Best Kanji Study Methods for JLPT: WaniKani, RTK, Anki, and More Compared

Kanji is the mountain everyone dreads in JLPT preparation. N5 requires ~80 kanji. N1 requires ~2,000. The method you choose matters enormously — a bad approach at N2+ level means months of wasted time. Here's an honest comparison of every major method.

Methods Compared

WaniKani: The Premium Structured Path

WaniKani is a web-based SRS platform that teaches kanji through mnemonics. Every kanji has a memorable story connecting its components to its meaning and reading. You start with radicals, build up to kanji, then learn vocabulary words that use those kanji. It's methodical, opinionated, and effective.

• Covers 2,000+ kanji and 6,000+ vocabulary across 60 levels
• 88.2% of N1 kanji are covered within the system
• Mnemonic stories for every kanji — some funny, some bizarre, all memorable
• Built-in SRS — no configuring Anki settings; it just works
• Community forums with active discussion for every kanji and vocabulary item

Remembering the Kanji (RTK): Meaning First

James Heisig's Remembering the Kanji takes a radical approach: learn the English meaning of all 2,200 kanji first, without learning any Japanese readings. The idea is to build a framework of visual recognition, then layer readings on top through vocabulary study.

RTK is controversial: some swear by it, others consider it a detour. The community consensus in 2025 is that RTK works best when combined with vocabulary study (Anki) running in parallel, not as a standalone phase.

Anki Kanji Decks: The Free Option

If you're already using Anki for vocabulary, adding a kanji-specific deck is natural. Popular options include Recognition RTK (community port with keywords), KKLC Anki deck, and various JLPT-ordered kanji decks.

The advantage: free, customizable, and integrates with your existing Anki workflow. The disadvantage: Anki kanji decks require self-discipline and configuration. There's no built-in curriculum — you need to choose the right deck and settings. See our Anki settings guide for recommendations.

KKLC (Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course)

KKLC is a textbook that teaches 2,300 kanji in a carefully ordered sequence. Each kanji entry includes meanings, readings, stroke order, vocabulary compounds, and usage notes. It's the most balanced textbook approach — neither as systematic as WaniKani nor as radical as RTK.

KKLC works well for learners who prefer physical books and structured progression but don't want to commit to a subscription service. Pair it with the community Anki deck for SRS reinforcement.

Rote Writing: The Traditional Method

Writing each kanji 10, 20, or 50 times in a notebook — the method used in Japanese elementary schools and many language courses. It's fallen out of favor in the SRS era, but it still has defenders.

The research is mixed: rote writing does aid memorization through motor memory, but it's time-inefficient compared to SRS. Writing 日 fifty times takes 10 minutes. An SRS review of 日 takes 3 seconds. Over thousands of kanji, the time difference is massive. That said, if you need to write kanji by hand (rare in modern life), rote practice is unavoidable.

Which Method for Which JLPT Level?

The Real Answer: Learn Kanji Through Vocabulary

Here's what experienced learners have figured out: you don't need to 'study kanji' as a separate activity. If you're learning vocabulary through Anki or practice, you're already learning kanji in the most useful way — in context. The kanji 食 becomes meaningful when you know 食べる (taberu, to eat), 食事 (shokuji, meal), and 食堂 (shokudō, cafeteria). Learning 食 in isolation as "eat/food" is less useful.

Dedicated kanji study (WaniKani, RTK, KKLC) is most valuable for building recognition speed — being able to see 食 and instantly know its meaning without thinking. This matters for reading speed on the JLPT, where time pressure is real. See how many kanji for each level for the full breakdown.