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 25445
Harder (SFX) Unread 6596
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 4131
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 2700
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 9547
Harder (SFX) Unread 3016
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1321
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1098
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 5303
Harder (SFX) Unread 1668
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 707
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 623
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 2983
Harder (SFX) Unread 1173
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 415
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 453
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 2443
Harder (SFX) Unread 1101
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 364
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 387
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 2173
Harder (SFX) Unread 1016
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 343
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 351
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 2044
Harder (SFX) Unread 941
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 325
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 337
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 1857
Harder (SFX) Unread 914
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 292
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 321
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 1780
Harder (SFX) Unread 880
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 281
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 303
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 1712
Harder (SFX) Unread 841
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 275
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 284
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 1787
Harder (SFX) Unread 841
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 241
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 279
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 1570
Harder (SFX) Unread 801
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 232
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 273
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 1643
Harder (SFX) Unread 798
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 231
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 275
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 1546
Harder (SFX) Unread 774
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 220
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 264
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 1560
Harder (SFX) Unread 779
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 220
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 262
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 1410
Harder (SFX) Unread 742
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 214
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 250
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 1448
Harder (SFX) Unread 738
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 208
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 247
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 1322
Harder (SFX) Unread 708
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 195
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 238
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 1417
Harder (SFX) Unread 701
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 199
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 239
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 1280
Harder (SFX) Unread 682
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 208
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 228
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 1338
Harder (SFX) Unread 684
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 208
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 234
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 1214
Harder (SFX) Unread 665
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 225
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 244
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 1247
Harder (SFX) Unread 643
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 214
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 218
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 1151
Harder (SFX) Unread 627
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 212
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 220
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 1203
Harder (SFX) Unread 602
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 207
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 210
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 1100
Harder (SFX) Unread 596
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 198
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 199
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 1219
Harder (SFX) Unread 599
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 199
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 198