Learn Japanese DS

Anpaman Toasobo A-I-U-E-O Kyoushitsu （アンパンマンとあそぼあいうえお教室）

2008-06-14T10:36:00.001-07:00

You may not be familiar with the Anpanman brand but basically he is a half dessert/half superhero that seems to have all the young kids of Japan enamored.

Here, Anpanman and his crew are given the DS treatment and throught this japanese ds game, young kids can build on their study of hiragana and katakana (Japanese syllabaries) through minigames.

For example, the game may have players match up pictures of different objects with their japanese name. The game also has mini games that help students practice their japanese character writing and visual recognition.

As a student of Japanese, I can easily see how this game could help teach newcomers to the language the different characters as well as expand vocab.

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DS Puzzle Series Vol. 13: Kanji Puzzle Video

2008-01-28T13:10:00.001-08:00

A great way to brush up on your Kanji skills! Kanji are the Chinese characters used in Japanese language and can be difficult to remember, even for native Japanese. Games such as DS Puzzle Series Vol. 13: Kanji Puzzle have become popular in Japan because it helps people maintain their knowledge of kanji in a fun way!

Click To Play

Maru Kaite DonDon Oboeru: Kyoui no Tsugawa Shiki Kanji Kioku Jutsu

2008-01-06T20:27:00.000-08:00

Here are a ton of screen shots from Maru Kaite DonDon Oboeru: Kyoui no Tsugawa Shiki Kanji Kioku Jutsu, a lesser known Kanji learning game for the nintendo DS!

Kanji Dragon opening video

2007-12-31T13:52:00.000-08:00

Kanji Sonomama Customer Reviews

2007-12-28T17:12:00.000-08:00

If you are considering purchasing one of the above DS games, it is generally a good idea to get feedback from those people who have already bought them games, that way you can tell if you are about to make a huge mistake or if you are about to stumble upon the 8th wonder of the world.

Here are a ton of customer feedback for Kanji Sonomama:

From Play-Asia:

This dictionary has it all! English, Japanese kana and kanji dictionaries. It is actually like several dictionaries in one. Understanding kana symbols is a must, but vocabulary and kanji knowledge are optional! No writing practice or games, just reference. I suggest you buy it with Kageyama Method - Dennou Hanpuku: Tadashii Kanji Kaki to Rikun if you are not yet skilled in Kanji.

From Play-Asia:

Bought a ds lite just for this "game"

Instead of an expensive mini translator with pen input I gambled on ds lite and it worth the bet.

Highly recommended for learning japanese, however you must master english before since this is only japanese-english and japanese-japanese dictionary.

Pen input is awesome, almost never confuses the strokes.

From Play-Asia:

This is a great language tool, but beware, do not get this if you're just starting Japanese study and know nothing about Japanese. If you know some obvious kanji, the difference between hiragana and katakana and some other various language need-to-know hows you'll fall in love with this product just like I did. Another plus is the pictochat expansion, but woe it is still not wi-fi.

From Amazon.com

I bought this game in the middle of a year of study abroad in Japan and immediately my life became so much easier. Japanese dictionaries will often have long, technical definitions, but Rakubiki Jiten does not hesitate to display, for example, questionable morals in their example sentences if it will get the gist of the word across. Some of the more obscure words will appear in only the Japanese-Japanese dictionary, but you can just look up the words you don't understand from that definition right there.

From Amazon.com

The handwritten kanji lookup feature of this dictionary is extremely convenient - much easier to use than multiradical or SKIP-code lookup, and it copes well with poor handwriting. Additionally, the detailed word dictionaries contain entries that I've not been able to find in free resources (for example, pataashi).

New Kanji Sonomama screens!

2007-12-17T12:10:00.001-08:00

New litter of screens for you all, although admittedly, not the best quality. But they will still help you understand the interface and what not.

Kanji No Wataridori Commercial

2007-12-15T20:57:00.000-08:00

A new Japanese commercial for you guys. This time it's for the game Kanji No Wataridori. I hear this game is unbelievably hard so you may want to think twice about picking it up unless of course you are looking for a real challenge.

Kanji Sonomama Commercial

2007-12-13T09:55:00.001-08:00

Here is a television commercial for Kanji Sonomama, straight off of the Japanese airwaves.

Screen Shots of Maru Kaite DonDon Oboeru: Kyoui no Tsugawa Shiki Kanji Kioku Jutsu - Kiso Gakushuu Hen

2007-12-12T14:41:00.001-08:00

Here a bunch of screen shots that will get you familiar with the interface of this kanji learning game!

Decription and pics of: Kageyama Method: Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-Kun - Kondo wa Kanken Taidaku Dayo!

2007-12-11T12:25:00.000-08:00

Behold the new edition to Tadashii Kanji games. There are many new parts that make this game even more convenient as ever. First of all, unlike the previous version, this game includes all the official jouyou kanji (all 1,945!). Next, another new addition to this Tadashii Kanji game is the readings, meanings, and the vocabulary words. Along with that it provides detailed corrections showing your errors graphically. Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-kun - Kondo wa Kankken Taidaku Dayo! is definitely one of the best kanji learning games on the market!

Screen Shots of 200 Mannin no KanKen: Tokoton Kanji Nou

2007-12-09T12:07:00.000-08:00

Here are a bunch of pics that will help you familiarize yourself with the 200 Mannin no KanKen: Tokoton Kanji Nou interface.

Kanji Sonomama Screenshots

2007-12-07T20:14:00.001-08:00

Hey there! Here are some screens from Kanji Sonomama. This will
get you familiar with the interface.

KanKen and Kageyama Method Japanese TV ads.

2007-12-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

Here are two ads that ran on Japanese television for the Kanji software. The first is for KanKen DS and show a drunk husband/boyfriend coming home and getting in trouble. They show Kanji to go along with the scene. Pretty funny actually. Even funnier if you don't speak Japanese!

The second ad is for Kageyama Method and it just a couple of Japanese school kids breakdancing while they study their Kanji. It is also totally rad. Check them out below!

The Importers On: Zaidanhoujin Nippon Kanji Nouryoku Kentei Kounin: KanKen DS

2007-12-06T15:10:00.000-08:00

Here is just a quick compilation of how all the major online stores describe Zaidanhoujin Nippon Kanji Nouryoku Kentei Kounin: KanKen DS.

PlayAsia Says:

This "Game" is specially made for those Japanese and not-Japanese Persons Looking to take the Kanji Certification.

Not entirelly a game (Only by the Mini Games all relating to Kanjis)but quite useful in studying, learning and preparing your self for the real Kanji Certification made, in foreignr countries at the Japanese Consulate or by a Kanji Certificate Organization in Japan. this Certification has several "kyu" or "grades" that depends on the difficulty level of the kanjis and their uses and this game seems to cover all "kyus", even the 1"kyu" or "grade" that is the most difficult one, and that could be interpeted as "fluent and proficient in Japanese" as Kanji is an important part of Japanese Written Language.

Renchi Says:

Zaidanhoujin Nippon Kanji Nouryoku Kentei Kounin: KanKen Ds
The game includes over 25,000 problems from past official Japanese kanji tests, as well as mini games.

National Console Support Says:

In 2005, over 2.4 million people took the Japan Kanji Aptitude Test which is the only kanji test authorized by the Japanese Ministry of Education. Since the learning of kanji can be a life-long endeavor, Nintendo helps learners along with Japan Kanji Test DS. Based on the structure of the tests administered by The Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation, the software includes 6,000 kanji characters to learn which covers all 8 levels of the official test. For example, if you're somewhat familiar with roughly 600 kanji characters, you're at the beginning level of 7. If you're a wizened kanji comprehending master who grasps the complete dictionary of 6,000 characters (JIS Level II), you're a level 1 professional and would do well to start your own kanji translation service bureau.
In a 1997 Japan Kanji Aptitude Test, 1,039 participants took the level 1 test but only 38 passed or 3.7% of the pool. Similar to other kanji programs, Kanji Test teaches kanji recognition with healthy doses of repetitive practice. The software also remembers your mistakes and focuses on them in subsequent sittings. To add a little bit of flair to the otherwise tedious exercise of learning hundreds and thousands of characters, eleven mini-games with kanji learning themes are included in the card to hone your skills with a little bit of light-hearted fun.

The Importers On: Kageyama Method - Denno Hanpuku Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-kun

2007-12-06T11:40:00.000-08:00

Here is just a quick compilation of how all the major online stores describe Kageyama Method - Denno Hanpuku Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-kun.

PlayAsia Says: (customer review)

I have tried quite a few of these programs, and this is the one i like best. all of the kanji are very clearly organized by their academic year, so you can learn them according to the japanese educational system. this takes you up through elementary education which means the first 1006 kanji or so.

it is a very well organized and clear program. the handwriting recognition is quite good, and the emulation of brush strokes is really nice. the testing system is very good also. i think this software combined with kanji sonomama rakubiki jiten would be all you really need until you finish your study of elementary kanji. then perhaps it would be time to move on to the next level of the software, if there is one.

YesAsia Says:

Kageyama Method Correct Kanji Dictation (Japan Version)
This game is compatible with any versions of the Nintendo DS console.

PinkGodzilla Says:

This kanji training game teaches you how to perfect your stroke order. It teaches all 1006 kanji that any Japanese elementary schooler would learn. Scores for your writing technique and a small dictionary are also included in this game.

The Importers On: Kanji Sonomama

2007-12-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

Here is just a quick compilation of how all the major online stores describe Kanji Sonomama

YesAsia says:

When it comes to franchises on the Nintendo DS, Kanji Sonomama: DS Rakuhiku Jiten is both a title and a resource like no other! This helpful second installment in the Touch Generations series of Nintendo DS titles broadens the features of the earlier DS Rakubiki Jiten electronic dictionary, amplifying the quality in ways fans of the previous title will appreciate. In this new chapter in the franchise, gamers have the ability to input kanji characters directly by way of the system's stylus. In addition, it also allows for gamers to search for readings and look up definitions.

Furthermore, this unique Nintendo DS title includes as a resource both English to Japanese and Japanese to English dictionaries. And if that wasn't enough, it also sports a special English language listening tutorial with English words pronounced by actual native speakers! As a nice bonus, it also contains a Japanese language quiz game with over seven hundred questions available for users to test their knowledge of the language! Considering all these options, Kanji Sonomama: DS Rakuhiku Jiten will prove to be an immensely helpful resource for language conscious Nintendo DS users on the go!

PlayAsia Says:

Kanji Sonomama is the perfect tool for anyone learning Japanese. I have been learning for about 1 year now and would find it hard to live without. This is a translator. You can write in English and get Japanese or write in Japanese and get English. Example sentences are given in Japanese and English for each word. Hiragana is given for the kanji but only when searched in Japanese. Basic knowledge of kanji stroke order is required. This is one of the best apps on the ds. Far better than buying an electronic dictionary and Cheaper.