# A Language Reactor alternative for Japanese

> For learning Japanese from anime, including on Crunchyroll, and when Language Reactor suits you better.

**The short answer:** Language Reactor is a broad tool for 40+ languages on Netflix and YouTube, with a free version. If you are learning Japanese from anime, and especially if you watch on Crunchyroll, **Ikkimi** is an alternative made for that: it works on Crunchyroll, Netflix and YouTube, shows kana and romaji on every word, and turns the words you keep into flashcards with the scene. Stay with **Language Reactor** if you learn other languages or want to start without paying.

The Ikkimi web app and Chrome extension come on one plan. The iPhone app is coming soon.

## What does Language Reactor do well?

From its own pages, checked on 4 November 2026:

- Two subtitle lines at once on Netflix and YouTube, so you see the original and your language.
- A pop-up dictionary with example sentences, AI explanations, playback controls and auto-pause after each line.
- 40+ languages, with transliterations for languages in another script.
- A free version. Pro is $5.95 a month, $13.95 for 3 months or $39.95 a year, and adds speech recognition and machine translation on Netflix, saving words across all its features, and export to Anki.
- More than 2 million users, according to its Chrome Web Store page, which says it runs in Chrome on Windows and macOS computers.

## Where is Ikkimi different?

- **Crunchyroll.** Ikkimi works there, and finds and times the Japanese subtitles that most episodes lack. See [Learn Japanese with Crunchyroll](https://ikkimi.app/learn-japanese-with-crunchyroll/).
- **Made only for Japanese.** Each word shows kana, romaji, its meaning, its JLPT level and a recording by a native speaker where one exists (never a computer voice; otherwise the line from the show plays again). Words you hear in a changed form are saved in their dictionary form, with a note on why.
- **Flashcards made for you.** One click keeps a word, and it comes back as a spaced-repetition flashcard with the scene and the line.
- **Shows at your level.** 192 anime rated by hand from N5 to N1, and a level badge on YouTube thumbnails. See [Learn Japanese with YouTube](https://ikkimi.app/learn-japanese-with-youtube/).
- **Paid only.** Ikkimi has no free plan.

## Ikkimi and Language Reactor side by side

|  | Ikkimi | Language Reactor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Languages | Japanese | 40+ |
| Where it works | Crunchyroll, Netflix and YouTube | Netflix and YouTube, plus books and websites you import |
| Crunchyroll | Yes, finds and times Japanese subtitles itself | Not mentioned on its pages |
| Word help | Kana, romaji, meaning, JLPT level, native recording where one exists | Dictionary, example sentences, AI explanations |
| Flashcards | Built in, with the scene; export to Anki or CSV | Saved words and export to Anki (Pro) |
| Price | $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year; 7 days free on yearly; no free plan | Free version; Pro from $5.95 a month or $39.95 a year |

## When is Language Reactor the better choice?

- You learn a language other than Japanese, or several at once.
- You want to start without paying.
- You want subtitles made by speech recognition for any Netflix audio track, dubs included (Pro).
- You want to read books and websites in the same tool.

## Other alternatives

Trancy also adds bilingual subtitles to many video sites, with a free plan. Migaku and ManabiDojo are paid tools with more help for Japanese. Our [roundup of apps for learning Japanese with anime](https://ikkimi.app/best-apps-to-learn-japanese-with-anime/) compares them all, and [Learn Japanese with Netflix](https://ikkimi.app/learn-japanese-with-netflix/) shows how Ikkimi works there.

To try Ikkimi, add [the extension from the Chrome Web Store](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ikkimi-%E2%80%94-learn-japanese/kknpmodmojiodjhbgapdgpabdehpnfcb).

Language Reactor facts checked on 4 November 2026 on [languagereactor.com](https://www.languagereactor.com/), [its Pro page](https://www.languagereactor.com/pro-mode) and [its Chrome Web Store page](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/language-reactor/hoombieeljmmljlkjmnheibnpciblicm). Ikkimi is not affiliated with Language Reactor.

## Questions

### Does Language Reactor work on Crunchyroll?

Its website and Chrome Web Store page talk about Netflix and YouTube and do not mention Crunchyroll (checked on 4 November 2026). Ikkimi works on Crunchyroll, and because most episodes there have no Japanese subtitles, it finds a matching file in Jimaku’s public catalogue and lines it up by itself.

### Does Language Reactor work for Japanese?

Yes. It covers 40+ languages, Japanese among them, and its site says it shows transliterations for languages with a different writing system. Ikkimi is made only for Japanese: each word shows its reading in kana and romaji, its meaning and its JLPT level.

### Is there a free alternative to Language Reactor for Japanese?

asbplayer with Yomitan costs nothing and works on Netflix, YouTube and, with a subtitle file you bring, most other streaming sites. Ikkimi is a paid plan; the yearly plan starts with 7 days free, with a card needed to start.

### Can I use the English line too?

Yes. Ikkimi can show the English line under the Japanese one, and you can hide it as you improve.

### How much does Ikkimi cost?

Ikkimi is one paid plan with everything in it: $9.99 a month, or $59.99 a year. It covers the web app, with unlimited words and export to Anki, and the Chrome extension on Crunchyroll, Netflix and YouTube. The yearly plan starts with 7 days free: you add a card to start, and nothing is charged if you cancel before day 8. The monthly plan has no free trial. There is no free plan.

Tonight’s episode is a lesson.

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Source: https://ikkimi.app/language-reactor-alternative/ · Updated 2026-11-04 · Contact: hello@ikkimi.app · More: https://ikkimi.app/llms.txt