So easy!, July 23, 2002

I have been living in Japan for almost three years now, and for two and a half of those years I tried to learn Kanji the usual way- that is, the same way Japanese do; write the character on a word card and the on and the kun readings, as well as the english meaning, on the other side. Impossible. So a friend of mine recommended the first book of Heisig's and I'm flying through them. I can't wait to finish it so I can buy this book. Living in Japan makes it easier, I'm sure, because I'm surrounded by the things. I just can't forget them!

Excellent way to learn the readings of Kanji, January 10, 2000

Before you dismiss this review because of my Japanese name, I grew up in America and did not study Japanese before University. This book is an excellent companion to Remembering the Kanji I. It is not meant to be studied independantly. At first I thought this book wouldn't be as useful as the first. However, it did wonders in helping me to figure out pronunciation. The limits of the book are inherant to to non-nativeness of Chinese characters to Japanese sounds. However, it is amazing just how much this book helps. It is particularly good for the on-yomi or Chinese pronunciations, but it's ideas for the kun-yomi or Japanese pronunciations are helpful as well. If the first book worked for you, I highly recommend this book as a follow-up.

The fastest and most effective way to learn Kanji., December 17, 1996
Reviewer: A reader

The system that James Heisig presents in the "Remembering the Kanji" series is the fastest and most effective way to learn Japanese characters that I have seen. There are a great number of systems that promote learning Kanji by associating them with a visual image, which can be effective, but also has draw backs. A phenomenon common to any serious Japanese learner is the ability to recognize Kanji when seen, but when it comes to writing them... you draw a blank - or make subtle, but important mistakes.

Heisig, on the other hand, uses "imaginative memory" not visual, and this makes all the difference. Often, I found that the opposite of the above scenario was true in the beginning stages - I'd remember how to write a character before I recognized it printed somewhere. And the best thing about this system is that it reduces the amount of time required to become proficient from a matter of years to a matter of months. I whole heartedly recommend this book to any and all Japanese students frustrated with learning Kanji!