Question 1

Does watching anime help you learn Japanese?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if you capture spoken words and review them. Passive English-sub bingeing teaches plot, not vocabulary. AnimeVocab turns each episode into one romaji card with spaced repetition.

Question 2

Can I learn Japanese just by watching anime?

Accepted Answer

Only if you actively notice and remember words. AnimeVocab handles that: one word at a time, in context, with scheduled reviews.

Question 3

I can't read hiragana yet. Can I still use this?

Accepted Answer

Yes. That's the default setup. Cards show romaji before kana. Switch to kana-first or kanji-first when you're ready.

Question 4

How is this different from subtitle dictionary tools?

Accepted Answer

Most tools assume you can read Japanese subtitles and hover words yourself. AnimeVocab pushes one curated word to you in romaji and tracks SRS for you.

Question 5

Is AnimeVocab free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The core learning loop is free with no account required. Pro is optional for hosted Listening Mode transcription without bringing your own API key.

Question 6

Does it work on Crunchyroll without Japanese subtitles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Listening Mode can work from spoken audio when Japanese subtitle text is missing — the common case on Crunchyroll outside Japan.

Question 7

Where is my data stored?

Accepted Answer

On your device by default — the extension works with no account. Create a free account only if you want cloud backup, sync across devices, or the AI coach. No ads, no tracking.

Learn Japanese from the anime you already watch.