PURPOSE: To obtain a character recognition system capable of accurately recognizing characters even when the characters are described in a colored original.

CONSTITUTION: An original 1 is inserted into a scanner 2. The scanner 2 outputs plural color component image data. Red, green and blue component image data from the scanner 2 are inputted to a recognizing device 3 and recognized processing are applied to red, green and blue component image data in accordance with an instruction from a control device 4 based upon information inputted from an input means 6 and the recognized result is outputted to the control device 4 as a recognized result signal. The control device 4 receiving the recognition processed recognition result signal displays the signal on a display means 5 as the character information of the character image read out by the scanner 2 based upon a signal conformed to a prescribed application.