Imiwa? is a multilingual Japanese dictionary for iOS that provides offline access to kanji, conjugation, and example sentence databases.
Product velocity
Dormant
Daily rank 🇺🇸
—
Reference
Sentiment
4.8
226 reviews
Nemesis
English Dictionary - Offline
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Learners choose Imiwa? to avoid the connectivity dependency that rivals require, ensuring study tools remain available during travel or in low-signal environments.
For Japanese language learners ranging from beginners using the SKIP method to advanced students requiring sentence analysis and conjugation tools.
What does it look like?
Key features
Full dictionary and kanji database stored locally on the device, requiring no internet connection.
System for identifying kanji by composing patterns and shapes, specifically designed for beginners.
How much does it cost?
The app operates as a non-commercial tool supported by the developer, with optional user donations requested.
Velocity
Dormant developmentopaqueShow more...
The app has reached a state of total inactivity, with no updates or feature releases in over 1,960 days. Development has effectively ceased, as the last recorded version was released in early 2021. There is no evidence of ongoing maintenance or support for the platform.
Who built it?
User Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Fresh user feedback skews thrilled. Users appreciate comprehensive dictionary features including stroke order and example sentences provide immense value for serious japanese language learners and offline functionality ensures the dictionary remains a reliable study companion during commutes or travel without internet access, but report large application file size consumes significant storage space on mobile devices, causing frustration for users with limited capacity.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Comprehensive dictionary features including stroke order and example sentences provide immense value for serious Japanese language learners
- Offline functionality ensures the dictionary remains a reliable study companion during commutes or travel without internet access
- Automatic clipboard lookup allows users to quickly translate text from other applications without manual retyping
- Large application file size consumes significant storage space on mobile devices, causing frustration for users with limited capacity
99 of 577 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Thrilled overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 2 user requests, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for imiwa?
How's the Reference market?
Imiwa? holds a stable niche in the Reference category, maintaining a 4.75 rating across 226 ratings. The lack of updates since 2021 signals a maintenance-mode posture that leaves the user base vulnerable to more frequently updated rivals.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By ZeeAlpha Tech
This app competes directly by offering a high-utility, offline-first reference experience that captures the same utility-seeking user base as imiwa?.
- Integrates OCR camera search for real-time text translation, a feature currently absent in imiwa?
- Maintains a massive, long-standing user base with over 400,000 ratings, creating significant social proof barriers
- Includes specialized crossword helper tools that expand utility beyond standard dictionary lookups for power users
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국립국어원 표준국어대사전Contender
English Dictionary - LDOCEContenderUnlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for imiwa?
Where is it heading?
The Japanese reference market is shifting toward AI-integrated, real-time translation tools that offer higher convenience than static dictionaries. Imiwa? remains advantaged for deep study but is increasingly exposed to churn as users migrate to apps that support modern input methods like OCR.
- The 64-month update gap suggests the app is in maintenance mode, which erodes user trust as modern iOS versions introduce new interface requirements.
The SWOT
- Offline-first architecture removes connectivity dependency
- Community-vetted JMdict data provides academic-grade accuracy
- Integrating OCR would neutralize the convenience gap held by rivals
Next best moves
Audit UI responsiveness on modern iOS versions because users report search-field glitches → restore baseline usability
The counter-intuitive read
The lack of updates is a feature, not a bug: the offline-first…
Read the full takeFeature gaps
OCR camera search (available in English Dictionary - Offline but missing here)
Since the last report: The app's competitive standing has shifted from stable to declining as the 64-month update gap increasingly exposes the product to OS-level incompatibility risks. While the core dictionary utility remains unchanged, the market narrative now emphasizes the growing convenience gap against AI-integrated rivals.
Bottom line
Imiwa? retains a loyal base through high-quality linguistic data, but the lack of updates since 2021 leaves it exposed to rivals with modern OCR capabilities. Addressing basic UI responsiveness would prevent further churn while the developer evaluates a long-term maintenance strategy.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Imiwa? still updated in 2026?
How does Imiwa? compare to other Japanese dictionaries?
Is Imiwa? good for beginners?
What is a good alternative to Imiwa?
Sources
- [1] App Store listing, source
Report last updated