Aria is fantastic for this, it’s about gondola tour guides in a faithfully recreated Venice (on a future terraformed Mars). Very unique and chill vibes, lots of feels.
I’d say around half of the episodes are fantastic, which is a pretty good ratio for a long show. You just have to be patient since the first batch of great episodes doesn’t come right away.
You could consider Swedish (though I’m biased). It’s closer to English than German, and the grammar is easier. There’s also a fair number of older French loan words and newer English loan words for additional perspective.
I’ve found something is a lot more accessible if it’s a rewatch. I had a great time with Nichijou fairly early on simply because I was so familiar with it already, where it otherwise would have been too far above my level.
I own “Japanese the Manga Way” (not sure if related) and I’ve hardly used it. The examples are all decades old manga I’m not interested in, and the text is mostly dry grammar lessons.
Motivation comes in bursts, so there’s a good chance that even if you weren’t busy you’d slow down after a few months anyway. That’s totally fine. I say take advantage of the motivation while you have it.
Try everything, and stick with what feels effective and motivating
After a masterpiece I always have to take a week off before trying another one, since while it’s still on my mind nothing else will compare.
Aria is fantastic for this, it’s about gondola tour guides in a faithfully recreated Venice (on a future terraformed Mars). Very unique and chill vibes, lots of feels.
I’d say around half of the episodes are fantastic, which is a pretty good ratio for a long show. You just have to be patient since the first batch of great episodes doesn’t come right away.
You could consider Swedish (though I’m biased). It’s closer to English than German, and the grammar is easier. There’s also a fair number of older French loan words and newer English loan words for additional perspective.
I love slice of life, especially Iyashikei. A single episode of any of these can make my whole day
Reincarnated as a Sword
The Misfit of Demon King Academy is basically a parody of it
Use the language as much as you can, both input and output. If it’s hard or awkward, that just means you’re learning.
Eden of the East is a lot like this
Bocchi the Rock is very relatable and newbie-friendly. It has great comedy and great music.
Check out
Don’t learn in order to read, learn by reading
Aria is somewhat forgotten, but is still one of the comfiest and most emotionally moving slice of lifes out there
Sword Art Online
Princess Connect Re Dive
Cardcaptor Sakura is kid-friendly and really well-written
Log Horizon
I do 1.15x in English but 1x in Swedish
I’ve found something is a lot more accessible if it’s a rewatch. I had a great time with Nichijou fairly early on simply because I was so familiar with it already, where it otherwise would have been too far above my level.
I own “Japanese the Manga Way” (not sure if related) and I’ve hardly used it. The examples are all decades old manga I’m not interested in, and the text is mostly dry grammar lessons.
Yona of the Dawn
For more great music anime with great character arcs, there’s Sound Euphonium, K-On, Zombieland Saga, and Vivy Fluorite Eye’s Song
K-On
Motivation comes in bursts, so there’s a good chance that even if you weren’t busy you’d slow down after a few months anyway. That’s totally fine. I say take advantage of the motivation while you have it.