I’m sure there are lots of no-Japanese otakus know Japanese
I started to learn Japanese 4-5 years ago because of anime.I wanted to be able to watch raw anime so I don’t have to wait for subs, and also be able focus more on the actual anime (those nice ‘eyes’ for example XD ), not the words at the bottom or the top of the screen.
Love for anime was really powerful, it keeps me willing to learn Japanese until now.
However my Japanese knowledge isn’t growing much, mostly because I don’t have chance to use it (except from watching anime and read manga)
Now I can understand most of the casually conversations in anime. I watch most of the Slice of life anime without subtitle. But for the complicated one, such as Code Geass, I still keep the sub so I can understand every detail (assuming the subs are perfect)
For the Japanese learner otakus, have you ever hear about Japanesepod101.com ?
I don’t remember how I found it (probably by googlelling ‘I want to learn Japanese so I can watch raw anime’)
I think Japanesepod 101 is the best Japanese audio lesson out there. Really ! I don’t know those good it teach compare to others, because I believe if one willing to learn, the teach don’t have that much difference, especially nowadays information is so accessible.
The reason is this audio lesson is donne by human, not as 99% of others audios their goal is to put one to sleep.
Japanesepod101 is funny and has interesting story in their lessons. Often (too often), I listen to it to have fun instead of learning, maybe that is the bad side of JPod101.
One can open a free 7 trial account to test their pay services, they have lesson for many level and their web site is nice
Jpod101, as the name said, is available for free ipod subscription, but the lessons aren’t complete on ipod.
Personally, I use the 7 days trial to learn my kana, and then just keep my free account for easy complete lesson audio downloads
Jpod101 also have voice actors from Japan, actually most of their podcasters are Japanese.
If you are their listener, do you like them ?
if not, you should definitely listen one or two on ipod