Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles 
Most Studio Ghibli films feel so complete and original that it’s easy to assume they were written purely for the screen! But several of them actually began as novels, manga, or even much older folktales. It’s not always obvious which is which. In some cases the film follows the original closely. In others, Studio Ghibli … Read more
For many learners, anime is their first real exposure to Japanese. And watching anime in the original version is many people’s motivation to start learning Japanese. It’s no wonder so many people ask if you can learn Japanese watching anime! Well, anime can be a useful tool for learning Japanese – but only if you … Read more
Studio Ghibli movies are often recommended to Japanese learners, but not all of them are equally helpful for language practice! Some feature dramatic speech, unusual vocabulary, or fantasy settings that don’t reflect how people talk in everyday life. If your goal is to improve listening skills and get used to natural Japanese, it helps to … Read more
The Studio Ghibli movies are some of Japan’s most beloved creative works. For many, it’s our first introduction to Japanese culture. Not all Studio Ghibli films are set in Japan. Many take place in imagined worlds or European-inspired settings. But a small group of Ghibli films are unmistakably set in Japan – from post-war countryside … Read more
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard about JapanesePod101, the online Japanese learning hub. JapanesePod101 heavily promote themselves as having a free lifetime account. But, is JapanesePod101 really free? The answer is YES!… but you don’t get everything for free. You really do get a free lifetime account, with access to regular new lessons, plus … Read more
February in Japan is a time to welcome the first early hints of spring! From setsubun bean-throwing rituals to romantic chocolate making and gifting, there’s a lot to enjoy in this cold month. Whether you’re planning a winter trip or learning about Japanese culture from home, here are the highlights of February in Japan: Festivals … Read more
Readers, you know I am a HUGE fan of learning Japanese through immersion. When you are enjoying a Japanese TV show or a movie that you love, you absorb new language much more easily than studying from a book. And it doesn’t even feel like learning! Lingopie is a platform that will help you learn … Read more
If you’re looking for a way to learn Japanese online, you’ve probably come across JapanesePod101. JapanesePod101 is THE big name in online Japanese lessons. They’ve been around for years, and they’ve delivered literally millions of Japanese classes! But can they help you learn Japanese? Well, I’ve been learning with them for a few years now, … Read more