November Recap
A quick reflection and some recommendations from the past month
I want to try something a little different. Welcome to the November—and first ever—edition of a monthly post of all the things I’ve been thinking about. This month we’re diving into Japanese educators, cultural milestones, and the media I’ve been enjoying this past month. Of course, it’ll all be from the perspective of a language learner because I can’t help myself. Let’s go!
Japanese Educator Spotlight: Learn Japanese with Tanaka san - A Beginner’s Best Friend
If you’re just starting your Japanese language journey, Learn Japanese with Tanaka san is one of the best YouTube channels you can dive into. It’s approachable, beginner-friendly, and packed with practical lessons to build a solid foundation in Japanese. Plus all her hand-drawn characters are adorable!
Why It’s Perfect for Beginners:
Simple and Clear Explanations: Tanaka-san breaks down vocabulary, kanji, and onomatopoeia in a way that’s easy to understand, even if you’re completely new to the language.
Focus on Practical Japanese: Her lessons and dialogues emphasize real-world usage, like how to apologize, how to talk on the phone, several different videos on how to order, and an entire series on listening practice.
Short and Digestible Lessons: Most videos are bite-sized, making it easy to fit a quick lesson into your busy schedule.
Native Pronunciation: Tanaka-san speaks clearly and naturally, so you’re learning pronunciation and intonation from day one.
Bonus Perk:
Tanaka san’s calm and encouraging teaching style makes learning feel less intimidating. It’s like having a patient tutor right in your living room.
Why You Should Subscribe:
Whether you’re starting from zero or looking to strengthen your basics, Japanese with Tanaka san is a fantastic resource. It’s a great companion to your textbook or app studies, especially if you want practical language skills you can use right away.
Have you checked out her channel yet? What’s your go-to resource for beginner Japanese? Let me know in the comments!
What I’m Watching this Month
Dandadan - Natively Score: Level 29 (Upper Intermediate, ~N2)
I’m a little late to this one since it premiered in early October but If you’re looking for an anime that’s chaotic, hilarious, and a heart-pounding action romcom, Dandadan might just be your new obsession (as of writing, there’s only nine episodes so I’ve watched all of them multiple times already). This wild ride of a series mashes up sci-fi, supernatural horror, and heartfelt character drama into a story that feels like it’s constantly running at 200 kph—but in the best way possible.
If you’re already into anime it’s basically a hornier romcom version of FLCL mixed with In Search of, Ultraman, and classics from 70s and 80s Japan. This is the only Shonen series (anime and manga that usually appeal to young boys) I can think of with both a love story/romantic element and where the main character, or at least co-lead, is a woman.
What’s It About?
At its core, Dandadan is a story of two teens, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura Okarun, as they stumble into a world of aliens, ghosts, and hilariously intense battles. Throw in cursed objects, alien abductions, and emotional moments that sneak up on you, and you’ve got a show that’s unpredictable in the most delightful way. The show’s unique blend of casual conversations and over-the-top supernatural elements gives language learners a chance to experience a wide range of vocabulary and expressions.
Why Dandadan Is a Great Resource for Japanese Language Learning
Dandadan isn’t just a chaotic, action-packed anime—it’s also an excellent tool for Japanese learners looking to sharpen their skills. Its mix of everyday dialogue, supernatural jargon, and emotional storytelling makes it an effective way to immerse yourself in the language.
Why It’s Great for Learning Japanese
Casual Conversational Phrases
The interactions between Ayase and Okarun are packed with casual, everyday Japanese. From teasing banter to moments of vulnerability, the dialogue feels authentic and provides an excellent model for informal speech.Clear Context
The show’s visuals and exaggerated expressions make it easy to understand what’s happening, even if you miss a word or two. This helps reinforce meaning through context, a key part of effective language acquisition.Fast-Paced Listening Practice
The quick dialogue and intense action scenes challenge your listening comprehension. While it might feel overwhelming at first, re-watching episodes can help you pick up more words and phrases over time.
Things that might be difficult
Users on Natively rated this as a bit easier than Kaiju no.8, about as difficult as Frieren, and quite a bit harder than Shikanoko Nokonoko Koshitantan. Some of the above points that make it great for some learners might trip others up:
Casual Speech - Nearly all of the characters speak in a casual way all of the time. While that is a great way to practice natural speech variations it could be a stumbling block for some.
Speech variation - Certainly not unique to this show but to help with characterization there is a variety of styles of speaking and different speech registers used throughout the show.
Slang - While it adds to the feeling that this is a story about high schoolers, the use of modern slang could trip up some learners and leave them lost when the unknown word or phrase doesn’t appear in their dictionary of choice.
How to Use Dandadan for Learning
Start With the Dub: Especially if this is a bit above your level, there’s no shame in watching through once in English (or any other language) to get a feel for the story.
With Subtitles: On Netflix, there is Japanese closed captioning. This can be a great way to double up and use your listening practice to boost your reading ability too. Pause to note interesting phrases or unfamiliar kanji.
Sentence Mining: Extract short, useful sentences to add to your study decks for review.
Should You Watch It?
If you’re at an intermediate level or above, Dandadan is an entertaining way to stretch your listening skills and build vocabulary. But even beginners can benefit by focusing on casual phrases and tone. Plus, the fast-paced plot keeps you motivated to stick with it.
So, whether you’re learning Japanese or just want to laugh your way through a supernatural rollercoaster, Dandadan deserves a spot on your watchlist. Give it a try—at least through episode seven🙏—you might just pick up a few ghost-busting expressions along the way! 👻👾
What I’m Reading: Stranger in the Shogun’s City
If you’re a history lover, a Japan enthusiast, or just someone who enjoys compelling stories about real people, you need to check out Stranger in the Shogun’s City by Amy Stanley. This book had me hooked from the first page—it’s like stepping into a time machine and landing right in the heart of Edo-period Japan (modern-day Tokyo), but through the eyes of someone who lived it.
What’s It About?
The book tells the story of Tsuneno, a woman who defied the norms of her time. Born into a rural family of Buddhist temple keepers, Tsuneno made some bold life choices that led her to Edo, the bustling city of opportunity and chaos. It’s part biography, part cultural history, and all-around fascinating.
Why I Loved It:
Richly Detailed: Stanley uses Tsuneno’s letters and family records to bring her story to life, showing us what daily life was really like for women in the Edo period.
Human and Relatable: Despite living centuries ago, Tsuneno’s struggles—finding independence, navigating family expectations, and chasing a better life—feel so modern and relatable.
Vivid Setting: Edo feels alive in this book, from its crowded streets to its strict social rules. It’s a great way to understand the culture and history behind the Japanese we study today.
Why You Should Read It:
This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s an intimate portrait of a woman who dared to live on her own terms. It’s also a fantastic resource for language learners who want to understand the cultural context behind Japanese phrases and customs we encounter today.
If you’ve ever wondered what life was like in Japan before the Meiji Restoration—or just love a good story about resilience and rebellion—Stranger in the Shogun’s City deserves a spot on your shelf.
Have you read it? Or do you have other historical non-fiction about Japan to recommend? Let me know in the comments!
Reading from Aozora Bunko
Inspired by the wonderful Bunsuke I wanted to try including an excerpt from the Japanese version of Project Gutenberg. Because all of these titles are in the public domain they can be a bit hard for lower-level readers so I’ll include a vocabulary and grammar list along with a translation of the excerpt. For intermediate and advanced learners, Aozora Bunko is an invaluable resource and a great way to read some Japanese classics.
Run, Melos! - 走れメロス
Osamu Dazai - 太宰治
「メロスは激怒した。必ず、かの邪智暴虐の王を除かなければならぬと決意した。メロスには政治がわからぬ。メロスは、村の牧人である。笛を吹き、羊と遊んで暮して来た。けれども邪悪に対しては、人一倍に敏感であった。」
Vocabulary
激怒する（げきどする） – N1 (literary tone).
邪智暴虐（じゃちぼうぎゃく） – N1 (Rare, literary compound word).
邪知（じゃち）– N1 (“knowledge applied to evil purposes”)
暴虐（ぼうぎゃ）– N2 (“violent and cruel; tyranny; atrocity)
ならぬ – N1 (Archaic/literary grammar form).
決意する（けついする） – N2 (Formal vocabulary, "to resolve").
牧人（ぼくじん） – N1 (Rare, literary term for "shepherd").
邪悪（じゃあく） – N1 (Advanced vocabulary, "wicked; evil").
人一倍（ひといちばい） – N1 (Advanced idiomatic expression, "more than others").
敏感（びんかん） – N2 (Formal vocabulary, "sensitive").
Grammar
かの邪智暴虐の王 – N1 (Complex noun phrase with an archaic element, "かの").
除かなければならぬ – N2/N1:
除かなければ – N2 (Conditional form of 除く, "if [one] does not remove").
ならぬ – N1 (Archaic/literary negative form, "must").
決意した – N3 (Past tense of 決意する, intermediate level).
メロスには政治がわからぬ – N2/N1:
には – N4 (Particle combination).
わからぬ – N1 (Archaic/literary form of わからない).
人一倍に敏感であった – N2:
人一倍に – N1 (Advanced idiomatic usage).
敏感であった – N2 (Copula in past tense, intermediate level).
Translation
Melos was furious. He was determined that he must get rid of the evil, tyrannical, and vindictive king. Melos does not understand politics. He was a village herdsman. He has spent his life blowing his flute and playing with his sheep. But he was more sensitive to evil than most.
Link for the Full Text
Help Me Build A Reading List!
This month, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to carve out more time to read—whether it’s novels, manga, or anything in between. There’s something about getting lost in a great story that not only inspires me but also fuels my creativity (and my language learning goals!).
That’s where you come in! If you have any must-read manga or novels—whether they’re in Japanese, English, or any other language—drop your recommendations in the comments.
Let’s make this a group project—I’d love to hear what’s been inspiring, entertaining, or moving you lately. Plus, I’ll share your suggestions and my thoughts in a future newsletter!
What’s the last book or manga you couldn’t put down? Let me know! 📚✨
Study Tip: Active vs. Passive Media Consumption in Language Learning
When it comes to using media to learn a language, the difference between active and passive consumption can make or break your progress. Both have their place, but knowing how to balance them is the key to making the most of your time.
What Is Active Consumption?
Active consumption means engaging with the media in a way that involves focus and effort. This is where the real learning happens.
Examples:
Taking Notes: Jotting down unfamiliar words or phrases while watching a show or reading a book.
Shadowing: Repeating lines from a movie or show to mimic pronunciation and intonation.
Sentence Mining: Pulling sentences from media to add to your flashcards or study decks.
Subtitles with a Purpose: Watching with Japanese subtitles and pausing to decode grammar or vocabulary.
Why It’s Great:
Active learning solidifies what you’re exposed to and helps you connect new information to what you already know. It’s challenging, but the effort leads to noticeable progress.
What Is Passive Consumption?
Passive consumption involves enjoying the media without putting in the effort to dissect or study it. It’s more about exposure than deep learning.
Examples:
Background Listening: Playing a podcast or show while doing other tasks.
Immersion Through Enjoyment: Watching a drama or anime with subtitles in your native language just for the story.
Focusing on Context: Not worrying about catching every word but picking up the general vibe.
Why It’s Great:
Passive learning is less stressful and can expose you to the natural flow of the language, even if you’re not picking up every detail. It’s perfect for building listening stamina and recognizing patterns over time.
How to Balance the Two
Start with Passive: Let everything sink in naturally by passively exposing yourself to more language.
Transition to Active: For a new grammar point, vocabulary, or tricky pronunciation, use active engagement to really absorb it.
Mix It Up: Use active learning during study sessions and passive learning during downtime. Think of it like exercise—active is the run, passive is the stretching and recovery walk.
Quick Tip:
Choose media you genuinely enjoy! The more interested or familiar you are, the easier it is to stay motivated, whether you’re actively studying or passively absorbing.
Do you lean more toward active or passive methods? How do you incorporate media into your language practice? Let me know in the comments! 🎧📺📚
I hope you liked this November recap. This time it was a collection of different things I wanted to talk about but didn’t think they could be their own post. I think I want to do more media reviews for language learners, these are pretty fun.
Let me know if there’s anything you’d want to see as a recurring segment in this monthly recap post in the comments! I didn’t even get to my daughter’s 七五三 (shichi-go-san) ceremony or why I’ve been watching the Japanese dub of Star Trek Deep Space 9! 😭
Stranger in the Shogun's City sounds super interesting. For recommendations, if you haven't read it yet, I recommend the anime Skip and Loafer. Something I find interested about it is that the characters have different dialects, and it's very interesting to hear the differences in how they talk. The manga is also very good.