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 32025
Harder (SFX) Unread 8547
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 5195
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 3356
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 12436
Harder (SFX) Unread 4042
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1735
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1421
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 7067
Harder (SFX) Unread 2369
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 956
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 830
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 4277
Harder (SFX) Unread 1754
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 601
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 616
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 3639
Harder (SFX) Unread 1649
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 533
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 550
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 3326
Harder (SFX) Unread 1550
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 501
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 501
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 3120
Harder (SFX) Unread 1444
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 476
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 479
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 2885
Harder (SFX) Unread 1421
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 433
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 454
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 2790
Harder (SFX) Unread 1353
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 415
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 427
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 2706
Harder (SFX) Unread 1310
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 408
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 408
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 2739
Harder (SFX) Unread 1300
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 372
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 412
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 2513
Harder (SFX) Unread 1273
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 358
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 404
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 2564
Harder (SFX) Unread 1254
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 357
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 414
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 2448
Harder (SFX) Unread 1221
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 339
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 392
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 2463
Harder (SFX) Unread 1237
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 338
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 389
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 2308
Harder (SFX) Unread 1193
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 331
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 379
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 2312
Harder (SFX) Unread 1182
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 325
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 373
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 2181
Harder (SFX) Unread 1146
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 312
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 366
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 2258
Harder (SFX) Unread 1138
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 317
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 364
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 2118
Harder (SFX) Unread 1121
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 332
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 358
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 2168
Harder (SFX) Unread 1115
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 320
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 360
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 2028
Harder (SFX) Unread 1090
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 363
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 386
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 2053
Harder (SFX) Unread 1057
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 348
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 358
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 1930
Harder (SFX) Unread 1044
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 342
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 352
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 1972
Harder (SFX) Unread 1008
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 333
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 348
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 1830
Harder (SFX) Unread 992
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 318
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 326
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 1951
Harder (SFX) Unread 1006
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 316
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 332