Good Anime for listening comprehsion

[Wakannai]

Alright, while I was watching 二十面相の娘 I couldn't help but think how good I've found the series for my listening comprehension. After thinking on it a bit, I've decided that a relatively slow moving plot with mostly calmly speaking characters seems to be key in the early stages of developing listening comprehension, that and judicious use of silence between characters speaking. Basically, the characters don't babble, every word is important to the plot.

So I'll try to update this list periodically, or as other suggestions come in. I'll even attempt to rate by level. Level one being good for a beginner, and higher levels for those that should already be comfortable at a lower level.

Level 1 - Characters generally follow normal standards of courtesy. Language is generally concise, less abstract, less emotionally stressed--calm. Setting is real world, or a close approximation, so vocabulary is not setting specific (Fantasy, Sci-fi, Japan Culture, etc). Word-play jokes or insights are also rare (word-play usually depends on a wealthy listener vocabulary).


Level 1 (Easy)
二十面相の娘 - Daughter of Twenty Faces

[Mike Cash]

You can't beat Sazae-san.

[Mikuru]

Konituwa,
If your looking anime on a PC you can also slow down the play. I'm using PowerDVD and it has a option 0.75X. I watched so to "Tekonkinkreet", the voices and the music weren't altered and it was much more easy to listen Japanese
Sayonara,
Mikuru

[AJBryant]

You can't beat Sazae-san.

Holy crap, I actually kind of miss Sazae-san.

Natsukashii, na.

Sigh.


Tony

[becki_kanou]

Darn it! Now you've got the song stuck in my head!

♪お魚くわえたどら猫、を追っかけて裸足でかけってく、愉快なサザエさん♪

[hungryhotei]

I remember an anime called Suzuka to be relatively easy to understand at the time. It again deals with relatively real world situations which I think helps. Perhaps I would categorise it as intermediate rather than beginner, but it's been a long time since I watched it so it is hard to judge.

[Yudan Taiteki]

The problem with Sazae-san is that it's boring.

The only thing I like about the show is Anago, and that's because I love 若本規夫.

[AJBryant]

The problem with Sazae-san is that it's boring.

It is, indeed.

That goes to show you how much I miss Japan.


Tony

[Harisenbon]

The problem with Sazae-san is that it's boring.

I was always more of a fan of chibi Maruko chan than Sazae-san.
It has that same sappy/stupidness to it, but has at least one generally funny point in each episode, which sazae-san sometimes unfortunately lacks.

[AJBryant]

The problem with Sazae-san is that it's boring.

I was always more of a fan of chibi Maruko chan than Sazae-san.
It has that same sappy/stupidness to it, but has at least one generally funny point in each episode, which sazae-san sometimes unfortunately lacks.

Marukochan! Marukochan!

Ah, yes. I remember that one well. (More for the near inasane perkiness of the themesong).

I was a real jidai geki nut, and the thing that always stirs me is the horns blaring "babababaaaa baa baa ba" at the beginning of every "Abarenbo Shogun," and the "chan chachacha chan chachacha chan chachacha cha cha cha cha chan" before "Mito Komon."

Tony

[Gryphius]

talking of 'nuts' and 'insane' I can't help but remembering Excel Saga xD
Not only the theme song but also every bit of it was truly crazy! Specially when Excel speaks... she does it so bizarrely fast at times! I'd rate it as veeeeeery hard to understand (not so 'listening comprehension friendly' )

[gfunk]

talking of 'nuts' and 'insane' I can't help but remembering Excel Saga xD
Not only the theme song but also every bit of it was truly crazy! Specially when Excel speaks... she does it so bizarrely fast at times! I'd rate it as veeeeeery hard to understand (not so 'listening comprehension friendly' )

Haha, after 3 semesters of Japanese, I checked out that show... Without ever watching TV in Japanese before.

After a random Excel rant I was like: "I don't understand one-word... wow" My Japanese-Self-Esteem was brought to the floor, it was great.

[Gryphius]

oh my, it must have been not very pleasant.. They should advise people before the show of how insanely fast Excel can speak (I wonder if the Japanese also have problems understanding her at times, she's kinda inhuman )

[Kurasho]

The problem with Sazae-san is that it's boring.

I was always more of a fan of chibi Maruko chan than Sazae-san.
It has that same sappy/stupidness to it, but has at least one generally funny point in each episode, which sazae-san sometimes unfortunately lacks.

クレヨしんちゃん and ドラエもん are pretty good too ^^