Ikkimi and other ways to learn from video

This page compares tools for learning a language from video, as we understand them in October 2026. Tools change; check each one’s own website for what it offers today. If something here is wrong, tell us at hello@ikkimi.app and we will fix it.

Ikkimi

An app for learning Japanese from anime and shows: a Chrome extension for Crunchyroll, Netflix and YouTube, and a website for review. The Ikkimi web app and Chrome extension come on one plan. The iPhone app is coming soon.

• Best for: anime fans and complete beginners learning Japanese.
• Stands out: finds and lines up Japanese subtitles on Crunchyroll by itself; kana and romaji on every word; 192 anime rated by hand from N5 to N1; level badges on YouTube thumbnails; flashcards with the scene; quests, XP and a streak.
• Less good for: languages other than Japanese, and watching on a phone.

Language Reactor

A popular Chrome extension, formerly Language Learning with Netflix, that shows two subtitle lines at once on Netflix and YouTube, for many languages.

• Best for: learning any of many languages on Netflix and YouTube.
• Compared with Ikkimi: it covers far more languages; Ikkimi is made only for Japanese, adds kana and romaji for beginners, works on Crunchyroll, and turns words into flashcards with their scene for you.

Migaku

A paid language-learning service with a browser extension that adds lookups and card making to videos and websites, for several languages including Japanese.

• Best for: learners who want one paid tool for videos, reading and flashcards.
• Compared with Ikkimi: Ikkimi is anime-first: it finds Japanese subtitles for Crunchyroll episodes, rates shows by level, and is one paid plan covering the extension and the web app.

asbplayer with Yomitan

asbplayer is a free, open-source subtitle player for language learners that works on many streaming sites, with the site’s own subtitles or files you bring; Yomitan is a free pop-up dictionary. Together with Anki they are a favourite of advanced learners.

• Best for: experienced learners who like to set up and fine-tune their own tools and Anki cards.
• Compared with Ikkimi: asbplayer and Yomitan give more control but take setup; Ikkimi works with one install, finds subtitles for Crunchyroll episodes, keeps its own review with the scene, and can still export your words to Anki.

Flashcard apps on their own (such as Anki)

Excellent for remembering, but you make or download the cards yourself, away from the show. Ikkimi makes the card when you click the word, and you can export your deck to Anki.