
Ariana Grande is a rising star that many are calling a “mini-Mariah Carey.” Launching onto the world stage after an incredibly successful run on the Nickelodeon show, Victorious, she is quickly gaining fans around the world with her solo music career. She has quite the following in Japan too, with her most recent album, My Everything, peaking at #3 on the weekly Oricon Music charts. And while Japan can’t get enough of her songs and her extremely long hair (extensions), there is something else that her Japanese fans are talking about these days: Ariana Grande is learning hiragana.
Though she has a reputation of being a diva, there is only one word that Japanese fans use to describe her: KAWAIIIIIIIIIII (CUUUUUUTE)
▼”What do I do, she’s too cute!”
https://twitter.com/SaLavvv/status/559360536593182721And having been to Japan many times herself, Ariana Grande is very familiar with the concept of “kawaii.” In fact she’s quite fond of Japan, proudly claiming on Japanese TV that she loves edamame, tofu and the eclectic Japanese singer, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. And Ariana Grande is making sure her fans know that her love of Japan extends beyond her screaming Arianators. Her recent Instagram post conclusively separates her from all the other young female singers from America.
ARIANA IS STUDYING JAPANESE!!! Countless news outlets and fans have written about how she is studying Japanese since that pictured was posted. She seems dedicated to her studies as well, having downloaded a Japanese keyboard on her phone.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/559115106605203456But, whether she is seriously studying Japanese during her busy schedule or just taking a swing at learning hiragana, her Japanese fans can’t get enough of it.
▼”It’s so cute that Ariana Grande is studying hiragana.”
アリアナ嬢がひらがな勉強しててかわいい♡
— みか (@kc8420) January 25, 2015
▼”Ariana is now studying hiragana and her childlike writing is extremely adorable.”
https://twitter.com/nabesan_427/status/558945534568693761▼”I like the Ariana that likes Japan. I’ve liked her since before but since knowing that she loves Japan, I like her ever more.”
https://twitter.com/aaayanishi_/status/559711836300251138▼”When Ariana tweets in Japanese it makes me warm and fuzzy and really happy.”
https://twitter.com/yk12300910/status/559707596500631553Ariana Grande has definitely captured the hearts of her Japanese fans, and she assures them that she will be back in Japan soon.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/557400819067154432▼”I miss Japan.”
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/557401676282200064▼”We (Matt and I) really want to go back to Japan soon.”
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/557406237160001537Who knows how far Ariana’s foray into the Japanese language will go. Perhaps she will surprise her fans with a homemade handwritten sign professing her love for Japan at her next concert.
▼”I love Japan!”
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/511088898923982848Source: Naver Matome
Top Image: Flickr (Melissa Rose)

Ariana Grande stops learning Japanese following backlash over her “7 Rings” BBQ grill tattoo
Pokémon Eevee becomes part of Ariana Grande’s body thanks to her new Pocket Monster tattoo
Ariana Grande “fixes” her 7 Rings Japanese kanji tattoo, but it still says tiny charcoal grill
Is Ariana Grande “Asian Fishing”? Japanese netizens weigh in on the drama
Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings” Japanese tattoo fail spawns hilarious parody tattoos online
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Tokyo’s Pokémon Cafe reopens this month with brand-new sweets and Pikachu show
Osaka is hosting a “hentai” event, but it’s probably not what you think
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
A Japanese toast sandwich remix: The toasted rice rice ball[SoraKitchen]
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Japanese high school closes its cafeteria, replaces it with a 7-Eleven convenience store
Lawson opens a new mini supermarket, and the lucky bags can essentially stock your kitchen
Starbucks Japan unveils new Frappuccino showcasing “mottainai” culture
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
What’s up with the Ghibli Park photo and video ban?
What’s it like to join Tokyo’s walking-and-talking-with-strangers club for a day?
Krispy Kreme releases a new Doughwich… at only one store in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Ariana Grande’s kanji tattoo fail: new ink reads “Japanese BBQ grill” instead of “7 Rings”
Japanese Ariana Grande performs “Positions” in parody music video
Smash Bros. creator learns he can’t tweet carelessly, fans learn they can’t trust AI translations
Japan’s premier beatboxer sets YouTube ablaze, annoys fans with lack of beatboxing
The surprising reasons why some hiragana aren’t allowed to be used on Japanese license plates
Magazine teaches Japanese using Kemono Friends anime, Japanese netizens can’t stop laughing
Indo-Japanese beauty Priyanka Yoshikawa chosen as Japan’s Miss World representative
Japan can’t stop looking at modeling idol’s big, beautiful…muscles! 【Photos】
Woman makes Fate/Grand Order fan husband a beautiful present; boosts debuff resistance by 5%
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 myths about learning Japanese【Weird Top Five】
Typhoon warning from NHK Japan “to all foreigners” causes controversy online
Japanese makeup artist does classic Hollywood glamour, recreates Audrey Hepburn’s coveted look
Idol draws such massive crowds at Tokyo college that police can’t guarantee safety【Video】
Keisuke Honda apologises for English mistake at press conference 【Video】