Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2013

If your little ones (or you yourself) are struggling to remember basic kanji, help is here from toy company Bandai in the form of Mojibakeru. The clever name combines the words for “written character” and “to transform” and that is exactly what these little guys do. Each toy (¥105) is shaped like a single kanji. It also comes with a stick of gum to chomp on while twisting and turning the parts to transform it into the very creature named by that character. The ryu rears its head as a ferocious dragon and the taka spreads its wings to reveal a majestic falcon. The series is not extensive enough to help you ace the JLPT, but they are ideal stocking stuffers for anyone ready to take the step beyond katakana. Available at better toy shops.