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.

SORT BY: DATE ↑ | UNREAD | BOOKMARKED
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 31947
Harder (SFX) Unread 8528
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 5180
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 3345
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 12412
Harder (SFX) Unread 4037
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 1723
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 1413
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 7055
Harder (SFX) Unread 2362
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 952
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 828
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 4267
Harder (SFX) Unread 1750
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 598
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 614
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 3625
Harder (SFX) Unread 1644
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 530
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 547
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 3316
Harder (SFX) Unread 1543
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 499
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 499
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 3112
Harder (SFX) Unread 1439
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 474
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 477
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 2874
Harder (SFX) Unread 1415
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 432
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 453
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 2779
Harder (SFX) Unread 1348
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 414
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 426
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 2692
Harder (SFX) Unread 1309
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 407
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 407
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 2727
Harder (SFX) Unread 1297
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 370
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 411
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 2502
Harder (SFX) Unread 1270
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 358
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 403
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 2553
Harder (SFX) Unread 1251
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 357
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 413
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 2439
Harder (SFX) Unread 1218
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 339
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 391
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 2453
Harder (SFX) Unread 1234
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 338
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 388
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 2296
Harder (SFX) Unread 1191
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 330
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 377
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 2303
Harder (SFX) Unread 1178
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 324
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 371
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 2172
Harder (SFX) Unread 1143
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 311
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 364
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 2254
Harder (SFX) Unread 1135
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 316
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 362
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 2114
Harder (SFX) Unread 1117
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 331
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 355
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 2161
Harder (SFX) Unread 1111
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 319
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 359
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 2020
Harder (SFX) Unread 1082
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 361
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 383
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 2046
Harder (SFX) Unread 1053
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 347
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 356
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 1918
Harder (SFX) Unread 1040
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 341
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 350
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 1962
Harder (SFX) Unread 1004
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 333
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 346
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 1822
Harder (SFX) Unread 989
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 318
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 324
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 1941
Harder (SFX) Unread 1003
Easier (Voice Only) Unread 316
Harder (Voice Only) Unread 331