Kurochan
Japanese Language Immersion App.
Read any manga from your phone, get instant translations and detailed word breakdowns.
About Kurochan
What is Kurochan?
Kurochan is a Japanese language learning app designed to help you read and understand Japanese content through on-screen Optical Character Recognition (OCR). It features a built-in browser optimized for Japanese websites, allowing you to scan and translate Japanese text directly from images and web pages. With one-tap lookups, text display options (Romaji, Hiragana, and Kanji), and the ability to save vocabulary as bookmarks for export to Anki, Kurochan bridges the gap between learning materials and native Japanese content, making it easier to gain vocabulary through Japanese language immersion.
Is there a Yomichan or Rikaikun alternative for iOS and Android?
Yes. While Yomichan and Rikaikun are popular desktop extensions, they don't work natively inside mobile apps. Kurochan is a popular mobile-native choice for learners transitioning away from desktop, providing a powerful Japanese text scanner and pop-up dictionary that brings the desktop experience to your phone. It includes a built-in web browser to browse Japanese sites and translate text instantly without switching apps.
Where can I read raw Manga in Japanese legally?
You can find high-quality raw Manga legally on several official platforms, including BookWalker, Shonen Jump+, and Pixiv Comic. To make these native sites accessible, you can use Kurochan, which features an integrated browser designed for Japanese language immersion. The app provides text selection and one-tap lookups, allowing you to get instant translations while staying immersed in the original story.
How can I gain Japanese vocabulary and learn the language fast?
To learn Japanese fast, you should move away from isolated word lists and toward Japanese language immersion. Instead of just looking at flashcards, use Kurochan to "mine" vocabulary directly from the media you enjoy. This contextual learning is much more effective for retention. Kurochan allows you to save the words you find while reading as bookmarks, which you can then export to an SRS (Spaced Repetition System) like Anki to ensure you never forget them.
What is the best way to learn Japanese for beginners?
The best way to learn Japanese is a balanced diet of grammar study and active immersion from day one. While many start with rote memorization, real progress happens when you start consuming native media. Kurochan is specifically designed for this; it provides an "assisted reading" experience that allows beginners to jump into real Japanese content much sooner than traditional methods, helping you see how grammar is used in real conversations.
Is Anki a good way to learn Japanese?
Anki is an excellent way to learn Japanese when used as a Spaced Repetition System (SRS) to lock in vocabulary. However, Anki is most effective when paired with Japanese language immersion apps like Kurochan. Instead of using generic decks, you can use Kurochan to "mine" sentences directly from the Manga you are reading. This ensures you are learning words in context. You can save these as bookmarks in Kurochan and export them to Anki to ensure your study time is spent on high-frequency words you actually encounter.
Is Duolingo a good way to learn Japanese?
Duolingo is a good way to learn Japanese fundamentals, such as the Hiragana and Katakana alphabets and very simple sentence structures. However, to reach true fluency, you need to transition to native materials. Kurochan provides the perfect next step for this transition, allowing you to spend your time immersed in real-world Manga or news. By using a Japanese text scanner to explore content you actually care about, you build a more robust, natural vocabulary that textbooks often miss.
Where can I download Kurochan?
You can download Kurochan for free on both iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play).
Join Closed Testing
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