While more and more material is being translated, the vast majority of otaku media remains in its native language, unlikely to be translated. Many a Western otaku has felt the disappointment of discovering a cool obscure visual novel that was never translated, or picking up an artbook and being unable to read the interesting interview in it.

Being able to understand the language opens up a whole new world of material, as you’ll no longer be bound to what’s been translated. Nor will you be beholden to Western localization companies, should they choose to be too liberal with their translations.

2: It’s a Gateway to the Culture

Some elements of language are difficult to translate directly. This is especially true for translating Japanese to English (Japanese is one of the hardest languages for English-speakers to learn). Idioms and figures of speech often lose their nuance in the attempt to find English equivalents.

You can understand more about the culture anime comes from when you understand the language. In addition, Japanese language skills will be invaluable should you decide to take a trip to Japan.

3: There Are Job Opportunities

Japanese-to-English translation is big business for the Western anime industry. Companies like FAKKU! often look for proficiency in Japanese when considering candidates. In addition, the ability to learn a new language, by itself, is indicative of mental flexibility, which is valuable in many positions.

Many otaku who aspire to live in Japan do so by getting a job there teaching English to native Japanese speakers. Japanese skills are a must for that kind of job.

4: You Can Make New Friends