Nazoru

What it is

Spec sheet

What it does

Nazoru teaches Japanese handwriting by moving from guided tracing toward writing kanji and kana from memory.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Purpose

Nazoru helps learners practice writing Japanese kanji and kana by hand, progressing from guided tracing to writing from memory.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Integrations

Officially listed study integrations are WaniKani, Bunpro and MaruMori, while the app listing also mentions Anki.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

API integration model

Connected study services use read-only API keys kept on the device; Nazoru reads progress without writing reviews back.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Apple app size

The App Store lists the app size as 39.5 MB.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Backend architecture

The developer states that Nazoru has no backend and keeps connected-account data on the device.Read 15 Oct 2026 · community.wanikani.com

Backup

Optional Google Drive backup syncs progress, practice history, and settings across devices in a private app-only folder.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Backup and sync

Optional backups use the user’s private Google Drive app-data folder on Android or iCloud on Apple devices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Billing

The site says prices are in USD, may vary by region, and are charged through the App Store or Google Play.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Company headquarters

Google Play lists Elysoft at Rua 03 553 Quadra 21 Lote 10 Sala 01, Vila Barrinha, Itapuranga, Goiás 76680-000, Brazil.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Company legal name

Google Play identifies the developer as ELYSOFT TECNOLOGIA LTDA.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Content types

Users can practice individual kanji, words and complete phrases.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Data handling

Nazoru says it has no server of its own and only accesses its dedicated Google Drive app-data folder for backups.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

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.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Google Play reach

Google Play shows 1K+ downloads and a 3+ content rating.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Guidance progression

A practice moves through full outlines, dashed hints, direction hints and a blank canvas.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Imported lists

The developer says users can import lists in addition to using connected services and built-in paths.Read 15 Oct 2026 · community.wanikani.com

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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Kana and discovery

The app supports hiragana and katakana and lets users browse by category, path, or custom lists and search kanji and words they have seen.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Kana support

The app supports hiragana and katakana practice.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Limit: Apple reviewer request

The sole App Store reviewer requested a much smaller writing canvas option for iPad use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Limit: free usage cap

The independent review says the free tier limits users to two practice sessions per day and requires a subscription for unlimited practice.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alllanguageresources.com

Limit: missing integrations

Community feedback requested Ringotan import support and NativShark integration; the developer said these were future investigation items.Read 15 Oct 2026 · community.wanikani.com

Limit: stroke sensitivity controls

A community commenter asked for adjustable stroke-recognition sensitivity, and the developer said the capability existed internally but was not exposed at that time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · community.wanikani.com

Limit: supplementary scope

The independent review says Nazoru is best used as a supplementary handwriting tool rather than a complete Japanese course.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alllanguageresources.com

Limits and ads

The free plan includes two full practices per day, and the site says the app has no ads or tracking.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Notable news: version 1.1.0

The App Store version history says version 1.1.0 added customizable step ladders, memory stages, stroke strictness, canvas settings and fading controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Notable news: version 1.2.0

Google Play’s September 2026 update notes added a dictionary, more than 200,000 words, 90,000 example phrases, advanced search, a kana path, reminders and five free practices per day.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com

Offline use

The homepage says Nazoru works offline.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Payment handling

Subscriptions are processed by Apple App Store or Google Play, and Elysoft says it does not store payment details.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Practice guidance

Each practice fades from full character outlines to dashed stroke hints, then direction hints, and finally a blank canvas.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Praise: focused practice

An independent review praised the gradual fading of guidance, offline short sessions, study-source syncing and side-by-side similar-character practice.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alllanguageresources.com

Praise: guided handwriting

A WaniKani Community commenter praised the interface for guiding strokes first and then shifting toward freer writing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · community.wanikani.com

Privacy design

The maker says the app has no account system, no advertising and no tracking SDK.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Publisher

The site footer identifies Elysoft as the company behind Nazoru.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Rating on AppBrain

0.00 out of 5 from 0 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com

Rating on Apple App Store

4.0 out of 5 from 1 reviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com

Rating on Google Play

0.00 out of 5 from 0 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · appbrain.com

Search and discovery

The app supports browsing by category, path or custom list and searching kanji and words already encountered.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Security statement

The maker says practice data stays on the device or the user’s own cloud storage and that connected API keys are never sent to Elysoft.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Similar kanji

Nazoru identifies confusable pairs among kanji the user has seen and supports practicing the pair side by side.Read 7 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Similar-kanji drills

Nazoru identifies confusable kanji among studied characters and lets users practice pairs side by side.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Study paths

Built-in paths cover JLPT N5 through N1, Japanese school grades, frequency ordering and Heisig ordering.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Third-party data licence

Nazoru says its stroke-order animations use KanjiVG data licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Usage telemetry

Anonymous screen-view and practice-count events are sent to TelemetryDeck by default and can be disabled in settings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nazoru.net

Plans and prices

Every Nazoru plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Who it suits

Verdict

Where Specifiction places it

• Handwriting Practice Apps#4 of 278.6