Book Review, Fiction, graded reader, Manga, N5

[N5] 彼氏(かれし)がほしい!

Mayu likes to read romance and to draw manga. Just like the protagonists in her favourite romance shōjō manga, she would like to have a boyfriend (かれし). So she just starts drawing him.

Book Review, Manga, N3

[N3] 私を喰(た)べたい、ひとでなし

Due to an incident in her childhood, Hinako is living a secluded life in a harbour town and often struggles with her will to live. The ocean she sees every day has been both threatening and eerily fascinating for her ever since until Shiori emerges from its depths to protect and eventually eat her.

Book Review, Fiction, Manga, N2

[N2] わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ!

Renako desperately wants to have a best friend (親友(しんゆう)) when she enters high school, and her popular classmate Mai seems like the perfect match. Renako's plan seems doomed to failure, however, because Mai confesses her love to her shortly afterwards and would much rather be her girlfriend (恋人(こいびと)). After a short discussion, the two make… Continue reading [N2] わたしが恋人になれるわけないじゃん、ムリムリ!

Book Review, Fiction, graded reader, Manga, N4

[N4] サムライ漫画(まんが)

You can get a taste of samurai manga with this story about a nameless rōnin who experiences a typical day full of fights, selfish heroism and hospitality. This short manga was written and illustrated by Yuki Sengoku for the Japan Foundation's anime-manga website. The language of this manga itself can be challenging, but with the… Continue reading [N4] サムライ漫画(まんが)

Book Review, Fiction, Manga, N3

[N3] 君の名は。

When Mitsuha and Taki wake up, they sometimes find themselves in the wrong body. Mitsuha experiences life as Taki in Tokyo and Taki learns about Mitsuha's life as a shrine maiden in a small town. They leave eachother messages in their notebooks and phones, but of course still cause some problems for each other. Publisher:… Continue reading [N3] 君の名は。

Book Review, Fiction, Manga, N2

[N2] 30歳まで童貞(どうてい)だと魔法使いになれるらしい

The day after his 30th birthday, virgin Adachi Kiyoshi suddenly possesses the ability to hear another person's thoughts when he touches them. After some accidental contact with his charming colleague Kurosawa Yuichi, Adachi learns of the passionate feelings Kurosawa has for him. This manga series by Toyota Yuu is also known as 「チェリまほ」/ "Cherry Magic"… Continue reading [N2] 30歳まで童貞(どうてい)だと魔法使いになれるらしい

Book Review, Manga, N2, Non-Fiction

[N2] 日本人の知らない日本語 #I

Umino Nagiko is a teacher at a Japanese language school and shares through comic essays some anecdotes from her everyday teaching life while answering questions on Japanese language and culture posed in her classes. There are both comic parts and essay parts for each chapter. When I read this first book, I mostly read it… Continue reading [N2] 日本人の知らない日本語 #I

Book Review, Manga, N2

[N2] ミステリと言う勿れ(なかれ) #1

Kunō Totonō is making curry on a calm winter's day when the police suddenly appear at his door. He is a suspect in a murder case and is taken in for interrogation. At the police station he meets the investigating detectives and instead of answering their questions, begins to share his wisdom with them. As… Continue reading [N2] ミステリと言う勿れ(なかれ) #1

Book Review, Fiction, graded reader, Manga, N4

[N4] はるちゃんの学校生活(がっこうせいかつ)

Haru experiences a typical day at school. You will accompany her from walking to school, through homeroom, classes and club activities, to finally homework and falling asleep. This short manga was written and illustrated by Yagi Yukari for the Japan Foundation's anime-manga learning site. picture credit: anime-manga.jp This is honestly such a cool project! Every… Continue reading [N4] はるちゃんの学校生活(がっこうせいかつ)

Book Review, Fiction, Manga, N2

[N2] 暗殺(あんさつ)教室

Assassination Classroom by Matsui Yusei was an insanely popular series a few years ago and for a reason. While it tells the story of a class of middle school students being tasked with killing their octopus-like teacher, it also features dealing with school system inequality and wholesome teacher-student-relations. I had watched the anime a few… Continue reading [N2] 暗殺(あんさつ)教室