“Mahjong Seems Difficult…” Mahjong Soul Is Perfect For You!
“Mahjong seems so difficult…” “The rules look too complex to learn…”
Do you feel this way? Actually, I did too at first. But with Mahjong Soul (Jantama), you naturally pick up mahjong like watching anime.
Cute characters teach you kindly, and even when you fail, they encourage you with “Don’t worry!” In that warm atmosphere, before you knew it, you’d be shouting “Riichi!” and “Ron!”
In 2025, they even launched a Fate/stay night collaboration! Playing mahjong with Saber and Rin Tohsaka—fans can’t ask for more. There’s also an active community with over 46,000 Discord members who kindly answer beginners’ questions.
Start for Free! Spend Money Only When You Find Your Favorite
“Online games require spending money to win, right?”
No, no—Mahjong Soul is completely free to play! The only paid elements are cosmetic, like cute character outfits and table backgrounds. They have zero impact on winning or losing.
At first, I thought “free is enough!” But the moment I saw Ichihime’s new costume… “This is… for my favorite…!” I gave in (laughs). But it’s totally fine to wait until you develop that kind of attachment.
Download and Installation for All Platforms
Mahjong Soul is available on multiple platforms, each with unique advantages.
Mobile Installation
iOS Version
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/%E9%9B%80%E9%AD%82-%E3%81%98%E3%82%83%E3%82%93%E3%81%9F%E3%81%BE/id1469186379
- Requirements: iOS 12.0 or later
- Storage: 2.4GB
Android Version
- Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.YoStarJP.MajSoul&hl=ja
- Requirements: Android 5.0 or later, 2GB RAM
- Additional 1.9GB data download on first launch
Browser Version
The browser version requires no installation and works in these environments:
- URL: https://mahjongsoul.com/
- Recommended: Chrome
- Supported: Firefox, Edge, Safari
- Requires JavaScript and WebGL enabled
The browser version offers easy access but may have performance limitations compared to native clients.
Account Creation and Initial Setup
Creating a Mahjong Soul account involves important decisions that affect your entire game experience.
Registration Methods
- Email address registration (with confirmation email)
- Social media login (Google, Apple ID, etc.)
Initial Setup
- Choose display name (must be unique from other players)
- Complete mandatory tutorial
Your First Step: The Exciting Tutorial Experience
“I registered, but where do I start…?”
Don’t worry! Mahjong Soul will guide you gently. First, tap the graduation cap icon to start the tutorial.
It’s okay to start at “What are tiles?” level. Ichihime will kindly teach you “Collect these and you can win!” Even difficult terminology becomes “Ah, I see!” naturally through cute illustrations and animations.
I was also confused when I first heard “furiten,” but after trying it, I quickly understood “Ah, this is unfair so it’s forbidden.”
Real Matches! Aiming for Your First “Ron!”
After finishing the tutorial, it’s time to play against other players!
“Wait, already playing against people!? What if I cause trouble…?”
No need to worry! Bronze Room is full of beginners just like you. Everyone’s saying “Just started today” or “Just declared riichi for the first time!”
Beginner’s Paradise: Bronze Room
Start with 4-player matches in Bronze Room. There’s a wonderful system here:
- You don’t lose points even if you lose! (Beginner protection system)
- Everyone’s kind, and good plays get “Nice!” stamp reactions
- Time limits are relaxed, so you can think carefully
My first win was an accidental “tanyao.” The moment “Ron!” appeared on screen, I couldn’t help shouting “Yes!” (laughs).
Tournament and Friend Matches
- Friend Match: Customizable rule settings
- Tournament: Limited-time special rules. Not recommended until you’re familiar with basic rules.
Understanding the Game Interface
Mahjong Soul’s interface balances comprehensive information display with intuitive navigation.
Main Menu
Centered on the home screen:
- Tutorial: Graduation cap icon
- Dorm: Character selection
- Match: Various match modes
- Shop: Item purchases
- Gallery: Collection confirmation
- Tournament: Tournament participation
The top of the screen displays currency (Bronze Room points, Jade), profile information, and current rank.
In-Game Screen
- Hand: 13 tiles displayed at bottom
- Discards: Center shows each player’s discarded tiles
- Time Remaining: Grace period until discarding drawn tile
- Dora Indicator: Shows dora indicator tile, so the next tile is dora
- Yaku List: Always available for reference
In Mahjong Soul, dora tiles glow, so you don’t need to worry too much about them.
It’s Okay to Fail! Everyone Goes Through It
“I dealt into someone’s hand…” “I declared riichi at the wrong time…”
It’s okay, everyone starts that way! On my first day, I aimed for “kokushi musou” and spectacularly failed, coming in last place (laughs).
But Mahjong Soul’s great feature is being gentle even when you fail. You can practice against CPU in Friend Match mode:
- “What was wrong with that play?” you can reflect
- Think carefully with unlimited time (up to 300 seconds!)
- Practice the same situation as many times as you want
Failure is a chance to grow. The charm of Mahjong Soul is helping you stay positive: “I’ll do better next time!"
"Can I Win With This?” Overly Helpful Hint Features
What’s wonderful about Mahjong Soul is not abandoning beginners.
”You Can Win!” Notifications
In Bronze Room, there are these helpful features:
- “One more tile to win!” sparkles and glows
- “Discarding that tile might deal in!” warns you
- “You’re in furiten now” gently informs you
At first I thought “Isn’t this cheating to get help?” But thanks to this, I naturally learned “Ah, this shape is a winning hand!”
Recommended Settings for Comfortable Play
Turn these ON in settings for more enjoyment:
- All Hints ON: Don’t be shy, use them all!
- Large Tile Display: Easy to see on smartphones
- Extra Thinking Time: No need to rush
Aim for First Dan! The Path to Improvement While Having Fun
You might think “Isn’t there too much to learn in mahjong?” But with Mahjong Soul, you can naturally improve while having fun.
Start Here! Beginner Goals
The order that worked well for me:
- Complete all tutorials (Surprisingly fun!)
- Crush CPU opponents in Friend Match (Feels so good~)
- Just learn “Riichi” and “Tanyao” (You can win a lot with just these)
- Play 10 matches in Bronze Room (Even losing is fun!)
Next Steps
Once you get a bit comfortable:
- Aim for Adept rank: The door to Silver Room opens!
- MAX your favorite character’s bond level: Unlock new voices
- Focus on “not dealing in”: Defense matters too!
No need to rush. Everyone enjoys at their own pace.
Now, Let’s Enter the World of Mahjong Soul Together!
If you’ve read this far, you’ve already taken the first step as a proper Mahjong Soul player!
Starting from “Mahjong seems difficult,” even I now log in every day because I’m so hooked. While being healed by Ichihime’s “Nice~!” voice, sometimes feeling frustrated, but definitely feeling myself improving.
Mahjong Soul’s wonderful features once more:
- Enjoy authentic mahjong completely free
- Cute characters cheer you on
- Warm environment where it’s okay to fail
- Improve at your own pace
That first “Ron!” moment will surely become an unforgettable memory. So download now and let’s enjoy the world of Mahjong Soul together!
“See you at the table~!” (In Ichihime style)