• Rainbounds
• Clash
• Stay by my side
• Kanashii Shirabe
• Friends Again
• Chocolate Soul Music
• Nothing's gonna change my world
• Zanzou to noise
• I will * My Will
• Amaoto ~ I wish you were here ~
• Go On

Going beyond polite Japanese the Japanese we sweated blood to learn in school is not easy. But with Beyond Polite Japanese it can be brought within the realm of possibility. And for those who want to read manga and watch anime in Japanese, this book is a must. Some readers may decide that this book is not comprehensive, and therefore think the less of it; but it is not meant to be comprehensive, but to present a rock-solid foundation of some of the most frequently used expressions in the language something to build upon. In fact, there is apparently no comprehensive dictionary of Japanese slang even in the Japanese language, much less in English. Other readers may think that the book is out-of-date; but it is not meant to be "up-to-date" in that sense, but timeless. It is perfectly possible to speak colloquial Japanese without using the most "up-to-date" expressions, but it is very difficult to speak colloquial Japanese, or even understand it, without know the expressions in this book.

In this issue, you'll read in about Nara, an Ancien Capital Reborn in this month's "Cool Japan," discover recent news about Japan's lifestyle with head lines such as "Female Worker Ratio Rises for Second Year," "Do Recent New Hires Favor Seniority or Performance," Learning Kanji though manga by "Using Small Phrases to Open a Big Horizon" Cross Cultural guides such as "Boundaries Not to Be Crossed"practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Written both in Japanese and English to help you improve your language skills. Also good for studying for the JLPT.

In this issue, you'll visit the eagerly anticipated Obon season, learn about Tottori Prefecture's Sakaiminato, a city that transformed itself into a famous tourist attraction known as the "City of Yookai" (famous from the classic anime Gegege no Kitaro), a study tour of Japan focusing on Gifu, quick tips into the Japanese language by "Using Small Phrases to Open a Big Horizon" focusing on the various uses of the term "Sou Desu Ka," a special feature discussing Seasonal Expressions in Japanese, current events in Japanese news with headlines "Unemployment improves to 9-year low," "Working Men's Pocket Money Up 3,300 yen," practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Written both in Japanese and English to help you improve your language skills. Also recommended for students of the JLPT too.

In this issue, you'll get hints for learning the difference between spoken and written Japanese, visit Tokyo Bay, use small phrases to open a big horizon, learn about bathroom customs in the 23rd episode of Cross-cultural communication, go on a study tour in the Akita prefecture, experience the Japanese culture through the eyes of a Chinese Graduate student and how she got interested in Japan, practice 1st Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Written both in Japanese and English to help you improve your language skills. Good for preparing for the JLPT, too.

In this issue, you'll read in about "Cool Japan" with a special focus on the recent boom of testers for the Japanese Proficiency test around the world. In NJ News, headlines include "Japanese Pupils Low on Motivation," "One in Four Fathers Lacks Interaction with Kids;" Learning Japanese through manga "Using Small Phrases to Open a Big Horizon;" Cross Cultural Gap Communication Guide regarding "Gifts and the Value Gap," a study tour of Kagoshima, practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Also good for passing the JLPT test, too.

In this issue, you'll get hints for learning the difference between spoken and written Japanese, visit Tokyo Bay, use small phrases to open a big horizon, learn about bathroom customs in the 23rd episode of Cross-cultural communication, go on a study tour in the Akita prefecture, experience the Japanese culture through the eyes of a Chinese Graduate student and how she got interested in Japan, practice 1st Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Written both in Japanese and English to help you improve your language skills. Also good for JLPT students.

In this issue, you'll read a quick an easy guide to keigo (formal and polite language), the "Kyoto International Manga Museum" in this month's "Cool Japan," discover recent news about Japan's lifestyle with head lines such as "Learning All Things that Japanese Know but Can't Find in the Dictionary," Learning Kanji though manga by "Using Small Phrases to Open a Big Horizon" Cross Cultural guides such as "Are you Picky or Lax about Your Time," practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Written both in Japanese and English to help you improve your language skills. Recommended for students of the JLPT, too.

These key terms encapsulate a system of behavior which often escapes a literal reading of the words or phrases, leaving non-Japanese none the wiser. In this book, experienced Japan had Boye Lafayette De Mente explains the current and historical nuances of 233 of the most important Japanese code words - arranged alphabetically from ageashi ("tripping on your own tongue") to zenrei ("breaking the molds of the past"). Together, these offer indispensible insights into the national character of one of the world's most intriguing societies.

This is an individual gashapon purchase of one magnet which is picked at random. Among the magnets that can be picked are Otomae Tofu, Kyoto Johnny Tofu, Yu-dofu (made in natural hot springs water), Johnny Green Tofu package, Johnny Brown, Kyoto Tofu, Otoko no Natto (fermented soybeans 'for men'), Johnny's Wharf figure, and a Norio figure. These enigmatic characters are basically mascots of the tofu producing company that aim to make tofu seem more 'rock-n-roll'. Fun to display or stick on your fridge and great conversation starters -- totally bizarre!

In this issue, you'll read in about Japanese Manners you should know and in "Cool Japan" with a special focus on one of the most famous sybols of Japan, the "Bento." In NJ News, headlines include "Wearable Robot's to Debut in the Home," "Japan Experiences Record-breaking Mild Winter," a Cross cultural communication guide regarding gifts and "Expectation Gaps," a study tour in Tokushima, practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Good for JLPT students, too.

In this issue, you'll read in Japanese about Japan's lifestyle which includes a special feature on what Foreigners have to say about living in Japan, "Cool Japan" talking about New Years, particularly the concept of sending Nengajyo (New Years Cards), current events in Japan such as bullying and violence against juveniles, practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Also good for studying for the JLPT.

The 15 lessons included here continue exactly from where the first book left you, chronologically following its numeration and gradually introducing more complex structures of the Japanese language. A new feature in this book is a set of "conversational lesson" with tons of vocabulary and useful phrases, which will be of great use when traveling in Japan. Another new feature is the "culture notes." which give valuable insight into the way things work in the land of the Rising Sun; since language is not only about words.

True, Japanese in Mangaland 2 is more challenging than its first counterpart. However, don't panic; the book manages to keep its basic philosophy of "learning while having fun." So read, learn, and have fun using manga as a motivational means, and not as an intimidating end!

A great way to learn about Japan, in both languages!

Jun Maeda has purposely written Practical Japanese for the tourist visiting Japan, although the book will undoubtedly prove its worth to anyone wanting to acquire a working knowledge of spoken Japanese in a short period of time. With approximately 350 essential words and 96 pages of practical conversational usage, this handy book provides the basics needed to converse in simple Japanese. Intended for beginners, the book concentrates only on key grammar and pronunciation points. Most of the 25 lessons include exercises that reinforce vocabulary items and grammatical structures. Phrases and sentences are recycled for long-term learning. Over 200 simple illustrations allow even beginners to express themselves. In short, Practical Japanese is an introduction to basic Japanese that is concise, simple, and useful from the very first page.

Jun Maeda was born in Tokyo and graduated from Keio University. Her very popular Practical Japanese has been reprinted more than forty times.

Recommeded Level: Intermediate or those looking to tale Level 2 of the JLPT, not recommended for beginners as there is no romaji and requires the ability to read katakana, hiragana, and JLPT Level 2 kanji.

In this issue, you'll get hints for Japanese Listening Comprehension, Visit a castle in Oshiro for the Cool Japan Section, delve into current issues in Japan with titles such as "Japan's Working-age Population Shrinking Fastest, Japanese passive about interacting with foreigners, an interesting article in cross cultural communication in regards to what comes first yourself or your work, a study tour of Japan (this time in Shizuoka), practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Written both in Japanese and English to help you improve your language skills. Good for studying for the JLPT, too.

In this issue, you'll read in Japanese a special feature on Seasonal Expressions in Japanese, "Cool Japan" with a special focus on special bargains at Japan's "Flea Market." In NJ News, headlines include "Half of New Adults Underwent Bullying, "Marriages to Foreigners Increase by Tenfold in 30 years," a study tour of Japan in the northern most section of the island of Honshuu, Aomori (known for their apples), practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

In this issue, you'll read in Japanese a special feature on Seasonal Expressions in Japanese, "Cool Japan" with a special focus on "Entrance Exams Prayers and Superstitions", "Modern Life from A to Z" listening exercises focusing on health care, a study tour of Japan in Shag, practice 2nd Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Also good for studying for the JLPT test.

In this issues special feature showcases Seasonal Expressions in Japanese, in Cool Japan a visit at the Railway Museum, making news are headlines "Record number of foreign students staying in Japan to work," " 20 somethings preferring a low key lifestyle," and "Youths turn to their cell phones as dictionaries," in Gender Japanese, you'll learn about the term Kunshi a study tour in Fukushima, practice 1st Level grammar and listening for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test; and much more! Written both in Japanese and English to help you improve your language skills. Good for the JLPT, too.

This edition focuses on the cultural aspects of Japan that one will experience throughout the well defined four seasons, which include New Years Day celebration, summer fireworks festivals, Sakura viewing and more. With countless tidbits that you'll learn in each comic strip, you'll be sure to chuckle at the whimsical antics at the characters that everyone will enjoy. Dennis Recommends!

Whether they're giddy or grumpy, confident or confused - or something in between - these cuties always manage to put on their best faces. And while they're at it, they'll teach you how to speak a little Japanese, too.

So find yourself a quite, comfy place, kick back, and let Manga Moods lift your spirits!

About this software product: This is a standard Nintendo DS software cartridge made for the Japanese market. It is compatible with DS hardware (the original DS, DS Lite and the new DSi) from around the world. Note that the game itself and game manual are in Japanese. The game is in Japanese using easy kanji, so some language ability or a game guide are recommended.

My Japanese Coach is an installment in the My Coach series from UbiSoft series that teaches the basic pronunciations unique to the Japanese language. This convenient and easy-to-use tutor allows users to compare their pronunciation to that of native speakers via the Nintendo DS's microphone. It also lets you use the DS stylus to practice writing Japanese Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji characters.

My Japanese Coach takes you on a virtual tour of Japan while you're learning the language. Lesson plans take place in a wide array of Japanese locations, from the densest of population centers like Tokyo, to the idyllic Japanese country side. You actually get to explore Japan while you learn new vocabulary as you open each point of interest.

Learn From a Master Meet Haruka, the in-game digital sensei, or teacher, that exists solely for the purpose of teaching you Japanese. After giving you a small placement-style test, Haruka will get you started working through the various stages of your lessons. Gaining mastery points by playing the various learning games allow you to clear each level. Once you master all the words given in a specific level, you move on to the next level.

As you work your way through over a 1,000 lessons, your language skills are constantly tested and sharpened by various mini games. My Japanese Coach includes 12 types of mini games, ranging from Flash Cards, in which you hear a word and have seconds to choose the correct English translation, to Bridge Builder, where you are required to string words together in the correct order to create a complete sentence. And with mini-games that add a clever twist to classic favorites--like Memory that forces you to match the same words in two different languages--you will be sure to have fun while you learn.

My Japanese Coach also features a built-in dictionary and phrase book that includes over 12,000 words and hundreds of useful everyday phrases.