Nihongo Lesson 04/15/16

Learning a new language's gonna take a heroic effort, but "WE ARE HERE!" to help!

By John Bae April 15, 2016

Welcome to the Nihongo Lesson feature. We strive to give you useful manga-based Japanese language tips and maybe even a glimpse into the translation process. This week's lesson will celebrate the My Hero Academia anime with some terms that show up a lot in that excellent superhero series. If you haven't given this manga a chance, now's the perfect time! Watch the anime and then read the manga!

KAKKOII (かっこいい)

KAKKOII literally means "good looking," but it's used as slang similar to "cool." So KAKKOII is one of the best compliments you can give someone—e­specially if that someone is like All Might. He saves hundreds of people during a natural disaster while keeping a smile on his face. You can't blame Izuku for idolizing such an elite hero. And in the recent chapters of the manga, Izuku has become pretty KAKKOII himself.

Nl Hero 1

WATASHI GA KITA (わたしがきた)

WATASHI GA KITA is All Might's catchphrase. It means "I've arrived," or as translated in My Hero Academia, "I am here!" All Might sure knows how to make a dramatic entrance. This is one hero who does proper fan service. He even signed Izuku's notebook before he was asked!

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