- Introduction: If You Love Anime More Than Textbooks
- Who I Am and How I Think About Japanese
- Stage 1: Build a Tiny Foundation So Lessons Don’t Feel Terrifying
- Stage 2: What is italki and Why Is It So Useful?
- Stage 3: How I Would Choose a Teacher as an Anime & Fantasy Nerd
- Stage 4: Lesson Ideas That Use Anime, Stories, and Culture
- Common Mistakes I See (and What to Do Instead)
- Next Steps: A Simple Checklist
- Affiliate & Transparency Note
Introduction: If You Love Anime More Than Textbooks
If you’re here, you’re probably not the “JLPT textbook only” type.
Maybe you fell in love with Japan through:
- an anime that ruined your sleep at 3 a.m.,
- yokai, ghosts, and strange Japanese folklore,
- or that one quiet scene where a character just said 「ただいま」 and it hit way too hard.
My name is Yui. I’m a Japanese fantasy writer building a world of gods, monsters, and very messy humans, set in a fictional Japan. I run Yui’s Japanese Culture Lab, where I write about Japanese language, culture, and stories in English.
For me, Japanese is not a “foreign language”. It’s the tool I use to write novels, create worlds, and cut into my own culture a little too deeply sometimes.
So when people ask me:
“What’s the best way to learn Japanese online?”
I don’t say, “Just download this magic app.”
Instead, I think in stages:
- Build a tiny but solid base
- Start real conversations as early as possible
- Use your obsessions (anime, fantasy, culture) as fuel
- Slowly level up into more complex Japanese
In the “real conversation” stage, one of the strongest tools is italki—an online platform where you can book 1:1 Japanese lessons with real teachers.
For now, just read this as advice from a Japanese fantasy writer who happens to live on the other side of the language you’re trying to learn.
Who I Am and How I Think About Japanese
Most articles about “how to learn Japanese with italki” are written from the learner side:
- “I’m an English speaker who used italki to reach JLPT N2.”
- “Here’s my 6-month challenge using online lessons.”
Those are helpful. But my angle is different:
- I’m a pure native speaker – born and raised in Japan.
- I write Japanese-language fantasy novels set in a Japan-like world.
- I spend too much time thinking about how language creates mood, distance, and power between characters.
So when I recommend something, I’m not thinking:
“How can you pass an exam as fast as possible?”
I’m thinking:
“How can you build a relationship with the Japanese language that actually lasts?
One that lets you enjoy anime, talk to people, and maybe one day read or write stories in Japanese, if you want.”
This guide is not about becoming “perfectly correct”.
It’s about becoming alive in Japanese.
And for that, talking to humans matters more than any app.
That’s where italki comes in.
Stage 1: Build a Tiny Foundation So Lessons Don’t Feel Terrifying
Before you jump into your first italki lesson, it helps to build a very small foundation.
Not two years of study. Just enough to survive.
I’d focus on three things:
1. Reading & Writing Basics
- Hiragana – you don’t need to be fast, just able to read slowly
- Katakana – especially for names, food, and loanwords
- Numbers, time, money – useful in almost every conversation
If you learn these, your teacher can write things in Japanese during the lesson and you won’t be totally lost.
2. Super Basic Grammar Patterns
You don’t need to know all verb forms. You just need a few “skeletons”:
- A は B です。(A wa B desu.)
- A が好きです。(A ga suki desu.)
- （場所）に行きます。(I go to …)
- （時間）に〜します。(I do X at time Y.)
These patterns let your teacher create simple questions and answers that you can actually use.
3. Your Self-Introduction Kit
Prepare a little script you can reuse:
- your name and where you’re from
- how long you’ve been studying Japanese (even if it’s “I just started”)
- what kind of Japanese you want to learn:
- anime slang?
- casual daily talk?
- travel Japanese?
- reading light novels?
Write this in a notebook or notes app. Bring it to your first lesson.
With just these three elements, your first italki session will feel less like a nightmare exam and more like an awkward but exciting first meeting.
Stage 2: What is italki and Why Is It So Useful?
italki is an online platform where you can book 1:1 language lessons with teachers around the world. For Japanese, you’ll find:
- certified professional Japanese teachers
- community tutors who are friendly and casual
- people who love anime, games, or traditional culture just like you
The structure is simple:
- You pay per lesson, not a huge monthly fee.
- You can filter teachers by price, language, interests, and schedule.
- Many teachers offer cheaper trial lessons, so you can test the vibe.
For anime & Japanese culture fans, this is gold:
- You can deliberately choose a teacher who understands your fandom.
- You can turn your favorite scenes and characters into lesson material.
- You can balance “fun otaku talk” with “real-life Japanese” in the same space.
Stage 3: How I Would Choose a Teacher as an Anime & Fantasy Nerd
Opening italki for the first time can feel like stepping into a crowded anime convention. Too many people, too many choices.
Here’s how I’d choose a teacher if I were on your side of the screen.
1. Filter by Shared Obsessions
Yes, qualifications matter. But for motivation, shared interests are huge.
On each teacher’s profile, look for keywords like:
- “anime”, “manga”, “light novels”
- “yokai”, “folklore”, “history”, “traditional culture”
- “JLPT”, “business Japanese”, “writing”, “literature”
You’re not just buying grammar explanations. You’re choosing a conversation partner for your passions.
2. Decide Your Lesson Style
Ask yourself honestly:
- Do you want structured lessons with textbooks, homework, and grammar plans?
- Or do you want mostly free conversation about shows, books, and daily life?
- Or a mix: 20 minutes textbook, 40 minutes fandom talk?
Pick a teacher whose profile clearly matches what you want.
Don’t be shy about messaging them before booking:
“I love Japanese fantasy, yokai, and anime. I’d like to practice conversation using these topics. Is that okay?”
If a teacher doesn’t like that… good. You just saved yourself from a boring lesson.
3. Use Trial Lessons as Auditions
Your trial lesson is not an exam. It’s an audition—for both of you.
During the trial, pay attention to:
- Do you feel safe making mistakes with this person?
- Do they listen to you, or do they give long monologues?
- Do they respect your interests, or try to force you into their plan?
If something feels off, it’s okay. Thank them, finish the lesson, and try someone else.
There are many teachers. You don’t need to “marry” the first one.
Stage 4: Lesson Ideas That Use Anime, Stories, and Culture
Here are some concrete ways to use italki lessons so they feel like part of your world, not separate from it.
Idea 1: Anime Scene Breakdown
- Choose a short scene (1–2 minutes) from a show you love.
- Send the clip or script to your teacher in advance if possible.
- In the lesson, ask them to:
- pause and explain key phrases
- say which expressions are natural vs. super anime-ish
- give you 1–2 more natural alternatives for daily life
You’ll learn not just “what they said”, but how real people would say it.
Idea 2: Character Roleplay (With a Reality Check)
- You play your favorite character.
- Your teacher plays another character or “the normal Japanese person”.
- Do a short conversation in full anime style.
- Then ask your teacher to help you rewrite it into:
- polite Japanese for work or strangers
- casual but natural Japanese for friends
This way, you can enjoy the drama but also learn what is usable in real life.
Idea 3: Culture Deep Dive
Pick a topic connected to Japanese culture or your interests:
- shrines and temples
- festivals
- kimono, yukata, or other clothing
- spooky places or legends
Ask your teacher to explain it in simple Japanese first, then give more details step by step.
Use screenshots or photos as prompts.
Idea 4: Goal-Based Mini Projects
Choose a small, concrete goal, like:
- ordering food at a Japanese café
- introducing your country to a Japanese friend
- explaining why you love a specific anime or novel
Build a mini script with your teacher, then practice it until you can say it without reading.
You can even record yourself and compare later.
Common Mistakes I See (and What to Do Instead)
From the native side, here are mistakes I often notice in how people use online lessons:
Mistake 1: Waiting for “perfect timing”
“I’ll book lessons after my Japanese is better.”
Reality: Your Japanese doesn’t get “better” without using it.
Do this instead: Book early, but keep your goals tiny.
Mistake 2: Treating the teacher like YouTube
You listen, nod, maybe say “hai”, but barely speak.
Do this instead: Interrupt. Ask “Why?”. Repeat phrases out loud.
Use the teacher as a reaction mirror, not a TV.
Mistake 3: Hiding your real interests
You talk about safe textbook topics, not what you actually love.
Do this instead: Tell your teacher about your anime, your ships, your favorite yokai.
You’re more likely to keep going if lessons feel emotionally real.
Next Steps: A Simple Checklist
If you want to use italki the way I would recommend, here’s a simple starting plan:
- Define a tiny goal for your first month.
- Example: “Introduce myself and talk about my favorite anime character for 5 minutes.”
- Build your self-introduction kit.
- Write a simple script in romaji or kana. Practice it a few times.
- Create your italki account and browse teachers.
- Filter by interests, language support, and price. Shortlist 3–5 teachers.
- Book one trial lesson.
- Treat it as an audition and a test of chemistry, not a life-or-death test.
- After the lesson, write a short reflection.
- What felt good?
- Where did you freeze?
- What do you want to practice next time?
Affiliate & Transparency Note
This article may contain affiliate links in the future.
If you sign up for a service through those links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I only recommend tools that genuinely make sense for anime, fantasy, and Japanese culture lovers who want to build a long-term relationship with the language—not just pass a test.
Thank you for supporting my writing and this little lab.
