I’m Resetting My Japanese Learning Journey

I was born and raised in Morocco. One of the qualities Moroccans take great pride in is our ability to speak multiple languages. Personally, my native language is the Moroccan Arabic dialect, known as Darija. I also learned Modern Standard Arabic, French, and English in school.

However, that wasn’t enough for me. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of learning another language—one that felt more challenging and different from the ones I already knew. That’s when I decided to learn an Asian language.

The big question was: “Which one should I choose? Chinese? Korean? Or maybe Japanese?”

How Anime Shaped My Interest in Japan and the Japanese Language

Like many kids, I grew up watching anime, though I didn’t realize at the time that it was Japanese. I vividly remember being in elementary school, eagerly waiting for the bell to ring so I could race home to watch my favorite show, Digimon Adventure.

The show was dubbed in Arabic, and I knew nothing about Japan back then. Yet, somehow, I began to absorb and adopt certain Japanese values. For instance, I recall an episode of Digimon Adventure 02 where Iori Hida was at school. His teacher told him he didn’t have to finish all of his food if he was full. Iori replied, “No, we shouldn’t waste food.”

That wasn’t the first time I had heard those words. My mother and aunts had always encouraged me to finish my food, but I never really gave it much thought. However, in that moment, Iori’s words stuck with me, and since then, I’ve been more intentional about reducing my food waste.

Watching anime was more than just entertainment for me; it was also an escape. Growing up in a very dysfunctional household, anime helped me cope with the challenges I faced as a kid and teenager.

I would lose myself in Ash’s adventures in Pokémon, try to solve the intricate cases in Detective Conan, or imagine being a racer in Bakusō Kyōdai Let’s & Go. Sometimes I’d picture myself as a fighter in Dragon Ball Z or even a member of the Zoldyck family in Hunter x Hunter.

These stories weren’t just shows—they were a place to dream and a way to hold on to sanity amidst the chaos.

That’s one of the reasons I chose to learn Japanese. I’m deeply grateful to Japan and to the incredible mangaka and animators whose work and art had such a positive influence on my childhood. Through their creations, I learned so many beautiful values, like ambition, perseverance, and hope. Their stories allowed me to dream and helped me stay grounded.

Even as an adult, I still love watching anime. While the Arabic versions were great, I’ve come to prefer watching the originals. However, constantly reading subtitles can be distracting.

My goal is to watch anime—and revisit some of my favorites, like Hunter x Hunter and Attack on Titan—without relying on subtitles. I believe I’ll enjoy it even more that way, as I’ll be able to fully focus on the characters and immerse myself in their world without the distraction of reading.

Discovering Japan Beyond Anime

Anime wasn’t my only introduction to Japan and its culture. Back in my teenage years, I used to watch an Arabic show called “Khawater min Al-Yaban” (Thoughts from Japan). It was a 30-episode series that aired throughout the month of Ramadan, and each episode highlighted a different aspect of life in Japan.

From the hardworking spirit of the Japanese people to the precision of their public transportation system and their efficient waste management practices, Japan never ceased to amaze me.

However, one episode that stood out the most to me was when the host visited a nine-story bookstore in Tokyo. Each floor showcased a wide variety of genres, with entire sections dedicated to non-fiction books on topics like self-help, business, and parenting, all presented in manga format.

These books used illustrations and visual storytelling, similar to manga, to make the content more engaging and easier to absorb. As a book lover and a visually oriented person, it seemed like pure heaven to me. But my fascination didn’t end there.

When the Land of Sunset Meets the Land of Sunrise

When I first started learning about Japan (or Nihon 日本, meaning ‘origin of the sun’), I never expected to find so many similarities between it and my own country, Morocco (or Al-Maghreb المغرب, meaning ‘the place where the sun sets’).

At first glance, they seem like two completely different worlds—one in North Africa, the other in East Asia. But as I explored more, I realized that Morocco and Japan actually share some deep cultural and historical parallels.

One thing that caught my attention is that both Morocco and Japan are home to two of the oldest monarchies in the world. Japan’s Imperial Family is said to go back thousands of years, and Morocco’s monarchy has been around since 788 CE. Both countries have held onto their royal traditions while modernizing, which I think is pretty impressive.

Then there’s the respect for tradition. Whether it’s how we treat our elders, the importance of hospitality, or the pride we take in our craftsmanship, I see a lot of shared values between the two cultures.

One example is the tea culture. In Morocco, tea is more than just a drink—it’s a ritual, a way to connect with others, and a symbol of hospitality. Japan’s tea ceremony (茶道, sadō) follows a similar philosophy, where every step is done with care and meaning. Even though the styles are different, the mindset behind them feels very familiar.

This deep appreciation for tradition extends to art and craftsmanship. The way the Japanese take pride in their pottery, calligraphy, and traditional clothing resonates deeply with Morocco’s intricate Zellige tiles, handcrafted carpets, and Kaftan designs.

In both cultures, these art forms are not just decorative—they carry history and a sense of identity that has been passed down through generations. Whether it’s a Moroccan artisan carefully shaping each tile by hand or a Japanese craftsman perfecting the stroke of a brush, there’s a shared dedication to preserving beauty and heritage through skill and patience.

Another aspect that drew me to Japan was its philosophy of minimalism and organization. Japanese homes and Zen gardens reminded me of Morocco’s traditional architecture, with its peaceful riads and carefully designed spaces. Both cultures emphasize creating a peaceful environment, whether through interior design or through lifestyle choices.

Realizing these parallels made me even more curious about Japan. Learning Japanese isn’t just about picking up a new language for me—it’s about understanding a culture that, in many ways, feels similar to my own.

The more I learned about Japan, the deeper my connection grew to its people, values, and way of life. It’s amazing how two countries so far apart can have so much in common, and I’m excited to keep discovering more along the way.

So, I made a promise to myself: one day, I will visit Japan. I’ll explore its breathtaking landscapes, immerse myself in its unique culture, converse with its locals in their native language, and visit that bookstore to purchase and read those books.

My First Attempt at Learning Japanese: Progress and Challenges

I’m not a complete beginner in Japanese. I began learning back in 2014 when I joined a university class taught by volunteer teachers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The program consisted of five levels, labeled A through E, each taking an entire academic year to complete. The teachers were engaging, making the lessons both accessible and enjoyable. I was genuinely passionate about learning Japanese. Despite living in Casablanca and having to travel an hour by train to Rabat, where the university was located, I eagerly woke up at 6 a.m. every Saturday just to attend.

While studying Japanese at the university, I was very consistent with my learning. The graded quizzes and exams motivated me to stay on track, as they were necessary to advance to the next level. The teachers also provided a sense of accountability that kept me consistent.

However, after a year, I had to leave Casablanca and move to another city, three hours away from Rabat. As a result, I couldn’t enroll in the B level.

I decided to continue learning on my own, but I struggled. Without the structure and accountability, I found myself making only small, scattered attempts to move forward. Over the next ten years, I kept trying on and off to make progress, but feelings of overwhelm, perfectionism and procrastination left me stuck at the beginner level.

I’m not making excuses, but as someone who has been dealing with functional freeze mode—a trauma response in which the nervous system enters survival mode after prolonged stress, making even simple tasks overwhelming—things like taking a shower or folding laundry can feel almost impossible to complete. This has made learning Japanese even more challenging, yet my passion for the language has never faded.

Why I’m Sharing My Journey

Here I am, restarting my learning journey. I’m sharing my progress online for two main reasons:

• First, to stay accountable and consistent with my efforts.
• Second, to build a supportive community for myself and others who might also feel discouraged or overwhelmed.

By documenting my experiences—the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between—I hope to encourage and inspire others on a similar path, offering both motivation and practical insights along the way.

Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or someone who has struggled to stay consistent like me, I hope my experiences resonate with you.