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 30606
Harder (SFX) Unread 8138
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 4944
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 3207
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 11838
Harder (SFX) Unread 3836
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1627
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1340
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 6708
Harder (SFX) Unread 2228
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 895
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 778
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 4010
Harder (SFX) Unread 1642
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 558
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 579
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 3391
Harder (SFX) Unread 1550
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 496
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 514
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 3087
Harder (SFX) Unread 1447
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 467
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 469
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 2898
Harder (SFX) Unread 1348
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 440
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 442
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 2669
Harder (SFX) Unread 1321
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 400
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 421
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 2568
Harder (SFX) Unread 1265
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 385
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 395
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 2494
Harder (SFX) Unread 1222
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 377
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 376
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 2538
Harder (SFX) Unread 1211
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 338
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 381
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 2307
Harder (SFX) Unread 1182
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 328
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 371
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 2362
Harder (SFX) Unread 1164
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 328
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 379
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 2248
Harder (SFX) Unread 1132
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 311
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 362
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 2268
Harder (SFX) Unread 1147
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 309
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 360
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 2114
Harder (SFX) Unread 1105
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 303
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 350
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 2126
Harder (SFX) Unread 1097
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 294
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 343
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 1998
Harder (SFX) Unread 1060
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 282
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 334
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 2078
Harder (SFX) Unread 1052
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 286
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 334
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 1942
Harder (SFX) Unread 1032
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 302
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 326
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 1996
Harder (SFX) Unread 1027
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 292
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 330
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 1858
Harder (SFX) Unread 1000
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 328
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 353
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 1886
Harder (SFX) Unread 975
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 314
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 323
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 1762
Harder (SFX) Unread 961
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 310
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 319
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 1809
Harder (SFX) Unread 926
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 304
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 314
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 1677
Harder (SFX) Unread 914
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 290
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 291
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 1790
Harder (SFX) Unread 926
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 291
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 296