What to Read After N5 Kanji: Resources for Beginners

You've studied the 100 JLPT N5 kanji. You recognize them in flashcards. Now what? The jump from theory to practice is the most delicate moment. Reading 'real content' is too early. But reading nothing is a waste. Here are the perfect resources for this moment.

The 'Gap' Problem

There's a huge gap between 'I know N5 kanji' and 'I can read manga'. N5 kanji cover maybe 30% of a simple text. The rest is unknown. This discourages many people, who go back to flashcards and never read.

The solution: materials created specifically for your level. They're called graded readers, and they're your next stop.

Graded Readers: What They Are

Graded readers are books written with vocabulary and grammar limited to a certain level. They're made for learners, not natives. The stories are simple but complete, and you can read without a dictionary (mostly).

Best Graded Readers for N5

• Japanese Graded Readers (Ask Publishing): Classic series, levels 0-4. Level 0 and 1 are perfect for N5. Audio included.
• Tadoku Graded Readers: Free online (tadoku.org). Levels from 0 to 5. Variety of stories, digital format.
• Satori Reader (app/web): Stories with integrated grammar explanations. You can adjust difficulty.
• Crystal Hunters (manga): Manga created for students. Uses limited grammar and vocabulary. Has a teaching guide.

NHK News Web Easy

NHK (Japan's public broadcaster) has a simplified news site: NHK News Web Easy. Articles use simple vocabulary, furigana on every kanji, and slowly-read audio.

• Pros: real content, updated daily, free
• Cons: even 'easy' is hard for pure N5. Better to wait for N4.
• Tip: start looking at it to get used to it, accept not understanding everything

Manga for Beginners

'Normal' manga are too hard for N5. But some are more accessible:

Recommended Manga

• よつばと！(Yotsuba&!): The classic recommendation for everyone. A girl explores the world. Everyday language, little slang. Difficulty: N4, but doable with N5 and dictionary.
• しろくまカフェ (Shirokuma Café): Slow dialogue, everyday situations. There are also simplified books based on the anime.
• ドラえもん (Doraemon): Made for Japanese children. Short sentences, repetition. Furigana present.
• ちびまる子ちゃん (Chibi Maruko-chan): Daily life of a girl. Familiar situations, basic vocabulary.

Apps and Digital Resources

• Todai Easy Japanese: App with simplified news, integrated quizzes
• Tangoristo: News with difficulty levels, tap-to-define
• LingQ: Import content and create flashcards from unknown words
• Bunpro: Grammar with integrated reading examples

Reading Strategy for N5

Don't read like you would in English. Here's the right approach:

• Accept incompleteness: understanding 60-70% is perfectly fine
• Don't look up every word: it slows you down too much. Only look up key words
• Read multiple times: first for general meaning, then for details
• Read aloud: helps with pronunciation and memory
• Few minutes daily: better 10 minutes every day than 1 hour once

How Much to Read Daily?

At N5 level, reading is slow. And that's normal. Don't force it.

• Initial goal: 1 page (or screen) per day
• After 1 month: 2-3 pages per day
• After 3 months: 5-10 pages per day
• It's not about quantity, it's about consistency

How to Use Kanjidon to Support Reading

Kanjidon prepares your kanji. Reading cements them. Here's how to combine:

• Morning: 10 minutes of review on Kanjidon
• Evening: 10 minutes of reading graded readers
• When you find a kanji you know: satisfaction!
• When you find an unknown kanji: ignore it or look it up, then continue

Resource Table by Level

Conclusion

Reading after N5 is hard, but not impossible. The key is choosing materials right for your level and accepting not understanding everything. Every page you read, every story you complete, consolidates the kanji you've studied and prepares you for the next step. One character at a time. One page at a time.