Manabi Reader User Reviews

John A Ehlke

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Flawed subscription and account system

The app itself works quite well. Occasionally crashes when you’re reading a long imported text, but when it works it works.

That said, I haven’t been able to login to my account due to some errors, and after 4 months of attempting to contact the creator for support I still haven't gotten an answer. It’s difficult to recommend the subscription in its current state.

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H9020

3 years ago

Response from developer

Hi, so sorry about the issues you ran into with the old version. Please try 3.0 which has been completely rewritten, works offline, and has a more reliable server connection. I've put my all into this update and hope it will now work well for you. You can also reach out to me directly via the new tawk.to/manabi / support chat link in-app or via email. Thank you

The app cover is off

In the cover of this app it doesn’t say it has in app purchases it does, there are subscriptions but you don’t have to use them. This app from what I see is pretty good if you want to read Japanese stuff it does that, it also has videos you can watch on the folktales I read.

Sleepydragonfly

3 years ago

Amazing really

Wow this app is a game changer. Thank you so much developers! Kind of surprised this isn't ridiculously popular. I'm reading books and checking the news on it constantly and love the progress tracking AND the flash card program (while slightly less customizable than I'd like) really all double down on this method. You only need this program theoretically to get to fluent comprehension. Although of course you're going to want to mix things up. Love it and thanks again.

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DeepImpunity

4 years ago

Response from developer

Hi! I hope you like the new 3.0 release I've just launched. I appreciate your kind review. I'd love to use your review as a testimonial on my website but I need your permission to do that - could you *please* send me your contact via email (or by contacting me on twitter/in-app chat)? alex@manabi.io Thank you!

Could be great

I like this app but for anyone with vision issues like me, not being able to increase font size makes it unusable. (This is the same reason I do not use Lingq.). Otherwise it is very well implemented. It the font size limitation were addressed I would definitely use this app.

Update 3/23/2021

The AUTORENEW function is not working, locking me out from Manabi. After a few months of trying to contact the developer I requested my subscription money be refunded. This is very disappointing as I had come to rely on the two apps (flashcards and reader) to improve my Japanese, and have found them very effective. Easilynthe best iPad apps I have found.

I really hope the developer fixes this critical problem.
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I realized the above comment about AUTORENEW should have been made under Manabi Flashcard, which I always access via Reader. In any event, the AUTORENEW problems seems to have been fixed or, to be more accurate, for whatever reason, I now have full access to the flashcards (3/28/2021).

So my Japanese studies are now back on track. Try the apps. I can't imagine you won't like them.

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gengogakusha

4 years ago

素晴らしいアプリ！

I’ve been using this app to practice my reading skills and it’s simple yet has done wonders for me. I find the kanji tracking feature very convenient as it helps me to see where I stand in terms of literacy. The subscription price is more than fair, other reading apps have such ridiculous prices for so little features, so I appreciate you keeping this one reasonable. What I would like is more distinction between known and unknown words, it gets tiring having to click every word to make sure I marked them as known. Keeping them highlighted could work. A vertical text option would be fun to add too and if it’s possible, could you perhaps add sign-in from Apple and/or Google?

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Toch45000

4 years ago

Response from developer

Hi! I hope you like the new 3.0 release I've just launched. I appreciate your kind review. Re: Apple login, I've just added that. I've noted your issue with distinguishing known/unknown words and will figure out a good solution. Btw - I'd love to use your review as a testimonial on my website but I need your permission to do that - could you *please* send me your contact via email (or by contacting me on twitter/in-app chat)? alex@manabi.io Thank you!

Amazing App for Japanese Immersion

Awesome app, has all the features I could ask for. Integrates seamlessly into its Flashcard companion app. Recommended for Japanese learners of all levels.

Blueberry-Ice-Cream

4 years ago

Great App

A very helpful app but I wish the font was more standard and legible, or at least offer an option to change the font. I feel like the current font makes it more difficult to read for people still new to Japanese.

Edit: very quick response from developers and it seems already updated and much more legible. Fantastic app with great support.

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Bradyeee123

4 years ago

Response from developer

Thanks for the feedback, I've added this to my list. Please feel free to share more suggestions directly via the in-app support contact. :) Update: Hi! I hope you like the new 3.0 release I've just launched. I appreciate the updated review. I'd love to use your review as a testimonial on my website but I need your permission to do that - could you please send me your contact via email (or by contacting me on twitter/in-app chat)? alex@manabi.io Thank you!

The best reading app

I’ve been using this app actively for the past couple of months and have seen a definite improvement on my reading. The ability to track JLPT levels and touch to search in the dictionary are super useful.
Developers please keep updating the app, this is a gem!

JBAustr

4 years ago

Response from developer

Glad you find the app so useful! Thanks for the love. Much more to come this year.

Great app, but

Please add the option to copy a word. At the moment the dictionary blocks the copy function. I often need to copy words into Anki to check whether I have a mnemonic card for the certain Kanji used but I’m unable to without a cumbersome workaround of searching in Japanese and then copying from there.

Please also add the option to highlight known words. I find it strange that there’s no option to have the app distinguish between words I know and ones I’ve simply looked up maybe just once in the app. There a huge difference between these two. It’d be great to have an indication of this when I’m reading so that I know when to pause a little longer and recall the word or whether to just press to look at the definition as I may have only encountered it maybe the once in passing.

Also really needs a feature to import a known words list as a simple txt file. Many people already have these lists from apps like the Morphman add on for Anki.

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SickWalrus