The Power of Frequency

Want to learn half a manga’s words fast? Focus on its top 10-15% unique vocabulary.

Starting to Read

A small vocabulary slows reading. You’ll need to look up many words often.

You might consider learning many words before you start reading. This has downsides:

• You forget words without seeing them in context. Reading helps with this.
• The words you learn may not match your reading material.

Non-targeted Learning with Core 2K and Core 6K

Many Japanese learners use Core 2K and Core 6K flashcard decks for common vocabulary. Teaching 2,000 and 6,000 words, these decks build a broad vocabulary. They’re great for speaking or enjoying various Japanese media.

But for your first manga, they’re inefficient. You’ll learn many words that don’t appear in most manga.

Here’s the percentage of vocabulary you’d know from various manga first volumes after completing Core 2K or Core 6K:

Series	Core 2K	Core 6K
ちいさな森のオオカミちゃん	62%	75%
レンタルおにいちゃん	57%	73%
からかい上手の高木さん	51%	70%
三ツ星カラーズ	48%	64%
よつばと！	48%	59%
orange	57%	71%
名探偵コナン	49%	67%
ハヤテのごとく！	50%	67%

With Core 2K, a deck consisting of 2,000 words, you know about half the words. Core 6K, with an additional 4,000 words, adds little more. For your first Japanese reading, this takes too much time for too little gain.

Targeted Learning with Frequency Lists

Learn words specific to your manga. For an easy manga, 500 words can cover 85% of the vocabulary. About 800 words reach 95%.

See how many words you need for 85% and 95% recognition from the same manga first volumes:

Series	85%	95%	100%
ちいさな森のオオカミちゃん	340	500	580
レンタルおにいちゃん	410	600	700
からかい上手の高木さん	480	720	840
三ツ星カラーズ	510	765	890
よつばと！	565	820	950
orange	500	870	1,060
名探偵コナン	720	1,270	1,565
ハヤテのごとく！	1,025	1,765	2,140

Focus on frequent words in your manga. You’ll progress faster. After learning one manga volume’s words, you’re set for the series. This also helps with similar manga.