All About Animedoro: Your New Favorite Study Method

Written by Julia Yurchesyn

Thumbnail & Banner Photo by Dex Ezekiel on Unsplash


It’s around late November/early December when students start to face the unfortunate reality that final exams are coming ‘round sooner rather than later. This time of year often involves procrastination, late nights, and stressful cram sessions. But what if I were to tell you that you could make studying much more relaxed and less stressful than you ever thought possible? This article will discuss perhaps the most fun study/productivity method out there: animedoro, invented by Studytuber Josh Chen.

At its core, animedoro involves a version of the Pomodoro technique combined with anime. I already talked about the Pomodoro technique in my study methods article, but to review: the Pomodoro technique consists of twenty-five minutes of work and a five-minute break, repeated three more times to get a longer break of 15-30 minutes. It’s a popular study method because of its structure; when you don’t know how or what to study, using this technique can be a helpful place to start. 


But in his video, Josh Chen discusses his own personal problems with the Pomodoro technique, including:

  • 25 minutes of structured time to work doesn’t allow for the 3-4 minutes often needed to get into a productive headspace.

  • 25 minutes is, generally speaking, not a lot of time to get work done. 

  • A five-minute break “to eat a freaking granola bar” (5:19-21) does not feel like that much of a reward after 25 minutes of work (I feel you on that one, Josh).

Josh’s feelings regarding the Pomodoro technique are relatable to me. I generally don’t use the Pomodoro technique at all because the shorter work-sprints don’t feel especially helpful, especially when my essay assignments involve a lot of thought and concentration. By the time I’m finally entering the peak of my deep-focus mode, 25 minutes is up, and it’s time to take a break. 

That’s why animedoro is such an exciting study method for many: it’s more flexible and resolves many of the struggles one may have had with the original Pomodoro structure. This is how Josh explains it in his video:

  • 40-60 minutes of studying or work.

    • You can end the work session whenever it feels natural to do so, such as when you finish a task or reach a certain benchmark.

  • One episode of anime, skipping the intro and end theme. This will make the break time around 19-20 minutes.

  • Animedoro involves NO extended work breaks; just keep repeating the same cycle until you’re ready to stop.

Let’s be honest: most of us like consuming some kind of entertainment, even if anime isn’t really your thing. As Josh recounts, combining studying with something fun and relaxing to do increases the motivation to get started (7:39-8:10). Even if you don’t enjoy anime, combining studying with twenty minutes of your favorite show could be a game-changer for your study-schedule. Josh adds that you could also do animedoro with sitcoms that are 20 minutes long, and it would essentially work the same way (2:07-2:10). 

Photo by Gracia Dharma on Unsplash

Okay, but what if you’re interested in trying animedoro, but you’re a complete beginner when it comes to anime? No problem! Below, I have listed a few suggestions that you can refer to in order to begin your animedoro journey:

SPY x FAMILY

What happens when a spy unknowingly recruits a telepath and an assassin to form his makeshift family for an assignment? A found-family story with a twist, this anime is exciting, funny and wholesome, with a well-paced plotline that keeps you invested.

Haikyu!!

One of my favorite slice-of-life anime series, Haikyu!! follows the Karasuno High School boys volleyball club as they train and compete to make it to Nationals. Even if you aren’t much of a sports-person (such as myself), this anime has such a suspenseful plot, memorable characters, and inspiring themes that I genuinely think makes it enjoyable for everyone. 

Cowboy Bebop

Often heralded as one of the best anime series out there, Cowboy Bebop is an action and sci-fi anime that plays with Western and noir conventions. It follows the Bebop Crew, a medley of vibrant characters united together as they travel across the galaxy as “Cowboy” bounty hunters. If you’re looking for something that is slightly grittier, more intense, and more hybrid in terms of genre, this may be the perfect anime for you. 

Toradora!

Maybe you’re looking for a wholesome, slower-paced, slice-of-life romance to keep you company while preparing for finals. In that case, Toradora! is a great option—it’s only 25 episodes long, but you really go on a whole journey with these characters as they go through high school, develop relationships with each other and discover their places in the world. The character-driven plot of this series really makes you feel nostalgic and like you’re revisiting a younger-version of yourself. 

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Are you looking for a quest/action show with likable characters and high stakes? This anime is set in the Taisho period in Japan and follows a boy named Tanjiro, who strives to become a demon slayer to get revenge on the demon who slaughtered his family. While intensely emotional, the show is also quite funny, with enjoyable and sympathetic characters who undergo significant character arcs. 

Hopefully, this article has motivated you to continue studying by trying out a method you may have never heard of before! During the next few weeks, remember to look after yourself and destress when you need to. Good luck and see you in 2024!

Rita Jabbour