Everyone likes watching TV, but it’s usually considered a mindless, lazy activity. However, you can turn your anime binge sessions into learning sessions, it just takes a bit of time and some useful tools. TV is a great source of language input because you get visual and audio feedback at the same time. It’s even better when you add Japanese subtitles into the equation. When you first start watching Japanese TV, have the Japanese and English subtitles on simultaneously with a program like Trancy or Animelon. This will allow you to get familiar with Japanese subtitles while still having English support. Once you get to an intermediate level, it’s time to turn off the English subtitles. This is a big leap, but if you don’t turn off the English subtitles, you will use them as a crutch. When you’re ready to start turning off the English subtitles, I recommend starting with Japanese dramas and live-action movies, since they are significantly easier to understand than anime. First, watch the show with dual subtitles, then watch it with Japanese subtitles, and then watch it one more time with no subtitles. The repetition of watching a show over and over will help vocabulary and grammar stick. As you get more advanced, you may skip the first step of watching the show with dual subtitles and go straight to watching it with Japanese subtitles.
Netflix – Premium
Netflix is the best streaming platform for learning Japanese. It has a vast library and with an extension like Trancy it is easy to add dual subtitles with a pop-up dictionary. If you have a VPN, you can also access Japanese Netflix, which has lots of Japanese dramas and anime, all with Japanese subtitles. Cardcaptor Sakura and Terrace House are good shows to start with on Netflix!
Viki – Freemium
Viki has a large library of Japanese dramas that are free with adds, many of which come with Japanese subtitles. Unfortunately, Viki has no dual subtitle or pop-up dictionary capabilities, so you’ll have to switch between subtitles if you can’t understand something.
Crunchyroll – Freemium
Crunchyroll is a free with adds streaming service for anime. It doesn’t provide Japanese subtitles locally, but you can add your own via Substital. Substital doesn’t offer a pop-up dictionary, but the subtitles are copy-able, so you can copy them into a dictionary or use them to make flashcards.
Animelon
Animelon is a website created for Japanese learners with dual subtitle capabilities, a pop-up dictionary, and copy-able subtitles for making flashcards.
Hulu JP – Premium
Hulu JP is only available via VPN, but for ~$7 a month, you can access many Japanese shows that are not otherwise available outside Japan. To access the browser version, connect to Japan via your VPN, then open the website. To use the Hulu JP app, you need to create a Japanese App Store account.
