Kanji de GO! (Kanzide GO!): The Viral Japanese Typing Quiz Game—Is It Free? How to Play on PC/Mobile
【この記事にはPRを含む場合があります】
Recently, “Kanji de GO!” has gained traction in game streams on platforms like YouTube. It is popular among a wide demographic, from children to adults, and many are getting hooked, as it allows players to learn Kanji knowledge while having fun, functioning almost like brain training.
Even those unfamiliar with the game name might have heard of it as “the Kanji game similar to Nep League” or “that fun Nep League-style Kanji game,” due to its resemblance to the quiz format from the popular TV show *Nep League*.
What is “Kanji de GO!”?
“Kanji de GO!” is a Kanji quiz game where the player must input the reading of a Kanji character within a time limit. It was posted on May 24, 2023, to PLiCy, a platform dedicated to creating and distributing free games.
The developer is Micelle (みせる). Although detailed profiles are not public, Micelle mentioned in an interview that the desire to create a Kanji game was reignited after obtaining the Kanji Kentei (Kanji Proficiency Test) Pre-1st Grade certification at the end of 2022. Development started in January 2023, and the game was released in May 2023 (Source: ツクール開発部).
▼ Announcement video for “Kanji de GO!” by Micelle
The gameplay of ‘Kanji de GO!’ is simple. The goal is to clear all questions by typing the “reading” of the “Kanji characters approaching the screen” within the time limit using a keyboard. Since it offers various difficulty levels and modes, and includes a large number of Kanji, players can enjoy it repeatedly without getting bored.
▼ A gameplay video by QuizKnock, led by Quiz King Takuji Izawa, who gained popularity on the TV show *Todai Ou*. This video attracted significant attention, surpassing 700,000 views in less than two weeks after upload.
Why Is “Kanji de GO!” So Popular?
Since its release in May 2023, “Kanji de GO!” has been highly regarded among Kanji games for its “high quality”.
Its recognition dramatically increased in August 2023 when YouTubers and VTubers started doing game streams of it. Its popularity grew for several reasons:
1. Its simple gameplay (“reading Kanji”) made it easy to pick up as a game stream theme.
2. It offers a “two-birds-with-one-stone” feeling because it includes many challenging Kanji, allowing players to learn while having fun.
This boom driven by game streaming is similar to recent hits like *Suika Game* and *GeoGuessr*. This suggests that compatibility with game streams is crucial for game popularity moving forward.
“Kanji de GO!” is Completely Free to Play!
Another reason for the popularity of “Kanji de GO!” is that it can be played for ‘free’. A huge bonus for players is that “Kanji de GO!” does not include any ‘advertisements’ or ‘in-app purchases’ that are often common in other free games.
Can “Kanji de GO!” Be Played on iPhone/Android?
“Kanji de GO!” is free and easy for anyone to play. There are two versions available without the need to purchase a dedicated gaming console: the ‘Web browser version,’ which requires an internet connection, and the ‘DL (Download) version’.
Although a DL version exists, you can generally play without issues on devices like PC, tablets, iPhone, and Android using the Web browser version. If you are curious, you should try playing via the link below.
＞ Click here for the “Kanji de GO! Web Browser Version” (https://plicy.net/GamePlay/155561)
Currently, there is no official smartphone app for ‘Kanji de GO!’ for iPhone or Android. Therefore, be careful not to install fake or similar apps to avoid potential problems.
Furthermore, the developers recommend playing on a PC because the game uses a lot of images, increasing the possibility of crashing during play. If you find the mobile experience inconvenient, it is better to access the game from a PC.
How to Play and Start “Kanji de GO!”
Starting ‘Kanji de GO!’ is simple, and no account registration is required. Below is a step-by-step guide for the Web browser version:
Step 1. Access the Web Browser Version Official Site: https://plicy.net/GamePlay/155561.
Step 2. Choose either “Typing is difficult (longer time limit)” or “Can type (normal time limit)”.
Step 3. The “How to Play” explanation will be displayed. Review it if necessary, then tap “Play” (あそぶ).
Step 4. Select a “Mode” (e.g., “Main,” “Casual,” “Rush”).
Step 5. Select a “Difficulty” (e.g., “Basic,” “Gekimuzu” [Ultra Hard]), and tap “Start!” (はじめる！).
Step 6. Tap “Ready OK!” (準備OK！).
Step 7. The game begins, and a “Kanji” appears in the center of the screen. Input the “reading” in Hiragana and press “Enter”!
*Note: When playing on a smartphone, you might be momentarily confused when the text input keyboard doesn’t immediately appear*. When playing on a smartphone, tap the “black square” displayed below the question to bring up the input keyboard. Enter the answer there, and press the “Return” (改行) button instead of “Enter” to submit your answer.
“Kanji de GO!” Modes
“Kanji de GO!” features three modes: “Main”, “Casual”, and “Rush”.
The Main Mode is the basic mode of Kanji de GO!. Players can set the “difficulty” (such as Normal, Hard, or Gekimuzu [Ultra Hard]) and the “number of questions”. The number of questions can be selected from 7, 10, or 16.
The Casual Mode involves solving 10 questions based on a specific theme. Compared to the Main Mode, where questions are drawn from all available Kanji, Casual Mode only features Kanji related to the chosen theme.
| Casual Mode Theme List | Feature |
|---|---|
| Basic | “Elementary School Low Grades” level; explanations are also displayed in Hiragana |
| Variety | Selected questions from Main Mode, includes bonus stages; designed to resemble a “TV show” |
| Oni (Ogre)・Variety | High-difficulty version of “Variety” |
| Single Character (一文字) | Only “Single-character” Kanji are featured |
| Four-Character Idioms (四字熟語) | Only “Four-character idioms” are featured |
| Country/City Names (国・都市の名前) | Only “Names of Countries and Cities” are featured |
| Insect Names (虫の名前) | Only “Insect Names” are featured |
| Aquatic Life Names (水生生物の名前) | Only “Aquatic Life Names” are featured |
| Plant Names (植物の名前) | Only “Plant Names” are featured |
Rush Mode involves specifying levels 1 through 6 and solving Kanji belonging to that level. This mode is suitable for those who want to use “Kanji de GO!” not just as a game, but as an “educational tool” or “Kanji study aid,” as it allows repeated review of specific difficulty levels.
What is the Difficulty Level? Is it Hard Even for Kanji Kentei Level 1 Holders?
“Kanji de GO!” offers several difficulty levels, including “Normal,” “Hard,” “Gekimuzu” (Ultra Hard), and “Hell”.
At the “Hell” level, even ‘Abi-san’ (who holds the Kanji Kentei 1st Grade and ranked 2nd nationally) encounters difficult Kanji. It would be fun to gradually increase the level and aim to become a Kanji expert or master. Playing this game seems likely to foster a greater love for Kanji.
| Difficulty | Feature |
|---|---|
| Normal (Levels 1–4) | Recommended for beginners (*Relatively easy) |
| Hard (Levels 2–5) | For those who are getting used to the game (*Whether an average person can clear it) |
| Gekimuzu / Ultra Hard (Levels 3–6) | Recommended for those who need more challenge (*Kanji Kentei Pre-1st Grade or higher) |
| Hell (Levels 4–7) | A difficulty level like the end of the world (*Extremely high difficulty) |
Enjoy the Quiz Show Vibe with “Kanji de GO!”!
As described, “Kanji de GO!” is a Kanji reading quiz game that anyone can enjoy easily. It’s great to play alone, or you can enjoy guessing the Kanji with a group, lively just like a real quiz show. Since the game is well-suited for streaming, it is also recommended for those who want to try game streaming.
Take this opportunity to play the game.
＞ Click here for the “Kanji de GO! Web Browser Version”
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