Talking about anime in English

This lesson is designed to immerse learners in the vibrant world of anime and its culture! This lesson introduces basic, high-frequency vocabulary and useful phrases to help students confidently discuss anime genres, characters, and experiences in English.

By tapping into the global popularity of anime, this lesson engages learners with relatable and fun content, using visuals, example conversations, and interactive activities. You’ll also find some more advanced example conversations and recommended strategies.

Tailored for beginner to intermediate ESL students, the plan incorporates pronunciation practice, cultural context, and personalized tasks to build speaking, listening, and writing skills. With this plan, you can explore anime while boosting English fluency in a dynamic, student-centered way.

Basic vocabulary

Introduce simple, high-frequency words related to anime and its culture. These terms should help learners discuss anime genres, characters, and experiences.

Vocabulary list

• Anime: Japanese animated TV shows or movies (e.g., “Naruto” is an anime).
• Manga: Japanese comic books or graphic novels, often the source for anime (e.g., “One Piece” manga).
• Genre: The type or category of anime (e.g., action, romance, fantasy).
• Character: A person or creature in the story (e.g., Goku is a character).
• Episode: One part of an anime series (e.g., “I watched episode 10”).
• Season: A group of episodes released together (e.g., “Season 2 has 12 episodes”).
• Studio: The company that makes the anime (e.g., Studio Ghibli).
• Plot: The story or events in the anime (e.g., “The plot is exciting”).
• Fan: Someone who loves anime (e.g., “I’m an anime fan”).
• Subtitle/dub: Subtitles are text translations; dubs are voiceovers in another language (e.g., “I prefer subtitles”).

Vocabulary for extension

• Protagonist: The main character or hero (e.g., Luffy is the protagonist).
• Antagonist: The villain or opponent (e.g., an evil character).
• Animation: The art style or visuals of the anime (e.g., “The animation is beautiful”).
• Theme: The main idea or message (e.g., “The theme is friendship”).
• Arc: A segment of the story (e.g., “The tournament arc is my favorite”).
• Voice actor: The person who provides a character’s voice (e.g., “The voice actor is talented”).
• Cosplay: Dressing up as an anime character (e.g., “I saw cosplay at a convention”).
• Convention: An event where anime fans gather (e.g., “Anime Expo is a big convention”).
• Merchandise: Products related to anime, like posters or figures (e.g., “I bought anime merchandise”).
• Fandom: The community of fans for an anime (e.g., “The fandom is very active”).

Teaching tips

• Use visuals like anime clips, manga pages, or character images to illustrate terms.
• Practice pronunciation for Japanese-derived words like “anime” (AN-ih-may) or “manga” (MAHN-gah).
• Create flashcards with terms on one side and examples (e.g., “Naruto” for “anime”) on the other.

Useful phrases

Teach simple sentence structures for discussing anime, including describing shows, expressing opinions, and asking questions. These should be adaptable and easy to memorize.

Key phrases

1. Describing anime
   • “My favorite anime is [name].”
   • “It’s a [genre, e.g., action] anime.”
   • “The plot is about [describe story].”
   • “It has [number] episodes/seasons.”
2. Expressing opinions
   • “I like [anime/character] because [reason].”
   • “The animation is [beautiful/exciting].”
   • “I don’t like [anime/character] because [reason].”
   • “My favorite part is [arc/scene].”
3. Talking about preferences
   • “I prefer [subtitles/dubs].”
   • “I enjoy [genre, e.g., fantasy] anime the most.”
   • “I’m a big fan of [studio/anime].”
4. Asking questions
   • “What’s your favorite anime?”
   • “Do you like [genre, e.g., romance] anime?”
   • “Have you watched [anime name]?”
   • “What do you think of [character/plot]?”

Teaching tips

• Model phrases with popular anime examples (e.g., “My favorite anime is ‘Attack on Titan.’ It’s an action anime.”).
• Have learners practice by substituting their own favorite anime or characters.
• Emphasize question forms to encourage interactive discussions.

Example conversations

Provide short, realistic dialogues to model how to talk about anime. These examples progress from basic to more detailed, incorporating vocabulary and phrases.

Conversation 1: Basic exchange

Emma: Hi, Carlos! Do you like anime?
Carlos: Yes, I’m a big fan! My favorite anime is “Naruto.”
Emma: Cool! What’s it about?
Carlos: It’s about a ninja named Naruto. It’s an action anime.
Emma: Sounds fun! Do you prefer subtitles or dubs?
Carlos: I like subtitles.

Conversation 2: Adding details

Sara: Hey, Ali, what’s your favorite anime?
Ali: I love “My Hero Academia.” It’s an action anime with great characters.
Sara: Nice! Who’s your favorite character?
Ali: The protagonist, Midoriya. He’s brave. The animation is awesome too.
Sara: Have you been to an anime convention?
Ali: Yes, I saw cool cosplay there!

Conversation 3: More advanced

Mark: Lisa, have you watched “Demon Slayer”?
Lisa: Yes, it’s my favorite! The plot is about a boy fighting demons, and the animation is beautiful.
Mark: What do you like most about it?
Lisa: The fight scenes and the theme of family. But the antagonist is scary!
Mark: I agree! Do you buy anime merchandise?
Lisa: Yeah, I have a Tanjiro figure from a convention.

Advanced conversations

Advanced conversation 1: Discussing themes and cultural impact

Sophie: Hey, Kenji, you’re a big anime fan, right? What’s an anime you’ve recently enjoyed?
Kenji: Yeah, I’m obsessed! I just finished Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s a dark fantasy anime with an intense plot.
Sophie: Oh, I’ve heard of it! What makes the plot stand out for you?
Kenji: The themes really hit me—things like sacrifice and the struggle between good and evil. The protagonist, Yuji, faces tough moral choices, which makes it thought-provoking. Plus, the animation by Studio MAPPA is stunning.
Sophie: That sounds deep! Do you think anime like that reflects Japanese culture in some way?
Kenji: Definitely. The focus on duty and inner conflict feels very tied to Japanese values, like perseverance and honor. But it’s universal too, which is why the fandom is so global. What about you? Any anime with strong themes you like?
Sophie: I love Your Name. The themes of connection and fate are so emotional, and the visuals are breathtaking. I think it shows how anime can tell stories that resonate worldwide. Have you seen it?
Kenji: Yeah, it’s a masterpiece! I even bought some merchandise—a poster of the comet scene.

Teaching notes

• Complexity: This conversation uses advanced vocabulary (e.g., “thought-provoking,” “resonate”) and explores abstract ideas like cultural values and universal themes.
• Encourages analysis: Asking about cultural impact prompts learners to think critically and connect anime to broader contexts.
• Practice tip: Have learners discuss how an anime reflects its culture or personal values, using at least two vocabulary words (e.g., “theme,” “fandom”).

Advanced conversation 2: Comparing anime and manga

Liam: Hi, Aisha! I know you love Attack on Titan. Do you prefer the anime or the manga?
Aisha: That’s tough! The anime is incredible—the animation and voice actors bring the story to life, especially in the final season. But the manga has more details in the plot.
Liam: Interesting! What kind of details does the manga have that the anime misses?
Aisha: The manga dives deeper into the characters’ thoughts, like Eren’s motivations as the protagonist. Some arcs feel more intense because you get the raw emotions. But the anime’s music and visuals add a lot. What’s your take on anime versus manga?
Liam: I usually go for anime because I love the animation, like in Demon Slayer. The fight scenes are unreal! But I’ve heard the manga has extra backstory. Do you think one is better for storytelling?
Aisha: It depends. Manga lets you imagine the world, but anime makes it vivid with colors and sound. I’d say anime is more immersive, but manga feels more personal. Have you ever tried cosplaying a character from either?
Liam: Not yet, but I’m tempted to cosplay at the next convention! I’d probably pick Levi from Attack on Titan.

Teaching notes

• Complexity: This dialogue uses comparative language (e.g., “more intense,” “better for storytelling”) and contrasts two mediums, encouraging detailed analysis.
• Encourages opinion-sharing: Learners must justify preferences, which builds fluency in expressing complex ideas.
• Practice tip: Ask learners to compare an anime and its manga (or two anime), using phrases like “more immersive” or “feels more personal” and at least three vocabulary words (e.g., “plot,” “animation,” “arc”).

Advanced conversation 3: Discussing fandom and personal connection

Maya: Hey, Raj, I saw you at the anime convention last weekend! What was your favorite part?
Raj: It was amazing! The cosplay contest was the highlight—someone dressed as Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen nailed it. I also loved the panel on anime voice actors. What about you?
Maya: The merchandise stalls! I got a figure of Asuka from Evangelion. Why do you think anime fandoms are so passionate?
Raj: I think it’s because anime tackles deep themes, like identity or loss, that hit fans on a personal level. Like, Neon Genesis Evangelion made me rethink my own mindset. The fandom connects over that. Have you ever felt that way about an anime?
Maya: Totally. Fullmetal Alchemist spoke to me because of its themes of sacrifice and family. I even cried during some episodes! Do you ever join online fandom discussions, like on X?
Raj: Yeah, I follow Hunter x Hunter threads. The fandom there debates every arc! It’s fun but can get intense. Have you tried making fan art or anything creative?
Maya: Not yet, but I’m thinking of drawing my favorite character, Winry. Maybe I’ll share it at the next convention.

Teaching tips

• Role-play these dialogues with the learner, switching roles to practice asking and answering.
• Encourage learners to adapt dialogues using their favorite anime or characters.
• In group settings, pair students to practice, prompting them to ask follow-up questions (e.g., “Why do you like that character?”).

Teaching Strategy

Here’s a step-by-step lesson plan (approximately 45 minutes) to teach this topic effectively.

Step 1: Warm-up (5 minutes)

• Ask: “Do you watch anime? What’s one anime you know?” Write responses on the board.
• Show a short anime clip (e.g., a “Studio Ghibli” trailer) and describe it briefly (e.g., “This is ‘Spirited Away,’ a fantasy anime with beautiful animation.”).

Step 2: Vocabulary introduction (10 minutes)

• Present the vocabulary list using visuals (e.g., show a manga page for “manga” or a cosplay photo for “cosplay”).
• Practice pronunciation, especially for words like “protagonist” (proh-TAG-uh-nist) or “cosplay” (KOS-play).
• Play a quick game: Say a term (e.g., “genre”), and learners name an example (e.g., “action”).

Step 3: Phrase practice (10 minutes)

• Display key phrases and model them (e.g., “My favorite anime is ‘One Piece.’ It’s about pirates.”).
• Have learners practice by filling in blanks (e.g., “My favorite anime is ____. It’s a ____ anime.”).
• Correct pronunciation and grammar gently.

Step 4: Conversation practice (15 minutes)

• Read one example conversation aloud, emphasizing natural intonation.
• Pair learners (or role-play with them) to practice the dialogues, encouraging personalization with their favorite anime.
• Ask learners to create their own short dialogue about an anime they like, using at least three vocabulary words.

Step 5: Wrap-up and personalization (5 minutes)

• Have each learner share one sentence about their favorite anime (e.g., “My favorite anime is ‘Pokémon.’ It’s fun and has cool characters.”).
• Provide feedback on vocabulary use and clarity.
• Assign homework: Write 3-5 sentences about an anime or practice describing one to a friend.

Additional tips

• Cultural context: Briefly explain anime’s Japanese origins and global popularity to make the topic engaging.
• Visual aids: Use screenshots from popular anime (e.g., “Sailor Moon,” “Dragon Ball”) or show a convention video to illustrate terms like “cosplay” or “fandom.”
• Listening practice: Play a short clip from an anime (with subtitles) or a fan discussion (e.g., from YouTube) to expose learners to natural English used in anime contexts.
• Adapt for level: For beginners, focus on simple descriptions (e.g., “I like ‘Pokémon.’ It’s fun.”). For intermediate learners, encourage details (e.g., “The arc about the tournament is exciting.”).
• Cultural sensitivity: Be aware that some learners may not be familiar with anime. Offer examples from popular shows and invite them to share similar media from their culture.

Common mistakes to address

• Pronunciation: Japanese-derived terms like “anime” or “manga” may be mispronounced (e.g., saying “man-ga” instead of “MAHN-gah”). Practice these explicitly.
• Grammar: Learners may say “It’s anime good” instead of “It’s a good anime.” Emphasize article use (“a/an”).
• Word choice: Clarify differences between “anime” (animation) and “manga” (comics), as they may confuse them.

Example activity: “Anime favorites”

For group or individual practice.

• Give learners a worksheet with prompts (e.g., “Name an anime you like,” “Describe a character,” “Say one thing about the plot”).
• Learners take turns sharing answers while others ask questions (e.g., “Why do you like that anime?”).
• Alternatively, play “Guess the Anime”: One learner describes an anime without naming it, and others guess.

Homework or follow-up

• Writing: Write a short paragraph (5 sentences) about your favorite anime, including its genre and why you like it.
• Speaking: Record a 30-second audio or video describing an anime or character you enjoy.
• Research: Look up one new anime online and describe its plot or genre in 2-3 sentences in English.