My Journey of 368 days (+ The Ultimate Guide for WK 📖 )

[rever4217]

Well I think it’s been a month since I got into Wanikani and read your guide. Most definitely the thing that helped me the most was your extensive list of userscripts, particularly the wanikani override script. Saved me many a time from being too careless.

However sometimes I double tap enter too fast when I’m rushing through reviews and am unable to correct a typo I made. Is there a script that can help with this? Just recently I typed ‘se’ instead of ‘see’ for the 見 radical; double tapped enter and lost some of its progress even though I definitely know it. If there is no solution then I’ll just have to remind myself to go slower but thought I’d ask in case.

Another thing that really helped was the scheduling and mention of the SRS intervals. 4, 8, 24h really helps to plan learning of new items.

@Nyanzai14

I haven’t managed to read all the comments here but wondered if you changed the script at all in order to go as fast as possible or is it all with the default script? I’m trying my best this year to get as far as I can and using your level up times as a guide however I haven’t changed the script at all so far and I don’t want to, so wondering if it is possible with default settings?

Should be entirely possible. However you may want to get the override script in case you make typos, your leveling will be delayed otherwise.

[Voi]

@rever4217

However sometimes I double tap enter too fast when I’m rushing through reviews and am unable to correct a typo I made. Is there a script that can help with this?

There the Double Check user script mentioned a bit above: https://community.wanikani.com/t/my-journey-of-368-days-the-ultimate-guide-for-wk/31318/341.

[rever4217]

alright thanks, I’ll give that a go.

[jprspereira]

@Nyanzai14

I haven’t managed to read all the comments here but wondered if you changed the script at all in order to go as fast as possible or is it all with the default script? I’m trying my best this year to get as far as I can and using your level up times as a guide however I haven’t changed the script at all so far and I don’t want to, so wondering if it is possible with default settings?

Do you mean going through Wanikani without scripts?

It is entirely possible to do so, but it will make life harder. The scripts that I recommend won’t hurt the quality of your learning, if that’s what you’re worried about. Unless it’s the impossibility of using them?

@rever4217

Well I think it’s been a month since I got into Wanikani and read your guide. Most definitely the thing that helped me the most was your extensive list of userscripts, particularly the wanikani override script. Saved me many a time from being too careless.

@rever4217

Another thing that really helped was the scheduling and mention of the SRS intervals. 4, 8, 24h really helps to plan learning of new items.

Hey, glad that it helped you this well It brings me joy hearing about how people’s learning is going well thanks to this guide!

@rever4217

However sometimes I double tap enter too fast when I’m rushing through reviews and am unable to correct a typo I made. Is there a script that can help with this?

@Voi

There the Double Check user script mentioned a bit above: My Journey of 368 days (+ The Ultimate Guide for WK 📖 ).

That would be my suggestion too Thank you for giving that prompt recommendation to rever ^^

[Nyanzai]

Yes that was the main thing I was worried about, but there is the other problem of me not knowing how to implement them I assume I need the PC as well.

[jprspereira]

@Nyanzai14

Yes that was the main thing I was worried about, but there is the other problem of me not knowing how to implement them I assume I need the PC as well.

Yup, you can use the scripts on pc Have you checked the link that explains step by step how to install them?

If it being on the computer is a problem, both iOS and android (unofficial) apps for Wanikani are loaded with the most popular scripts

(Unofficial) iOS app:

[iOS] Tsurukame - native app with offline lessons and reviews

Hey everyone! I was frustrated by all the iOS apps that are just webview wrappers for the website, so I wrote Tsurukame - it’s completely native, super fast, and it works offline. View on the App Store Features You can do reviews and lessons offline. Your progress will be synced when you’re online again. All the radical/kanji/vocab info is included in the app itself. You don’t need to wait for anything to load from the website. Search results load instantly, and you can search while offline…

(Unofficial) android app:

[Android] Flaming Durtles - Android app with offline support

Flaming Durtles is now live on the Google Play Store! Grab it here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.the_tinkering.wk What is it? A native Android app that uses the V2 API. No web view, you have to create a V2 API key on the WK site and put it into the app to get it to work. Fully searchable and browseable subject database. Full support for lessons and reviews, including using and modifying your own notes and synonyms. Offline support with automatic sync whenever the device co…

Let me know if that helps

[Nyanzai]

Thank you!! I use the app on ios so I must be using some scripts already. They don’t reorder anything but there is the typo script I believe, as in it allows one letter to be out of place.

I probably won’t try doing anything other than what is already in place for now. Thank you for all you help. The link was very useful as I’d not found that and might need it in the future.

[skymaiden]

I just wanted to say a big thank you for this post!

I read it when I was still on the free levels, and without it I probably wouldn’t have even noticed the systematic review intervals, or the way lessons are unlocked, and how accuracy impacts levelling-up (and therefore unlocking new stuff).

I came to WK with some kanji/vocab knowledge already, so this is really helping me to move (relatively) quickly through the lower levels to get to the meaty stuff sooner (and probably slow down at that point). For now I’m avoiding reordering/filtering scripts for now (trying to respect the original WK plan), but maybe at later levels I’ll need to start using one…

[jprspereira]

@skymaiden

I just wanted to say a big thank you for this post!

I read it when I was still on the free levels, and without it I probably wouldn’t have even noticed the systematic review intervals, or the way lessons are unlocked, and how accuracy impacts levelling-up (and therefore unlocking new stuff).

I came to WK with some kanji/vocab knowledge already, so this is really helping me to move (relatively) quickly through the lower levels to get to the meaty stuff sooner (and probably slow down at that point).

Hey, I’m glad to hear that things are going smoother thanks to this guide

Are you enjoying Wanikani? I started it in 2017 with no knowledge whatsoever, so it’s always interesting to me to see the perspective of those that start knowing some content already

@skymaiden

For now I’m avoiding reordering/filtering scripts for now (trying to respect the original WK plan), but maybe at later levels I’ll need to start using one…

The reorder script that I was recommending before (and it was the only one available) allowed for some unhealthy habits to be created from the behalf of the user. However, I finally removed it from the suggestions’ list yesterday and I’m now recommending Lesson Filter. With this one, the WK’s order is maintained much better, the difference being that you can specify the number of lessons of each type you want to do in a given lesson session. Maybe take this one into consideration (even if only for the future)

[Userscript] WaniKani Lesson Filter

What is it? This script lets you specify the number of lessons of each type you want to do in a given session, while maintaining WaniKani’s intended lesson order. This means that if you use this script with the Ascending level then subject setting, you will get the radicals, kanji, and vocab that WaniKani wants you to learn first, just limited to how many lessons of each type you want. How to Install? As always, make sure you have a script manager installed. If you don’t, follow these instruct…

[skymaiden]

I’m loving WaniKani, even if there are quite a lot of kanji and words I already know going through the lower levels, I’m still learning stuff (more kanji, more readings, more vocab).

It’s pretty amazing to see people like you speeding through from 0 to most Joyo in such a short time, And we all get to benefit from it! I haven’t seen how you approached grammar, did you do that in a condensed time too?

Thank you for the recommendation of the lesson filter script, I’ll take a look at it – it might be a good way of pacing when I start getting lessons for stuff I haven’t seen before.

[jprspereira]

@skymaiden

I haven’t seen how you approached grammar, did you do that in a condensed time too?

I reached N3 level in the first year of Japanese and then my grammar knowledge pretty much stagnated

I think I got involved in too many things (for grammar I was literally writing a textbook as I’d go with learning it). Then I got involved into improving both Core 10k and a katakana vocab deck on Kitsun… and life happened… and I’m not the perfect person when it comes to discipline so…

But oh well, things are going back to place bit by bit I also have Russian to deal with, so my attention needs to be divided.

---

For grammar, I followed Bunpro’s JLPT list, checked a bunch of resources online and took notes as I’d go. That’s why the textbook idea came up. I realized there’s a need for a better balance between depth of grammar explanations and ease of learning.

I didn’t follow any specific textbook. However, once I’m back to grammar, I’ll use the shinkanzen series. I like how they order their grammar books by similar grammar. I think that not enough grammar sources are willing to help differentiate different grammar structures, which only leads to you knowing 5 different ways of saying “the same thing” and no idea which one is best, even if the nuance is small.

Thank you for the kind words

[jprspereira]

Updated the guide!

• Added info about how SRS intervals for levels 1 and 2 are halved and explained how they can lead to things starting to heat up on WK to beginners (so that they understand that “omg is so slowwww” is temporary).

• Removed the overwrite and the reorder scripts from my recommendations. Those 2 scripts were the ones that could hurt the users’ learning. Now I’m recommending Lesson Filter, Double-Check and Prioritize Overdue Reviews (reorder script) instead.

• Updated “Threads on the forums that you should know about” with the 2 new Japanese only sections, with the lovely android app Flaming Durtles - Android app with offline support, and with the Master List of Book Clubs .

• I improved “The famous fast levels” chapter by giving a broader perspective on how to take them: slower, maintain the same speed, or speed up. I explained the pros and cons of each, hoping that will help users make a decision.

• Updated level 30/60 graphics with more updated ones (thanks Kumi and cpitman!)

• I improved chapter 11 “I came back to WK and now I have an insane amount of reviews” by making it better organized and started recommending the use of Prioritize Overdue Reviews (reorder script) instead of the reorder by SRS levels’ script that I had there.

• Updated list of fast levels.

• General improvements of the text for clarification/simplicity.

• Cringed about something I wrote 1 year+ ago, as if it was a Facebook post from my crazy teen years.

@jprspereira

Let’s see how long it takes me to do this initiates public pressure

2 months and half, not bad.

[RoseWagsBlue]

Nice work!
Also, I am in Kyoto right now and it is awesome.

[FlamySerpent]

@jprspereira

Updated the guide!

@jprspereira

You’re going to the thank you chapter

still no mention of me

[Kuvshinova]

@jprspereira

Cringed about something I wrote 1 year+ ago, as if it was a Facebook post from my crazy teen years.

Damn it, now I have to read through the entire guide again just to see what you removed.

[jprspereira]

@FlamySerpent

still no mention of me

You sure?

@Ilyasaur

Damn it, now I have to read through the entire guide again just to see what you removed.

Just check the script section if anything

[Kuvshinova]

何も気付かなかった。

[Alansan]

Superb and inspiring post, thanks so much for writing!

[jprspereira]

@Alansan

Superb and inspiring post, thanks so much for writing!

Glad it made you feel this way Welcome to Wanikani and good luck on your journey!

[aikakane]

@jprspereira

#MessageMe

So, I didn’t know about the scripts before reading your post. I’m trying to be more careful about level timings (to avoid reviews at 2 AM for example) and enhance my performance. I’m also being more active on the Wanikani community, so I can find new resources and practice my japonese. Besides that, is really incredible to found other people that speakes portuguese here! So yeah, obrigada (portuguese word for thank you) for this amazing guide!