[baronchar]

I have a little experience with Japanese: 1 year of study in school and I visited for a week this spring. So I'm not an expert but I feel like i am qualified to make some comments.

I'll definitely agree that anime should not be your "primary" tool for learning the language, because of the informal grammar and word forms used. -But- I think that it's an extremely valuable resource nevertheless. Personally, I have learned an incredible amount of vocabulary from it - I often knew words that classmates of mine (with much more experience in japanese study but much less experience watching anime) did not. Furthermore I think it's a great tool for gaining listening experience. Japanese words and sentences sound pretty different than english and getting practice hearing it spoken is essential.

Plus, it makes learning the language more fun and not as dry as just reading out of a text book, even if some of what you see and hear shouldn't be emulated in normal conversation.

and to add my own two cents on the topic, Akihabara was super cool, and even if it doesn't represent average Japan you should definitely go if you're into that sort of thing!