The Kanji Speedrun

A Smarter, Simpler Way to Kanji Mastery

The Kanji Speedrun is a digital course designed to get you reading Japanese—fast. Skip the flashcard bloat, rote writing drills, and endless busywork. Instead, lock in the core meaning of every kanji with an approach built for memory, speed, and real results.

• Learn Core Meanings
  Each chapter introduces 30 kanji with clear, memorable mnemonics—no busywork. Just the recognition skills you’ll use in real life.
• Reinforce As You Go
  Practice instant recall with curated vocabulary built from kanji you’ve already learned and clickable toggles.
• Test yourself
  Only the kanji you forget repeatedly need extra review! Find the tough ones with the 5-day review system—then study only them in Anki for spaced repetition.
• Learn the Joyo, *Then* Level Up
  Once you’ve locked in all meanings of the Joyo (Regular-Use Kanji), go to Phase 2— our section for writing, readings, and pronunciation. Now with more exposure under your belt, you'll build those skills in a fraction of the time.

• Human & Visual Storytelling: Vivid mnemonic stories and original illustrations bring kanji to life, with friendly recurring characters (Ken & Mei) guiding you from start to finish.
• Two-Phase Mastery: Focus on recognition first. Come back for writing, readings, and advanced skills-when you’re ready.
• Review That Works: The built-in 5-day review system lets you spot your weaknesses—so you can focus only where you need it.
• Print or Digital: Prefer pen and paper? Every chapter’s review sheet is printable, so you can self-test anywhere.
• No Flashcard Bloat: Only tough kanji go into Anki—never waste time on the easy stuff.

• No Handwriting Required
  Most kanji sites slow you down with endless writing drills. Not here. Get reading and understanding fast, then add writing skills later.
• No “Readings Overload”
  You’ll never be forced to memorize a dozen random pronunciations at once. Master meaning first, add readings in your second sweep.
• Example Words That Build
  We don't just throw a ton of vocabulary at you. Most vocab is carefully chosen from kanji you’ve already learned—helping reinforce everything, not overwhelm you.
• 5-Tick System
  Check off a box every time you get a kanji right. Five checks across 5 different days means you’ve got it locked in. This way, you'll always know where to focus your energy.
• Active, Not Passive
  Every page is a test: meanings stay hidden until you click to reveal, building true recall.
• Mnemonic Stories with Real Characters
  The course is filled with original, visual mnemonics that help you remember kanji faster—no dry lists, no lifeless flashcards. Plus, we have Ken & Mei, who will help guide you through every chapter.

🖋️ See Kanji In Three Fonts

The real world is full of font surprises—textbooks, handwriting, street signs. Our unique font toggle lets you review kanji in textbook, print, and handwritten styles—on every page.

• Self-learners tired of flashcard fatigue
• Visual learners who want memorable stories, not just lists
• JLPT test takers aiming for N3–N1 with a deadline
• Those who want a more logical path through kanji
• Those wanting a story world, not just an algorithm

This course is especially potent for those wanting to pass the JLPT or read real Japanese—fast.

Chapters 1–3 are free forever—no login, no ads, no catch.

The rest of the course is part of a paid subscription. Basic members unlock every chapter of the course. Premium members will get access to extra features —including premium Anki decks, illustrated mnemonics after Chapter 3, and even video tutorials! The Anki decks be there from the start, but the illustrations and videos will roll out gradually as I make them.

If you’d like to support the project, you can do so on Patreon (for ongoing support), BuyMeACoffee (for a one-time tip), or simply by sharing the site with a friend.