Top 5 Anime about teaching and school life in Japan
Many of our ALTs come to Japan to live their dream, anime-inspired life.
With all the drama of first-crushes, winning the game or passing final exams, it is no surprise that school life is a popular subject for anime.
Anime can also be a great insight into Japanese school life customs and cultures.
Here we sum up some of the best school anime titles to help inspire you in your ALT teaching career.
5. My Hero Academia
This anime has become one of the most popular series in Japan. In the U.S., the Marvel and DC superheroes run the show, but here in Japan, My Hero Academia satisfies the younger generations need for superheroes. The series focuses on a school of heroes learning to use their super powers.
4. Angel Beats!
Angel Beats is a little less known than the above, but is still quite interesting. The setting of this anime takes place at a high school in the afterlife. All the students in this particular school have experienced some sort of trauma or hardship in life. In order for each student to move forward and eventually reincarnate (graduate), they must face their inner troubles and overcome them.
3. Komi Can’t Communicate
This series can be found on Netflix. It is a heart-warming, coming-of-age, high school story which follows a girl named Komi. Komi suffers from intense social anxiety and as the title suggests, has trouble communicating. The series is a good take on the life of a student who may seem fine on the outside but who is having trouble on the inside.
2. Haikyuu!
Haikyuu is a fun, sports themed anime based around junior high and high school volleyball. The series touches upon topics like working through differences, overcoming challenges and working hard to accomplish your goals. The characters are fun and endearing and even if you’re not really a fan of the sport, you can still enjoy this anime.
1. Great Teacher Onizuka
GTO is a classic anime series about an ex-gang member who becomes a high school teacher. Although his tactics and teaching styles aren’t necessarily common (or legally reccomended!), he finds a way to connect with his students and becomes a trusted mentor to them. GTO is fun series that puts you in the shoes of the teacher.
If you speak to JTEs who grew up in the 90’s, many claim that Great Teacher Onizuka inspired them to become a teacher!
Interested in learning more about teaching in Japan? Learn how to be apply to be an ALT with RCS here.
