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 30455
Harder (SFX) Unread 8093
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 4922
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 3191
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 11760
Harder (SFX) Unread 3810
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1616
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1334
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 6666
Harder (SFX) Unread 2212
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 887
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 772
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 3983
Harder (SFX) Unread 1630
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 553
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 574
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 3361
Harder (SFX) Unread 1536
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 493
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 507
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 3054
Harder (SFX) Unread 1433
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 463
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 463
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 2868
Harder (SFX) Unread 1332
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 438
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 438
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 2645
Harder (SFX) Unread 1304
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 396
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 417
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 2542
Harder (SFX) Unread 1249
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 381
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 391
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 2471
Harder (SFX) Unread 1204
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 373
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 371
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 2513
Harder (SFX) Unread 1191
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 335
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 375
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 2282
Harder (SFX) Unread 1161
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 326
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 366
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 2341
Harder (SFX) Unread 1146
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 325
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 2228
Harder (SFX) Unread 1115
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 308
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 2249
Harder (SFX) Unread 1130
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 306
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 2092
Harder (SFX) Unread 1087
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 2106
Harder (SFX) Unread 1079
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 1975
Harder (SFX) Unread 1043
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 280
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 332
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 2055
Harder (SFX) Unread 1036
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 1917
Harder (SFX) Unread 1018
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 301
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 1972
Harder (SFX) Unread 1013
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 291
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 328
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 1835
Harder (SFX) Unread 987
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 326
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 351
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 1866
Harder (SFX) Unread 962
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 313
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 321
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 1740
Harder (SFX) Unread 948
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 309
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 317
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 1783
Harder (SFX) Unread 913
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 303
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 312
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 1648
Harder (SFX) Unread 899
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 289
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 289
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 1766
Harder (SFX) Unread 913
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 290
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 293