Which is better in 2025? Most posts say Minna no nihongo and that’s what we used in uni as well. But I feel Genki is more approachable? What’s your take.
Genki or Tobira I: Beginning Japanese.
Minna no Nihongo is quite dated these days.
Both Genki and Tobira have received newer publications and their vocab is much more up to date.
Unfortunately Minna no nihongo last got a re-print in 2012.
I study Japanstudies (no joke this is a study) and our first year is pretty much all from Minna no Nihongo. (Used in 2025)
Isn’t perfect but literally used in academic studies. Can’t say much about the others though.
I think Genki and Minna no Nihongo complement each other.
Genki I and II have a nice video course at[ tokiniandy’s channel](https://www.youtube.com/@ToKiniAndy/videos). Easy to understand and self study, but doesn’t provide much immersion, so you could use Minna no Nihongo to review fully in japanese.
And you can continue the same method on Intermediate level with quartet and Minna no Nihongo Chukyu.
3 comments
Genki or Tobira I: Beginning Japanese.
Minna no Nihongo is quite dated these days.
Both Genki and Tobira have received newer publications and their vocab is much more up to date.
Unfortunately Minna no nihongo last got a re-print in 2012.
I study Japanstudies (no joke this is a study) and our first year is pretty much all from Minna no Nihongo. (Used in 2025)
Isn’t perfect but literally used in academic studies. Can’t say much about the others though.
I think Genki and Minna no Nihongo complement each other.
Genki I and II have a nice video course at[ tokiniandy’s channel](https://www.youtube.com/@ToKiniAndy/videos). Easy to understand and self study, but doesn’t provide much immersion, so you could use Minna no Nihongo to review fully in japanese.
And you can continue the same method on Intermediate level with quartet and Minna no Nihongo Chukyu.