A Migaku alternative for anime fans

What does Migaku do well?

From Migaku’s own pages, checked on 4 November 2026:

• Click words in subtitles and on web pages for the meaning, pronunciation, and an AI explanation of the word in context.
• Make a flashcard with one click, with the sentence, native audio and, from a video, a screenshot and an audio clip.
• Courses for complete beginners in Japanese, from the writing system up.
• iOS and Android apps, reading tools, and text recognition from photos on the phone apps.
• 11 languages on one plan, and export to Anki.

Its Chrome Web Store page lists YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Rakuten Viki and Animelon as its streaming sites. Prices on its pricing page: Standard $10 a month (20% less if paid yearly), Early Access $15 a month, or Lifetime $290 once, with a 10-day money-back guarantee.

Where is Ikkimi different?

• Crunchyroll. Most Crunchyroll episodes have no Japanese subtitles. Ikkimi finds a matching file in Jimaku’s public catalogue and lines it up with Crunchyroll’s own subtitle timing by itself. See Learn Japanese with Crunchyroll.
• Made for beginners. Every word shows its reading in kana and 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).
• Shows at your level. 192 anime are rated by hand from N5 to N1, with about 9,700 more estimated, and YouTube thumbnails get a level badge. See anime by Japanese level.
• Flashcards with the scene. Words you keep come back on the website with the line and the moment they came from, with daily quests, XP and a streak.
• Japanese only. Ikkimi does one language.

Ikkimi and Migaku side by side

When is Migaku the better choice?

• You want a course that teaches the basics in order, not only words from shows.
• You want to study on your phone today.
• You learn Korean, Chinese or another language as well as Japanese.
• You read a lot of Japanese on websites or from photos, not only watch.
• You would rather pay once for a lifetime plan.

Other alternatives

ManabiDojo is another Japanese-only extension for anime on Crunchyroll; asbplayer with Yomitan and Anki costs nothing if you like setting things up; Language Reactor has a free version for Netflix and YouTube. Our roundup of apps for learning Japanese with anime covers each one.

To try Ikkimi, add the extension from the Chrome Web Store and see how to learn Japanese by watching anime.

Migaku facts checked on 4 November 2026 on migaku.com/pricing, migaku.com/learn-japanese and its Chrome Web Store page. Ikkimi is not affiliated with Migaku.

Questions

Does Migaku work on Crunchyroll?

Crunchyroll is not in the list of streaming sites on Migaku’s Chrome Web Store page, which names YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Rakuten Viki and Animelon (checked on 4 November 2026). Check Migaku’s own site for the latest. Ikkimi works on Crunchyroll and finds the Japanese subtitles for the episode itself.

Is Ikkimi cheaper than Migaku?

By the month they are about the same: Ikkimi is $9.99 and Migaku Standard is $10. Paid yearly, Ikkimi is $59.99, and Migaku’s pricing page says its yearly price saves 20% on the monthly one. Migaku also sells a $290 lifetime plan; Ikkimi does not. If cost matters most, asbplayer with Yomitan and Anki cost nothing.

Does Ikkimi have phone apps like Migaku?

Not yet. The iPhone app is coming soon. Today Ikkimi’s clickable line works in Chrome on a computer, and its website works in a phone’s browser for reviewing your words.

Can I take my words to Anki?

Yes, with both. Ikkimi exports your words to Anki or CSV, and Migaku says you can export its flashcards to Anki.

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.