DanRan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Tomoaki Tanaka) announces the release of 'Touch and Play! Akamaru Drill,' an educational app for toddlers and preschoolers, now available on iOS and Android starting June 10, 2026.

This app is an educational tool that allows children to learn joyfully alongside characters from the popular 'Akamaru Friends' picture book series (created by Daisuke Shimizu, published by Poplar Publishing). As a sister app to 'Touch and Play! Which One is Red?'—which has surpassed 770,000 cumulative downloads (※1)—it covers essential pre-elementary school skills through over 30 types of drills.

About 'Touch and Play! Akamaru Drill'

'Touch and Play! Akamaru Drill' is an educational app designed for preschool children to develop learning habits through fun. Children enhance their ability to think independently by interacting with the familiar 'Akamaru' character from the picture books through touch-based play.

The app features a wide range of drills, from tracing numbers and alphabets to hiragana, katakana, counting, colors, shapes, and listening exercises. Each drill consists of 3–5 stages, with each stage containing 5 short questions, enabling repeated play in small units. This structure supports progressive learning from age 3 up to elementary school readiness.

With voice support for all questions, no ads, and offline functionality, the app is safe and suitable for children aged 3 and up.

Download the app here:

iOS version: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id6764228509

Android version: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.danran.akamarudrill

Key Features of the App

* Learn correct stroke order through tracing

Supports tracing for numbers and alphabets (with plans to add hiragana and katakana in the future). Tracing in the correct order naturally helps children learn how to write characters. Since tracing is done on tablets or screens, it's ideal as preparation before using pencils.

Supports automatic tracking and tracing

* Over 30 drills covering essential pre-school knowledge

Includes a wide variety of drills such as counting, colors, shapes, hiragana, katakana, alphabets, English words, and listening exercises. The design allows repeated play in short units—5 questions per stage, 3–5 stages per drill—making it easy to maintain focus and play without getting bored.

Over 30 free-to-play drills included!

* Safe and secure design for independent child use

All questions and answers are voice-supported, enabling even children who cannot yet read to play independently. The app contains no in-app advertisements, so parents can let their children play alone without worrying about unexpected ads appearing.

Additionally, the app can be enjoyed offline after the initial download (excluding some features).

About the 'Akamaru Friends' Series That Nurtures Thinking Skills

The 'Akamaru Friends' series is a picture book series for children aged 1–3 that enables various types of play through colors, numbers, and shapes. The first title, 'Which One is Red?', published in 2017, has exceeded 200,000 copies in circulation and ranked 5th in the 2018 MOE Bookstore Grand Prize Parents’ Category. With nine titles released, the series has surpassed 470,000 cumulative copies (※2), becoming a new staple in baby picture books.

The author, Daisuke Shimizu, is a father of two daughters. The books were created based on ideas born from his interactions with his then 2-year-old and newborn daughters, refined by observing their reactions. The series has received strong support from both children and the adults around them.

Poplar Publishing Official Website – 'Which One is Red?' Book Page https://www.poplar.co.jp/book/search/result/archive/2078010.html

Message from the Developer of 'Touch and Play! Akamaru Drill'

The original 'Touch and Play! Which One is Red?' nurtured the foundation of independent thinking by having children point to colors and shapes with their fingers alongside the book's characters. 'Touch and Play! Akamaru Drill' takes the next step by making enjoyable the specific skills children need before elementary school—such as tracing, number concepts, and alphabets.

Some parts may feel challenging at first, but each activity is designed to be short and repeatable. We hope children can enjoy it at their own pace without rushing. If this app helps foster a habit of learning and curiosity—finding joy in studying, in discovering new things, in wanting to know more—we, as developers, would be truly delighted.

【Product Overview】

Title: 'Touch and Play! Akamaru Drill'

Genre: Educational App

Target Age: 3 years and up (up to elementary school preparation)

Development & Production: DanRan Co., Ltd.

Supported Devices: iOS / Android

Release Date: June 5, 2026

Pricing Model: Free-to-play, no ads

iOS version: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id6764228509

Android version: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.danran.akamarudrill

<Copyright> ©Daisuke Shimizu/POPLAR ©DanRan

※1 As of April 2026, combined iOS and Android

※2 As of June 2026, based on data from Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: New Product