I agree with that watching some Anime can be good for getting some pronounciation down, but i have to disagree about it being a way to learn vocabulary (unless the subs are done professionally, like a Studio Ghibli production). When it comes to watching fan subs, you just can't 100% trust that what is being translated is actually the correct words etc.

Also you have to bear in mind that grammar,vocabulary and overall structure of Japanese used in Anime is very casual and isn't spoken commonly like that in Japan. I can only honestly say the best way of learning the language is classes (with a native Japanese speaker if possible) and also trying to immerse yourself as much as possible in the language.

Also neverhood also made a good point about reading and writing. I find practicing the writing is one of the best ways of learning the Kana.

learning from anime ,really would you like japanese learning english from our anime(talking to a japanese guy that learnt from goofy or popeye really interaction is the best way, well currenly i'm using iphone apps , my japanese coach, human japanese,ikana and a dictonary called japanese much easier and CHEAPER then buying other suff

depends on the fan-sub group. AonE i remember to be quite good with their translations, and there were a few others from checking Animesuki website a few years back... not sure now. the guys who did the Black Lagoon series were pretty precise as well as some of the Crayon Shinchan and Azumanga Daioh ones... (with good footnotes at the top of the screen when it comes to local lingo or teenspeak)

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I paid a stupid ammount of money for a computer program that supposedly teaches you all you need to know about speaking/communicating efficiently in japanese. it was essentially a write-off, lol. In theory it can work, if you perservere, but only to a certain extent- you need some one to talk WITH, so you can check your pronounciation, your understanding, ability to react and have an active conversation instead of just memorising phrases (which is what my stupid program does - i paid like $180 and it has yet to even hint at the basic gramatical structure of a japanese sentence goshdarnit >_<. all it does is makes me say stuff like 'hello' 'good evening' 'excuse me' 'i'm fine, and you?' phrases- WHAT DO I DO WHEN I DON"T UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER?)

I am about to start college courses for japanese and My college has a weekly cafe where Native Japanese Speakers (working on their english) and people trying to learn Japanese sit and talk together. How do you think all this will turn out?