Nazoru
What it is
Nazoru helps Japanese learners practice writing kanji and kana by hand, moving from guided tracing toward writing from memory. Practice begins with full character outlines, then reduces help to dashed stroke guides and direction hints before presenting a blank canvas. If a learner misses a stroke, the guide and direction hint return; the next session starts at the level their memory indicates. The app supports hiragana and katakana, along with study paths for JLPT levels N5 to N1, Japanese school grades, frequency, and Heisig ordering. It can identify confusable pairs among kanji a learner has seen and supports practicing those characters side by side. Learners can browse by category, path, or custom lists, and search kanji and words they have seen. Nazoru can suggest practice based on kanji studied in WaniKani, Bunpro, and MaruMori. It works offline and offers optional Google Drive backup for progress, practice history, and settings. The free plan allows two full practices per day; Unlimited costs $3.99 per month. It is available on Android, iOS, and macOS.
For and against
For
- Practice progresses from outlines to a blank canvas.
- Supports hiragana and katakana.
- Includes paths from JLPT N5 to N1.
- Works offline.
- Optional Google Drive backup syncs progress and settings.
Against
- Free plan allows two full practices per day.
- Unlimited costs $3.99 per month.
The verdict
Nazoru offers a guided route from tracing to writing from memory, with study paths and side-by-side practice for confusable kanji. Learners can use it offline, while the free plan has a daily practice limit.
Who it suits
Nazoru suits Japanese learners who want structured handwriting practice for kanji and kana. It may also fit learners who want offline practice or study paths organized by level or ordering.
Plans and prices
Free
2 full practices per day · WaniKani, Bunpro & MaruMori sync · JLPT, grade, frequency & Heisig paths · no ads, no tracking
Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net
Unlimited monthly
Unlimited practices · unlimited side-by-side similar-kanji drills · everything in Free
Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net
Unlimited yearly
Unlimited practices · unlimited side-by-side similar-kanji drills · everything in Free
Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net
Unlimited
Unlimited practices · unlimited side-by-side similar-kanji drills · everything in Free
Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net
Unlimited
Unlimited practices · unlimited side-by-side similar-kanji drills · everything in Free
Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net
On the record
- Adaptive help
- When a learner misses a stroke, Nazoru restores guidance for that stroke and starts the next session at the learner’s current memory level.nazoru.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- API integration model
- Connected study services use read-only API keys kept on the device; Nazoru reads progress without writing reviews back.nazoru.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Apple app size
- The App Store lists the app size as 39.5 MB.apps.apple.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Apple compatibility
- The App Store listing requires iOS 26 or later, iPadOS 26 or later, watchOS 26 or later, and macOS 26 or later on Apple silicon Macs.apps.apple.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Backend architecture
- The developer states that Nazoru has no backend and keeps connected-account data on the device.community.wanikani.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Backup
- Optional Google Drive backup syncs progress, practice history, and settings across devices in a private app-only folder.nazoru.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Backup and sync
- Optional backups use the user’s private Google Drive app-data folder on Android or iCloud on Apple devices.nazoru.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Billing
- The site says prices are in USD, may vary by region, and are charged through the App Store or Google Play.nazoru.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- Google Play lists Elysoft at Rua 03 553 Quadra 21 Lote 10 Sala 01, Vila Barrinha, Itapuranga, Goiás 76680-000, Brazil.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- Google Play identifies the developer as ELYSOFT TECNOLOGIA LTDA.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Content types
- Users can practice individual kanji, words and complete phrases.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Data handling
- Nazoru says it has no server of its own and only accesses its dedicated Google Drive app-data folder for backups.nazoru.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Data safety on Google Play
- Google Play reports no third-party data sharing, possible collection of app activity, app information and device IDs, and encryption in transit.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Google Play reach
- Google Play shows 1K+ downloads and a 3+ content rating.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Guidance progression
- A practice moves through full outlines, dashed hints, direction hints and a blank canvas.nazoru.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Imported lists
- The developer says users can import lists in addition to using connected services and built-in paths.community.wanikani.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integration privacy
- The synced-source integrations use a read-only API key that stays on the device, and practice in Nazoru does not count as a review in those services.nazoru.net · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Officially listed study integrations are WaniKani, Bunpro and MaruMori, while the app listing also mentions Anki.nazoru.net · read 15 Oct 2026
