Kawaii Nihongo

Need variety in your japanese language studies? Play「かわいいにほんご」！

Kawaii Nihongo is a non-combat educational video game!

- Informative texts regarding japanese language basics

- Hundreds of flashcards for learning kanji, hiragana and katakana

- Plenty of unique NPCs with varying personalities and dialogues

Get to know people in the city surrounding Kuma Bear Academy as they speak to you in japanese and english simultaneously!

"What's the target audience?"

This game is suitable for beginners who have studied a bit of japanese before but got stuck or unmotivated. The heartfelt goal of Kawaii Nihongo is to motivate you to make the act of learning an interesting pastime. This study adventure is likewise beneficial for total beginners who have never seen a hiragana before.

PLAYTIME

Kawaii Nihongo have two main playstyles: "Adventuring in the city" and "Practicing in the study room". The city adventure can be speedrun'd in around an hour IF you already know the basics of japanese and if rushed to clear the tests.

However, if you take the initiative to thoroughly speak to every unique NPC, and also find yourself in need of practicing the language in order to clear the tests you can spend many, many, more hours in the study room utilizing the study materials to hone your language knowledge. This is the way the game is meant to be played / utilized.

It is also possible to return to the city NPC's to repeat the same conversations - studying the flow of conversation multiple times to improve the understanding of nuance. Each NPC have their own unique name and visual identity.

STUDY DESKS

The study room provides 4 study desks. These desks provide several explanations on the basic aspects of the japanese language. Tips on studying towards your specific goals are also provided.

Alongside the "how to study" notes, materials for studying are provided. These include hundreds of flashcards for hiragana, katakana and kanji, and also a couple of charts for hiragana/katakana. Access the study materials at any time in-game.

SENPAI GIRLS

Your senpai (seniors) are scattered around the city districts in their own dedicated teaching spaces. They give you information that extend your vocabulary and knowledge of the hiragana and katakana letters.

SENSEI TESTS

To progress through the city districts you are given short tests with multiple choices to check on your knowledge of hiragana and katakana. However, you can access hiragana and katakana charts in your inventory at any time before/after the tests. And if you really need to, just open up a chart in an external window to check during the tests. For a beginner-friendly experience there are no time limits or limited test retries. You choose your way of progressing!

ACCESSIBILITY & CONTROLS

With the mouse movement and the left side mouse button all actions - moving, interacting, continuing dialogue, making choices and navigating menu can be performed. Thus it is playable with one button. With the right side mouse button menu can be opened and closed. When bringing up flashcards and hiragana/katakana charts the "Enter" (Keyboard) or "A" (XBOX controller) button will be needed to close them.

LEGITIMACY

Chirabi-san, the creator of this educational game, has 4 years academic studies of the japanese language & culture with a direction on manga and game studies - and currently ongoing use of this knowledge in employment. While not a japanese person, the experience of learning the language at a later stage in life has provided a unique perspective on how to teach others (you!) who may be in a similar situation.

DISTRIBUTION NOTICE

This game is not to be distributed by any other party than Chirabi-san through the Itch.io service. If seen distributed elsewhere, please report it. Kawaii Nihongo is developed by 1 person and all distribution and sale rights lies therein. Thank you.

FUTURE CONTENT

The income from sales are invested in the development of more educational games for you all to enjoy!

COMMENT ETIQUETTE

Please post questions regarding the japanese language or ask for tips if there is something you need help with learning. Any comments with an impolite or haughty tone are disregarded. Constructive feedback is much appreciated. <3

PLATFORM & INSTALLATION

Kawaii Nihongo is available for PC. It is provided in a ZIP. To start the game please extract the contents with an unzip software of your choice, then click on the "Game" executable to start the game. There is no need to run an installer.

それでは日本語の勉強を楽しめましょうヾ(•ω•`)o