Before You Start Reading

Before you begin reading, assess and build your readiness. Key areas to focus on are outlined below: mastering Japanese writing systems, building vocabulary, and getting familiar with basic grammar.

Mastering Japanese Writing Systems

Reading native Japanese material means engaging with three writing systems: ひらがな (hiragana), カタカナ (katakana), and 漢字 (kanji). Here’s what you need to know about each.

ひらがな (Hiragana)

Hiragana is the foundation of reading Japanese, and fluency in it is essential for reading anything in Japanese. Most text in the easier manga will either be in hiragana or include hiragana readings (ふりがな) for kanji. If you struggle to read hiragana quickly, you may find you're spending too much time just trying trying to recognize individual letters. Spend time practicing hiragana recognition to ensure you can read it without hesitation.

カタカナ (Katakana)

Katakana is often used for loanwords, but it’s also common in native Japanese words and stylistic choices by authors. For example, the Japanese word だめ (meaning “no good”) is frequently written as ダメ in katakana, and 学校 (school, normally がっこう in kanji) might appear as ガッコ. Ensure you’re comfortable reading katakana, as it appears regularly in manga.

漢字 (Kanji)

Kanji recognition is generally not required when reading manga with ふりがな (furigana), which provides hiragana readings alongside kanji. However, familiarizing yourself with common kanji, such as 先生 (せんせい, teacher), can enhance your reading experience. Tools like WaniKani, which introduces kanji like 先 and 生 by level 4, can help you start learning kanji during the pre-club period.

Building Vocabulary

A solid vocabulary foundation makes reading native material less daunting. Encountering unknown words can slow you down, so spend a few weeks expanding your word bank. If the series you're planning to read is on Manga Kotoba, prioritize learning the highest frequency words.

To learn vocabulary effectively:

  • Write down a few words and their meanings daily.
  • Use Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS) like Anki (free) or Kitsun (subscription) to reinforce recognition. Focus on recognizing the meaning from the hiragana, as this is sufficient for your first read.
  • Understand that familiarity takes time. Repeated exposure during reading will help words stick.

Learning Basic Grammar

A grammar knowledge equivalent to JLPT N5 (the lowest level) is recommended before starting reaeding. While you can begin with minimal grammar, it will be extremely challenging without some foundation. Aim for exposure to basic grammar rather than mastery. A shallow understanding across a broad range of topics will help you recognize grammar in context, even if you don’t fully understand it yet.

Grammar Study Plan

Over four weeks, aim to cover one grammar topic every one to two days. Here are some recommended resources:

If a resource doesn’t suit you, try another, but give each a fair chance before switching. This approach will give you a fighting chance when reading begins, even if it doesn’t make the process easy.

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