Netflix Immersion: How to Immerse Yourself in Japanese Watching Anime, Dramas & Movies

If used correctly, Netflix can be one of the best Japanese language-learning tools on the planet. You can:

1. Choose from hundreds of Japanese-language TV shows and movies.

2. Watch many English movies and TV shows with Japanese subtitles.

3. Change the interface to Japanese.

Browse for Japanese-Language Shows & Movies

The easiest way to find Japanese-language content on Netflix is to simply type “Japanese” into the search field or browse within the following categories:

1. Japanese Movies

2. Japanese Dramas

3. Japanese TV Shows

4. Japanese Anime

Change Audio & Subtitle Settings

Many of the Japanese TV shows, movies, and anime series on Netflix support both Japanese and English audio and subtitles. If your interface is in English, the audio will default to English, which we don’t want. Regarding subtitles, you can watch with English subtitles, Japanese subtitles, or no subtitles depending on your level and learning goals (and what is available for each title).

Here’s how to change the audio and subtitle settings to fit your needs:

1. Click the Audio & Subtitles box in the lower right corner of the screen.

2. Select Japanese in the left Audio column.

3. Select English, Japanese [CC], or Off in the right Subtitles column.

Incidentally, the audio will default to Japanese if your interface is in Japanese. See Change the Netflix Interface to Japanese for detailed instructions.

Change the Netflix Interface to Japanese

One last little tip to squeeze out one last drop of Japanese learning juice from Netflix: change the interface language to Japanese. That way, you not only get useful Japanese input while watching movies or shows, but you also get highly contextual reading practice between the videos. Here’s how:

1. On the login page, click Manage Profiles.

2. Click the pencil icon on your profile image.

3. Click the Language dropdown and select 日本語.

4. Click Save.

5. Click Done.

Your Netflix interface will now be in Japanese. Woohoo!

A few tips and clarifications before you make the change to put you at ease:

• If you’re new to Netflix, it’s probably a good idea to use it in English first to get the hang of how to use the site or app.

• The change to the interface language only affects your profile. So don’t worry about freaking out your spouse, parents, children, roommates, or the colleagues freeloading on your Netflix account.

If you find that using Netflix in Japanese is too difficult for your current level, you can switch back to English as follows:

1. Go to the login screen and click プロフィールの管理 (Alternatively, you can hover over your profile photo in the upper right corner from within the main Netflix view and select プロファイルの管理).

2. Click the pencil icon on your profile image.

3. Click the 言語 dropdown and select English.

4. Click 保存.

5. Click 完了.

Your Netflix interface will now be back in English.

Recommended Japanese Shows & Movies on Netflix

Netflix has tons of Japanese-language television shows and movies to choose from (which you can browse following the instruction above under Browse for Japanese-Language Shows & Movies), but here are five of my favorites to help whet your pallet. Note that you will need to have a Netflix account and be logged in to access the links below.

Aggretsuko

Genre: Comedy | Release Date: 2019 | IMBD Rating: 8.0/10

Aggretsuko, or Aguresshibu Retsuko (アグレッシブ烈子, “Aggressive Retsuko”), is a popular new Netflix Original anime centered around the life of Retsuko, an under-appreciated and overworked office worker who self medicates with death metal karaoke. Oh, and all of the characters in the show are animated animals…

Samurai Gourmet

Genre: Comedy | Release Date: 2017 | IMBD Rating: 8.1/10

Given its silly title, I nearly skipped over Samurai Gourmet, or Nobushi no Gurume (野武士のグルメ). But now that I’ve watched a few episodes, I must admit that it’s one of my new favorites. The show follows KASUMI Takeshi (香住武), a recently retired “salary man” who now uses his ample free time to eat and drink to his heart’s delight. In each episode, he struggles with a certain cultural faux pas, which he overcomes with the help of his new inner persona, a masterless samurai who lives life on his own terms. Just be careful not to watch with an empty stomach as the show’s parade of food porn will likely lead to an empty fridge and pantry!

Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Genre: Drama | Release Date: 2019 | IMBD Rating: 8.6/10

Midnight Diner, or Shin-ya Shoku-dou (深夜食堂) in Japanese, revolves around the stories of patrons who visit a 12-seat late-night diner in Shinjuku open from midnight to 7 am. The proprietor, known only as ma-su-taa (マスター, “Master,” a common title for chefs in Japan), has a simple menu with only a few items. However, his policy is to cook any dish requested if he has the ingredients on hand. Each episode is titled after this customer-requested food, and the culinary context is tied to various joys, nostalgic yearnings, or painful memories experienced by the guest.

The Ingenuity of the Househusband

Genre: Comedy | Release Date: 2021 | IMBD Rating: 6.7/10

The Ingenuity of the Househusband is a live-action adaptation of the manga and anime The Way of the Househusband, or Gokushufudō (極主夫道, lit. "Extreme Way of the Househusband"). The show stars TSUDA Kenjirō (津田健次郎) as himself, who voiced the character Tatsu (龍) in the anime version. Each episode is a short vignette (3 to 6 minutes) centered around a household task or chore that Kenjirō tackles with extreme care and fastidiousness (and plenty of comedic relief).

Japanese Style Originator

Genre: Talk-Show | Release Date: 2008 | IMBD Rating: 8.0/10

Each episode of Japanese Style Originator, or Wafū Sōhonke (和風総本家), is centered around a Japanese cultural icon (e.g. tempura, tea, tofu, temples, gardens, etc.), with quizzes on proper etiquette, historical trivia, etc. Don’t worry if you don’t do very well on the kentei (検定, “proficiency tests”); neither do most of the show’s Japanese panelists! I especially like the segments in which they highlight a traditional Japanese shokunin (職人, “artisan” or “craftsman”).

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Genre: Documentary | Release Date: 2011 | IMBD Rating: 7.8/10

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is one of my all-time favorite documentaries in any language (it just so happens to be in Japanese). The film, directed by David Gelb, centers on ONO Jirō (小野二郎), an 85-year-old sushi master, and his two sushi chef sons, Yoshikazu (禎一) and Takashi (隆士). Jirō is the owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro (すきやばし次郎), a 10-seat, reservation-only sushi restaurant with three Michelin stars, which is located in a Tokyo subway station!

Terrace House

Genre: Reality-TV | Release Date: 2015-16 | IMBD Rating: 7.4/10

Terrace House (テラスハウス) is an unscripted TV show that follows the lives of six strangers (three men and three women) who live together in a house outfitted with dozens of cameras that run 24 hours a day. I don’t usually care for so-called “reality TV,” but Terrace House fortunately avoids much of the manufactured drama found in most American shows in the same genre.

In This Corner of the World

Genre: Animation, Historical Drama | Release Date: 2016 | IMBD Rating: 7.8/10

In This Corner of the World, or Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni (この世界の片隅に), is an animated film based on a manga of the same name. The movie’s main character, Suzu (すず), is a kind-hearted young woman who does her best to make ends meet and overcome the domestic difficulties of life during World War II.

Do you use other streaming services, too?

Check out my Japanese immersion posts for:

• Amazon Prime Video

• Disney+

• Hulu

• HBO Max

Hungry for more Japanese resources?

My book Master Japanese: How to Learn Japanese Anywhere in the World shows you exactly how to learn Japanese using my Anywhere Immersion Method, and includes hundreds of John-tested, John-approved Japanese learning resources.