kotoha vs ZenKanji / 禅漢字
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
kotoha
This daily word game tests your Japanese language skills and helps you learn new words. It features different modes suitable for both beginners and advanced speakers, specifically designed around the Japanese syllabic writing system.
- Daily word guessing challenges
- Vocabulary expansion
- Modes for learners and fluent speakers
- Focus on Japanese syllabic writing system
- Free to play
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A daily word game that proves your knowledge of Japanese while expanding your vocabulary. Includes modes for learners and fluent speakers alike. Designed specifically for Japanese's syllabic writing system.
ZenKanji / 禅漢字
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"ZenKanji" is a Japanese-style puzzle game where you banish specters (Ayakashi) lurking among kanji characters and uncover the tales hidden within. Together with Byakugo, the fox-spirit guardian of the Archive, find the one character that doesn't belong — the "odd one out" — and disperse the specters before time runs out. [Story Archive] Journey through a grand narrative, each chapter guarded by a unique specter. Before every stage, Byakugo shares the etymology and lore behind each kanji pair. Clear grids from 3×3 to 5×5 within the time limit and reclaim the Emakimono (picture scrolls) sleeping in the Archive. Struggling with a tough stage? The "Mark of Insight" — Byakugo's power — gradually eases difficulty, ensuring everyone can progress deeper into the story. [Infinite Archive] Unlocked after completing Chapter 2. Test your skills in a 60-second score attack. Chain consecutive correct answers to reach the exhilarating "Meikyo Shisui" (Clear Mirror, Still Water) state. [Features] - A kanji "odd one out" game with story, characters, and adventure - Trigger the satisfying "Meikyo Shisui" mode through an unbroken streak - The "Mark of Insight" — Byakugo's support so everyone can enjoy the story - Collect beautiful "Emakimono" (Picture Scrolls) as you play - A calming, Japanese-style aesthetic featuring Washi paper and brush calligraphy - Discover etymology facts and creative tales rooted in Japanese culture Perfect for a quick mental refresh — begin your journey through the Archive.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: kotoha at none against ZenKanji / 禅漢字's 1. kotoha also leads on ads (none vs shown). ZenKanji / 禅漢字's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. ZenKanji / 禅漢字 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. kotoha asks for nothing beyond the download.
kotoha ships an update every 3 weeks, ZenKanji / 禅漢字 weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | kotoha | ZenKanji / 禅漢字 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (20 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 20 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 102 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | kyle coburn | CODE BEE, K.K |
In-app purchases
kotoha
No in-app purchases
ZenKanji / 禅漢字
- Premium Gold Leaf Washi$2.99
Questions
Is kotoha free?
Is ZenKanji / 禅漢字 free?
Do kotoha or ZenKanji / 禅漢字 have ads?
Which is updated more often, kotoha or ZenKanji / 禅漢字?
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