I watched a lot of anime in the past before reading VN. Could understand simple dialogue and make out the meaning from translation programs. Since you have some chinese knowledge like me, it is simpler. After learning Hiragana and Katakana, and tried to study a bit of the kanji started reading VN. Knowledge seems fine, but I was stuck up with trying to read correctly per phrase, that's why I tried study kanji. But it came naturally while playing with voices that read out loud for you. P.S Forgot to mention, I self study. Not yet find time to take up courses. And welcome. Not telling you to take JPLT, just showing a chart I found recently. From JPLT wiki under 'Estimated Study Time'