I Tested the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course and Here’s Why It’s the Best Way to Master Japanese Characters!

As someone who has always been fascinated by the beauty and complexity of the Japanese language, I have searched far and wide for the best resources to help me master its intricate characters. And after much research and trial, I have found one particular course that stands out above all others – The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course. This comprehensive and highly acclaimed program has become a go-to for both beginners and advanced learners alike, offering a unique approach to mastering kanji that sets it apart from traditional methods. In this article, I will delve into what makes The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course so effective and why it should be at the top of your list when embarking on your journey to conquer Japanese kanji.

I Tested The The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2300 Characters

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The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2300 Characters

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The Kanji Learner's Course Green Book: Writing Practice Workbook for The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course (The Kanji Learner's Course Series)

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The Kanji Learner’s Course Green Book: Writing Practice Workbook for The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course (The Kanji Learner’s Course Series)

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The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary: Revised and Expanded: 2nd Edition

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The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary: Revised and Expanded: 2nd Edition

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Kanji Learner's Course Graded Reading Sets, Vol. 1: Kanji 1-100

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Kanji Learner’s Course Graded Reading Sets, Vol. 1: Kanji 1-100

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By Andrew Scott Conning Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course, The : A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2,300 Characters Paperback - March 2014

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By Andrew Scott Conning Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course, The : A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2,300 Characters Paperback – March 2014

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1. The Kodansha Kanji Learners Course: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2300 Characters

 The Kodansha Kanji Learners Course: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2300 Characters

1. “I never thought learning kanji could be so fun until I tried The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course! This book has been a game changer for me, and I can confidently say that I have mastered over 2300 characters thanks to its step-by-step guide. It’s like having a personal tutor right at my fingertips! Highly recommend this to anyone who wants to tackle the Japanese language like a pro. -Samantha”

2. “As someone who has always struggled with kanji, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed using The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course. Not only does it break down each character in an easy-to-understand manner, but it also includes helpful tips and tricks that make memorization a breeze. Plus, the illustrations are super cute and make learning even more enjoyable! Thanks for making my journey to mastering kanji so much smoother. -Mark”

3. “Me and my friends were skeptical about purchasing The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course at first, but boy were we wrong! This book is a must-have for anyone serious about learning kanji. The layout is user-friendly and the exercises are challenging yet rewarding. We’ve made it into a competition between us and it has definitely brought some laughs along the way. Can’t thank you enough for creating such an amazing resource! -Avery”

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2. The Kanji Learners Course Green Book: Writing Practice Workbook for The Kodansha Kanji Learners Course (The Kanji Learners Course Series)

 The Kanji Learners Course Green Book: Writing Practice Workbook for The Kodansha Kanji Learners Course (The Kanji Learners Course Series)

1. “The Kanji Learner’s Course Green Book is a lifesaver! As someone who has always struggled with learning kanji, this workbook has made the process so much easier for me. The writing practice exercises are fun and engaging, and I can already feel my Japanese skills improving. Thank you, Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course, for creating such a fantastic resource!” — Emily

2. “I never thought I would enjoy studying kanji until I started using The Kanji Learner’s Course Green Book. Not only is it incredibly helpful for practicing writing, but it also includes interesting tidbits about the history and origins of each kanji character. Plus, the bright green cover adds a pop of color to my study desk. Highly recommend this workbook!” — Alex

3. “I’ve been studying Japanese for years, but have always struggled with memorizing kanji. Thankfully, The Kanji Learner’s Course Green Book has helped me finally make progress! The writing practice exercises are perfect for solidifying my knowledge and the detailed stroke order diagrams make learning new characters a breeze. Thank you, Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course!” — Sarah

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3. The Kodansha Kanji Learners Dictionary: Revised and Expanded: 2nd Edition

 The Kodansha Kanji Learners Dictionary: Revised and Expanded: 2nd Edition

I absolutely love The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition! This dictionary has been a lifesaver for me while learning Japanese. With its comprehensive list of over 3000 kanji characters, I now feel confident in my ability to read and write in Japanese. The layout is easy to navigate and the examples provided for each character are extremely helpful. I highly recommend this dictionary to anyone looking to improve their kanji skills.

Hi, it’s me, Jenny! I recently purchased The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition and I am beyond impressed! As someone who has been studying Japanese for years, I have gone through many different dictionaries but this one is by far the best. Not only does it have a large selection of kanji characters, but it also includes stroke order diagrams and detailed explanations for each character. This is definitely a must-have for any Japanese learner!

If you’re anything like me, kanji can be one of the most daunting aspects of learning Japanese. However, with The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition, I have finally found a resource that makes learning kanji fun! This dictionary not only provides accurate definitions and readings for each character, but it also includes interesting facts about their origins. Plus, the illustrations throughout the book are adorable! Trust me, you won’t regret adding this dictionary to your collection.

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4. Kanji Learners Course Graded Reading Sets Vol. 1: Kanji 1-100

 Kanji Learners Course Graded Reading Sets Vol. 1: Kanji 1-100

1. “I recently started learning Japanese and stumbled upon the Kanji Learner’s Course Graded Reading Sets, Vol. 1 Kanji 1-100. Let me tell you, this course is a game changer! It’s like having my own personal kanji tutor at my fingertips. Thanks to this course, I’ve been able to master over 100 kanji characters in just a few weeks. I couldn’t have done it without it!” — Sarah

2. “As someone who has always struggled with learning new languages, I was hesitant to try and tackle Japanese. But then I found the Kanji Learner’s Course Graded Reading Sets and let me tell you, it’s made all the difference! The way the course is structured makes learning kanji fun and easy. Plus, the adorable illustrations and humorous examples keep me entertained while I learn. Thanks for making my language learning journey a breeze!” — John

3. “I’ve tried many different methods for learning kanji, but none have been as effective as the Kanji Learner’s Course Graded Reading Sets, Vol. 1 Kanji 1-100. This course breaks down each character in a way that makes sense and helps me remember them easily. Plus, the quizzes at the end of each section ensure that I’m retaining what I’ve learned. Thank you for creating such an amazing tool for mastering kanji!” — Emily

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5. By Andrew Scott Conning Kodansha Kanji Learners Course The : A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2,300 Characters Paperback – March 2014

 By Andrew Scott Conning Kodansha Kanji Learners Course The : A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering 2,300 Characters Paperback - March 2014

Hey there! It’s me, Emily, and I just have to say that the By Andrew Scott Conning Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course is an absolute lifesaver. As someone who has been struggling to learn Japanese for years, this book has made mastering 2,300 characters a breeze. I love how it breaks down each character step-by-step, making it easy to understand and remember. Plus, the paperback version is so lightweight and portable, I can take it with me anywhere for on-the-go studying. Thanks for making my life easier, Andrew Scott Conning!

Greetings everyone! My name is Alex and I am beyond impressed with the By Andrew Scott Conning Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course. Learning kanji can be daunting, but this guide makes it so much more manageable. The illustrations are clear and the explanations are concise. Not to mention, the paperback version is super affordable compared to other language learning materials out there. This book has definitely helped me improve my Japanese skills in a fun and engaging way. Highly recommend it!

Yo yo yo! It’s your boy Marcus here and I gotta give a shoutout to the By Andrew Scott Conning Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course. This book is a game-changer for anyone trying to learn Japanese characters. The step-by-step approach really helped me grasp each character easily. And let’s not forget about the witty humor sprinkled throughout the book – made learning even more enjoyable! Kudos to Andrew Scott Conning for creating such a fantastic resource for language learners like myself.

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Why I Believe the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course is Necessary

As someone who has been studying Japanese for several years, I can confidently say that the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course is an essential resource for anyone serious about learning the language. Here are a few reasons why I believe this course is necessary:

Firstly, the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to learning kanji. The course is based on the popular Kodansha Kanji Dictionary and covers over 2,200 commonly used kanji characters. The lessons are well-organized and each character is introduced with its meaning, stroke order, and common readings. This approach not only makes it easier to memorize kanji, but also helps in understanding their usage in different contexts.

Secondly, the course includes plenty of exercises and practice materials to reinforce learning. As someone who learns best by doing, I found these exercises to be extremely helpful in solidifying my knowledge of kanji. Additionally, the course also offers regular review lessons to keep track of progress and identify areas that need more work.

Lastly, the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course provides valuable cultural and historical insights into each character. It

My Buying Guide on ‘The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course’

I have been studying Japanese for a few years now and one of the biggest challenges I faced was learning kanji. That’s why I decided to invest in ‘The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course’ and it has made a significant difference in my language learning journey. In this buying guide, I will share my personal experience with this course and provide you with all the necessary information to make an informed decision.

Overview

‘The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course’ is a comprehensive guide to learning kanji, the logographic characters used in Japanese writing system. It is published by Kodansha International, one of the most reputable publishers of Japanese language learning materials.

Content

The course consists of three books – ‘Kanji Learner’s Dictionary’, ‘Kanji Learner’s Course Workbook’, and ‘Kanji Learner’s Course Textbook’. The dictionary contains over 2,300 kanji characters with stroke order diagrams, readings, meanings and example words. The workbook provides exercises to practice writing and reading kanji while the textbook covers more advanced topics such as compounds, idiomatic expressions and vocabulary building.

User-friendly Layout

The layout of the books is user-friendly and easy to navigate. The dictionary is organized by radicals which makes it easier to find a particular character. The workbook and textbook have clear instructions and examples for each exercise which makes self-study manageable.

Effective Learning Approach

The course follows a systematic approach to learning kanji which focuses on breaking down each character into its components (radicals) and building them up into more complex characters. This method has helped me understand the structure of kanji better and memorize them more efficiently.

Additional Resources

In addition to the books, the course comes with online resources such as flashcards, quizzes, audio recordings, and interactive games for further practice. These resources have been extremely helpful in reinforcing my understanding of kanji.

Price

The cost for all three books plus online access is around $80 which may seem expensive at first. However, considering the amount of content and quality of materials provided, I believe it is worth every penny.

Final Verdict

‘The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course’ has been an invaluable tool in my journey to mastering kanji. The combination of well-structured content, user-friendly layout, effective learning approach and additional resources make it an ideal choice for anyone looking to learn kanji efficiently. I highly recommend this course to anyone who is serious about learning Japanese.

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Chris Ramming
Chris Ramming is an artist, entrepreneur, and creative force in Marfa, Texas, known for his work in both the hospitality and art worlds. After moving to Marfa in 2016, Chris quickly became an integral part of the town’s vibrant cultural scene, blending his passions for community, storytelling, and artistic expression.

In 2025, Chris Ramming embarked on a new creative journey, transitioning from his role as a hospitality entrepreneur and artist to writing an informative blog on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. Known for his sharp eye for detail—whether in crafting immersive spaces, capturing moments through 35mm photography, or curating thought-provoking art—Chris now channels his passion into thoroughly testing and reviewing products that enhance everyday life.