# Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE — Learn FAST with memory tricks!

> Learn Japanese Katakana with mnemonics, quizzes, and writing practice. (iPhone/iPad app by Byrne Bob.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dr-mokus-katakana-lite/id452227098 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Byrne Bob](https://appshunter.io/developer/387585138)
- Category: Education, Games, Word
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 16 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 96 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-08-11
- Data updated: 2026-08-19
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dr-mokus-katakana-lite/id452227098/reviews.md

## What is Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE?

Learn to read and write Japanese Katakana in less than one hour! Read the reviews right here. It works.

Features:
 ● Complete system for learning Katakana fast.
 ● Reading and Listening Quiz modes.
 ● NEW! Dr. Moku now talks you through each learning screen.
 ● Write with your finger on screen then check it against the correct animation.
 ● Reading Practice! Much requested and finally here.
 ● Audio reference chart for Dakuten, Handakuten and Yoon.
 ● Offline Audio Phrasebook! 
 ● Video demo with recap quiz.

"After a half hour, I was blazing through each exercise: highly recommended for beginners". - The Huffington Post

“I came across Dr. Moku's Hiragana Mnemonics....Thirty minutes later I had memorized all hiragana". - BoingBoing.net

Mnemonics are memory tricks that use humor or a memorable personal connection to help you fix and break associations so your brain has no choice but to remember.

Each screen presents a Katakana character along with a mnemonic clue and audio clip. Read the clue, listen to the clip and move on to the next one. The alternating bold colors will 'reset' your brain so you start fresh with each character. Then take a quiz! You will be amazed at your ability to recall Katakana after just a few minutes.

This free Lite Version covers 25% of Katakana. We offer an in-app purchase which adds the entire mnemonic system, additional quizzes, word search game etc.er
(Save money and grab our bargain double app bundle here on the App Store!)

## Key features

- Katakana learning system
- Reading and Listening Quiz modes
- On-screen writing practice
- Audio reference chart
- Offline Audio Phrasebook
- Reading Practice mode

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Katakana content & word game | $4.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 16)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dr-mokus-katakana-lite/id452227098/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Worst app you’d have to buy everything

*2025-01-11*

Only 15-20% of the alphabets are available in the free version. The mnemonics displayed were also stupidish.

### 5/5 — Awesome app!!!

*2019-03-23*

I had already bought Dr Moku’s hiragana app and absolutely loved it. I had been really struggling with memorizing all the different Japanese letters and that app made it so simple to learn and actually remember day to day, month to month. All the silly pictures and sayings make it nearly impossible to forget! I thought that I would try and get by with just the lite version of Dr Moku’s katakana. It took me months of practice before I felt like I knew all the letters pretty well. Then I got busy and didn’t work on any Japanese for a month or so, and when I got back to it, the only Katakana letters I could remember were the ones that I learned from the katakana app. I had no problem remembering all the hiragana and the few katakana letters from the lite app because I could associate them with the pictures and phrases. I was so frustrated and tried to practice writing them over and over hoping it would help. I finally decided to go ahead and get the full version of the app. I hate myself for not doing it sooner- All the unnecessary stress! The app is awesome and just as helpful as the hiragana app. I’m so grateful for the stories that tie in all the similar looking katakana. It just makes learning this alphabet so simple. I can’t recommend both apps enough. Spend the money, it’s well worth it!    *Also as a side note, I contacted the app support team with a question and they responded very quickly and were so helpful and friendly. I couldn’t have asked for better service.

### 4/5 — A student studying japanese

*2017-05-03*

Very good but the lite version is very limmited and has got hardly any japanese in it I recommend to get the full version even though i cannot buy it due to not having any money of my own pls send me a version where i dont have to pay for a full version since i have my exams coming up.

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2015-10-13*

^^

### 5/5 — Easy

*2015-02-25*

It is the lite version so naturally it is easy. 
But it's very well thought out and the corresponding pictures makes it a breeze to learn.

### 5/5 — IMPRESSED

*2015-02-24*

Much more effective than just repetition of the kana over and over again. I put off learning katakana because I already knew hiragana and it took me a while using a different app. I didn't want to spent a long time learning katakana but I learned 13 of them almost instantly! YAYYY

### 4/5 — Awesome

*2015-02-09*

It really helps me remember katakana characters. Before I actually started studying hiragana and katakana I thought that katakana would be easier, but imo it's easier to remember hiragana because a few katakana characters look very similar to each other, such as shi and tsu. In just five to ten minutes I was able to remember thirteen characters. The reason I give this four stars is because it's addicting, but there seems to be a small amount of katakana characters. Maybe add another three to five more characters? I still use it even though I already know them just to be safe and I am willing to buy the app if I ever get an iTunes card.

### 5/5 — Incredibly awesome!

*2014-11-11*

This free version contains 13 words to memorize. Now memorizing becomes easier because of this amazing game! I can memorize 13 katakana words in less than 45 minutes!

But the words are too few, if you want more, you have to prepare some dollars to purchase.

### 2/5 — Great mnemonics, shame about the bugs!

*2013-07-18, version 1.3*

The mnemonics this app uses are fantastic. It's just a shame the app is buggy. None of the modified katakana quizzes work, and the simple katakana quizzes often have the right answer as two of the four options. It's also impossible to exit a quiz once started, and the actual katakana cards seem to only be available from the quick ref screen. Simple bugs to fix - pls do so, especially given you are charging for this app!

### 4/5 — Great app

*2013-07-01*

Really good tool for quickly learning katakana. By far the best i have tried. My only complaint is that sometimes the quiz doesn't work properly - instead of displaying four options, it shows one twice and goes buggy when you select. Same issue for hirigana app.

**Developer response:** Hello, fix on the way!

## Frequently asked questions about Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE

### How quickly can I learn Katakana with Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE?

Users report learning Katakana in as little as 30 minutes to an hour. The app uses mnemonics and interactive exercises designed for rapid memorization.

### Does Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE offer offline access?

Yes, the app features an Offline Audio Phrasebook, allowing you to learn and practice Katakana even without an internet connection.

### What learning methods does Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE use?

The app utilizes mnemonics, which are memory tricks combining humor and personal connections to aid recall. It also includes reading, listening, and writing practice.

### What content is included in the free Lite version?

The free Lite version covers 25% of the Katakana system. Additional content, quizzes, and games are available through an in-app purchase.

### Can I practice writing Katakana characters?

Yes, you can practice writing Katakana characters directly on your screen with your finger and check your strokes against an animation.

### What is the age rating for Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE?

The app is rated 4+ and is suitable for a wide range of learners, including children and adults interested in Japanese language.

### How often is Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE updated?

The app was last updated on October 18, 2022, indicating ongoing support and potential for future improvements.

### Does Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE have ads?

No, the app is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted learning experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.4 — 2022-10-18

-Links to the new and improved Dr. Moku app
-Added animated logo

### 3.2 — 2020-06-29

Audio Chart fix

### 3.1 — 2020-06-25

-Fix for in-app purchases
-Added Modified Mnemonics! Dakuten, handakuten, yoon, etc
-Added link to Dr. Moku's physical flashcards

### 3.0 — 2020-06-24

-Added Modified Mnemonics! Dakuten, handakuten, yoon, etc
-Added link to Dr. Moku's physical flash cards

### 2.2 — 2017-07-05

Fixed an audio issue and minor UI tweaks.

## Apps similar to Dr. Moku's Katakana LITE

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-study-learn-japanese/id1078107994) | 4.7 (7,032) | Free | Education |
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## More apps by Byrne Bob

- [Dr. Moku's Hiragana Mnemonics](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dr-mokus-hiragana-mnemonics/id387585135)
- [Dr. Moku's Hiragana LITE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dr-mokus-hiragana-lite/id387585229)
- [Dr. Moku's Katakana Mnemonics](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dr-mokus-katakana-mnemonics/id452226776)
- [Japanese Phrases by Dr. Moku](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/japanese-phrases-by-dr-moku/id1378936720)
- [Learn Languages with Dr. Moku](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-languages-with-dr-moku/id1560153533)

All apps by Byrne Bob: https://appshunter.io/developer/387585138

## Related topics

[dr. moku's katakana lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/dr-moku-s-katakana-lite) · [katakana memory](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/katakana-memory) · [katsuhito matsushima](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/katsuhito-matsushima) · [all nipon](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/all-nipon)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-19.*