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 31214
Harder (SFX) Unread 8319
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 5058
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 3283
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 12096
Harder (SFX) Unread 3932
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1672
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1378
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 6865
Harder (SFX) Unread 2296
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 924
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 801
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 4130
Harder (SFX) Unread 1695
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 577
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 592
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 3502
Harder (SFX) Unread 1598
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 513
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 528
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 3198
Harder (SFX) Unread 1498
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 485
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 482
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 3004
Harder (SFX) Unread 1396
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 459
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 458
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 2770
Harder (SFX) Unread 1368
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 419
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 436
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 2665
Harder (SFX) Unread 1312
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 402
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 410
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 2588
Harder (SFX) Unread 1272
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 395
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 391
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 2623
Harder (SFX) Unread 1258
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 355
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 393
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 2398
Harder (SFX) Unread 1230
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 343
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 383
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 2457
Harder (SFX) Unread 1211
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 343
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 395
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 2344
Harder (SFX) Unread 1174
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 325
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 375
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 2363
Harder (SFX) Unread 1188
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 325
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 371
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 2205
Harder (SFX) Unread 1147
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 319
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 361
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 2214
Harder (SFX) Unread 1138
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 310
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 356
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 2087
Harder (SFX) Unread 1103
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 299
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 347
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 2171
Harder (SFX) Unread 1095
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 302
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 348
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 2031
Harder (SFX) Unread 1077
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 319
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 340
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 2078
Harder (SFX) Unread 1065
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 307
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 345
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 1940
Harder (SFX) Unread 1039
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 346
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 368
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 1967
Harder (SFX) Unread 1013
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 333
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 340
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 1847
Harder (SFX) Unread 999
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 330
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 335
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 1894
Harder (SFX) Unread 962
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 324
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 329
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 1755
Harder (SFX) Unread 947
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 311
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 306
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 1870
Harder (SFX) Unread 963
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 309
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 313