Japanese Study Step 1 vs JLRPG Quest
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Japanese Study Step 1
This app offers an engaging way to learn elementary Japanese through writing. It utilizes a unique writing recognition system to teach hiragana and katakana, followed by dictation and game-based learning.
- Writing recognition system
- Learn hiragana and katakana
- Dictation exercises
- Game-based learning
- Phonics instruction
- Character voiceovers
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■ Japanese language study STEP 1 with "Writing Princess" (For iPhone & iPad.) ■ Elementary Japanese language education APP by enjoyable learning with writing. ■ Japanese language dictation learning is possible by writing with this APP. 'Writing Princess STEP 1' is an innovative APP through which people can learn Japanese language as if mother teach English words to young child by writing those words on the notebook. Not only visual factor(figures) and auditory factor(sounds) of traditional APPs, but writing recognition system which is developed by ourselves in this APP make it possible for people to study without notebook or pens. Now, why don't you, young boys and girls, enjoy writing and study with 'Writing Princess STEP 1'? ■ Japanese language education APP which can do dictation! ■ Maximizing the effectiveness of learning Japanese language by using the concept that mother teach Japanese words to young child by writing those words on the notebook! ■ Patent for writing recognition system! ■ Appeared on TV program, MBC Power Magazine! ■ Appeared on TV program, KBS 9 NEWS! ■ Characteristics of Writing Princess STEP 1 1. First stage - Phonics - Learning elementary Japanese alphabet! - Japanese language can be learned by writing 'hiragana' sound (あ~ん), katakana (ア~ン) as the order of making each letter. 2. Second stage - Dictation - Learning Japanese by listening & writing memorized letter. - Japanese language can be learned by writing and listening pronunciation of Writing Princess 3. Third stage - Game - Learning Japanese by Game memorized First stage & Second stage. 4. "Writing Princess & Writing King" Characters' awesome voice ■ 'Korean Study STEP I with Writing Princess' is also released for studying Korean. ■ 'Mathematics study STEP I with Wiriting Princess" is also being developed for student. ■ Please leave your opinions, and it will be considered carefully for further development. ■ e-mail - ceosoftheaven@gmail.com ■ Produced by Softheaven Inc.
JLRPG Quest
Embark on story-driven quests across Japan to learn practical Japanese. Master hiragana and katakana with bite-sized lessons and engage in real-world dialogues. This app offers an RPG-style learning experience with daily challenges for consistent progress, all without textbooks.
- Story-driven quests across Japan
- Learn hiragana and katakana
- Practical vocabulary and grammar
- Real-world dialogue practice
- RPG-style progression
- Short daily challenges
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Learn Japanese by living it. JLRPG Quest is a story RPG set in a cozy Japanese town, where every quest teaches words and phrases you'll really use: ordering food, shopping, finding your way and chatting with new friends. Start from zero. Finish reading real Japanese. NEW LOOK, NEW DOWNTOWN The whole game has a brand new look, and Downtown is the biggest area yet. Walk the plaza and meet new friends, shop five aisles at the supermarket, order at Happy Burger, and explore five floors of the Book Up! bookstore for grammar, vocabulary, verb and kanji card sets, plus picture books you can read and quiz yourself on. Take daily delivery jobs at Yamaneko and hunt down items all over town for yen and gifts. NEW: NIPPON POST BANK & ATM Your wallet has a limit, so open a bank account. Pass the teller's quiz to get your own cash card with your name on it, set a PIN, then use a real-style Japanese ATM to deposit, withdraw and check your balance. Learn the actual kanji and polite phrases on Japanese ATM screens, and watch out for those after-hours fees, just like in Japan! LEARN FROM ZERO • Hiragana and katakana with bite-sized lessons and challenges • Kanji with story cards on the Ema board • Practical vocabulary, grammar and everyday conversations • Listening and speaking scenes with voice clips • English support at first, then more and more Japanese as you improve A REAL RPG ADVENTURE • Story quests through schools, parks, a shrine, a pub, a friend's house and now downtown • Level up and manage HP, MP and stamina • Collect food, drinks, books and gifts inspired by real Japanese culture • Decorate My Room, pack your bag and show off your Hero ID card • A daily study desk with card practice, a daily gift and a stamp card for every day you study PASSES: GO FURTHER, FASTER Adventurer, Elite and God Mode passes are one-time purchases that make the whole adventure easier: • Higher max HP, MP and stamina • A bigger bag and a bigger wallet • A free yen gift every day • A bonus luggage package delivered to My Room • Your Hero ID card restyled in your pass colors Passes are optional extras that help support the game. BUILT FOR REAL PROGRESS Learn in context, not in isolated drills. Every location builds on what you learned before, so you always know the next step and never feel overwhelmed. Great for JLPT N5 beginners, travelers, anime fans and self-learners. Made with love in Tokyo by the makers of Hiragana Sensei, Katakana Sensei and Brunchy Cafe. Featuring art by Brunchy Cafe: instagram.com/brunchycafe, brunchycafe.com Questions or ideas? We'd love to hear from you at brunchycafe.com/jlrpgquest. ありがとう!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: JLRPG Quest at 89% against Japanese Study Step 1's 33%. JLRPG Quest also leads on ratings volume (267 vs 2) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Japanese Study Step 1's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Japanese Study Step 1 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and JLRPG Quest sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
JLRPG Quest holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: JLRPG Quest has 267 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Japanese Study Step 1's written reviews are positive against 89% of JLRPG Quest's.
Japanese Study Step 1 ships an update every 3 months, JLRPG Quest every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Japanese Study Step 1 | JLRPG Quest |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (2 ratings) | 4.7 (267 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 88.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 267 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 184 MB | 358 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | +12 |
| Developer | SOFTHEAVEN | Skydea K.K. |
Customer experience
Japanese Study Step 1
JLRPG Quest
Bugs and requests
Japanese Study Step 1
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
JLRPG Quest
Reported bugs
2 issues- Rewards and money not properly registering
- Certain quiz answers not being accepted correctly
Requested features
5 requests- More content and levels to expand the experience
- Ability to disable romaji and focus on kana/kanji
- Customizable flashcard/review system
- Stroke order practice for kanji
- Sync progress across multiple devices
In-app purchases
Japanese Study Step 1
- Remove ADS$1.99
JLRPG Quest
- Coffee Sized Tip$0.99
- Supporter Pack$1.99
- Ramen Sized Tip$2.99
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- Sushi Sized Tip$4.99
- Adventurer Pack$4.99
- Elite Pack$9.99
- God Mode Pack$19.99
Questions
Is Japanese Study Step 1 free?
Is JLRPG Quest free?
Which has better reviews, Japanese Study Step 1 or JLRPG Quest?
Do Japanese Study Step 1 or JLRPG Quest have ads?
Which is updated more often, Japanese Study Step 1 or JLRPG Quest?
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