Learning a new language has never been easier, especially when it comes to Japanese. From anime and games to music, idol chasing, or even VTubers, there's a massive array of platforms available to sharpen your Japanese skills.
But here's a wild one: A recent post on X by an overseas netizen has gone viral, claiming they managed to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) simply by consistently playing the adult RPG series, Rance. Talk about an unconventional study method!
The Rance series, developed by AliceSoft, has been a staple in the adult gaming world since its debut in 1989. It follows the over-the-top, super-perverted warrior Rance and his female slave, Sill, on their adventures. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, and naturally, many female characters fall victim to Rance's lecherous charms. With multiple titles released over the decades, it's a series with a rich, albeit raunchy, history.
The post that sparked all the buzz came from X user Kōun'na, who declared:
“I literally just played 'Rance 03' and 'Rance X' for about 10-12 hours every day, without any other dedicated study, and I passed JLPT N3 (the level for everyday conversational Japanese). Honestly, even I can’t believe I learned Japanese from an adult game (lol).”
This post dropped just as news broke about the Rance series finally heading to Steam, naturally drawing even more attention to the claim.
Many other netizens chimed in, agreeing that playing JRPGs can indeed help with Japanese language acquisition. Of course, they also noted that some personal effort is still key for passing the JLPT. Some even suggested that listening to Japanese voice acting or ASMR content can be incredibly beneficial for listening comprehension, as the speech often isn't too fast.
And the stories don't stop there! Another user shared how they passed JLPT N1 by reading R18 fanfiction on Pixiv. Even wilder, a friend reportedly achieved N1 solely by playing R18 visual novels and is now an in-house translator at a top-tier Japanese game company. The consensus? The learning material itself isn't the main point; what truly matters is the act of learning. The knowledge gained isn't "dirty" or worthless just because of its source.
While learning Japanese through games isn't exactly groundbreaking, it's particularly amusing when the game in question is the infamous adult RPG titan, the Rance series. It's a franchise that has endured for decades, still beloved by many players today. Perhaps once the series officially hits Steam, we'll see a surge in people proudly proclaiming, “I learned Japanese from an adult game!”