Kana Trainer isn't just a flashcard app. It's a precision tool designed to bridge the gap between "knowing" a character and "reacting" to it. We combine cognitive science with the mechanical rigor of professional typing trainers.
Passive recognition is the enemy of fluency. By requiring you to type the Romaji for every Kana, we force your brain to engage in "forced retrieval," strengthening the neural pathways much faster than simple multiple-choice tests.
Using a custom Leitner System, we track your mastery of every single character. Characters you struggle with appear more frequently, while mastered ones are pushed further into the future, optimizing your study time.
Our goal is to help you achieve "automaticity"—the ability to process characters without conscious thought. By measuring latency (time-to-first-key), we help you identify not just what you know, but how well you know it.
Inspired by classic Word-Per-Minute (WPM) exercise machines and typing trainers, we treat language learning as a physical skill. Building muscle memory through typing creates a tactile connection to the language.
Our Inspirations
Kana Trainer stands on the shoulders of giants in the language learning and typing community. Our design and methodology were heavily influenced by:
- KanaPro: The gold standard for systematic Kana introduction and reinforcement. We borrowed the idea of progressive row-by-row mastery.
- Modern WPM Trainers: Inspired by classic word-per-minute exercise machines and modern platforms like Monkeytype, we prioritize high-resolution feedback, visual clarity, and the "flow state" that comes from rhythmic, undisturbed typing.
- Anki & the SRS Movement: The mathematical approach to forgetting curves and spaced review is the engine under our hood.
The Philosophy of Friction
Most apps try to make learning as easy as possible. We believe in "desirable difficulty." By removing crutches (like romaji hints by default) and requiring exact typing, we create just enough friction to ensure your brain is actually working. If it's too easy, you aren't learning.