I’ve been wanting to start more reading practice/listening practice and I’ve heard great things about both Todaii and Satori Reader, but I don’t know which would be better for me. And if there is anything better than those I would love to know. I am willing to cough out some money. Thanks!
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I’m using Satori reader and I like it. I love also Mosalingua.
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I am using both, Satori Reader has a better explanation system I think.
But both present two different things : Satori is for stories, Todaii is for news. So, with Todaii you will have vocabulary et phrases for daily use, while with Satori you will improve your reading /comprehension skills.
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I recently picked up Japanese Stories for Language Learners by Anne McNulty and Eriko Sato. It has 5 stories: Urashima Taro, Yuki Onna, The Spider’s Thread, The Siblings who Almost Drowned, and Gauche the Cellist. The first 2 are probably JLPT N4 level as I read them without too much difficulty, while the later 3 are definitely more difficult.
Each story has an excellent English translation, grammar points, and vocabulary definitions.
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I use both.
Satori is great for getting into reading. The audio is professionally recorded. You can re-listen to individual sentences or you can just put on a story as an audiobook. The explanations are great and the grammar series is also well made. I had a one-year subscription, but decided not to renew it, because by now I can read native books (sometimes more like “struggle through” lol) on honto/bookwalker.
Todaii is for news. Most audio is TTS (as far as I know), but don’t let that deter you. Todaii also has nice grammar breakdowns and I use the dictionary of Todaii app if I have to quickly draw an unknown kanji (none of my other apps on phone work well for that). There are also many JLPT practice tests with complete listening sections.
Pricewise, Sarori Reader is paid yearly ( 80€? on the expensive side, but very worth it, if you do use it), Todaii has a one-time purchase option for around 50€. Both have websites and a free option, so you can see what you like!
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Todaii’s lifetime goes on sale for an extremely deep discount if you watch for it. The price to own such a useful app forever is so low that it’s honestly a steal.
I wish Satori reader had a lifetime option…
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I would suggest trying out native audiobooks + ebook or physical book combo sooner than you think. Some (many?) have multiple narrators/voice actors and sound effects that add context making them both more enjoyable and easier to understand.
All-you-can-listen:
- https://audiobook.jp/ seem to be easily accessible outside of Japan (All-you-can-listen only available on their smartphone apps)
- Audible Japan has a bigger catalogue if youre able to access it
Single book purchases:
- Can check your local Audible store
- Audiobookjp
Picking up the “junior” versions of books, if available, will include furigana but it’s not necessarily necessary since you will have the audio.
I’ve been using Satori Reader for 11 months now. I really like it and feels it’s in that sweet spot of comprehensible input - hard enough to teach you something but not so much to make it feels like trudging through mud. It’s also a lot more comprehensive than Todaii in giving you meanings; every word and expression have a translation, and harder ones have a personalized explanation. Plus, all stories are fully voiced over.
You can give it a try for free, IIRC the first 3 episodes of each story are free to read.
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Satori Reader is really well thought out, The only (big) downside I found that made me cancel my yearly subscription is that the content is just… boring. I thought it didn’t matter, but in the end I didn’t felt enticed to use it.
I prefer to read or listen to native content and dig my self the grammar and meanings I don’t get.
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If you don’t mind me asking what has been your favorite or the best thing in your opinion that you have read? Because I would love to use my free trial on what is considered the best by someone!
I like the Jam Maker and the two Kona’s Big Adventure. But they take a while to get going since they have 60+ episodes each.
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Ok thank you I think I’ll check out the Kona adventures one seems interesting.
Do you happen to know the time frame in which it goes on sale, or did you just mean the lifetime option is at a great discount? Thanks!
If you use the app regularly and keep an eye on the in-app pop-ups, the price becomes more and more discounted eventually. I don’t know what the schedule is, but it becomes very cheap…
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Ok thank you!
That is my biggest problem with satori reader, too. Nothing there is very adventurous. I understand it is meant to be more grounded and for more serious readers (I guess) but the lack of anything really fantastical is quite boring. It feels more attuned to the teenage-girl demographics for most of it’s works, and from what I’ve seen. I recall reading one about a dude marrying a japanese girl, I thought maybe I could relate to it, but there’s no hook to get you into the story. It’s a good app if you just want to read, but not a good app if you want stories, in my opinion.
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I agree, but I also disagree 
. You can’t brute-force your way into learning. Simply reading for the sake of it won’t work—you’ll lose motivation quickly. You need material that truly makes you want to read. It doesn’t have to be adventurous (unless that’s what you enjoy), but it does need to resonate with you. Personally, I enjoy manga, but I appreciate more mature stories even more. Unfortunately, the stories on Satori Reader offer neither and just come across as plain dull (in my opinion, of course!)
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I’m not seeing where we disagree lol. I said I prefer adventurous and the stories feel either “safe” (as in overly basic/lack of writing ability) or to a different demographic.
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I have it too, and their is also “Japanese Folktales for Language Learners: Bilingual Legends and Fables in Japanese and English”. 2 very good books for reading comprehension