Katakana

Katakana is one of Japan's three writing systems, alongside Hiragana and Kanji. It originated during the 9th century as a simplified form of Kanji characters used to transcribe foreign words and names into Japanese. Over time, Katakana evolved into a distinct phonetic alphabet, specifically designed for representing non-Japanese words and onomatopoeic sounds. Its angular and boxy appearance sets it apart from the curvaceous Hiragana characters.