I usually answer to my friend when that question happen is it'd help me enjoy the cultures and wordplays in animes, but I really hope that knowing one more language will support me more in finding job in the future.
Can't remember the original reason. It's changed far too many times over the past 20 years. Honestly, it's probably the same reason why I learned English. It just so happened to be the language of a lot of the media I liked (and still do). I just kinda naturally started picking it up and at some point decided I might as well go all the way. I also just like learning languages.
I don't have an objectively "good" reason (whatever that means), nor do I need one. A lot of the more career-oriented people get very confused when I tell them this, but I don't really care :)
Not everything you do needs to somehow increase your "value" in society.
PS: Right now I'm just enjoying finally being able to read manga without it being a massive struggle.
I was always interested in asian culture and japan was the one I like the most, I think. Also, I wanted to learn at least one asian language because it make you think differently through the language. Even English which is closer kinda opened another world and that part is really fun :3. Once you're by that point. Because before, learning a language is just awfully painful and takes too much time
And tons of other reasons too (related to japan and japanese culture). Like I had miso or umeboshi since I was kid. Or manga/anime. I'm also 1st dan of aikido. A lot of small things piled up and at some point, I was like "Yeah, let's try again".
But the main reason that "still" drive me on a daily basis is neither of those. The main reason right now is because I met some japanese friends online and I'm just enjoying being able to talk to them (sill struggling a lot but at least I can enjoy some "rewards" for my efforts). That and watching youtube in japanese.
PS: It's not a dumb reason, I tried to learn japanese multiple times before and I had similar reasons. And it's just that with time, more things piled up and made me more motivated. Also learning english before kinda gave me reason to try seriously. It's hard (like painfully hard) but also fun once you pass a certain threshold. Whatever your initial reason was and even if it was on a whim :3
Honestly, a mix between boredom and wanting to learn a new language in general. I had tried when I was younger, but it never stuck. Now that I kind of know my learning style, I figured I’d try again.
Personally I just really liked japanese and japan in general for a long time and eventually decided I'd learn it. Honestly really been enjoying it so far.
Theres media that I want to be able to understand that's never been translated or fan translated so that's one reason I wanna learn it. And a bonus that it could be useful someday (I'm not gonna move to Japan but who knows). I doubt I'll be fluent but I atleast want to understand stuff most of the time
When I was in high school, the sequel to my favorite game didn't get translated. I convinced my parents to sign me up for Japanese classes on the weekends in the hopes that I could someday play it. Didn't get all that far in it on account of having too much actual schoolwork to keep up with.
A year and a half ago I found Renshuu, and decided to give it another go just for fun. I'm mostly just looking to consume media - games, manga, anime, anything mahjong related, maybe eventually I'll finally tackle that childhood holy grail.
Edit: I'll also add that I play a lot of Riichi Mahjong these days. The international scene for the game has grown a lot in recent years, but still has a long way to go, especially when it comes to English language resources. I'm hoping it would be a useful skill to be able to connect with Japanese players, read books on strategy and theory, travel and compete, and just build more bridges between our communities.
Way back, what sparked my interest was anime, which was the only kind of media for children/teenagers I found entertaining. Then, once I learned more about the language, what kept me hooked and still does is the sheer alienness of it. I guess I'm a xenophile, but it's fascinating how it's so, well, different.
It might never serve a practical purpose, but it doesn't have to. (On the other hand, if years and years from now Western society goes to h311 in a basket, I like to fantasise that I could move to a random Japanese village full of cranky seniors and live out my days working some small-time job, reading and tending to a few chickens.)
So that I'll be able to learn more about kitsune (I love foxes so much, and it seems that East Asian cultures respect them more than any other culture)...
I know it's a really silly dream considering how difficult it is to get into the industry, but I want to become a seiyuu in the future! I'd say I have some potential since my vocal range is quite wide and I'm into singing and dancing as well, but I know that I wouldn't last a month
