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 28701
Harder (SFX) Unread 7544
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 4633
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 3004
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 10964
Harder (SFX) Unread 3512
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1504
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1241
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 6193
Harder (SFX) Unread 2012
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 812
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 712
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 3614
Harder (SFX) Unread 1451
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 496
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 519
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 3016
Harder (SFX) Unread 1367
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 439
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 459
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 2732
Harder (SFX) Unread 1263
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 414
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 418
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 2570
Harder (SFX) Unread 1173
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 393
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 402
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 2349
Harder (SFX) Unread 1145
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 360
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 380
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 2270
Harder (SFX) Unread 1101
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 344
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 357
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 2182
Harder (SFX) Unread 1056
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 335
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 336
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 2239
Harder (SFX) Unread 1050
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 300
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 339
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 2008
Harder (SFX) Unread 1016
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 293
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 329
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 2070
Harder (SFX) Unread 1005
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 291
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 337
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 1952
Harder (SFX) Unread 976
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 274
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 321
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 1974
Harder (SFX) Unread 985
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 272
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 319
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 1816
Harder (SFX) Unread 944
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 267
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 308
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 1844
Harder (SFX) Unread 942
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 258
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 304
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 1713
Harder (SFX) Unread 907
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 244
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 296
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 1800
Harder (SFX) Unread 899
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 250
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 296
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 1663
Harder (SFX) Unread 882
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 261
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 286
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 1716
Harder (SFX) Unread 879
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 255
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 293
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 1589
Harder (SFX) Unread 852
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 287
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 309
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 1625
Harder (SFX) Unread 832
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 277
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 281
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 1503
Harder (SFX) Unread 816
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 270
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 277
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 1553
Harder (SFX) Unread 785
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 265
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 271
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 1426
Harder (SFX) Unread 771
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 249
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 256
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 1552
Harder (SFX) Unread 777
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 252
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 256