Learn Japanese RPG: Hiragana Forbidden Speech

Learn Japanese RPG: Hiragana Forbidden Speech

Released Dec 2023

Dialogue changes from English to Japanese as you learn and progress in this comedic RPG backed by professional Japanese voice acting. This is a full 18+ hour introductory Japanese course and adventure all in one. Master hiragana, 136+ kanji, basic grammar, 240 common words used in anime.

98% positive · 276 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development

Where to buy

Steam $19.99
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Evaluation

Learn Japanese RPG: Hiragana Forbidden Speech left Early Access and fully launched on December 14, 2023. Since then, the developer has continued to actively update the game. A major free Kanji Mode update shipped on March 22, 2025, adding the ability to practice 136 kanji throughout the game. The developer also asked the community whether a katakana practice mode would be a welcome future addition, signaling ongoing interest in expanding the game's content. More recently, the developer completed a full port of the game to the Unity engine. Beta testing began on June 3, 2026, and on July 14, 2026 the Unity version was opened to all owners — no sign-up required. The Unity version delivers higher display resolution for modern monitors (the original engine was capped at 640×480), along with furigana and romaji toggles and other quality-of-life improvements. The developer noted that within approximately one month of that July 14 post, the Unity version will become the default download for all players on Steam. The July 14 post also mentioned that the Unity port "paves the way for the game to reach more platforms," suggesting the developer has further plans beyond the current Steam release.
Evidence
Unity version of the game opened to all owners. Brings higher display resolution, furigana/romaji toggles, Max Japanese mode toggle, and other quality-of-life improvements. Will become the default Steam download within about a month. Developer notes the Unity port opens the door to additional platforms.
news post · Jul 14, 2026 source development ongoing
high
Developer announced a Unity engine port and opened beta testing. Highlighted higher resolution support and new toggle features. Noted the port 'paves the way for the game to reach more platforms.'
news post · Jun 3, 2026 source development ongoing
high

Media

Details

Publisher
Study Bunny Games LLC
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

Play the free demo!

If you like the free demo, buy the full game and continue from your last save point!

Learning should be an adventure

Dialogue changes from English to Japanese as you learn and progress in this comedic RPG backed by professional Japanese voice acting.

Learn Japanese RPG: Hiragana Forbidden Speech is aimed at anime fans with little to no Japanese ability, but any beginner may enjoy and benefit, even those who have studied Japanese and hiragana before. This is a full introductory Japanese course and adventure all in one. We've made the game we wanted to play when we were first learning Japanese.

Incredible value!

  • Cheaper than popular beginner textbooks

  • Features that textbooks and other learning resources can't match

    • Conversations with pro voice acting and full context

    • System that adjusts dialogue to your level

    • Story with colorful characters, comedy, and music

    • Battle system drills on hiragana and words + kanji

  • Focus on content relevant to anime fans

Is this game worthwhile if I already know hiragana?

Probably! There's still 136+ kanji to practice!

Can you quickly read and comprehend the following sentences easily?  If not, the game should offer you great value.

でも、それはちょっと変だった

この小さい雄鶏は誰だ?

もうこの船が必要じゃない

ここは面白くないだろ?

またあの馬じゃないか!

もう危なくないよ

俺はお前が本当に嫌い

まだ終わりじゃねえ!

お前らはだめな奴だ

あいつの名前は何?

いいえ、だめな猫だよ!

How will I learn?

Mild Immersion

Our frustration with other Japanese learning games is that while they teach hiragana and words, they rarely (if ever) use these learnings in actual conversations. Almost everything is out of context. A random character, word, or sentence here or there. On the other hand, trying to learn Japanese by watching anime or reading manga is overwhelming (for a beginner).

We try to strike a balance between these two worlds. This game strives for “Mild Immersion.” We want to immerse you in Japanese as much as possible, but only beginner Japanese. We want you to feel confident that any Japanese that comes your way is something you’ve been taught and are capable of understanding at a basic level.

Small Step Immersion

This game also strives for “Small Step Immersion.” We want to immerse you in Japanese one small step at a time. After learning a new hiragana, you will soon learn words spelled with that hiragana and immediately start seeing and hearing those words in dialogue and battle. Slowly, but surely, your vocabulary and reading ability will grow as the game gently immerses you, more and more.

We believe context, immersion, and fun are key to effective learning. This game isn't just an RPG with Japanese flashcard-type battles. It is much more.

What will I learn?

  • How to read, write, and pronounce hiragana
    Hiragana is a set of characters used to write Japanese words.

  • Over 240 common Japanese words used in anime

  • 136+ kanji used in the Japanese words

  • Grammar to understand basic Japanese sentences (50+ tutorials)

  • Listening skills with over 4000 lines of dialogue by pro Japanese voice actors

Practice 136+ kanji!

行 怖 可 愛 君 美 味 熱 痛 強 助 待 本 当 分 違 元 気 母 生 徒 先 遅 小 忙 下 猫 酷 人 間 船 男 頑 張 危 動 物 残 念 早 良 名 前 女 何 山 羊 豚 馬 鼠 寒 見 大 丈 夫 島 秘 密 面 白 友 達 犬 楽 彼 化 煩 誰 私 奴 変 皆 夢 無 理 持 別 日 陰 性 心 霊 水 僕 俺 冗 談 手 紙 悪 息 子 今 好 魚 来 不 音 蜂 必 要 鶏 庭 綺 麗 嫌 蜜 久 姫 天 使 蛇 蛙 配 疲 野 郎 次 雄 貴 様 弱 所 明 部 屋 花 落 着 砂 漠 終 鍵 敵 町 姉 事

The Adaptive Dialogue System and how it helps you learn

The Adaptive Dialogue System helps you learn by doing. It determines whether to show dialogue in Japanese or English based on your current knowledge. The more Japanese words and grammar you learn, the more dialogue will appear in Japanese!

For example, consider the following sentence: "doko iku?" (Where are we going?)

If you don't know one of the words "doko" (where) or "iku" (go, going), then this sentence will be shown in English. This is to avoid frustrating you with content you haven't yet learned.

However, if you know both words, it will be written in Japanese hiragana.

Pressing a button displays the "roumaji" of the sentence. Roumaji uses the English alphabet to describe Japanese sounds. A second press displays the English translation.

Features

  • Professional Japanese voice acting (Over 4000 lines of spoken dialogue)

  • Teaches Japanese starting from zero

  • Teaches all the most common hiragana

  • Teaches over 240+ Japanese words commonly used in anime

  • Practice 136+ kanji

  • Teaches word usage and Japanese grammar (over 50 tutorials)

  • Adaptive Dialogue System gets you reading Japanese fast without being overwhelmed

  • Real-time battles and humorous dialogue make learning fast and fun

  • Gradual Reveal Dialogue System lets you conveniently check your reading comprehension

  • All Hiragana Mode lets advanced adventurers immerse themselves instantly in a deeper Japanese experience

  • Battle drills can be disabled at any time

  • Level up controls allow you to adjust the pace of your learning

  • Disable automatic voice over to practice reading comprehension easily

  • 18+ hours of gameplay

  • Tremendous replay value. Game adjusts Japanese content to your level from the very beginning

Last evaluated Aug 27, 2026
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