You Need to Check Out These Japanese Mystery Stories | Episode 16
Send us Fan Mail Japanese mystery stories offer a unique look at crime fiction. We explore three iconic titles perfect for a Halloween watch. This episode breaks down the appeal of Japanese detective fiction by examining three distinct pillars of the genre. We start with the classic setup of The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo, a cornerstone of the field that defined the locked-room mystery for generations. Then we shift gears to the screen to analyze the procedural brilliance of Furuhata ...
24 Sept 2026
The Japanese Words You Didn't Know You Needed
Send us Fan Mail We challenge the “untranslatable words” myth, then argue that some Japanese terms still earn a spot in English because they capture everyday feelings with unusual precision. We break down why these words work, how famous loanwords get misused, and what all of this reveals about language, culture, and how we frame our lives. • why “untranslatable” usually means “needs a longer explanation” • kuchisabishi as eating from boredom or comfort, not hunger • why “sn...
8 Sept 2026
We Need to Talk About RuriDragon and Half is More
Send us Fan Mail This time we take a look at two manga about racism and finding where you belong with RuriDragon and Half is More RuriDragon ルリドラゴン Genre: Slice of life, coming of age, fantasy Author: Masaoki Shindo Translation: Caleb D. Cook https://calebdcook.com/translatedworks/ Original Run: June 13, 2022 - Present Publisher: Shueisha English Publisher: Viz Media Imprint: Jump Comics Magazine: Weekly Shonen Jump (June 13, 2022 - August 1, 2022); Shonen Jump+ (August 22, 2024 - Prese...
25 Aug 2026
It's Getting Harder to Live in Japan
Send us Fan Mail This time, we unpack why life in Japan feels harder right now for both citizens and foreign residents alike. The episode connects Japan's weak currency, a record-breaking tourism boom, and a sweeping tightening of visa and permanent residency rules under the Takaichi government. All framed against a backdrop of rising anti-immigrant sentiment. Key Discussion Points COVID-era border closures (2020–2022): Japan barred even permanent residents from reentry for roughly a year whi...
16 Aug 2026
Summer is Scary in Japan
Send us Fan Mail Episode Overview We explore Japan's summer horror tradition — rooted in the Obon festival and kaidan ghost stories — through five recommendations spanning film, Netflix TV, legal drama, and anime. Key Discussion Points Obon and the belief that ancestral spirits return each summer, and how that gave rise to the kaidan storytelling traditionDollhouse (2025): a haunted-doll J-horror film from comedy director Shinobu Yaguchi, driven by parental grief rather than jump scaresHuman...
29 Jul 2026
A Manga That Finally Felt Like Me | Spacewalking With You
Send us Fan Mail Episode Overview A personal, spoiler-light review of the manga Spacewalking with You by Inuhiko Doronoda — a slice-of-life story about a "lazy" high schooler, Kobayashi, whose friendship with an unusual transfer student, Uno, slowly reveals just how much of his struggle was never really laziness at all. Key Discussion Points Overview of the manga's premise, setting, and central friendshipHow the story portrays neurodivergence without ever naming a diagnosisThe host's persona...
27 May 2026
Starting a Japanese Literature Channel: BookTube Newbie Tag
Send us Fan Mail This month's episode is a sort of announcement, I'm gonna be taking a break from the podcast for a bit to focus on YouTube. If all the same content as video essays and booktube videos sounds interesting to you then I'd love for you to subscribe to the Like My Anime YouTube channel Thanks for listening to Like My Anime! If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to subscribe, share it, or leave a review — it helps more people find the podcast! Watch episodes & extra content (e...
21 Apr 2026
The Solitary Gourmet: A Hit Japanese Drama No One Talks About (in English)
Send us Fan Mail We try to explain why The Solitary Gourmet, a plotless Japanese food drama about a man eating alone, became a massive hit across East Asia. We also dig into why it’s one of the best resources for real Japanese listening practice and what “healing” media reveals about modern comfort viewing. • the show’s simple formula and why “nothing happens” works • how real restaurants turn episodes into a food culture guide • why the inner monologue is gold for Japanese...
23 Mar 2026
The Most Wholesome 'Fan Service' Anime: My Dress-Up Darling
Send us Fan Mail We dig into why My Dress-Up Darling is more than a spicy high school rom-com and why dropping it after the first three episodes misses the real point. We talk craft, cosplay culture, gender expression, and why the series works surprisingly well for Japanese language learners. • why the show gets mislabeled early and what changes after episode four • Wakana Gojo’s Hina doll craftsmanship, childhood trauma, and loneliness • Marin Kitagawa as the driver of the...
24 Feb 2026
Learning Like A Child, As An Adult
Send a text We unpack why L1 and L2 learning differ, where adult learners can excel, and how to use child‑like methods without buying the myth of effortlessness. Along the way we revisit the critical period, language intuition, and practical tools like nursery rhymes for better input. • L1 dominance, age of acquisition, and processing speed • Near‑native performance vs intuition in lab tests • Why the critical period applies to L1, not adult L2 • Transfer from L1 shaping L2 learning paths • ...
30 Jan 2026
What Running Taught Me About Learning Japanese
Send us a text We connect New Year momentum, Ekiden grit, and Murakami’s running log to practical Japanese study that survives real life. Flexible systems, tiny daily wins, and the power of noticing replace vague goals and pressure to “master” everything. • defining minimum viable study to protect consistency • replacing output goals with input systems • using interests and authentic media to sustain motivation • embracing ambiguity and iterative understanding • making phones boring to reduc...
27 Jun 2025
Is Anime Too Easy or Too Hard to Learn Japanese?
Tom discusses the value of using anime and other accessible media to learn Japanese, highlighting the balance between pop culture and traditional study methods in this episode.
21 May 2025
Why These Winter 2025 Anime Are Perfect for Studying!
Send us a text 📝 Key Topics: The Anime Study Trap The difference between exposure vs. acquisitionWhy “just hearing Japanese” isn’t enoughPaul Nation & vocabulary learning 101My Learning Pivot: From Passive to Purposeful How burnout forced me to rethink my study habitsUsing cognitive load theory to make anime more effective for learningBuilding curiosity over guilt when watching native contentFeature Reviews: Best Shows for Learners Medalist (N3) – Emotional repetition & motivational J...
9 Apr 2025
Why You Keep Quitting Japanese (And How to Fix It)
Send us a text You start learning Japanese, you’re pumped up, you make a study schedule… and two months later, your textbook is collecting dust, Anki notifications are haunting your dreams, and you’re wondering why you’re still stuck at “This is a pen.” Sound familiar? In this very first episode of Like My Anime, we’re diving into why motivation fades—and what actually keeps you moving forward when the novelty wears off. Spoiler: Motivation isn’t the problem. It’s how you build habits, deal w...
9 Apr 2025
You’re Not Bad at Languages—You Were Just Taught Wrong
Send us a text You probably spent years in school memorizing vocabulary, conjugating verbs, and passing grammar tests. So why can't you actually speak the language? In this episode, I break down why traditional language education fails so many of us—and what to do instead. From memory science to language acquisition theories, I’ll walk you through what actually works (and what doesn’t), with actionable advice for every kind of learner. ⏱️ Timestamps & Topics Covered 00:00:00 - Intro &...
9 Apr 2025
Is Pitch Accent Really That Important in Japanese?
Send us a text Today’s topic? One of the most hotly debated issues in Japanese learning communities: pitch accent. Spoiler: Pitch accent is way overhyped. In this episode, I’ll break down: What pitch accent is (and isn’t)Why it’s so hard to hear and learnWhat actually matters more for sounding naturalHow to improve your pronunciation without stressing over perfectionPlus, I’ll recommend four Japanese dramas that are great for shadowing and improving your accent naturally. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 ...
31 Mar 2025
Podcast Trailer
Send us a text Welcome to Like My Anime — the podcast for Japanese learners, anime fans, and anyone who’s ever wondered if binge-watching can actually teach you a language. Whether you’re a total beginner, stuck at intermediate, or just tired of language learning advice that sounds like it was written by a robot, this show is for you. Hosted by an English teacher living in Japan (that's me 👋), Like My Anime blends language learning strategies, media analysis, and linguistics insights — all th...
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YouTube views
50
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
11
Social presence
0
YouTube
63
Engagement
0
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