fbpx

3 Comments

April 14, 2024

Frank and the Obaasan, A Strange but Fun Japanese Reader for Beginners

The first five episodes are presented here for free!

However, to gain instant access to two full seasons of Frank, there are four ways.

1) Become a Makoto+ Shogun member and get instant access to ALL episodes. It's included in your membership. Click here.

2) Buy Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha digital bundle for beginners. Click here.

3) Buy just the two books in a digital bundle. Cheapest method. Click here

4) Want physical paperbacks? (You'll also get the digital files for no extra charge.) Click here and scroll down.

Frank, you see, is an alien. Not in the sense of from another country "alien" but an "alien" alien. Frank crashes his spaceship into Japan. Having limited knowledge of Japan or Japanese, you will be able to learn aspects of Japanese culture and language along with Frank.

READ real Japanese Today!

Are you a beginner to upper beginner level student of Japanese? If so, this reader is for you. Every word is defined and important grammatical patterns are explained in plain English. If you can read hiragana, you are ready for this book. If you need to review or learn hiragana, no problem! Click here to learn hiragana quickly.

The Story: 

While on an intergalactic spy mission, Frank the alien loses control of his spaceship and plummets to Earth... Japan to be precise. Lacking essential repair materials, Frank must learn the Earthlings' language and find Earth equivalents of the materials needed to repair his ship.

With only a limited knowledge of Earth ways—and the Japanese language—Frank discovers a number of interesting things, not the least… natto. Join Frank and his new-found buddies in this multi-planetary adventure!

The Cast:

Obaasan

Frank


EPISODE ONE: The Encounter

出会(であ)

First, attempt to read the text in Japanese. Only refer to the ro-maji if necessary. One of your primary goals as a beginner is to become fluent in reading hiragana, so try to use ro-maji only as a last resort. Lastly, read the English to cement understanding. The following pages will break down each line and explain grammar, kanji, and culture. As you progress, you’ll explore essential grammatical patterns, begin recognizing key kanji, and gain insights into intriguing cultural aspects and everyday etiquette.

Frank is an alien. His Japanese isn’t top-notch, but he gets an A+ for the effort. Having crash-landed on earth, let’s join him as he learns a little bit about Japan and the Japanese language.

And now, Story One, The Encounter.

  • Japanese
  • Ro-MAJI
  • ENGLISH

[OBAASAN] こんにちは!あの、大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)ですか?

[FRANK] えっ?

[OBAASAN]  大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)

[FRANK] ええと・・・はい、大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)です。

[OBAASAN] あなたは(だれ)ですか?

[FRANK] (わたし)はフランクです。

[OBAASAN] フランクさん、はじめまして。

[FRANK] はじめまして、おばあさん。 [FRANK FAINTS]

[OBAASAN] 大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)ですか?大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)

Now, let’s break down each line for better understanding.

[OBAASAN]
こんにちは!あの、大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)ですか?

Hello! Um, are you okay?

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] えっ?

What?; eh?


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] 大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)

Are you okay?


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] ええと・・・はい、大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)です。

Umm… Yes, I’m fine.

Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] あなたは(だれ)ですか?

Who are you?

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] (わたし)はフランクです。

I am Frank.

Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] 
フランクさん、はじめまして。

Mr. Frank, nice to meet you.

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] はじめまして、おばあさん。

Nice to meet you, Obaasan. [Frank faints]

Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] 大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)ですか?大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)

Are you all right? Are you okay?

Vocabulary & Notes


EPISODE TWO: Mizu, the Best Thing in the Universe

(みず)って(なに)

Last Time...

Last time, Obaasan unexpectedly meets Frank who had just crash landed into Fukui, Japan. She has taken him back to her house and is nursing him back to health.

  • Japanese
  • Ro-MAJI
  • ENGLISH

[OBAASAN] もう大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)元気(げんき)ですか?

[FRANK] いいえ、元気(げんき)ではありません。

[OBAASAN] あなたはフランクさんですね。

[FRANK] はい。(わたし)はフランクです。

[OBAASAN] (なに)()みたいですか?

[FRANK] はい。()みたいです。

[Hands him a drink] [OBAASAN] はい、どうぞ。

[FRANK] これは(なん)ですか?

[OBAASAN] (みず)です。

[FRANK] (みず)って(なん)ですか?

[OBAASAN] (みず)()(もの)です。

 [FRANK] あ、そうですか。 [Drinks a little, stops, then gulps all of it down.]  おいしい!これは、宇宙(うちゅう)(なか)一番(いちばん)おいしい()(もの)です!

Now, let’s break down each line for better understanding.

[OBAASAN] もう大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)元気(げんき)ですか?

Are you okay now? Are you well?

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK]  いいえ、元気(げんき)ではありません。  

No, I am not well.

Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN]
あなたは、フランクさんですね。

You are Frank, isn’t that correct?

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] はい。(わたし)はフランクです。

Yes. I am Frank.

Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] (なに)()みたいですか?

Would you like something to drink?


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] はい。()みたいです。

Yes. I would like to drink.


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] はい、どうぞ。

Here you are.


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] これは(なん)ですか?  

What is this?


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] (みず)です。

It’s water.


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] (みず)って(なん)ですか?

What is water?


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] (みず)()(もの)です。

Water is a drink.


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] あ、そうですか。 [Drinks a little, stops, then gulps it all down.]
おいしい!これは、宇宙(うちゅう)(なか)一番(いちばん)
おいしい()(もの)です!

Oh, I see. Delicious! The tastiest drink in the universe.

Vocabulary & Notes


EPISODE THREE: Sushi is Not Human

すしは人間(にんげん)じゃない

Last Time...

Last time, Frank learned about the earth-drink called "water." Now, let's watch as he learns a little about earth-food.

  • Japanese
  • Ro-MAJI
  • ENGLISH

[OBAASAN] (いま)からどこかへ()きませんか?

[FRANK] どこに?

[OBAASAN] おすし()さんは、どう?

[FRANK] すしって(なん)だろう? (While Frank ponders his self-posed question, Obaasan heads out the door) ()って!

(At a sushi restaurant, Frank addresses a plate of sushi.)

[FRANK] こんにちは。お元気(げんき)ですか?

[OBAASAN] それは、すしですよ。

[FRANK] ああ!これは、すしですか。そうか。はい、わかりました。こんにちは、すしさん。

[OBAASAN] それは人間(にんげん)ではありません。

[FRANK] (わたし)人間(にんげん)ではありません。

 [OBAASAN] あっそう。それならいいわ。

Now, let’s break down each line for better understanding.

[OBAASAN]
(いま)からどこかへ()きませんか?

Why don’t we go somewhere now?


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] どこに?

Where to?


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] おすし()さんはどう?

How about a sushi restaurant?


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] すしって(なん)だろう? (While Frank ponders his self-posed question, Obaasan heads out the door) ()って!

I wonder what sushi is. Wait!


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] こんにちは。お元気(げんき)ですか?

Good day. How are you?


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] それはすしですよ。

That is sushi.


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] ああ!これはすしですか。そうか。はい、わかりました。こんにちは、すしさん。

Oh! This is sushi. I see. Okay. I understand. Hello, Mr. Sushi.

Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] それは人間(にんげん)ではありません。  

That is not a human being.

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] (わたし)人間(にんげん)ではありません。

I am also not a human being.


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] 
あっそう。それなら、いいわ。  

Oh, in that case, it’s fine.


Vocabulary & Notes


EPISODE FOUR: Sushi is Something to Eat

すしは()(もの)です

Last Time...

Now that Frank understands sushi is not a person, let's teach him what it really is.

  • Japanese
  • Ro-MAJI
  • ENGLISH

[FRANK] おばあさん、(わたし)友達(ともだち)紹介(しょうかい)したいです。

[OBAASAN] あなたの友達(ともだち)って?

[FRANK] これ。 [Pointing to the sushi]

[OBAASAN] フランクさん、さっき()ったでしょう。それはすしです。友達(ともだち)じゃないのよ。

[FRANK] [Ignores her] さあ、おばあさんに自己紹介(じこしょうかい)してください。

[OBAASAN] すしは(はな)せませんよ。

[FRANK] (はな)せませんか、(はな)しません?

[OBAASAN] (はな)せませんです。

[FRANK] おお、かわいそうに。

[OBAASAN] すしはかわいそうじゃないのよ。()(もの)だから。

[FRANK] え?!本当(ほんとう)?  [Obaasan eats sushi] ああ、さようなら、(とも)よ。

Now, let’s break down each line for better understanding.

[FRANK] おばあさん、(わたし)友達(ともだち)紹介(しょうかい)したいです。
Obaasan, I’d like to introduce you to a friend.


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] あなたの友達(ともだち)って?

Your friend, you say?


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] これ。 [Pointing to the sushi]

This.

Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] フランクさん、さっき()ったでしょう。それはすしです。友達(ともだち)じゃないのよ。
Frank, I already told you. That is sushi. It isn’t your friend.

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] [Ignores her] さあ、おばあさんに自己紹介(じこしょうかい)してください。

Well, go ahead and introduce yourself to Obaasan.


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] すしは(はな)せませんよ。

Sushi can’t talk.

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] (はな)せませんか?(はな)しません?

Can’t talk or won’t talk?


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] (はな)せませんです!
Can’t talk.


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] おお、かわいそうに。

Oh, poor thing.


Vocabulary & Notes

[OBAASAN] すしはかわいそうじゃないのよ。()(もの)だから。

Sushi isn’t a poor thing. It’s food.


Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] え?!本当(ほんとう)

Eh?! Really?

Vocabulary & Notes

[FRANK] ああ、さようなら、(とも)よ。

Alas! fare thee well, my good buddy.


Vocabulary & Notes


EPISODE FIVE: Frank is not from America

アメリカ(じん)ですか?

Last Time...

After some confusion regarding whether eating friends is proper Earth etiquette, Frank joins the Obaasan to visit next door. Gossip ensues. The neighbor asks if Frank is an American. Frank explains he is, in fact, an alien from outer space. Both ladies faint.

  • Japanese
  • Ro-MAJI
  • ENGLISH

[OBAASAN] フランクさん、(わたし)友達(ともだち)紹介(しょうかい)したいわ。

[FRANK] いいですね。ちょうど腹減(はらへ)った。

[OBAASAN]  (わたし)友達(ともだち)は、()(もの)ではありません。

[FRANK] でも、さっき、あなたは(わたし)友達(ともだち)()べちゃったよ。

[OBAASAN] フランクさん、さっき()ったでしょ。それはすしでした。すしは友達(ともだち)じゃないのよ。

[FRANK] わかりました。()べられない友達(ともだち)紹介(しょうかい)してください。

[The two go next door]

[OBAASAN] 山田(やまだ)さん、こちらは(わたし)友達(ともだち)、フランクさんです。

[OBAASAN'S FRIEND] あ、フランクさん、(はじ)めまして。

[FRANK] (はじ)めまして、おばあさんの()べられない友達(ともだち)。[Obaasan quickly changes the subject]

[OBAASAN] フランクさんは・・・ [Turns to Frank] どこからいらしたんでしたっけ?アメリカ?フランス?

[FRANK] いいえ、(ちが)います。(ぼく)宇宙人(うちゅうじん)です。宇宙(うちゅう)から()ました。

[OBAASAN] 宇宙(うちゅう)・・・

[Both Obaasans faint]

[FRANK] おばあさん、おばあさんの()べられない友達(ともだち)、どうしたの?

Now, let’s break down each line for better understanding.

Obaasan: フランクさん、(わたし)友達(ともだち)紹介(しょうかい)したいわ。

Frank, I’d like to introduce you to my friend.


Vocabulary & Notes

Frank: いいですね。ちょうど腹減(はらへ)った。

That's great. I'm getting hungry.


Vocabulary & Notes

Obaasan: (わたし)友達(ともだち)は、()(もの)ではありません。

My friend is not food.


Vocabulary & Notes

Frank: でも、さっき、あなたは(わたし)友達(ともだち)()べちゃったよ。

But, previously, you ate my friend?!


Vocabulary & Notes

Obaasan: フランクさん、さっき()ったでしょ。それはすしでした。すしは友達(ともだち)
じゃないのよ。
Obaasan: Frank, I've already told you. That was sushi. Sushi is not a friend.


Vocabulary & Notes

Frank: わかりました。()べられない友達(ともだち)紹介(しょうかい)してください。 

I understand. Please introduce me to the inedible friend.

Vocabulary & Notes

Obaasan:
山田(やまだ)さん、こちらは(わたし)友達(ともだち)、フランクさんです。

Mrs. Yamada, this is my friend, Frank.


Vocabulary & Notes

Obaasan's Friend:
あ、フランクさん、(はじ)めまして。

Ah, Frank, nice to meet you.


Vocabulary & Notes

Frank: (はじ)めまして、おばあさんの()べられない友達(ともだち)

Nice to meet you, Obaasan's inedible friend.


Vocabulary & Notes

Obaasan: フランクさんは・・・ [Turns to Frank]どこからいらしたんでしたっけ?アメリカ?フランス?
Frank is... [turns to Frank] Where did you say you came from? America? France?


Vocabulary & Notes

Frank: いいえ、(ちが)います。(ぼく)宇宙人(うちゅうじん)です。宇宙(うちゅう)から()ました。

No, that's incorrect. I am an alien. I came from outer space.

Vocabulary & Notes

Obaasan: 宇宙(うちゅう)・・・

Outer space...


Vocabulary & Notes

Frank: おばあさん、おばあさんの()べられない友達(ともだち)、どうしたの?

Obaasan? Obaasan's inedible friend? What's wrong?


Vocabulary & Notes


Get the Book for More

Want more?

1) Become a Makoto+ Shogun member and get instant access to all episodes. Click here.

2) Buy Beri- Beri- Shoshinsha digital bundle for beginners. Click here.

3) Buy just the two books in a digital bundle. Click here

4) Want physical paperbacks? Click here and scroll down.

Great for beginners
This should be the first reader for beginners who already know hiragana and some basic Japanese grammar and vocabulary.

Florian

TheJapanShop.com

 Customer

Support us directly and get amazing benefits to help with your language learning.

Become a Makoto+ Member Today: our monthly Makoto e-zine, exclusive weekly lessons with sound, podcast extras, monthly freebies to download, and more! For beginners to intermediates of Japanese. ありがとうございます!

Sharing is caring!

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

    Level up your Japanese!

    free-kanji-or-hiragana-offer-final

    For Total Beginners

    Japanese for beginners - Beri-Beri Shoshinsha

    This 15-book study guide + worksheets bundle is ON SALE. For just one-time payment only, you will get this bundle for a very low price plus you will get future contents for free (no additional charge).

    Easy to follow and understand

    This bundle is perfect for absolute beginners. It's thorough without being wordy, giving you exactly enough information to understand the concepts without overloading you with information. 

    TheJapanShop.com Customer

    Makoto+ Membership

    You'll notice many TheJapanesePage.com lessons have bonus content for Makoto+ Members. Well, membership goes well beyond that. Members also get our monthly magazine for learners of Japanese (Beginners to Intermediates), weekly exclusive lessons, Podcast bonus content, and much more.

    >