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!
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）
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。
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
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
For many fans outside Japan, Japanese popular culture continues to be a central factor in why they are interested in the Japanese language. When I asked participants of the dokusho book club at the beginning what their goals were for reading in Japanese, some answered that they wanted to read a certain text in the… Continue reading How to start reading manga as a beginner
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
Expressions that depict sounds in an imitative way are called onomatopoeia and exist in many languages. They stand out most in media like comic and manga when words like boom or ぼーん are written on top of an explosion for example. So if you read a lot of manga, you will already be familiar with… Continue reading Reading with オノマトペ
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）
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
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