FAQ
Is Tunanuki free?
Yes — Tunanuki is completely free during beta. As we release new levels and voice recordings, we will introduce pricing, but we are committed to keeping it fair and transparent.
Do I need to know Japanese to start?
You need to be able to read hiragana and katakana — roughly N5 or N4 level. You don't need kanji or grammar knowledge. The shadowing method trains your ear and mouth before your brain fully understands everything.
How is this different from Duolingo or other apps?
Tunanuki doesn't use AI-generated audio or gamified drills. Every dialogue is recorded by a professional Japanese voice actor, so what you shadow is real pitch, natural prosody, and authentic rhythm — not a synthetic approximation of Japanese.
Is shadowing good for beginners?
Yes, as long as you can read kana. Shadowing works because you don't need to understand every word — you train your ear to internalize patterns before your conscious mind catches up. That's the core of Krashen's input hypothesis.
What content is available?
Level 1 is available now, covering everyday Japanese dialogues with common words and natural reactions. 20 levels are planned across a range of topics and situations, with both male and female voice recordings.
How long should I shadow each day?
15 to 20 minutes of focused daily shadowing beats longer irregular sessions. Consistency matters more than volume — the muscle memory you're building needs repeated short exposures, not occasional marathons.
What is the difference between shadowing and listen-and-repeat?
Listen-and-repeat pauses after each phrase. Shadowing means speaking simultaneously with the audio, which forces your brain to process prosody, rhythm, and intonation in real time rather than from memory. That simultaneous processing is what builds natural fluency.