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7 Games that Teach Japanese

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Per Kevin

The dream of many people is to learn Japanese by playing, so there are several attempts to create games involving the teaching of Japanese. Some RPGs, adventure, puzzles, or purely aimed at teaching. In this article, we will recommend 7 games that teach Japanese for you to play.

Wagotabi - RPG that Teaches Japanese

Wagotabi is an RPG game that helps learn Japanese in a fun and interactive way. Available for mobile and with a demo version on Steam, it mixes adventure elements, such as exploration and challenges, with Japanese lessons. As the player progresses through the story, they learn new words, kanji, and grammar rules naturally, without the feeling of studying.

In the game, you control a character who travels through a world inspired by Japan. To progress, you need to use what you've learned about the language to interact with characters, solve puzzles, and win battles. The game is designed for beginners or those at an intermediate level, so the lessons are divided into levels of difficulty.

The great differential of Wagotabi is the setting. Each region of the game reflects real places in Japan, complete with a lot of local culture. This makes language learning more immersive, as you not only learn to speak but also to better understand Japanese culture and traditions.

7 games that teach Japanese

Shashingo - Learn Japanese by Taking Photos

Shashingo is a unique educational game that combines photography and learning Japanese in a relaxed and engaging way. In the game, you explore a city full of details, taking pictures of different objects and landscapes while learning words and phrases in Japanese. The goal is to help players intuitively expand their Japanese vocabulary by associating words with what you see in the photos.

The mechanics are simple: while you take photos, the game offers translations and explanations about what was captured, teaching the names of the objects and their uses in Japanese. In addition to learning new words, you can also review the taken photos, testing your knowledge and reinforcing learning in a light and fun way. The game is perfect for those who are starting to study the language or want to practice in a relaxing way.

The charming visual of the city and the freedom to explore make Shashingo an engaging experience, free of pressure. There is no rush or competition, just the opportunity to learn at your own pace while enjoying the beauty of the setting. Ideal for those who love photography and want to take their first steps in Japanese, the game turns learning into a pleasurable and creative activity.

7 games that teach Japanese

Influent

Influent is a game created for those who want to learn new words in Japanese in a practical and direct way. You explore a 3D apartment, clicking on objects and receiving real-time translations. This means that by pointing at a chair or a refrigerator, you learn the corresponding word in Japanese. It’s a great way to expand your vocabulary with things we use in our daily lives, without relying on boring word lists or textbooks.

One of the best parts of Influent is the game's free rhythm. You don’t have to follow a schedule or complete complex missions. You can go at your own pace, exploring the space and absorbing knowledge at your own rhythm. This flexibility makes the game an excellent tool for those with a busy routine or who prefer to learn in a more casual way. It's as if learning is a natural consequence of your curiosity about the environment.

The interaction with the environment makes the game more dynamic and learning more natural. When I played, I found myself naming objects around the house that I didn't even know the name of in Portuguese, let alone in Japanese! This made me realize how much I learned intuitively. If you are looking for an easy way to learn Japanese, Influent can be a great choice to introduce the language into your daily life.

7 games that teach Japanese

Koe

Koe is an RPG that transforms learning Japanese into an epic journey. The proposal is clear: as you progress in the game, you learn words and phrases in Japanese, especially related to daily life. The combat system is quite unique, as you must construct sentences using the words you have collected, which makes the experience even more challenging and, at the same time, rewarding.

When playing Koe, you feel like you are living a true linguistic adventure. The missions are not just about defeating monsters or completing objectives; they are intertwined with learning. One time, I had to solve a puzzle that required reading some basic kanjis. It was an immersive experience that made me realize how learning Japanese can be incorporated into daily life in a fun way.

The great difference of Koe is that it not only teaches vocabulary but also sentence structure. Thus, you learn how to combine words to form complete sentences. This gives the player a true sense of progress, as you see the direct application of what you learned throughout the story. It's an excellent option for those who want to dive into Japanese while having fun in a fantasy universe.

7 games that teach Japanese

Learn Japanese to Survive!

The series "Learn Japanese to Survive!" is perfect for those who want to learn Japanese while having fun with RPG battles. The game places the learning of the Japanese alphabets — hiragana, katakana, and kanji — at the center of the action. Instead of normal monsters, the enemies are characters that represent the symbols you need to learn. So, to win, you need to recognize and hit those characters.

When I played "Learn Japanese to Survive!", I was impressed by how the game makes learning challenging. Each battle forced me to remember what I had learned, and that helped solidify the knowledge. It's like the battles were a constant test, but with the bonus of being much more fun than a traditional exam. I remember when I managed to defeat my first "enemy kanji" — it was a feeling of victory!

7 games that teach Japanese

Kana Quest

"Kana Quest is a puzzle game where the main objective is to learn the Japanese alphabets hiragana and katakana. Unlike RPG games, Kana Quest focuses on connecting different characters based on their sounds and similarities. You play through levels and gradually memorize the different sounds and symbols naturally."

The coolest part of "Kana Quest" is how it turns learning into a mental challenge. Each level brings a new type of puzzle, which prevents the game from becoming repetitive. When I played, I found it very interesting how each match seemed to teach me something new, and by the end of a few levels, I was already memorizing the sounds without even realizing it.

If you enjoy logic games and want to learn hiragana and katakana, "Kana Quest" is an excellent choice. It combines learning with fun, without pressure and at your own pace. It is perfect for those who prefer a more memorization-focused approach and less on adventure.

7 games that teach Japanese

Kanji no Owari

"Kanji no Owari" is a battle game that helps players learn kanji, the most complex writing system of Japanese. The name of the game means "The End of Kanji," and the idea is to defeat the "enemy" kanji to save the world. The game is ideal for those who already know the hiragana and katakana alphabets and want to take the next step in learning.

What makes "Kanji no Owari" special is the way it combines RPG mechanics with kanji writing and reading challenges. When I played, I found myself paying much more attention to every detail of the kanjis, as a failure in recognition could cost a battle. It's an excellent practice to solidify the characters more permanently in memory.

If you are at an intermediate or advanced level and looking for a greater challenge in learning Japanese, "Kanji no Owari" offers exactly that. In addition to battles, the game includes mini-challenges that help you understand the meaning and origin of the kanjis, making the experience deeper and educational.

7 games that teach Japanese
Information about the Anime: KANON (2006)
Information about the Anime: Shinpi no Hou