August 2025 Progress Update – Learn Kanji with The Kanji Speedrun
Site Progress – August 2025
Hi everyone, Rowan here. I decided to start keeping a monthly “progress diary” for The Kanji Speedrun so you can follow along as this project takes shape. My hope is that it gives you a peek behind the curtain, and keeps me accountable too.
Where I’m At
This month has been special. My main job gave me summer break, and I finally decided to start something I’ve been saying I’d “do one day”, building The Kanji Speedrun. The first three weeks were definitely the toughest: laying out the foundation for the entire site. But I knew if I started with a solid structure, it would make all the later chapter work much smoother.
So far, I’ve created the core design, login system, review pages, etc. I also added some fun touches (checkmarks, toggles, and progress bars) to make the experience feel more interactive and motivating. I even built out a Downloads section and a Blog section (where you’re reading this!), both of which I’m excited to expand in the future.
It feels good to finally have the main structure out now. As it's slowly starting to take shape, I'm starting to be able to make out what this project can one day become.
I just finished polishing Chapter 1, and plan to start working on Chapters 2 and 3 soon. I plan to quickly get the whole course out quickly in a "draft/early access" form, but, for now, I want the first three chapters to be the strong “showcase” that new learners experience.
Highlights I Liked Working On
One of the most enjoyable parts this month has been working on illustrations and cultural notes. I love how the illustrations brought in a slice-of-life anime energy. I think learners can connect with that.
The kanji illustrations for 日 (sun/day), 山 (mountain), and 本 (book/base) were especially enjoyable to create, as they are genuinely beautiful illustrations.
On the cultural side, I had a great time writing extra notes for "see" (見 ), "four" (四), and "eight" (八). I even touched on topics like Lafcadio Hearn, the Nihon Shoki, and so on. Giving cultural context to the kanji makes the pages feel more alive.
I also made the first crossword puzzle for the course, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. It’s lighthearted but still connects back to the mnemonics and culture. I see it as a fun way to ‘study without studying.’
This month, I also refined my workflow into an “assembly line” process. Instead of finishing one kanji fully before moving on, I now do each step (like generating drafts, refining mnemonics, selecting vocabulary, and polishing with notes and voices from Ken and Mei) across an entire chapter one at a time. It’s much more efficient, though I’ll admit some steps (like mnemonic writing) are still very time-consuming.
It’s a lot of work, but I’m already seeing how the process saves time and keeps me focused.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, my goal is to polish the first three chapters until they shine. These chapters are the free entry point for learners, so they need to feel strong, clear, and engaging. After that, I’ll begin rolling out the rest of the course as draft pages (with clear labels), so learners can start exploring right away while I continue polishing step by step.
I’ll keep updating this post monthly with progress milestones, screenshots, and next steps. So, if you’re curious about how the project grows, check back here or follow along on socials.
I also added a progress tracker to the homepage so you, and I, can see development at a glance. Right now the tracker sits at about 3%. Small, but growing every week.
Even with my full-time + part-time hours, I want to keep momentum going. One step at a time, this project is becoming real.
Thanks for reading! This is just the beginning.