iKana - Hiragana and Katakana App Reviews

Among the many Hiragana/Katakana learning Apps, this is one of the most polished. Outstanding UI that really sets iKana apart from most of its competitors. The touch-based writing practice is just that good. Really worths its price. My only complaint is that the "Recent wrong answers" item should display all the mistakes from every test, and not just from the latest one.

I tried several apps for kana and I believe this is by far the best one: excellent testing tools for both recognition and writing exercise

This is a very useful app to study Japanese. Very well done, especially because of the black board that allow you to write again and again the hiragana and katakana. Also the service in case of problem is really fast!

Since almost no one here in Japan uses romanji, iKana helped me learn the kana quickly and allowed me to develop enough skill to jump to Kanji (which almost everyone uses here). Buy the bundle if you are serious about learning because, they compliment each other well.

I love this app on OS X, and I love it even more on the iPhone. Being able to draw the characters on screen is great! Well done Rory!

This is exactly the Japanese app Ive been waiting for - a full featured kana teacher. A little pricey, but polished and well-done. Thanks!!

This is great I have been checking iTunes everyday since I read about it on the developers blog. Thank You Rory

This is for people trying to learn hiragana and katakana, and for people like me that just like to have a good review from time to time. PROS: 1. Good speed test. 2. Flip a card and get the stroke order. 3. Sound included for pronunciation. (good for beginners of Japanese) 4. Ability to write kana. CONS: 1. Speed test seems endless (should be able to set number of questions) 2. There is an option for "Recent wrong answers", but my wrong answers didnt store from my test, so its empty. 3. Katakana Youon and Hiragana Youon Writing test doesnt work. Looks like a bug. 4. A true writing test doesnt provide a guide to follow. This is more like a writing trace. And to learn you have to write these things over and over from memory. Remove the guide and get some way to recognize kana. Cant wait to see iKanji on here!

I like this app. I like that I can now study my kana on the train. or in the living room. I think $4.99 would have been a better price, but still not a bad app for the price.

This is a great looking set of flashcards. The sounds are clear and the stroke animations are easy to follow. The faces of the cards are large so you can get a good look at the intricacies of the strokes. However, these really arent flashcards to help you learn the Kana sets. The characters and their Romaji meanings are both on the front side of the flashcard. The stroke animations are on the back. So its not really helpful for those who want to practice memorizing the meanings. Theres a speed test that does quiz you on the Romaji but the right answer (along with 3 wrong ones) are located just below it... plus, as others have pointed out, theres no way to limit the time. So if youre looking for a great looking set of cards, pronunciations, and the chance to test your writing strokes, this is a great app. But if youre looking for cards that you can sit back, relax, and test yourself with the meanings, these arent it. It would be great if the developer could add the option to use the flashcards in a variety of different ways.

im studying japanese and had been looking for an app as good as kanji flip to learn kana and this is the one. speed & writing tests on all kana make this one a must have. a little pricey, but worth it.

As someone who has purchased/downloaded 78 Apps (with 12 or so being Japanese language related), I feel I can really speak with some authority on the quality of this App. Additionally, as an American studying Japanese, so I was looking for an App exactly like this. The other reviewers, while making constructive suggestions (as they should) they really did NOT adequately express how absolutely phenomenal this App really is. 1 - The design is flawless. Super clean, super-well organized. Beautiful to look (for Kana flashcards I mean). 2 - This App provides all Hiragana & Katakana combinations, but lays them out in 3 sections for each type, this makes them really easy to study. 3 - Not only are the Kana laid out in a group, you can then study them individually - one Kana character on each card accompanied by the appropriate English sound, two common vocabulary words AND the ability to listen to the Kana pronounced by a native speaker! As if that wasn’t enough, you can “flip” the card over and practice writing it, view the stroke or take a quick quiz called “speed test” which gives you a chance to practice what you learn. I have to respectfully disagree with the reviewer who said these are not really “flashcards” since they show you the answer, hes actually wrong - the cards provide you a clean, easy method to view and study Japanese Kana, and then give you a very unique style of quiz in order to test you “flashcard” style. This is by far my favorite App! Great job!

This app is amazing! They contain all the set and give you efficient way to practice. What I especially like about it is that the app allows me to pick my own practice set, so that I could focus on my weak spots. This app is one of few apps that I have bought that I feel worth the money.

This is possibly the most valuable app Ive purchased yet. As a new student of Japanese Ive found learning Kana to be quite easy and fun with iKana. Looking forward to the Kanji edition!

as a beginning japanese language student, this iPhone tool has speeded up my learning of Hiragana and Katakana. Any spare moment, a quick look... It also has a great interface. Only thing missing is a full Hiragana and Katakana test.

I am in my first year of Japanese(日本語) at university. And I hates carrying all my flashcards for katakana and hiragana. But this app I do not need flashcards anymore! Its the best 8 dollars I have ever spent! Now I agree with another reviewer that there should be a kanji version but untill then I have kanji flip.

This is a fun way to initially learn and to continually reinforce your learning of Hiragana... good application design as well!

If you are new to Japanese like me you would be dumb not to get it. I know its expensive , but if you wanna learn than this is the right app. If you also want vocab, get Japanese flip. Overall, great app.

The author of this app should make some more flashcard programs for more subjects. Loving the interface!

Ive been a Japanese student for several years and now my daughter is learning. I was looking for something extremely helpful and fun for her. This is great for a beginner! I love it. I would like to have a kanji app just like this. ありがとう。