Japanese Social Media Goes Gaga Over Anime-Style English Textbook · Global Voices
Nevin Thompson

A new English conversation textbook aimed at adult learners. Image widely shared on social media.
New Horizon, the standard English conversation textbook used in Japanese middle schools, has received an anime-style makeover, and the changes have gone viral in Japan under the hashtag #エレン先生 (#EllenSensei).
妹が、入学式から帰ってきてたから教科書見せてもらったけど、ガチで、エレン先生かわゆいwww pic.twitter.com/EIXkOC4E1Y
— TAIKI (@oreore11824649) April 8, 2016
After her middle school entrance ceremony today, my daughter came home with her new English textbook. Ellen Sensei is totally cute!
The new look is a total departure from the staid and anodyne New Horizon series.
英語の教科書「NEW HORIZON」今と昔 #エレン先生 pic.twitter.com/UOBJyHT7j8
— サムーれ (@samoore0727) April 9, 2016
New (left) and old (right) versions of the New Horizon English textbook. #EllenSensei
The cute anime-style good looks of “Ellen Sensei,” the English instructor who guides students through all three books, have even been turned into fan art, some of which is so risque that the creator of the character has called for restraint.
what is even happening anymore #エレン先生 pic.twitter.com/Sa5qQmRPVz
— IRL Ellen Baker (@Kirinodere) April 6, 2016
English is one of the most predominant foreign languages taught in Japan, and the country's government is making a push to improve students’ proficiency in it. Results so far are mixed —  there are huge disparities in English ability across different parts of Japan.
This isn't New Horizon's first foray into anime style. The publisher has a textbook aimed at adult learners that capitalizes on their nostalgia for the middle school textbooks, but with anime aesthetics.
というか、英語の教科書でお馴染みのNEWHORIZONの登場人物が大人になって帰ってきた大人向けNEWHORIZONって知ってます？内容がリア充過ぎて非リアの読者をめった刺しにします。 https://t.co/LiMmWal4Lg pic.twitter.com/xV82or937w
— ししとう (@sisitou2015) 2016年4月5日
Speaking of which, did you know there is a New Horizon textbook aimed at adult learners that features adult versions of the original characters? The themes and situations are totally realistic!
Published in 2011, this textbook delves into adult themes such as dating in order to teach English that might actually be useful on a day-to-day basis.
僕の中高生時代の英語の教科書のキャラ達がこんなに可愛かったら、絶対にもっと英語ペラッペラになってた（現実逃避） pic.twitter.com/wUP5JMk8ug
— ししとう (@sisitou2015) April 5, 2016
If the characters in my middle school English conversation textbooks had been this cute I would have totally become fluent in English.
According to the introduction, the textbook follows the adventures of the original characters from the middle school New Horizon textbook following their return to Japan, after spending years overseas.
The textbook also uses “Augmented Reality” (AR) technology that can be unlocked with a smartphone, as shown in the video below:
As Japanese online magazine Spotlight notes about the characters of the middle school textbook:
どうやらケンとユミ、ルーシーの三角関係の話のようですが、いろいろとドラマがあるようです。ストーリーにドキドキしながら英語の勉強もできるなんて、素晴らしい教材じゃないですか！
Apparently Yumi, Lucy and Ken form a love triangle that results in plenty of drama. You can follow the twists and turns of the plot while practicing English, making the textbook a great learning.