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 30782
Harder (SFX) Unread 8182
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 4975
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 3231
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 11902
Harder (SFX) Unread 3860
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1637
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1353
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 6755
Harder (SFX) Unread 2247
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 905
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 787
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 4043
Harder (SFX) Unread 1657
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 564
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 584
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 3420
Harder (SFX) Unread 1564
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 502
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 519
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 3118
Harder (SFX) Unread 1460
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 474
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 474
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 2923
Harder (SFX) Unread 1361
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 448
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 449
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 2701
Harder (SFX) Unread 1333
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 408
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 428
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 2596
Harder (SFX) Unread 1277
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 392
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 402
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 2521
Harder (SFX) Unread 1234
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 384
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 383
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 2564
Harder (SFX) Unread 1223
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 344
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 387
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 2337
Harder (SFX) Unread 1193
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 332
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 378
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 2394
Harder (SFX) Unread 1176
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 332
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 386
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 2280
Harder (SFX) Unread 1143
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 315
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 369
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 2298
Harder (SFX) Unread 1158
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 314
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 367
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 2144
Harder (SFX) Unread 1117
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 308
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 358
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 2156
Harder (SFX) Unread 1110
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 299
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 352
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 2026
Harder (SFX) Unread 1074
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 288
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 343
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 2109
Harder (SFX) Unread 1065
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 292
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 343
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 1972
Harder (SFX) Unread 1048
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 308
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 335
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 2024
Harder (SFX) Unread 1040
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 298
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 339
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 1888
Harder (SFX) Unread 1014
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 335
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 363
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 1909
Harder (SFX) Unread 989
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 321
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 333
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 1786
Harder (SFX) Unread 974
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 317
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 328
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 1832
Harder (SFX) Unread 939
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 311
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 322
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 1699
Harder (SFX) Unread 925
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 297
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 299
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 1815
Harder (SFX) Unread 938
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 297
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 304