[Sangetsu]

If you are studying Japanese, kanji are essential. You can't even read the simplest signs without knowing kanji. It takes years to learn them all, but once you understand the basic characters (radicals), the process becomes easier.

Learning kanji is one thing, remembering them is another. You have to practice regularly so you don't forget the ones you have learned. I've been studying for some time now, live in Japan, and practice somewhat regularly, but I still have trouble with remembering the less-used characters.