9 Best Cartoons To Learn English in Japan
This guide showcases the 9 best cartoons in Japan for learning English effectively and enjoyably.
Cartoons have proven to be an effective medium for language acquisition, especially among children and beginners. Cartoons with simple words and repetitive dialogue can help people understand and remember new words. In Japan, where English is increasingly important, cartoons can be a beneficial learning resource.
This list includes cartoons tailored to various age groups and skill levels, helping learners find the best fit for their English learning journey.
How to Choose Cartoons To Learn English
When selecting cartoons for learning English, consider the following factors to maximize both the educational and enjoyable aspects of the experience:
Educational Value:
Beginners should choose cartoons with simple language, repetitive dialogue, and clear pronunciations. Some cartoons are designed to teach English, making them excellent for language learners.
Cultural Relevance:
Choose cartoons that resonate with your interests and values to create an engaging experience.
Entertainment Value:
To make learning English more enjoyable and encouraging, select cartoons with captivating storylines and visually appealing animation and character designs.
By considering these factors, you can choose cartoons that are not only entertaining but also effective tools for improving your English language skills.
9 Best Cartoons
1. Dora the Explorer
“Dora the Explorer” is an animated children’s television series that follows the adventures of Dora, a young Latina girl, and her monkey companion, Boots.
Together, they embark on exciting quests, solving puzzles and overcoming obstacles along the way.
The show is known for its interactive format, encouraging young viewers to participate by answering questions and offering suggestions to Dora.
“Dora the Explorer” uses educational elements like vocabulary expansion, puzzles, and positive values to improve children’s learning. It promotes diversity with a Latina protagonist and incorporates different cultures and languages. The interactive format and catchy songs keep children engaged. The show consistently promotes positive values, encouraging children to be kind, helpful, and adventurous.
2. The Amazing World of Gumball
“The Amazing World of Gumball” is a British-American animated sitcom that follows the lives of Gumball Watterson, a 12-year-old cat, and his adopted brother Darwin, a goldfish. Their misadventures take them through the fictional town of Elmore, interacting with their family and diverse classmates.
The show doesn’t explicitly focus on educational elements, but its humor and dialogue can expose viewers to colloquial expressions and everyday vocabulary. It also promotes creativity and imagination with its unique blend of animation styles.
“The Amazing World of Gumball” explores themes of family, friendship, and navigating school life. It also features a diverse cast of characters, showcasing different cultures and personalities.
The show’s quirky humor, absurd situations, and unique characters make it highly entertaining for both children and adults.
3. Phineas and Ferb
“Phineas and Ferb” is an American animated musical comedy series about two stepbrothers who spend their summer vacation inventing and building extraordinary contraptions. Their pet platypus, Perry, secretly leads a double life as a secret agent, thwarting the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz.
The show promotes creativity, problem-solving, and scientific curiosity through the boys’ inventions. It also features catchy songs with simple lyrics that can help viewers learn new vocabulary and expressions.
“Phineas and Ferb” explores themes of family, friendship, and teamwork. It also touches on topics like perseverance and overcoming obstacles.
The show’s witty humor, upbeat songs, and imaginative inventions make it an entertaining choice for viewers of all ages.
4. Adventure Time
“Adventure Time” is an American fantasy animated series that follows the adventures of Finn the Human and his best friend Jake the Dog in the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo. They encounter various magical creatures and embark on quests to help others and protect the land.
The show’s fantastical setting and characters can expose viewers to imaginative vocabulary and creative expressions. It also explores complex themes like morality, friendship, and identity.
“Adventure Time” showcases a diverse range of characters and creatures, each with their own unique personalities and cultural backgrounds. The show also touches on social issues and encourages acceptance and understanding.
The show’s imaginative storylines, quirky humor, and endearing characters have captivated viewers of all ages, making it a popular choice for entertainment and language learning.
5. Regular Show
“Regular Show” is an American animated sitcom that revolves around the lives of Mordecai, a blue jay, and Rigby, a raccoon, who work as groundskeepers at a park. Their slacker attitude and attempts to avoid work often lead to surreal and hilarious situations.
The show’s dialogue features colloquial expressions and slang, making it a good resource for learning informal English. However, it may not be suitable for younger learners due to its mature themes and humor.
“Regular Show” explores themes of friendship, work-life balance, and the challenges of adulthood. It also features a diverse cast of characters with unique personalities and backgrounds.
The show’s absurdist humor, pop culture references, and relatable characters make it a popular choice among older viewers who appreciate its unique style.
6. SpongeBob SquarePants
“SpongeBob SquarePants” is an American animated sitcom that follows the adventures of SpongeBob, a cheerful and optimistic sea sponge, and his friends in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom.
While primarily focused on entertainment, the show can help learners pick up everyday vocabulary and expressions. It also explores themes of friendship, teamwork, and perseverance.
“SpongeBob SquarePants” features a diverse cast of characters with unique personalities and quirks. It also touches on themes of community and working together.
The show’s absurdist humor, colorful animation, and memorable characters have made it a beloved classic among viewers of all ages.
7. The Fairly OddParents
“The Fairly OddParents” is an American animated sitcom about Timmy Turner, a 10-year-old boy who has two fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda, who grant his every wish. However, Timmy’s wishes often backfire, leading to hilarious and chaotic situations.
The show can help learners understand different sentence structures and vocabulary used in expressing wishes and desires. It also explores themes of responsibility and the consequences of one’s actions.
“The Fairly OddParents” features a variety of characters from different backgrounds, including fairies, aliens, and humans. It also touches on themes of family and friendship.
The show’s humor, imaginative storylines, and relatable characters make it an entertaining choice for viewers of all ages.
8. Scooby-Doo
“Scooby-Doo” is an American animated franchise that follows the adventures of Scooby-Doo, a cowardly Great Dane, and his four human friends – Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy – as they solve mysteries involving supernatural creatures.
The show can help learners develop vocabulary related to mystery-solving and investigation. It also explores themes of teamwork, courage, and critical thinking.
“Scooby-Doo” features a diverse group of characters with different skills and personalities. It also takes viewers to various locations around the world, exposing them to different cultures and traditions.
The show’s suspenseful mysteries, comedic moments, and iconic characters have made it a beloved classic for generations.
9. The Loud House
“The Loud House” is an American animated sitcom that follows the chaotic life of Lincoln Loud, an 11-year-old boy who lives with his ten sisters in a large family.
The show can help learners develop vocabulary related to family life and relationships. It also explores themes of individuality, compromise, and sibling rivalry.
“The Loud House” showcases a large and diverse family with each member having unique personalities and interests. It also touches on topics like gender roles and cultural differences.
The show’s humor, relatable characters, and realistic portrayal of family life make it an Entertaining And Engaging Choice For Viewers Of All Ages.
How To Make The Learning Easy
While cartoons offer a fantastic way to learn English passively, combining them with online resources can significantly enhance your learning journey. Platforms like AmazingTalker, offering both “オンライン ネイティブ” (Online Native tutors) and Online English classes options, can be a great way to do this. Their online native tutors option provides the chance to practice speaking with native English speakers from around the world, allowing you to refine your conversational skills and receive valuable feedback in real time.
The “オンライン 英語” option offers a wide range of structured lessons, interactive exercises, and personalized learning paths, ensuring you receive targeted instruction tailored to your specific needs and level.
Combining the immersive experience of watching cartoons with structured online learning platforms like AmazingTalker offers a synergistic approach to accelerate English language learning.
Supplementing cartoon viewing with focused online practice enables learners to develop a comprehensive understanding of the language, enhance pronunciation, and gain confidence in various communication contexts, making the learning process enjoyable and effective.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve explored 9 fantastic cartoons available in Japan that can serve as valuable tools for learning English.
Cartoons provide a fun and engaging way to immerse oneself in the English language. Their simple vocabulary, repetitive dialogue, and captivating storylines make learning new words and phrases enjoyable and memorable.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to build your vocabulary or an advanced learner seeking to improve your fluency, incorporating cartoons into your language learning routine can be a rewarding experience.