Chromium-Based Browsers Kinza
What Was Kinza?
Kinza was a Chromium-based web browser developed primarily for the Japanese market by a Japanese company called “Kinza” (formerly “Mayca”). It was known for its high degree of customization, user-friendly interface, and a strong focus on integrating features that appealed to power users and those looking for an alternative to mainstream browsers like Google Chrome.
The name “Kinza” is derived from the Japanese word for ginger specifically its gold-colored, high-grade variety reflecting the developers’ intent to create a “high-grade” browser.
The Full History of Kinza Web Browser
Phase 1: Origins and Early Development (~2015 - 2016)
The Company: The development company behind Kinza was Mayca Inc., a Japanese software firm. They had previously developed other software, but Kinza became their most prominent product.
Chromium Foundation: From the very beginning, Kinza was built on the open-source Chromium project. This gave it immediate compatibility with the vast Chrome Web Store ecosystem, including extensions and modern web standards.
Initial Release: The first stable versions of Kinza were released around 2015-2016. It quickly gained traction in Japan due to its performance and feature set that often surpassed Chrome’s at the time.
Phase 2: Rise in Popularity and Key Features (2017 - 2020)
During this period, Kinza carved out its niche. It wasn’t trying to be a minimalist browser; instead, it positioned itself as a feature-rich, highly customizable alternative. Its popularity grew significantly within Japan and also attracted a small but dedicated international user base.
Key features that defined Kinza included:
Multi-Process Architecture: Kinza was one of the first Chromium-based browsers to aggressively implement a multi-process model for tabs, which improved stability and security. If one tab crashed, it wouldn’t bring down the whole browser.
Mouse Gestures: This was a flagship feature. Users could perform common actions (like going back, closing tabs, refreshing) by holding the right mouse button and moving the mouse in a specific pattern.
Super Drag & Drop: Users could quickly open links or search for selected text by simply dragging and dropping it onto the web page.
Rich Tab Management: Kinza offered advanced tab controls, including the ability to “duplicate” tabs, lock tabs to prevent accidental closure, and a highly customizable tab bar.
Built-in Ad Blocker: It included a capable built-in ad blocker, reducing the need for a separate extension.
Customizable UI: The user interface was highly flexible, allowing users to move toolbars, change button layouts, and personalize the browser’s look and feel to a great extent.
Speed Dial: A customizable start page with visual thumbnails of frequently visited sites, similar to Opera’s classic Speed Dial.
Phase 3: The Decline and Discontinuation (2021 - 2022)
Despite its loyal user base, Kinza’s development eventually slowed and then stopped altogether. The primary reasons were:
Intense Browser Competition: The market became dominated by a few major players (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge). Competing in the “browser engine war” requires immense resources for development, security, and keeping up with the rapid Chromium release cycle.
Chromium’s Complexity: Maintaining a fork of Chromium is a massive technical undertaking. As Chromium itself became more complex and feature-rich, the small team at Kinza struggled to keep their customizations integrated and up-to-date with security patches.
Lack of Resources: As a project from a relatively small company, Kinza likely lacked the financial and human resources to sustain long-term development against giants like Google and Microsoft.
Shifting Company Focus: The development company, which had rebranded from Mayca to Kinza Inc., appeared to shift its business focus away from the browser.
The End:
The last official stable version released was Kinza 87.
In early 2022, the official Kinza website (kinza.jp) went offline, replaced with a placeholder page.
The download links were removed, making it impossible for new users to install the browser officially.
No formal announcement or “end-of-life” notice was widely published, leaving users to discover its demise on their own.
Phase 4: Legacy and Forks (2022 - Present)
Kinza is now considered abandonware. While it can still be found on some software archive sites, it is highly discouraged to use it due to unpatched security vulnerabilities. A browser based on Chromium 87 is critically insecure today.
However, Kinza’s legacy lives on in its spiritual successor:
Yatta Browser: This is a direct fork of Kinza, created by a former developer or a very dedicated fan. Yatta Browser aims to continue the Kinza philosophy, incorporating many of its classic features (mouse gestures, super drag & drop) while being actively maintained and updated on a modern Chromium base. For former Kinza users, Yatta Browser is the most natural and recommended successor.
Summary Timeline
Period—>Event
~2015—>Initial release of Kinza by Mayca Inc.
2016-2020—>Peak popularity. Known for mouse gestures, drag & drop, and high customizability.
2021—>Development slows significantly. Last version (v87) is released.
Early 2022—>Official website goes offline. Browser is effectively discontinued.
2022-Present—>Kinza is considered abandonware. The Yatta Browser fork emerges as its successor.
🧭 Origins and Development Philosophy
Kinza was created with the aim of providing a browser that closely aligns with user preferences. The development team emphasized incorporating features based on user feedback, ensuring that the browser evolved to meet the specific needs of its audience. This approach was rooted in a philosophy of user-centric development, aiming to create a browser that felt intuitive and responsive to its users’ desires.
🔧 Key Features
Kinza distinguished itself from other browsers through several unique features:
Mouse Gestures: Enabled users to perform browser actions through customizable mouse movements.
Super Drag: Allowed users to open search results in new tabs by dragging selected text.
RSS Reader: Integrated an RSS feed reader, enabling users to subscribe to and read updates from their favorite websites directly within the browser.
Customization Options: Provided extensive settings to adjust the browser’s interface and behavior to suit individual preferences.
📅 Timeline and Discontinuation
Initial Release: Kinza’s development began with the goal of creating a browser that was more adaptable and user-friendly than existing options.
Version 4.1.1: Released on September 13, 2017, this was one of the last known updates before the browser’s development slowed.
Discontinuation: As of May 10, 2021, Kinza was officially discontinued and is no longer receiving updates.
Conclusion
Kinza was a beloved browser that, for a time, successfully offered a powerful and user-centric alternative to Chrome. Its strength was in understanding what power users wanted—efficiency tools like mouse gestures and drag-and-drop—and building them directly into the browser. However, the immense challenge of maintaining a modern browser engine ultimately led to its quiet demise. Its spirit continues in projects like Yatta Browser, a testament to the loyal community it built during its active years.
