We dig into why My Dress-Up Darling is more than a spicy high school rom-com and why dropping it after the first three episodes misses the real point. We talk craft, cosplay culture, gender expression, and why the series works surprisingly well...

Explore Japanese media, language, and culture every month on the Like My Anime podcast!Music: SUMMER TRIANGLE by Sharou

We unpack why L1 and L2 learning differ, where adult learners can excel, and how to use child‑like methods without buying the myth of effortlessness. Along the way we revisit the critical period, language intuition, and practical tools like nur...

We connect New Year momentum, Ekiden grit, and Murakami’s running log to practical Japanese study that survives real life. Flexible systems, tiny daily wins, and the power of noticing replace vague goals and pressure to “master” everything....

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...

📝 Key Topics:The Anime Study TrapThe difference between exposure vs. acquisitionWhy “just hearing Japanese” isn’t enoughPaul Nation & vocabulary learning 101My Learning Pivot: From Passive t...

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...

You probably spent years in school memorizing vocabulary, conjugating verbs, and passing grammar tests. So why can't you actually speak the language?In this episode, I break down why traditional language education fails so many ...

You start learning Japanese, you’re pumped up, you make a study schedule… and two months later, your textbook is collecting dust, Anki notifications are haunting your dreams, and you’re wondering why you’re still stuck at “This is a pen.”