So, I’m definitely very late in terms of getting Kanji2.0 up and running (thank you for all the e-mails, too!). I just wanted to make sure I put out a blog-post-update out there so that people could get new estimations on where it’s at.

Here’s the quick and skinny on it: Each kanji narrative is taking a lot longer than I thought to write (good thing and a bad thing, I think. The more time I can put in each one the better they’ll be when they’re finished! … but at the same time they take longer to write, and I know you’re all very patiently waiting!). The more I worked on Kanji2.0, the more ways I found to improve on stuff (which includes both simplifying things down to a prettier core as well as working on some new things too!). I definitely have a good layout now for things, and I should have a preview version of the first 6-7 chapters for members of TextFugu sometime later this week. At that point I’ll probably put the new content up in a separate drop-down so that you can still use “Legacy” Kanji 1.0 as well as the new one, depending on where you’re at. From there, I’ll just add new sections as I have them done, probably catching up to Kanji1.0 a week or two after the preview is up (I’m on a roll, now, I think, partly thanks to my new “office”).

I also wanted to thank everyone for the patience. You guys are all really awesome and patient! I really appreciate it, and it helps me to focus on what’s important (getting good content out to you all!). Thank you very much!

P.S. I just found an awesome t-shirt making company in Portland. That can only mean one thing… hmmm.

The last few days I’ve gotten started working on the second iteration of the entire “kanji” section on TextFugu. The reason I decided it needed an overhaul was via lots of feedback from users (thank you!) as well as what I’ve been reading about TextFugu all around the web (I get alerts every time someone mentions TextFugu, and often go see what is written when I do). Time and time again, it seems like TextFugu’s biggest weakness is the kanji section. I’m not saying TextFugu’s kanji section isn’t good… I am saying that it’s not hands down one of the best, so I want to try and fix that. Read more…

I was having some trouble figuring out how to tie some loose ends and get the next chapters out there, but then I just decided to do it and tie up those loose ends later (i.e. sometime this week). I’ve gone ahead and started Season 4 (because it always feels so good to start a new season… so fresh and tasty), and decided it was time to re-start that wonky story you’re using on TextFugu to learn about conversation in Japanese. In that story, two new characters have been introduced. They have no idea they are in this story (someone should let them know, maybe), but I’m sure they won’t mind (and if they do mind, I’ll have to change their names to Baggie and Makuranman). I also thought this was a good way to introduce TextFugu readers to interesting blogs relating to Japan / Japanese, as well. Here’s a description, taken word for word from Season 4′s first lesson: “Run On Sentences, Part 1.” (You’ll have to be logged in and a member to access this page).

ガクランマン

The “Gakuranman” is a crime-fighting millionaire from Britain who follows and solves strange crimes around the world. Despite his riches, he’s found that the excitement of solving crime far outweighs the dangers of motorbiking in the Alps or financing a seat for himself on a Russian space rocket. Of course, nobody knows his real name (that would mean the end of him and his estate!), so he goes by the secret identity “Gakuranman.” A gakuran is a school boy’s uniform in Japan (fitting, since he’s in Japan right now, solving Mary’s murder), and “man” just means “man,” like Superman. Despite what you may think, the moment he puts on his gakuran, nobody is able to recognize him. What a tricky fellow this mysterious guy is. Oh, he also has a Japan-related blog, here.

マッギーちゃん

Maggie is a dog that has developed the ability to speak (through hard work and much practice). Although unbeknown to all of you, she was also at the crime scene and saw exactly what happened. In her spare time, she likes to teach children English, write about the Japanese language, and do the things that dogs tend to do best. Even though she can talk, she tends to keep to herself and not speak unless absolutely necessary (or if you give her a bone or treat).

So, go ahead and find out how they meet, and look forward to part 2 coming out in the next few days, I believe. Read more…