Stop Using Anki, Use This Instead

Hey KoreKara Squad, 

Lots of us immersion learners can get sidetracked by the shiniest new tools and software that promise to optimize our immersion time. That got me thinking – what tools would I recommend to cut through the noise and get the most out of your active study?

💡 Tip of the week

Aside from Anki, which I talked about last week, there are some other resources that I’d consider essential tools for the journey. (None of these paid me to promote them, I just think they’re genuinely useful)

#1. Yomichan

Yomichan is a popup dictionary browser extension. What makes Yomichan so powerful is that you decide what dictionaries it utilizes. So every time you select a word to look up you’ll be given several definitions to get a better understanding of the nuance of the word. The pop definitions also allow for lookups within lookups, so if you use a Japanese dictionary you can select a word within a definition to be defined. I would recommend starting off with using JMDict though. (message me if you have trouble finding it or setting it up)

#2. Language Reactor (LR)

What used to be called Language Learning with Netflix has expanded to YouTube and other streaming services. It basically allows the subtitles of Netflix shows and YouTube videos to be clickable. There are several options to move and edit subtitles making it a super customizable experience. While LR has its own built-in dictionary, you can pair this tool with Yomichan and run through Netflix shows with clickable subtitles making it an extremely powerful combination of tools.

#3. Mokuro (Bonus)

This is more complicated but if you read Manga on your computer, Mokuro is a program that lets make the text in manga selectable. Where Mokuro really shines is in its database of manga that has already been transformed, allowing you to read through an entire manga series inside of your browser. Again, this massive database paired with Yomichan is an unbeatable combination and a great way to level up your reading abilities. Go find some manga you like in their database and rip through the way it was meant to be enjoyed – in Japanese. Check them out here.

📺 Immersion of the week 

If you somehow have not already seen or heard of this guy's content you should check out YUYUの日本語Podcast

He regularly uploads all kinds of content from monologuing podcasts, interviews, lets-plays, and vlogs. He’s kind of a one-stop shop for easy-entry interesting Japanese content. He also regularly collaborates with other creators, giving you plenty of other people’s content to explore as well.

ProTip: Go through his channel or any other channel you love and make a personally curated YouTube playlist of immersion content. It helps eliminate the question of “What should I listen to on this drive?” and gets me straight into immersion.

✍️ Kanji of the week

This week's kanji is a bit simpler, but I figured it was fitting since I have been talking about tools and resources to help you along in your Japanese journey. 道具 is composed of 道 meaning road, street, or journey, and 具 meaning tool or utensil. Together they literally mean tools for the journey.ow 👿

🗣️ Q&A 

I respond to every single one of these e-mails, so if you have a question feel free to just reply directly.

Alright go use your Japanese、 またね!

Eric