From "Wanting to Read" to "Wanting to Speak" with Manga × AI: Langaku and ELSA to Co-Host Webinar for English Educators

Educators from Rikkyo Niiza Junior & Senior High School and Seisho Kaichi Junior & Senior High School Share Summer Case Studies; Applications Now Open for Free Winter Break School Trial

Mantra Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shonosuke Ishiwatari), provider of the manga-based extensive English reading app Langaku, and ELSA Japan G.K. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Dai Imao), provider of the AI-powered English speaking coach ELSA, will co-host a webinar titled "A New Approach to English Learning Powered by Manga and AI" on November 2, 2026, for teachers and educational professionals.

This webinar highlights practical classroom case studies from participating schools that implemented an English learning program combining manga extensive reading with AI pronunciation coaching during the summer of 2026.

Speakers will share frontline insights on how students read manga, voiced dialogue aloud, and role-played as characters with emotion. The session will cover how the program was integrated into classes and summer assignments, student reactions and transformations, as well as the opportunities and challenges observed during implementation.

In addition, the event will introduce a free trial program for schools scheduled for the winter break period (late December 2026 to early January 2027). The webinar welcomes educators from private and public junior and senior high schools, boards of education, education administrators, and media members covering the education sector.

(Image: Classroom scene at Rikkyo Niiza Junior High School)

Background

A central challenge in English language education is providing opportunities for students not only to increase their overall English input, but also to actively voice and personalize the expressions they learn.

Textbook memorization and repetitive drills often fall short of sparking genuine motivation to speak, especially for students who feel insecure about English or hesitate to speak in front of others.

Furthermore, discussions by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) regarding the upcoming revision of the National Curriculum Guidelines emphasize utilizing digital learning foundations—including generative AI—and enhancing activities where students comprehend, express, and interact in a foreign language according to specific purposes, scenes, and situations. Determining how to integrate AI into regular classroom lessons and home study to foster autonomous learning will become increasingly vital.

To address these challenges, Langaku and ELSA co-developed an institutional program combining their respective strengths: extensive English reading through popular manga, and AI-driven pronunciation and speaking coaching.

By engaging students' interests through compelling stories, encouraging them to voice memorable lines, and having them perform dialogues in character with authentic emotion, this "dramafication" approach expands English learning from simply "memorizing correct answers" into a creative experience of "expressing oneself in English."

Reference: MEXT Foreign Language Working Group Materials (Japanese):

https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20260323-mxt_kyoiku01-000048440_004.pdf

Webinar Overview

  • Event Title: ELSA × Langaku Co-Hosted Webinar: "A New Approach to English Learning Powered by Manga and AI — Designing Classes That Inspire Students to Read and Speak, Learned from Summer Case Studies"
  • Date & Time: Monday, November 2, 2026 | 17:00 – 18:00 JST
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Format: Zoom Webinar (Online)
  • Admission: Free
  • Co-hosts: ELSA Japan G.K. / Mantra Inc.
  • Registration Deadline: October 26, 2026
  • Registration URL: https://www.enterprise.elsaspeak.com/ja/elsa-langaku-webinar-20261102
Target Audience
  • English teachers and department heads at public and private junior and senior high schools
  • ICT, edtech, and academic affairs coordinators
  • School administrators (Principals, Vice Principals)
  • Boards of education and education policymakers
  • Instructors and administrators at cram schools (juku) and prep schools
  • Media professionals covering education and EdTech
  • Anyone interested in extensive reading and AI implementation in schools

Speakers

  • Mr. Kei Ikeda — Rikkyo Niiza Junior and Senior High School
  • Mr. Naoya Ishida — Seisho Kaichi Junior and Senior High School

About the Free Winter Break School Trial

Participating institutions attending the webinar will be eligible for a complimentary trial of the Langaku × ELSA English learning program for schools during the winter break period (late December 2026 to early January 2027).

Trial Package Includes:
  • Extensive English reading access to over 100 popular manga titles on Langaku
  • AI-powered pronunciation and speaking coaching via ELSA School
  • Learning analytics and progress tracking dashboards
  • Post-trial outcome and performance reporting
  • Implementation proposals for continued institutional adoption
  • Trial Period: Late December 2026 – Early January 2027
  • Eligible Organizations: Junior high schools, senior high schools, and secondary educational institutions
  • How to Apply: Application form provided in the post-webinar survey

TV Feature: Langaku in the Classroom at Rikkyo Niiza Junior High School

On Saturday, October 3, 2026, BS Asahi’s program Fresh Faces featured Mantra Inc. CEO Shonosuke Ishiwatari along with Mantra’s initiatives in manga translation and English language learning.

The broadcast highlighted actual classroom scenes of students learning English using Langaku, drawing significant public interest and acclaim.

About Langaku

Langaku is an app that delivers an immersive extensive reading experience through manga. Featuring over 100 globally celebrated titles including ONE PIECE and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, the app enables learners to naturally increase their English exposure while enjoying stories.

The visuals, narrative context, and character dialogue support comprehension, shifting reading from a chore done "to study" into autonomous reading driven by genuine curiosity to see what happens next. In addition to school adoption, it is widely available for individual learners on mobile app stores.

Key Learning Features:
  • Seamless English/Japanese switching with a single panel tap
  • Adjustable English-to-Japanese text ratios matched to student proficiency
  • Full audio narration for all lines and vocabulary
  • Integrated dictionary and instant AI explanations for unfamiliar phrases
  • Context-aware AI explanations for idioms, colloquialisms, and slang
  • Vocabulary/phrase saving and spaced-repetition review
  • Reading logs to visualize reading volume and progress
  • Title: Langaku
  • Category: Education / Language Learning
  • Supported OS: iOS / Android
  • Pricing: Free download (in-app subscription plans available)
  • Official Website: https://langaku.app
  • Download Link: https://langaku.go.link/j6cAu
  • Official X: https://x.com/langaku_app

About ELSA

ELSA (English Language Speech Assistant) is an AI-powered speech coaching platform designed to help learners speak English with greater accuracy and confidence.

Specializing in phoneme-level speech feedback, ELSA enables learners to repeatedly practice speaking while receiving precise assessments on pronunciation, intonation, fluency, and stress. Its institutional service, ELSA School, supports speaking instruction in schools through homework assignment delivery, real-time student progress tracking, and interactive AI role-playing.

About Mantra Inc.

Founded in 2020, Mantra Inc. specializes in the research and development of artificial intelligence for the entertainment sector. The company provides services such as Mantra Engine, a manga translation platform, and Langaku, an extensive English reading app. Mantra is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the HONGO AI Award (2019), Toyo Keizai's "Amazing Startups 100" (2020), the AAMT Nagao Award (2021), the JEITA Venture Award Early Edge Award (2022), the Electronic Publishing Award Challenge Mind Award (2024), Google Play Best of 2025 Grand Prize in the Personal Growth category (2025), and the Appliv Best App Award Excellence Award in Educational Apps (2025).

  • Company Name: Mantra Inc.
  • Representative: Shonosuke Ishiwatari, CEO
  • Address: 2F Sumitomo Fudosan Iidabashi Building, 2-3-21 Kouraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
  • Established: January 28, 2020
  • Website: https://mantra.co.jp

About ELSA Japan G.K.

  • Company Name: ELSA Japan G.K.
  • Representative: Dai Imao
  • Address: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
  • Business Activities: Development and provision of AI English speech training apps and speaking proficiency services
  • Official Website: https://jp.elsaspeak.com/

Media & Inquiries

Mantra Inc.

Public Relations: Norimine / Funakoshi

E-mail: info@mantra.co.jp

ELSA Japan G.K.

Contact: Furushima

E-mail: kazuya.furushima@elsanow.io

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