| COUNTRY |
| India |
| EDUCATION |
| Bachelor of Computer Science, SRM Institute of Science and Technology |
| COMPANY |
| A Japanese manufacturer that specializes in transportation equipment, primarily motorcycles. |
| SUMMARY |
| A computer engineering graduate from India turned his love for anime into a life-changing journey. While binge-watching One Piece during the pandemic, he unconsciously picked up Japanese and started formally learning it during his university years. Read how anime helped him go from fan to full-time professional in Japan. |
Accidentally Learning Japanese Through One Piece
Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of traveling the world, and Japan was always at the top of my list. But in 2020, stuck in the middle of a pandemic and unable to travel to Japan, I turned to the next best thing: binge-watching anime. If I couldn’t explore the world physically, I figured I’d do it through art.
I’ve always had a soft spot for anime, and One Piece is one of my favorites. Adapted from a manga, the series follows the adventures of a young man called Monkey D. Luffy and his quest to become King of the Pirates. I’m proud to say I made it through all of its episodes (already around 956 at the time and is now at 1,134 episodes as of June 2025). Somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened: I started picking up Japanese. Episode after episode, I built up a surprisingly robust vocabulary just by watching anime.
That accidental language learning inspired me to live and work in Japan. Who says binge-watching is a waste of time?
Choosing Computer Science as My Major
In 2021, I enrolled at SRM Institute of Science and Technology to study computer science. Majoring in computer science was something that I’ve been thinking about for quite some time now. I became fascinated with Artificial Intelligence after stumbling upon a YouTube video uploaded by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology back in 2010.
Fast forward 11 years when I was about to enter university, and the AI field had experienced a leap in progress. It felt like the perfect time to dive into the field. During university, I worked on AI projects and dabbled in cybersecurity, too.
Passion Meets Ambition
In April 2024, our university held a seminar about FAST OFFER International’s program. The program helps qualified applicants, especially in engineering and computer science, secure jobs in Japan. They emphasized that the program is completely free of charge. At first, I thought it sounded too good to be true, but seniors who had already secured job offers through FAST OFFER vouched for its legitimacy. Encouraged, I decided to sign up.
Thankfully, I passed the initial screening and joined FAST OFFER International’s free Japanese classes. My teacher was excellent at helping me improve my Japanese. Although I had built a strong vocabulary from watching anime like One Piece I struggled to form clear, polite sentences. I often defaulted to informal language picked up from anime, so I needed to learn keigo (honorific language) to fit business settings. My teacher taught me grammar, proper word usage, and sentence structure. It took nine months to master Japanese, but the effort was well worth it.
Getting Mentorship for Job Interviews
Once I felt confident in my Japanese skills, I started preparing for job interviews. Through my FAST OFFER mentor and career advisor, I learned many valuable tips for Japanese job interviews. Here are the key lessons he shared:
- Smile: my mentor told me I have a great smile and encouraged me to use it during interviews. Smiling helps build rapport with interviewers, especially in online settings.
- Refine Language: He trained me to frame my experiences as learning opportunities and helped me express myself more clearly and precisely.
- Master Jikoshoukai: Jikoshoukai “じこしょうかい” is a self-introduction, and my mentor coached me on how to deliver it confidently. It begins with a greeting (“Hajimemashite”) followed by stating your name, and place of origin to establish rapport.
- Prepare Reverse Questions: He advised preparing thoughtful questions for the interviewer, such as why I chose that particular company. These questions demonstrate genuine interest and show that I’ve researched the company thoroughly.
What Japanese Job Interviews Are Like
From my experience, Japanese job interviews are conducted with great respect and formality. The interviewers I faced included senior leaders from the company, which naturally made me quite nervous. However, their kindness helped me relax. They patiently repeated questions when needed, allowing me to fully express myself. So, my tip? Just relax and be respectful!
From India to Japan
I was in my dormitory when my career advisor messaged to tell me I had passed and received a job offer! I was ecstatic and immediately began imagining my exciting future in Japan. From being an anime fan watching One Piece to finally securing a way to live my dream life, this opportunity felt like a major step not just for my career, but for my personal growth as well.
As I prepare for my new life in Japan, I realize I’ll miss my mother’s biryani, but I’m also eager to try Japan’s famous unagi (Japanese eel served with rice). I’ll miss the comfort of home, but I’m excited to explore new places — ski in Hokkaido, and hike Mount Fuji. And while I’ll miss celebrating Diwali with my family, I can’t wait to experience the vibrant festivals in Sapporo.
Back in 2020, I dreamed of visiting Japan as a tourist and used anime to “travel” from home. Now, I have an incredible opportunity to build a new life and experience Japan as a local. I’m hopeful and ready for this new chapter!
FAST OFFER CAREER GUIDE: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning Japanese Through Anime
Many of our successful candidates who eventually landed job offers from Japanese companies started their Japanese language journey through anime. Long-running series like One Piece proved especially helpful, allowing them to pick up the language episode by episode.
While it’s no secret that anime language learning can be a fun and effective starting point, it’s important to be aware of its limitations. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for when using anime as a tool for learning Japanese.
Not Learning Keigo
Because anime often features informal or exaggerated language, learners who rely solely on it may unintentionally default to casual expressions. This can be problematic in professional settings, such as during job interviews, where using appropriate keigo (honorific language) is essential to show respect and professionalism. Many of our candidates found that enrolling in FAST OFFER International’s free Japanese classes helped bridge this gap. These classes not only build on what you’ve picked up from anime but also teach you how to correctly apply keigo in business contexts.
Relying Too Much On Subtitles
Subtitles can be a great tool for beginners learning Japanese through anime. In particular, Japanese subtitles are useful for building familiarity with katakana, hiragana, and kanji. However, relying on them for too long can be like never taking off your training wheels. Once you’ve gained some confidence with the language, challenge yourself by turning off the subtitles. This not only tests your understanding but also helps you get used to the natural speed and pronunciation of native speakers, better simulating real-life conversations.
Using Slang In Real-Life Conversations
Japanese slang picked up from anime can be tricky to apply in real-life conversations, especially if your exposure to Japanese culture is limited. Misusing slang can easily lead to misunderstandings or, worse, unintentionally offending someone. Before using slang, it’s important to understand the cultural context in which it’s appropriate. A great way to do this is by engaging with native speakers. Many of our candidates use apps like HelloTalk to connect with native Japanese speakers who can help you sound more natural and guide you on when and how to use slang appropriately.
Not Complementing Anime Language Learning With Written Practice
One major limitation of learning Japanese through anime is that it’s focused entirely on listening, which might tempt you to skip learning how to read and write. However, anime-based learning is most effective when paired with formal study of the writing systems of hiragana, katakana, and kanji. This well-rounded approach not only reinforces your understanding but also helps you recognize words and phrases when you encounter them in other real-world settings, like in business documents.
Adapting Your Favorite Character’s Way of Speaking
It’s easy to start mimicking your favorite anime character’s way of speaking after watching a lot of episodes. However, imitating overly dramatized expressions of words such as “kawaii” (cute), “sugoii” (amazing), or casually saying “baka” (idiot) can come off as awkward, or even rude, in real-life conversations, especially in professional settings. While it’s fine to admire your favorite characters, it’s important to develop your own natural speaking style that suits real-life communication, particularly in formal or business environments.
