Kiki-Mimi Radio

A chance discovery of a curious radio leads to unexpected consequences in this modern retelling of a Japanese classic.

In the Easier editions, we've worked to constrain the grammar to a modest set of basic patterns, and at only 27 episodes, this series should feel approachable for people who are just getting started reading real Japanese stories.

Those who are more advanced (or those who have graduated from the Easier editions) will enjoy the Harder editions, which include more challenging grammar and vocabulary, as well as Harder-only extended notes.

We hope you enjoy this story.

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Episode 1
A nearby park provides the perfect venue for the narrator's daily routine.
Notes: This episode contains notes on the difference between two words related to going out for a walk, as well as two words for "many."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 30363
Harder (SFX) Unread 8070
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 4908
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 3182
Episode 2
The narrator takes a look around a market event going on in the park.
Notes: This episode contains several examples of a special pattern for naming examples, and a note that breaks it down.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 11711
Harder (SFX) Unread 3797
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1610
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1327
Pro
Episode 3
The narrator happens on an interesting item as she looks around one of the tents.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a common word that can be used to say a device or machine "runs" or "works."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 6640
Harder (SFX) Unread 2206
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 885
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 770
Pro
Episode 4
A mysterious old man talks to the woman about the radio.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the the use of alternate kanji for common words, plus one that looks at the difference between hontou ni and hontou wa.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 3969
Harder (SFX) Unread 1624
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 548
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 572
Pro
Episode 5
As the narrator enjoys her new radio, a small hiccup occurs.
Notes: This episode contains two notes on wa being used for special effect, and a breakdown of a sentence containing degree-marking gurai.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 3344
Harder (SFX) Unread 1528
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 490
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 506
Pro
Episode 6
The woman wonders about a strange setting on the radio.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a pattern that means "to go to do something" in the sense of just beginning to undertake the action, another one on a word that means "if I recall correctly," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 3043
Harder (SFX) Unread 1426
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 459
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 461
Pro
Episode 7
The new setting seems somehow connected to an interesting radio program.
Notes: This episode contains great demonstrations of the word yappari, as well as the pattern of asking yourself a question, to which the implied answer is "yes."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2858
Harder (SFX) Unread 1323
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 435
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 437
Pro
Episode 8
The woman notices something strange while listening to the radio.
Notes: This episode contains a note on an expression that means "there's no way," as well as one on the use of the word yoku to express amazement.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2633
Harder (SFX) Unread 1298
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 396
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 416
Pro
Episode 9
The woman begins to doubt her sanity as the scene becomes more and more peculiar.
Notes: This episode contains lots of fun vocabulary and expressions.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2535
Harder (SFX) Unread 1243
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 381
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 390
Pro
Episode 10
Newcomers to the scene further surprise the woman.
Notes: This episode contains several lengthy notes, including one on the so-called "suffering passive," and one on an expression that means "just when I thought..."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2460
Harder (SFX) Unread 1198
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 373
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 370
Pro
Episode 11
The woman tests a hypothesis.
Notes: This episode contains a note that looks at the difference between two verbs for animal vocalization, and another that breaks down a tricky sentence.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2501
Harder (SFX) Unread 1185
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 335
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 374
Pro
Episode 12
The woman searches out another opportunity to test the radio.
Notes: This episode contains a note on why and when you must use the "seeming" -sou suffix.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2273
Harder (SFX) Unread 1155
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 325
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 365
Pro
Episode 13
The radio leads the woman to an amphibian in distress.
Notes: This episode contains a discussion of a pair of verbs that mean "to help."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2331
Harder (SFX) Unread 1139
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 324
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 374
Pro
Episode 14
The woman reflects on what the old man might have meant when he sold her the radio.
Notes: This episode contains dramatic vocabulary, like the words for "betray" and "misuse."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2215
Harder (SFX) Unread 1107
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 306
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 357
Pro
Episode 15
The narrator describes where she lives.
Notes: This episode contains pleasant vocabulary like "gently sloping," as well as interesting notes, such as one on a common pattern for describing locations.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2235
Harder (SFX) Unread 1123
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 305
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 355
Pro
Episode 16
The woman gets to work on her idea to bring more birds to her yard.
Notes: This episode contains a review of the -te kuru pattern to speak of going out to perform a task before returning, and a use of chotto to mean "hey!"
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2076
Harder (SFX) Unread 1082
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 300
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 345
Pro
Episode 17
The woman senses something is not right during her morning jog.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a special use of oboeru.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2089
Harder (SFX) Unread 1075
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 291
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 340
Pro
Episode 18
An overheard conversation between two crows, and their subsequent announcement, sheds light on what is going on.
Notes: This episode contains a cheerful word for "sun," a note on a common speech abbreviation, a note explaining why there can be different ways to write the same verb, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1960
Harder (SFX) Unread 1039
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 280
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 331
Pro
Episode 19
A congregation of birds causes wonderment near where the woman works.
Notes: This episode contains notes on a way to consider a hypothetical scenario, an explanation of the word toriaezu, and the meaning of the word yo after a question.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 2039
Harder (SFX) Unread 1032
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 285
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 332
Pro
Episode 20
The man wonders aloud about his dog's behavior, as the woman offers a suggestion.
Notes: This episode contains several notes about small points of grammar.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1902
Harder (SFX) Unread 1013
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 300
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 324
Pro
Episode 21
The woman ponders what she knows and what she can do.
Notes: This episode contains a note on how to give short ranges like "two or three minutes" or "five or six people" in Japanese.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1956
Harder (SFX) Unread 1008
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 289
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 327
Pro
Episode 22
The morning turns tumultuous as the event the animals spoke about appears to arrive.
Notes: This episode contains a detailed note on a word that means "to settle back down into an orderly state."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1819
Harder (SFX) Unread 981
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 325
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 350
Pro
Episode 23
Sensing danger and realizing she has an opportunity to help, the woman springs to action.
Notes: This episode offers several interesting notes, including one on the often-misunderstood word tekitou.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1850
Harder (SFX) Unread 956
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 312
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 320
Pro
Episode 24
Everyone looks anxiously to the sea.
Notes: This episode contains a note that considers different ways to speak of playing a message, as well as one that contrasts two suffixes that mean "several" and "many."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1720
Harder (SFX) Unread 941
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 308
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 316
Pro
Episode 25
The woman and her coworkers look on in disbelief as nature trifles with the town.
Notes: This heart-pounding episode contains dramatic vocabulary and expressions, such as dokoro ka, "far from (one thing), (something else way larger)."
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1764
Harder (SFX) Unread 908
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 301
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 310
Pro
Episode 26
The mayor talks to the woman about her actions on that day.
Notes: This episode contains notes on two common words that might feel tricky.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1631
Harder (SFX) Unread 894
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 287
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 286
Pro
Episode 27
The conclusion to Kiki-Mimi Rajio.
Notes: This episode contains notes on two useful patterns.
Editions Status Total Readers
Easier (SFX) Unread 1749
Harder (SFX) Unread 909
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 287
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 292