learning & Linguistics

Music: SUMMER TRIANGLE by Sharou