# Sumi: Hiragana & Katakana — Learn Japanese kana > Learn Japanese kana (iPhone/iPad app by Vivien Gontier.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sumi-hiragana-and-katakana/id6770529287 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Vivien Gontier](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896751055) - Category: Education, Reference - Price: Free - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.1 · 93 MB - Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish - Released: 2026-05-26 - Data updated: 2026-07-06 - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sumi-hiragana-and-katakana/id6770529287/reviews.md ## What is Sumi? Sumi walks you through the 214 hiragana and katakana, the two syllabaries that form Japanese''s base alphabet, then opens onto the 80 kanji of the JLPT N5 level. New to Japanese? Sumi assumes you''ve never seen a kana in your life. You learn to read them, write them, hear them, and watch your progress build session by session. No prerequisites, no mandatory placement test, your first kana in under five minutes. — THE 4 QUIZ MODES — To anchor each kana from every angle: • Reading: you see the kana, you identify its pronunciation • Listening: you hear the sound, you find the kana • Drawing: you trace the kana with your finger, in the correct stroke order • Writing: you read the romaji, you pick the kana — WHAT YOU LEARN — • 46 base hiragana: あ い う え お… • 25 dakuten and handakuten: が ぱ ば… • 36 yōon, combined sounds: きゃ しゅ ちょ… • All of it in katakana: ア イ ウ エ オ… • 214 kana total, organised in clear chapters • Plus the JLPT N5 Kanji module (~80 characters), unlocked at 80% kana mastery — FEATURES — • Adaptive quiz based on spaced repetition (SM-2 algorithm, same as Anki) • Automatic detection of pairs you mix up (シ and ツ, ン and ソ, ぬ and ね…) • Japanese vocabulary that unlocks as you progress • Visual progress map, by chapter and by kana • Streaks, detailed stats, session history • Finger drawing with stroke order verification • Audio for every kana • Available in 7 languages: French, English, Spanish, Portuguese (PT + BR), German, Italian • No ads, no in-app purchases, no paywall — THE VOCABULARY THAT UNLOCKS — As you progress, real Japanese words open up: greetings, animals, numbers, family, food, daily life. A hundred or so words and sentences that only become readable once you master the kana inside them, the tangible reward of your sessions. 頑張って. Good luck. ## Version history (last 4 releases) ### 2.1.2 — 2026-07-02 Thanks for using Sumi! This update includes a few small improvements and bug fixes to keep the app smooth and enjoyable to use every day. We're always working to make Sumi better. If you have ideas or suggestions, we'd love to hear them. Keep going, you're improving faster than you think. 頑張って! ### 2.1.1 — 2026-06-23 Thanks for the feedback, we read every message. This release fixes a few small things and keeps polishing the app so it stays pleasant to use every day. If something bothers you or feels missing, write to us, Sumi grows with your messages. Keep going, you're improving faster than you think. 頑張って! ### 1.2 — 2026-05-29 New module: JLPT N5 Kanji Learn your first 80 kanji, unlocked once katakana reach 80% mastery. – Two quiz modes: meaning and reading – Thematic groups: numbers, time, people, nature… – Mastery achievements Improvements: – Streak preserved on kanji-only practice days – New app icon and splash screen ### 1.0 — 2026-05-26 No release notes. --- *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 2026-07-06.*