Latest Posts
Debunking Common Misconceptions About Visual Novels
You’ve probably heard terms like “dating sim” or “eroge” (short for “erotic game”). And, unless you’re already deep into otaku culture, these sound like genres you would probably like to keep your distance from. These sound like games that would only be played by lonely men who can’t hope to find a romantic partner in the real world, right?
11/14/2025
5 Reasons Visual Novels Will Boost Your Japanese Proficiency
You’ve probably cleared the intermediate hurdle, and now you’re looking forward to reading native Japanese material. When you seek out content that gives you the depth of a full book, you should be looking at Visual Novels.
11/14/2025
The Problem with Reading Japanese Children’s Books
As someone with a child, I have read more than my fair share of children’s books in Japanese. Just to give you an idea, I stopped counting when we had read over 300 books together. These books cover the entire range, from the most basic picture books with one word per page to mini novels made for young elementary schoolers. And don’t get me wrong—I love reading kids' books.
11/14/2025
Review: Takopi’s Original Sin (タコピーの原罪)
WARNING: SPOILERS
11/13/2025
My 5 Picks: Reading Your First Japanese Novel
So, you've gotten kinda good at Japanese and you're thinking that it might be time to read your first novel. Brilliant.
11/13/2025
Why I Recommend the Kindle App for Japanese Learners
I love physical books as much as anybody—probably more, considering the hundreds of physical books I’ve actually bought over the years. So when I tell you to ditch the paper for digital, it's not because I've suddenly gone minimalist or because Amazon is paying me (they aren't, but they probably should be).
11/13/2025
Book Review: Tsuchi ka Kemuri ka Kuimono
A high-octane crime thriller centered on Shiro, an irresistibly charismatic yet utterly unhinged protagonist from Maijo Otaro. This review dives into the sheer momentum and dark humor that eschew literary depth, making this novel a unique, must-read rollercoaster ride.
11/11/2025
The Manga Taishou 2025: The 10 New Manga Bookstore Staff Want You to Read
When it comes to discovering truly great, emerging manga titles, I highly recommend checking out the titles chosen by the annual Manga Taishou (Manga Grand Prize).
11/11/2025
5 Reasons You Should Read Natsume Souseki in 2025
In Japan, the undisputed father of modern Japanese literature is Natsume Souseki. But is it worth it for you, a Japanese learner, to attempt to tackle Souseki? In this post, I’m here to tell you why you absolutely should be reading Natsume Souseki as a Japanese learner in 2025 (and beyond).
11/6/2025