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You start learning Japanese, you’re pumped up, you make a study schedule… and two months later, your textbook is collecting dust, Anki notifications are haunting your dreams, and you’re wondering why you’re still stuck at “This is a pen.”

Sound familiar? In this very first episode of Like My Anime, we’re diving into why motivation fades—and what actually keeps you moving forward when the novelty wears off. Spoiler: Motivation isn’t the problem. It’s how you build habits, deal with de-motivation, and make language learning sustainable (and fun) that matters.

I’ll also introduce myself, share how my own struggles with Japanese (and my wife’s experience learning English) shaped how I think about language learning, and give you practical tips to help you break through slumps and plateaus.

🎙️ What’s inside:

• Why motivation doesn’t last—and why that’s normal
• The hidden ways de-motivation sneaks in and stops your progress
• Real, actionable strategies to help you enjoy the learning process
• How cultural expectations, ADHD, and perfectionism mess with our learning
• What to expect from this podcast going forward

Plus, at the end of the episode, I’ll share three anime and manga picks that are great for language learners:

1. Hot Spot (ホットスポット) – A quirky workplace comedy about an alien at a small-town hotel.
2. Look Back (ルックバック) – A heartfelt one-shot manga and anime film about ambition and loss.
3. The Apothecary Diaries (薬屋のひとりごと) – A palace mystery series full of snark and subtle language learning gems.

⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - Intro & Why You’re Struggling
• 00:01:00 - Who I Am & What This Podcast Is About
• 00:03:21 - Why Motivation Fails Us
• 00:05:39 - How De-Motivation Creeps In
• 00:10:50 - Real-World Strategies to Reignite Your Motivation
• 00:17:11 - Japanese Media Recommendations
• 00:24:24 - Wrap-Up & How to Support the Show

If you’ve ever felt frustrated, burned out, or like you’ll never reach fluency—this episode is for you.

Hit subscribe, leave a rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and check out the show notes on Like My Anime for more tips, linguistics insights, and Japanese media recommendations made for learners.

Language learning doesn’t have to suck—you just need the right mindset and the right media.

おつかれさま！

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Thanks for listening to Like My Anime!
If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to subscribe, share it with a fellow language nerd, or leave a review — it helps more people find the podcast (and keeps me rambling about Japanese and anime).

Get bonus content and media reviews from a learner's perspective:
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Watch episodes & extra content (eventually) on YouTube:
🔗 Like My Anime YouTube Channel

More from me:
🔗 Medium Articles on Language Learning & Linguistics

Music: SUMMER TRIANGLE by Sharou