Why These Winter 2025 Anime Are Perfect for Studying! Artwork

Like My Anime

Like My Anime is a podcast about language learning, media analysis, and Japanese pop culture. Every month, we dive into how anime and media can actually help you learn Japanese, with study tips, linguistics research, and deep dives into different shows and series.

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Like My Anime

Why These Winter 2025 Anime Are Perfect for Studying!

May 21, 2025 • Tom Scullin • Season 1 • Episode 4

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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

Medalist (N3) – Emotional repetition & motivational Japanese
Ameku M.D. (N2-N1) – Keigo, code-switching, and business Japanese
Blue Box (N3) – Everyday speech & emotional narration
Sorairo Utility (N4) – Slice-of-life goldmine for beginners & passive listening
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.

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Music: SUMMER TRIANGLE by Sharou