Meet the cast
Every lesson is a scene in one story: Lisa's years in Japan, from her first kana in Seattle to her first job in Tokyo. These are the people in it. Grammar examples and practice use them too, so you always know who is talking.
リサ・ミラー
Lisa Miller
First appears: Starter
19, an exchange student from Seattle. Studies Japanese and economics. Curious, a little disorganized, says yes to everything. She starts from zero, like you.
鈴木 先生 (すずき せんせい)
Suzuki-sensei
First appears: Starter
The Japanese teacher at あおば大学, from Hokkaido. Strict about particles, warm about everything else.
田中 健太 (たなか けんた)
Tanaka Kenta
First appears: Lesson 1
20, Lisa's classmate, from Osaka. Kind, reads the newspaper every morning, plays soccer, loves sushi.
キム・ミンジュ
Kim Minju
First appears: Lesson 6
20, an exchange student from Seoul. Outgoing, competitive, and great at kanji.
中村 りょう (なかむら りょう)
Nakamura Ryo
First appears: Lesson 8
21, Tanaka's roommate. Works nights at a convenience store. Laid-back and always hungry.
田中 あい (たなか あい)
Tanaka Ai
First appears: Lesson 9
26, Tanaka's older sister. Works at a trading company in Tokyo. Practical, funny, a little bossy.
山本 さくら (やまもと さくら)
Yamamoto Sakura
First appears: Lesson 10
20, an art student and Tanaka's childhood friend. Quiet and observant; works at the café near the station.