If you’re preparing for JLPT, you’ve seen these two books everywhere: 日本語総まとめ (Nihongo Soumatome) and 新完全マスター (Shin Kanzen Master). They’re the Coca-Cola and Pepsi of JLPT prep. But which one should you actually buy?
After using both extensively, here’s the honest breakdown.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Soumatome (総まとめ) | Shinkanzen (新完全マスター) |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easier, gentler curve | Harder, exam-level from start |
| Structure | 6-week daily schedule | Topic-based chapters |
| Explanations | Simple, with illustrations | Detailed, academic |
| Practice Questions | Moderate amount | Extensive, exam-style |
| Kanji Coverage | Grouped by theme | Grouped by reading pattern |
| English Support | Chinese/Korean/English translations | Minimal English |
| Best For | Self-study beginners | Serious exam prep |
| Weakness | Too easy for some levels | Dense, can be overwhelming |
| Price Range | $20-25 per book | $25-30 per book |
| Available Levels | N1, N2, N3 | N1, N2, N3, N4 |
Soumatome: The Friendly Guide
Best for: Learners who want structure and a realistic schedule.
Soumatome’s killer feature is its 6-week daily plan. Each day covers a manageable chunk, and the weekly review days help consolidation. The kanji book groups characters by theme (body, nature, feelings), which creates natural associations.
Strengths:
- Clear 6-week schedule — you know exactly what to study each day
- Thematic grouping makes kanji memorable
- Cute illustrations and mnemonics
- Multilingual translations available
Weaknesses:
- Practice questions are easier than the actual JLPT
- N1 book doesn’t cover enough — need supplementary material
- No retention system (you read it once and forget)
Shinkanzen Master: The Exam Simulator
Best for: Learners who have intermediate knowledge and need to polish to exam level.
Shinkanzen is closer to actual JLPT difficulty. The practice questions feel like real exam questions, and the grammar explanations are more nuanced. If Soumatome is a gentle teacher, Shinkanzen is a strict sensei.
Strengths:
- Exam-accurate difficulty level
- Extensive practice questions with detailed explanations
- Covers edge cases and exceptions
- Grammar book is considered the best JLPT grammar resource
Weaknesses:
- Dense text with minimal visual aids
- Can be discouraging for beginners
- Limited English support
- No built-in study schedule
The Missing Piece: Active Review
Here’s what neither textbook solves: retention. You read a chapter on Monday, understand everything, and by Friday you’ve forgotten 70% of it. This is the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve in action.
The ideal JLPT setup: Textbook (learn new content) + Kanjijo SRS (retain what you learned). Study a Soumatome chapter, then review the kanji and vocabulary in Kanjijo. The SRS algorithm schedules reviews at the exact right time so nothing slips away.
Recommended Strategy by Level
| Level | Textbook Choice | Kanjijo Role | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| N5-N4 | Soumatome (or skip — Kanjijo covers this) | Primary study tool | 2-3 months |
| N3 | Soumatome first → Shinkanzen practice | Daily SRS review | 3-4 months |
| N2 | Shinkanzen (grammar + kanji) | Daily SRS + OCR scan textbook pages | 4-6 months |
| N1 | Shinkanzen + supplementary materials | Daily SRS + custom flashcards | 6-12 months |
Pro Tip: OCR Your Textbook
Use Kanjijo’s OCR scanner to photograph textbook pages and instantly create flashcards from the kanji and vocabulary. This bridges the gap between “I read it” and “I remember it.”
Study Planning Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Shinkanzen is more thorough and closer to actual exam difficulty. Soumatome is more learner-friendly with its 6-week schedule. Many successful learners use Soumatome first, then Shinkanzen for exam-level practice.
Textbooks provide structure, but you also need active review (SRS flashcards), listening practice, and reading practice. A textbook alone doesn’t solve the retention problem.
Beyond the big two: Try! (from JLPT creators), Kanzen Master, Nihongo So-matome, and ドリル&ドリル for practice tests. For kanji specifically, Basic Kanji Book and Kanji in Context also work well.
The perfect companion to any JLPT textbook.