# Instant Kanji

> Flashcard app for learning Japanese kanji based on Kodansha Dictionary. (iPhone/iPad app by CJKI.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instant-kanji/id965693240 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [CJKI](https://appshunter.io/developer/344405633)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-04-30
- Data updated: 2026-08-19
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instant-kanji/id965693240/reviews.md

## What is Instant Kanji?

Instant Kanji is a simple flash card application based on the world-renowned Kodansha Kanji Dictionary designed to help you improve your understanding of Japanese kanji characters while on the go. 

Instant Kanji focuses on helping the learner grasp a character's core meaning based on that character's entry in Jack Halpern's Kodansha Kanji Dictionary and long a standard reference work in Japanese language education. The core meaning is a concise keyword that conveys the character’s most fundamental meaning, providing an instant grasp of the meaning and function of the character as a word-building element, and has been widely praised by students and educators alike as an effective learning aid.

Kanji characters have been grouped into easily manageable decks of ten characters each, making the app suitable for quick learning or review sessions, for example when commuting to work or standing in line at the supermarket. The app also features a self-evaluation mechanism so you can measure the progress of your review sessions.

Furthermore, if the user has either the original The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary for iOS or The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary: Revised and Expanded app installed, the user can instantly jump to the corresponding entry in those apps to further deepen their learning.

The app comes free with eight decks comprising all the kanji in Joyo Grade One, that is, all the characters that a Japanese elementary student will learn during their first year of elementary school. Through in-app purchases, the learner can then supplement this with different collections containing decks covering the rest of the 1,006 education kanji, Joyo Kanji taught to Japanese students in junior and senior high school, and other non-Joyo and Jinmei (names) kanji.

Distinctive Features
* based on the world-renowned The Kodansha Kanji Dictionary
* ability to jump to character's entry in The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary apps, if installed
* self-evaluation function to measure your review progress
* small, easily manageable deck size 
* No internet connection necessary

## Key features

- Based on Kodansha Kanji Dictionary
- Small, manageable kanji decks
- Self-evaluation progress tracking
- Jump to Kodansha Learner's Dictionary apps
- Offline functionality

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Joyo kanji from grades 2 to 6 (93 decks) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Other Joyo Kanji (113 decks) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Non-Joyo and Jinmei Kanji (85 decks) | $1.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instant-kanji/id965693240/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Owned for Many Years and Recommend

*2023-07-13*

I’ve owned this app for many many years. I’m running the latest iOS 16 and don’t have any problems with it, and I never have. The app has always been resource underintensive and runs smooth as butter. While I adore this app for it’s simplicity, I do wish there were more options for randomization and studying cards together from multiple decks as currently there is no way to either of these things. There is also no review or spaced repetition system either and no way to bookmark decks that you are studying or change the decks default order so you always have to scroll down to find your deck. Decks have about 10 kanji each in them and show the kanjis’ core meanings in English. One of my favorite features is that the kanji have a tappable link that opens their entry up in the Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary app for easy cross referencing.

### 1/5 — Instant Kanji - crashes on opening (iPad os 15.6)

*2022-08-05*

However it works on iPhone and links open in Kanji Learner’s. But since I mostly study on my iPad my evaluation will get a lot more stars once this problem is solved.

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2021-11-15*

Great app! Very fast and effective. I learned 450 kanji in a week. It’s miraculous!!!

### 1/5 — Doesn’t even start

*2021-11-04*

I’m not surprised when older apps don’t start on iPadOS 15. I AM surprised when an app had an update (its first!) in five years a few days ago (1 Nov 2021) and STILL doesn’t even start.

### 5/5 — Good fast app,  kanji to English meaning

*2021-11-02*

This is a very good app due to its simplicity.  
It does one thing very well.  Kanji picture to English meaning.
Fast, accurate and easy to use,  you speed through the kanji.
The author wrote a dictionary so the English words are carefully chosen to really represent the true meaning of the kanji.
The app is not overpowering like some of the other apps so you actually use it and don’t give up.

## Frequently asked questions about Instant Kanji

### What is the learning methodology of Instant Kanji?

Instant Kanji uses a flashcard system based on the core meaning of kanji characters as found in the Kodansha Kanji Dictionary. Characters are presented in small, manageable decks of ten, facilitating quick learning and review sessions.

### How does Instant Kanji track user progress?

The app features a self-evaluation mechanism that allows users to measure their progress during review sessions. This helps learners identify areas where they need more practice and track their overall improvement.

### What content is included for free in Instant Kanji?

The free version of Instant Kanji includes eight decks comprising all the kanji learned in the first year of Japanese elementary school (Joyo Grade One). This provides a solid foundation for beginners.

### What additional kanji collections are available for purchase in Instant Kanji?

Users can purchase supplementary collections that cover the remaining 1,006 education kanji (Joyo Kanji for junior and senior high school), as well as non-Joyo and Jinmei (names) kanji. These in-app purchases expand the learning material significantly.

### Can I use Instant Kanji without an internet connection?

Yes, Instant Kanji does not require an internet connection to function. This makes it ideal for learning and reviewing kanji on the go, even in areas with limited or no connectivity.

### Does Instant Kanji offer certifications upon completion?

The provided information does not mention any certifications offered by Instant Kanji upon completion of learning modules. Its focus is on aiding self-study and improving kanji recognition.

### What devices is Instant Kanji compatible with?

Instant Kanji is designed for iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It was released on April 30, 2015, and its latest version is 1.4, last updated on December 2, 2021.

### What is the user sentiment for Instant Kanji?

Based on the provided rating of 3.0 stars from 2 ratings, user sentiment appears mixed. Further review analysis would be needed to understand specific user likes and dislikes.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.4 — 2021-12-02

We fixed an issue where the app was crashing on launch for certain iOS devices.

### 1.3 — 2021-11-15

- fixed an issue where links to our Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary app were not working
- ensured that the app was compatible with older devices

### 1.2 — 2021-11-01

- bug fixes

### 1.0 — 2015-04-26

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

## Apps similar to Instant Kanji

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Quiz to learn Japanese Kanji](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quiz-to-learn-japanese-kanji/id1668518781) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Education |
| [Kanji LS Touch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-ls-touch/id304848819) | 4.0 (6) | $7.99 | Education |
| [Learn Japanese Kanji and Kana](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-japanese-kanji-and-kana/id1322000057) | 4.9 (1,955) | Free | Education |
| [Learn Japanese Kanji: Benkyō](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-japanese-kanji-benkyo/id1541592138) | 4.7 (3,417) | Free | Education |
| [Learn Japanese: Kana & Kanji](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-japanese-kana-and-kanji/id1572852037) | 4.8 (39) | Free | Education |
| [Kanji Study - Learn Japanese!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kanji-study-learn-japanese/id1078107994) | 4.7 (7,032) | Free | Education |

## More apps by CJKI

- [Mechanical Engr Dict (Jpn-Eng)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mechanical-engr-dict-jpn-eng/id344405630)
- [IT and Computer Dict (Jpn-Eng)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/it-and-computer-dict-jpn-eng/id344417368)
- [Medicine Terms Dict (Jpn-Eng)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/medicine-terms-dict-jpn-eng/id344419533)
- [Business Econ Dict (Jpn-Eng)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/business-econ-dict-jpn-eng/id344422168)
- [Chemical Terms Dict (Jpn-Eng)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chemical-terms-dict-jpn-eng/id344423422)
- [Electrical Engn Dict (Jpn-Eng)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/electrical-engn-dict-jpn-eng/id344424978)

All apps by CJKI: https://appshunter.io/developer/344405633

---

*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.*