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Aesthetic, minimalist platform for learning Japanese inspired by Duolingo and Monkeytype, built with Next.js and sponsored by Vercel. Beginner-friendly with plenty of good first issues - all contributions are welcome!

2,706 starsTypeScript

I made an App for learning Japanese, and it won in Vercel's OSS program

by thebababak·Mar 7, 2026·1 point·0 comments

AI Analysis

●●SolidEye CandyCrowd PleaserCozy

Monkeytype-inspired Japanese learning UI with Vercel sponsorship, 1.8k GitHub stars.

Strengths
  • Heavy customization (themes, fonts) mirrors Monkeytype appeal and boosts engagement
  • Clean Next.js + Tailwind implementation with good first issues for newcomers
  • Genuine community validation: 1.8k stars, Vercel OSS sponsorship, active Discord
Weaknesses
  • Kana-only scope limits long-term utility—grammar, kanji, conversation come later
  • Already exists in crowded space (Duolingo, Wanikani, Genki Online); differentiation via design, not pedagogy
Category
Target Audience

Japanese language learners, open-source enthusiasts

Similar To

Duolingo · Wanikani · Monkeytype

Post Description

As someone who loves both coding and language learning (I’m learning Japanese right now), I always wished there was a free, open-source tool for learning Japanese, just like Monkeytype in the typing community.

Here’s the best part: I added a gazillion different color themes, fonts and other crazy customization options, inspired directly by Monkeytype. Also, I made the app resemble Duolingo, as that’s what I’m using to learn Japanese at the moment and it’s what a lot of language learners are already familiar with.

Miraculously, people loved the idea, and the project even managed to somehow hit 1k stars on GitHub now. Now, I’m looking to continue working on the project to see where I can take it next.

Back in January, I even applied to Vercel’s open-source software sponsorship program as a joke. I didn’t seriously expect to win, and did it more out of curiosity, fully expecting to lose.

Lo and behold, yesterday I woke up to an email saying the app has been accepted into Vercel’s Winter cohort. Crazy! GitHub: https://github.com/lingdojo/kana-dojo Live demo: https://kanadojo.com/

Anyway. Why am I doing all this? Because I’m a filthy weeb.

どうもありがとうございます!

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thebababak
402mo ago