February 2024 Issue

As I delved into the world of anime during the previous season, a peculiar observation caught my attention: nearly every anime I watched boasted remarkable opening or ending theme songs, sometimes both. This anomaly sparked an idea in my mind as I pondered the melodies resonating in my ears. A sudden surge of inspiration prompted me to undertake a task: the ranking of anime openings and endings I had encountered. To make it more inclusive, I decided to extend my list to include every single anime from the Fall of 2023.

So, there I sat, immersing myself in the melodies of around 160 songs repeatedly, aiming to identify the 10 songs that truly captivated me—songs that unquestionably deserved a place on my playlist.

For this list, I selected opening and ending soundtracks only from anime parts or seasons categorized as Fall 2023 releases on AnimePlanet, excluding those from previous seasons. This means no entries like ‘SPECIALZ’ (from Jujutsu Kaisen S2) or ‘Highest’ (from The Eminence In Shadow). However, the list may include songs released in Winter 2024, as long as the anime is classified as a Fall 2023 release.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive into the list (the headings are linked to their respective YouTube videos):

10. JUNGLE FIRE ft. Motsu - Yuu Serizawa

Jungle Fire is a catchy song from the anime ‘MF Ghost’, a sequel to Initial D. It is no wonder, then, that listening to this song invokes a strong sense of ‘Deja Vu’ (it bears resemblance to the famous Initial D song titled ‘Deja Vu’). The song even features a brief appearance by the rapper behind several Initial D soundtracks, Motsu.

9. "Forira" - ClariS

From the second season of the anime ‘Girlfriend, Girlfriend’, "Forira'' stands out with its unusual chord progression and unique sound effects for an anime ending. While the vocals are outstanding, it's the background music and sound effects that secure this song's place on the list.

8. "RED" - SiM

Fighting anime and metal music go hand in hand, and this song further strengthens that stance. This headbanger, the opening soundtrack for ‘Kengan Ashura’s second season, goes very hard, and it goes even harder with the opening animation that seems to suit it perfectly. The ending soundtrack of this anime, ‘Shambles’ by Band-Maid, is almost as good as this one.

7. "Graceful World" - Saori Hayami

It sounds like a generic anime ending. It sounds like a generic anime ending… and yet… there's something magical about it. The voice behind this song exudes a remarkable soothing quality, and it's no surprise why. Saori Hayami, the voice actress for the female lead in ‘I'm Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness,’ and also the voice of Yor Forger, graces this soundtrack with her vocals. Yor has a voice that could lull you to sleep (and a profession that could put you to sleep, forever, but that’s a story for another day). I’d even go as far as to say this one’s the best song this season as far as the vocals are concerned.

Wildcard Entry: "Kyou no Ending wa Watashi ga Kaitotta kara Suki ni Shite Ii wa yo ne ♡" by Sumire Uesaka

This special ending track from episode 11 of 'Kimi No Koto Ga Daidaidaidaidaisuki na Hyaku-nin No Kanojo' (or Hyakkano) puts the 'wild' in the 'wildcard entry', in the sense that it’s outrageous. I added this song to my playlist recently, but every time this track comes around, some parts leave me wondering what I’m even listening to. The background score is amazing, and the song has phases that could rival JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure soundtracks, but it also has moments that could out-bizarre JoJo’s adventures. This is the only soundtrack on this list that I couldn’t rank, no matter how hard I tried, so I decided to label it as a wildcard entry, although it could honestly fit in anywhere on this list.

6. "Hyper" - Kroi

The sixth entry on our list, hailing from the anime 'Under Ninja', immediately captivates with its intriguing fusion of instruments and vocals. This dynamic introduction sets the stage for a compelling build-up, marked by an easily memorable instrumental pattern and solid vocals. In a way, it feels like the vocals are providing the background for the instrumentals, and not the other way round. The hook, too, effectively carries the momentum from the preceding build-up. In essence, this track showcases a sophisticated interplay of vocals and instrumentation, earning it a well-deserved spot as a standout piece on the list.

5. "Hana ni Natte" - Ryokuoushoku Shakai

‘The Apothecary Diaries’, one of the best Fall 2023 anime, has an opening soundtrack to match, delivering a consistently fresh and distinct feel. The hook, characterized by clear vocals and vibrant tones, serves as the perfect finishing touch, elevating this opening to greater heights than it already achieves.

4. "Queen of the Night" - KanoeRana

This track may initially leave behind the impression of an average anime ending, but this piece does everything perfectly. The vocals behind the song are a perfect fit for the background music. Most songs have either vocals or accompaniment bringing more to the song than the other, but in this one, both are equally great, and their combination is perfectly balanced (as all things should be). It is, then, no surprise that this song, from ‘Tearmoon Empire,’ makes it onto this list.

3. "Daidaidaidai Daisuki na Kimi e♡" - Kaede Hondo, Miyu Tomita, Maria Naganawa, Asami Seto, Ayaka Asai

This song, the opening soundtrack for ‘Hyakkano,’ seems chaotic upon first listen. On diving deeper, however, one can find beauty underneath the chaos, making this a perfect fit for the anime. The vivid orchestral ensemble serving as the background music, and the distinct vocals by the voice actresses, are all unique in their way. You’d expect a completely chaotic listen by bringing these distinct pieces together, but somehow, this soundtrack masterfully holds all these elements together, exactly how the anime was able to maintain an orderly disorder. However, if you find that such chaos is not for you, fret not; for there are less chaotic versions, with just a single voice behind the vocals. (I recommend the Asami Seto/Eiai Nano version.)

2. "ZOOM ZOOM" - aespa

I know nothing about Beyblade X, but I do know that this ending soundtrack from the anime is very catchy. Usually, I tend to find Japanese songs trying to include fancy terms in English cringe (their English ain’t Englishing), but this one’s an exception. I have no idea what the lyrics are trying to say, but the song goes hard, so all is forgiven.

Honorable Mentions:

Here are the Fall 2023 songs that just missed out on earning a top 10 spot, ranked:

1. 11. "Koi! Koi Koi" - Akari Kito, Mai Kanazawa, Chitose Morinaga, Yu-ri Yoshida (After-School Hanako-kun)
2. 12. "SIN" - MADKID (The Rising of the Shield Hero S3)
3. 13. "Red Liberation" - fripSide (The Vexations of a Shut-in Vampire Princess)
4. 14. "Shambles" - BAND-MAID (Kengan Ashura S2)
5. 15. "Dramatic ni Koi Shitai" - Hikari Kodama (Girlfriend, Girlfriend S2)
6. 16. "Sweet Sign" - Nako Misaki (The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You)
7. 17. "Hope" - Yuuma Uchida (Dead Mount Death Play P2)
8. 18. "Kura Kura" - Ado (Spy X Family S2)
9. 19. "Danger Danger" - FZMZ ft. icy (Shangri-La Frontier)
10. 20. "Scrap Art" - Inori Minase (Dead Mount Death Play P2)
11. 21. "Yuusha" - YOASOBI (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)
12. 22. "Lilac Melody" - Aina Suzuki (The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent S2)
13. 23. "Prove" - ONE OK ROCK (Beyblade X)
14. 24. "salvia" - Nornis (Good Night World)
15. 25. "6 wo Naderu" - Momosu Momosu (A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special)

1. "R.I.P." by ReoNa (Ver β)

When I was listening to the first version of this ending from Arknights: Perish in Frost, I was already certain that this was going to be on this list. However, I felt that the song was lacking something, and it could do with a heavier build-up to the final verse. Enter the beta version, which possessed everything the alpha version needed: a heavy buildup, and louder, clearer vocals with it. I had second thoughts when it came to every other song on the list and had to listen to them a few times to come to a decision, but I knew from my first listen that this song by ReoNa was going to be number one, without a shadow of a doubt.

And there you have it – the top 10 (+15) anime songs of the Fall 2023 season. Keep in mind that this list is crafted from my perspective. Feel free to share if you believe any remarkable song didn't make the cut (although that's probably only because there are at least 25 more outstanding tracks).

Visual Novels: Interactive Storytelling

I suppose it is time to write an article about an extremely niche topic that almost no one has heard of and definitely no one has asked for - Visual Novels. Why yes, dear reader, it may be surprising to you, but there are more elusive forms of Japanese content than anime, manga, and even doujins.

Before delving into the topic, let me first explain what a Visual Novel even is. Most casual anime watchers may be unfamiliar with the concept, which is quite a shame. If done well, it is an extremely compelling medium with much to offer through its unique style of storytelling. A Visual Novel is an interactive video game that relies on images and text to narrate a story. The ‘Gameplay’ tends to be limited to a few choices that the player can make to alter the story's path, leading to different story ‘routes’. So, think of it as a branching novel or movie, with different endings and outcomes based on the player’s decisions. The first-person style of storytelling and choice system leads to greater immersion in the story. This unique style of storytelling has produced many hidden gems which have acquired the status of cult classics in the West.

Challenges in Adapting

I hope you have gotten a basic understanding of what a Visual Novel is (if not, I would recommend you to watch this YouTube video A Beginner's Guide to Visual Novels).

Let’s dissect the problem of anime adaptation of Visual Novels. Let’s start with the obvious issue first: Anime and Visual Novels are two vastly different media, oftentimes conflicting in nature, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Visual Novels are usually much longer than your average anime (some spanning over 100+ hours of gameplay) and are extremely text-heavy. This extended format allows for far more creative freedom to develop the story and characters. Condensing this into a 4 to 20 (in rare cases) hour-long anime wrecks the pacing and forces content to get cut out. Also, storytelling in anime tends to be based more on visuals than dialogue, so the original nuance and message of a Visual Novel may be lost in its adaptation.

A common thread connecting most Visual Novels is that they are in First-person perspective (prime self-insert material). These inner monologues play an integral role in forming the protagonist’s character, but I am sure you realize how difficult it will be to adapt that to anime form. Some series find creative alternatives to this, as you will see in later segments. But most ignore it completely, creating shallow cardboard cutouts of the characters. The power of Visual Novels lies in the gradual culmination of small interactions that build character dynamics and plot threads. Rushing through this creates a less satisfying and inferior product.

Underwhelming Adaptations

And don’t just take my word on the fact that adaptations are bad; let’s turn to the most reliable and unbiased source of anime reviews on the internet, MyAnimeList. Here’s a list of extremely popular and critically acclaimed Visual Novels that have received an anime adaptation with scores below 7: ChaoS;HEAd, Dies Irae, Tsukihime, Muv-Luv Alternative, Ace Attorney, Umineko, and the list goes on. Even shows with a score greater than 7 leave much to be desired; Grisaia no Kajitsu is a rushed adaptation of a 50+ hour-long Visual novel into 13 episodes. Despite the Visual Novel being very popular, especially in the West, the anime ruined itself by attempting to cram all the content into a mere 13 episodes. This leads to lackluster character development and less impactful scenes as compared to the Visual Novel. This anime serves as a prime example of a show that, despite its potential, diminishes itself into a mere advertisement of the original Visual Novel.

The Japanese, known for their efficiency, decided to do something similar with Danganronpa. It, too, suffers from the fate of having 30 hours of content crammed into 12 episodes. It prioritizes the main storyline over character development, because who cares about characters, right? They are just background props for the story anyway. This weak characterization made character interactions feel inauthentic and forced for the sake of plot progression, ultimately leaving a lot of viewers dissatisfied.

White Album 2 was a great adaptation with solid character development and a compelling plotline, as reflected by its scores. But, it only covers the Introductory Chapter (first 1/3rd, and arguably the weaker section) of the Visual Novel and ends up serving solely as a promotion tool for the Visual Novel.

A popular joke in the Fate/Stay Night community is that Saber’s route in the Visual Novel had never been adapted because of how infamously bad studio DEEN’s adaptation was.

For a brief comparison, let's compare this with another database site, Anime-Planet. Anime-Planet has marked 364 anime adaptations to be based on a visual novel, of which only 20 have a score above 8/10, which is the baseline standard for a good show. As you can see, there is no shortage of shows to scoff at, so let’s move on from this topic before I end up spending ten pages venting about these adaptations.

Pitfalls of the Anime Industry

Despite there being some great adaptations like Steins;Gate, Clannad, Fate/Stay Night UBW, and Heaven’s Feel, the majority struggle to deliver a satisfactory show. Why is this so? If a handful of shows are capable of producing high-quality adaptations, it seems reasonable to expect others to do the same. That would be true if we lived in a utopian society, but sadly, that isn’t the case. Reality hits us with a few roadblocks: money and manpower. When making an anime, various factors are considered when deciding on the direction of the adaptation, one of the major ones being the target audience. Visual Novel adaptations usually target people familiar with the game who know what they are watching. The fast-paced nature and omission of plot threads may confuse newcomers to the show. But for people who already know the plot, there is some enjoyment in seeing characters they love brought to life in the anime format. These adaptations also prioritize showcasing flashy fight sequences and major story events quickly so as to grab the viewer’s attention and expect them to fill in the blank spaces. They do this while sacrificing the gradual development of characters, which is a central aspect in most Visual Novels.

Another common theme among most adaptations is that they act as a promotional medium for their original work, rather than being a standalone piece of media. This can also be noticed in manga and Light Novel adaptations, but it is a much more acute issue in this case. Studios create flashy shows to entice people to play the Visual Novel and boost series sales, but in the process, they often end up producing a mediocre show, which is not good as a standalone show.

Limitations of Creativity

Shows like Steins;Gate have used creative ways to overcome the barriers of Visual Novels by focusing on a linear storyline and properly fleshing out characters for the show's first ten episodes before moving the narrative forward. It kept some of Okabe’s more important monologues while also effectively using facial expressions and voices. These changes didn’t detract from the original but rather enhanced it and transformed it into a highly memorable series.

Another very popular adaptation, that uses an entirely different approach from Steins;Gate is the Fate Series. In this series, each route (three in the original Visual Novel) was given its own anime adaptation (Fate, Unlimited BladeWorks, Heaven’s Feel), giving each character enough time to develop in their respective arcs and making the story much more engaging and the conclusions more meaningful. Despite having some minor qualms about how Shirou’s character was dealt with (maybe another time), the UBW and HF adaptations are stellar, both in terms of action sequences and character interactions.

Creativity and a deep understanding of the original work are necessary to make adaptations of such caliber, and low-budget projects just aren’t up to the task. The primary aim of these shows is to quickly make an anime for airing and to increase sales of the original work. So, creative use of the strengths of the anime medium and analysis of what made the original work popular is largely ignored. If the studio can’t understand or capture the true essence of the Visual Novel, how can one expect it to be a good adaptation?

Conclusion

At present, most adaptations are used merely as flashy advertisements for the Visual Novel. It is reasonably effective at that task and helps bolster sales and promote the source work, but it leads to subpar (or just plain bad) anime. In the future, there is potential for change if studios and producers prioritize delivering quality shows over generating profits. However, this transformation seems as unlikely as NGNL S2, given the current emphasis on low-budget productions. While fans continue to hope for more faithful adaptations, only time will tell if these demands are ever met.

Introduction and History:

Hori-san to Miyamura-kun is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiroki Adachi, under the pseudonym Hero. It was self-published as a webcomic on Hero's website, Dokkai Ahen, from February 2007 to December 2011 in a four-panel format. Additional side-story chapters were compiled in fifteen volumes from July 2012 to July 2021 as Hori-san to Miyamura-kun Omake.

Hori-san to Miyamura-kun was adapted into an original video animation (OVA) series from September 2012 to May 2021. An anime television series adaptation of Horimiya produced by CloverWorks aired from January to April 2021. A live-action film and TV drama adaptation premiered in February 2021. A second anime series, titled Horimiya: The Missing Pieces (ホリミヤ -piece-), aired from July to September 2023.

Abstract of article:

In this article, I will take you on a journey through the show by highlighting and discussing the various shades of romance portrayed (yes, as the title suggests). Let’s a go! -Mario 1983.

Since the show is named Horimiya for Hori and Miyamura, it’s only natural to start from here.

The first episode of the anime series depicted how Horimiya met each other over a little “happenstance”, and is aptly “A Tiny Happenstance”. Souta, brother of Hori (FMC), got injured and was brought over by Miyamura, who looked astonishingly different compared to his appearance at school. Intrigued, Hori gets a glimpse into Miyamura’s hidden side while he witnesses Hori’s domestic life, which is unknown to others. Over time, they would meet in the evenings at the Hori household, and would gradually get comfortable with each other. They appreciated that they shared a side of themselves that they don’t share with anyone else, making them accomplices in a fun secret! As put by Hori, “It feels like this moment belongs to me and me only”. This was the primary motivation and beginning of their love story. It also fueled building a rapport where they could confidently ask each other random stuff. With this case done, I move on to the next shade.

Moving on from an unrequited crush

 - with Tooru Ishikawa and Akane Yanagi

Now, people don't always happen to get the response they desire from their crushes/love interests, and the author decided to put this early on in the show.

First, we have Tooru Ishikawa, who previously had a crush on Kyouko Hori but gave up on her when he discovered that Hori and Miyamura were in a (building) relationship. But would Tooru accept rejection just like that? No! He really underwent denial, depression and acceptance of the 5 stages of grief. The denial part was basically him trying to test whether Miyamura deserved Hori more than him, only to get the bitter truth, ultimately accepting it. But he was still hung up on his crush (until he found love later on). There is no moral I wish to show here; it’s just my intention to offer the standpoint of a person who has been denied his crush; the person would reject, angry, but soon accept and move on… otherwise, how is he to be happy? What is he to do?

Second, we have Akane Yanagi, who genuinely loved someone he never talked to. The person in question, Yuki Yoshikawa (a long-time friend of Tooru, about her later), didn’t know of Akane Yanagi because they were in different classes and loved another person. He’s an insanely beautiful guy. When Akane Yanagi confronted Yuki for a reply after confession, he found that Yuki was accompanied by another guy; he sensed Yuki’s emotions and asked if the person accompanying her was her boyfriend without needing Yuki to explain. Yuki says that he’s indeed her boyfriend. Upon hearing this, Yanagi doesn’t show any gestures of anger, sadness or frustration. He came as charming and calm as ever and maintained it even during the moment. He chooses to make it not awkward for Yuki and excuses himself.

Now, was Akane not in love with Yuki? Why did he leave immediately? Why did he make it easy for her to reject? Did he not feel any emotion after rejection? Did he abandon his love for her like it never happened?

Well, in my view: 1)He was in love with her, 2) he’s a polite and kind person, 3)he made it easy for her to reject him because he wished for the happiness of Yoshikawa (perhaps), 4)He loved her even after rejection, he accepted it in peace, but he was still hung up on her in secret.

In both cases, neither Tooru nor Akane is superior; both have their own ways of interacting with people and dealing with rejection. It’s a beautiful portrayal. Now, we explore the domain of love again.

Love is War

 - with Kaguya Shinomiya (Sama) and Miyuki Shirogane

 - with Yuki Yoshikawa and Kouno Sakura

Yuki Yoshikawa, a long-time friend of Tooru Ishikawa, falls in love with him. On a little incident of fate, Kouno Sakura, a girl from the student council, was mesmerised by Tooru Ishikawa. Both loved Tooru, but their way of approach is highly different.

Yuki Yoshikawa has an inferiority complex; she doesn’t believe she deserves what she wants. The more she wants something, the more she will hide that she wants it, and when the opportunity arises, she gets disappointed. This may seem childish, but there are people like Yoshikawa in our society as well (I can confirm, being one of them).

Kouno, on the other hand, adopts an indirect approach to get close to Tooru; for example, she often bakes cookies for Tooru and gives them to him. Kouno is shy like Yuki, but Kouno takes that extra step to muster courage and make her move. Seeing this, Yuki tried to learn baking for Tooru but didn’t want him to find out.

Eventually, after a turn of events, she gets close to Tooru. Tooru rejects Kouno after a brave confession. Yuki wonders if she is in the right, whether she deserves it or not. She points out how unfair it is for Kouno after everything she has done, as Yuki is kind and caring, and so is Kouno. But she doesn’t want to give up on Tooru; she doesn’t want to “give” him to her anymore; she internally apologises to Kouno, yet she doesn’t yield to Kouno. Yes, Kouno being rejected looks pretty wrong. Still, in anime, the relationship between Yuki and Tooru is also developed beautifully, making it all the more conflicting for the viewers to side with either Kouno or Yuki. However, I believe the author has framed it so that irrespective of the viewer’s side, it’s justified that Yuki got Tooru.

In this, we discuss how there’s always a war-like situation in love. Hinting at “Not wanting to give” and “I want him/her one way or another”.

A common way to love

 - with Sakura Kouno

Also, another shade of love covered in this love triangle is how Kouno’s love for Tooru develops. Initially, she’s interested in a person through first impressions, progressively getting a better opinion of them and eventually falling in love. Though I am exaggerating the events of anime here if I say so myself. This seems a flavourless yet peaceful means of falling in love. Still, for many people, this is how it happens, which is very natural and great.

I want to show you a piece of romance here. If you can afford to, I would like you to watch the after-opening scene in season 1, episode 8 of Horimiya, which is around 03:40 seconds into the video. But it’s fine if you don’t want to; I can’t expect people to do that just because an article told them to do so. Still, I thought I should mention it because it adds to the feeling with imagery, background music and delivery of lines. Instead, here’s the transcript.

I consider this portrayal a work of art. This paragraph describes something so indescribable indirectly! I cannot bring myself to spoil it by explanation. Hence, I beg thee to feel it.

Conclusion

With that, I have concluded my rounds covering the shades of love depicted in the series. I wanted to include a few honorable mentions like the bonds of siblings and bromance but midsems and the length of this article have compelled me to set aside the idea (for now). Hope you had a great read and a great month… Thank you.

In today's ever-evolving world, where pop culture reigns supreme, it's not just a form of entertainment; it's a dynamic field of study in education. Picture this: teachers are embracing inventive approaches to education, much like how some schools are using virtual reality to transport students to ancient history sites. They're utilizing graphic novels, turning classroom reading into an exciting adventure, and they're tapping into the compelling world of hip-hop and rap culture, despite its unconventional nature, much like the way museums are incorporating modern art into their exhibitions (Alim & Pennycook, 2007).

The intriguing part? These educational approaches are fostering connections among students based on their interests outside the classroom, much like how social media connects people worldwide. Now, let's step into the world of teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL). As it turns out, students who are fans of Japanese animation (anime) are more motivated to dive into the Japanese language (Abe, 2009; Fukunaga, 2006; Manion, 2005; William, 2006). And why not? Using anime in lessons can add a dynamic, creative, and fun twist, just as learning through hands-on experiences enhances understanding. Picture this: students actively watch, role-play, and engage in discussions, all while improving their Japanese language speaking skills and enhancing their critical thinking abilities.

But here's the kicker: while we're unlocking this educational treasure trove, the full potential of using anime in JFL classrooms remains untapped, much like the untapped potential of renewable energy sources. We're talking about a journey filled with uncharted territory. One challenge is the lack of a well-defined playbook for teachers (Furo, 2008), and this is where we step in. This article doesn't just point out the challenges; it presents a model to empower teachers with the tools they need to use anime effectively in JFL lessons.

Now, let's dive into the world of anime versus cartoons:

First things first, anime is not just another word for cartoons. It's a world of animation that goes beyond what you might expect. Anime serves up a diverse array of themes and emotions that have the power to captivate hearts worldwide, much like the impact of global literature. Picture this: it's a mainstream cultural phenomenon in Japan, just as traditional storytelling continues to captivate audiences. In essence, anime is the term for animation made in Japan, and it's a whole universe of its own (Dateline JETRO, 2005).

You know what's fascinating? Cartoons are more than just a source of entertainment; they're an effective tool to keep language learners on their toes, much like how travel experiences broaden horizons. They tap into the creative, right side of the brain, making lessons more engaging (Bahrani & Soltani, 2011). Just think of it as a breath of fresh air in the learning process, similar to what outdoor classes offer. It's all about interactive teaching and keeping the learners in the game, much like how team sports foster teamwork.

If we peek into the world of teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (ESL/EFL), we discover that using cartoons has worked wonders for students' language skills, much like how real-world immersion in a foreign country boosts language proficiency. It's a game-changer, and the potential of using anime as a teaching tool in JFL is something to be excited about.

So, let's talk about using anime in the JFL classroom:

When it comes to teaching a language, there are three main components: what you teach, how you teach it, and what students can do with it. It's a journey that starts with the basics and gradually leads to more advanced communication skills, much like how learning to play a musical instrument starts with scales and gradually leads to composing original music (Nunan, 1988).

Using anime as a teaching tool is an adventure in itself. It's not just about watching; it's about active watching, where students dive deep into scenes, make predictions, and discuss their observations, much like how scientific experiments are hands-on experiences. Imagine students teaming up, pausing the video to analyze dialogues, and discussing real-life situations. It's not just language learning; it's an immersive experience, much like how field trips turn learning into an adventure (Cakir, 2006).

The cherry on top? Teachers need clear criteria for selecting the right anime for the classroom. It's like picking the perfect movie for a special night, similar to how a chef selects the finest ingredients for a gourmet meal. This article introduces a framework to analyze anime, focusing on the story, language, and culture elements, creating a richer experience for both students and educators, much like how art experts analyze paintings.

To wrap it up, using pop culture, like anime, in education is like opening a treasure chest of engagement. It's a chance to make learning exciting and relevant, much like how finding a rare artifact adds depth to history. We've only scratched the surface of using anime in JFL teaching. This article is your invitation to the uncharted territories of using anime as a teaching tool in JFL. Ready to embark on this educational adventure, much like an explorer venturing into the unknown?

It’s time for you to take on a small puzzle; this time, it’s a match-the-column. So, why don’t you refresh your memory with this romance anime-themed challenge of matching some couples? The rules are simple: on the left side, you will find character images, and on the right side, you will find character names; your job is to match the couples and let them live happily ever after. Good Luck!!

	Image		Name
a.	Miyuki Shirogane	1.
b.	Rinko Yamada	2.
c.	Nia Teppelin	3.
d.	Shuu Ouma	4.
e.	Bam	5.
f.	Mine	6.
g.	Tomoya Aki	7.
h.	Hitagi Senjougahara	8.
i.	Yuu Koito	9.
j.	Kyotaro Ichikawa	10.