Is this a good way to learn the language?

[jesselt]

To be fair it does make more sense to teach ます／です with greater emphasis for beginners. The worst that can happen is that they will sound too formal, which isn't so bad.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by BakaCrisis

Hey there,

I have picked up about 3 Shonen Jump manga from a local Convention. They are in the native Japanese language both Hirigana and Katakana with SOME Kanji, but they have furigana next to it.

My question is, if I translate word for word what is going on, would this help me read the language?

Would this help you "read" the language? Yes. Will it help you "learn" the language? That is debatable. It just depends on what the content is. Translating a manga is the best selling point for actual textbooks. They may cost a little more, but they are worth it.