There are a ton of traditional approaches to learning Japanese, but in between those professional lessons and textbooks, you need to supplement your studies with real-world Japanese. Consider taking a break from the books and delving into the world of Japanese cinema on Netflix. While it shouldn’t replace your regular study routine, watching movies can be an entertaining way to hone your Japanese skills, gain cultural insights, and stay motivated in your language-learning journey.
We want to share with you five Japanese films on Netflix that can help you improve your Japanese language skills, and offer tips on how to effectively use movies as a language-learning resource. Whether you’re just starting or you are a more advanced learner, there is something everyone can gain from watching these films.
Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し)
- IMDb rating: 8.6
- Released: 2001
- Director: Hayao Miyazaki
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Spirited Away is a visually stunning animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The story follows a young girl named Chihiro, who finds herself trapped in a mysterious and magical world. As she tries to save her parents and return home, Chihiro learns valuable life lessons along the way. The reason this movie is great for language learning is that its main character is a child, so she uses simple language that is easy to understand. It also has a slow pace, like a lot of Ghibli movies, that gives you time to reflect on what you hear while you watch. But most of all, it’s a captivating story that will keep you entertained, so it won’t feel like Japanese practice at all!
The Taste of Tea (茶の味)
- IMDb rating: 7.6
- Released: 2004
- Director: Katsuhito Ishii
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
The Taste of Tea is a heartwarming, eccentric film by Katsuhito Ishii, centering around the lives of an ordinary Japanese family. The movie offers a charming and whimsical glimpse into the ups and downs of daily life, making it a perfect choice for learners who want to improve their conversational Japanese skills. The slice-of-life drama has simple and useful dialogue filled with grammar and vocabulary you will run into every day in Japan.
A Silent Voice (聲の形)
- IMDb rating: 8.1
- Released: 2016
- Director: Naoko Yamada
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
A Silent Voice, directed by Naoko Yamada, is a poignant animated drama about a young man who seeks redemption after bullying a deaf classmate during his school years. The film explores themes of friendship, forgiveness, and personal growth. Since a good chunk of the movie is set in a school when the main characters are younger, the language is simple to pick up, especially in classroom scenes that use common Japanese words and phrases.
After the Storm (海よりもまだ深く)
- IMDb rating: 7.4
- Released: 2016
- Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
- Genre: Drama, Family
After the Storm is a touching drama directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. It follows the story of a struggling novelist who tries to reconnect with his estranged family. This movie offers a wonderful opportunity to practice listening skills and learn about the complexities of Japanese family dynamics.
Wolf Children (おおかみこどもの雨と雪)
- IMDb rating: 8.1
- Released: 2012
- Director: Mamoru Hosoda
- Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy
Wolf Children, directed by Mamoru Hosoda, is a beautifully animated tale of a young mother raising two unique children who possess both human and wolf characteristics. As the story unfolds, it examines the children’s choices they make as they grow up, with one of them embracing their wolf nature, and the other choosing to live more like a human. It hits on some great themes like acceptance and freedom. The slow pace of the movie makes it great for Japanese beginners who want to brush up on their listening.
Tips for Mastering Japanese through Netflix Movies
Now that you’ve got a list of Japanese films to watch, it’s essential to know how to make the most of your movie-watching experience for language learning.
The first thing to remember is to be proactive and engage with the content. You can still enjoy the movie while pausing once in a while to take some notes or shadow some dialogue to help with your pronunciation.
Making notes of new vocabulary, phrases, and cultural aspects as you watch can also help you improve your Japanese. When we engage with new words in context, we can remember them much easier. I am always surprised at how words and phrases are connected to certain movies or TV shows I have watched.
Also, don’t shy away from subtitles! English subtitles can help you enjoy the experience more, and you want to create an environment where you are actually having fun while learning. Of course, Japanese subtitles are much better, as you can refresh your kanji practice and easily look up any tricker words or idioms the characters use. Happy learning and happy watching!
