Toku Reader

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Toku Reader is a comprehensive, on-device language learning application for iOS and macOS designed specifically for reading Japanese and Chinese content. It functions as a multi-modal reading assistant, integrating a text reader, web browser, video player with interactive subtitles, podcast player with transcripts, and an OCR scanner.
2. Core Value Proposition: Toku Reader exists to eliminate the friction of reading native Japanese and Chinese materials by providing instant, in-context word lookups and linguistic analysis. Its primary value is enabling immersive, fluent reading of real-world content—articles, novels, websites, videos, and podcasts—through private, offline-first technology that delivers furigana, pinyin, and dictionary definitions with a single tap.

Main Features

1. On-Device Language Engine: The app's core functionality is powered by a proprietary Japanese and Chinese natural language processing (NLP) engine that runs entirely on the user's device. This engine performs tokenization (splitting text into words), assigns readings (furigana for Japanese, pinyin for Chinese), and handles complex linguistic tasks like conjugation breakdowns and polyphone disambiguation without requiring an internet connection. This ensures speed, privacy, and offline usability.
2. Multi-Source Content Reader: Toku Reader consolidates content from multiple sources into a unified reading interface. Users can paste text, import EPUB/PDF files, browse websites via a built-in browser with annotation, scan printed text via OCR (using Google's on-device ML Kit), watch YouTube videos with synced, tappable subtitles, and listen to podcasts with interactive transcripts. All surfaces provide the same tap-to-define functionality.
3. Integrated Spaced Repetition System (SRS) & Dictionary: The app includes a full-featured dictionary tab with handwriting input and English reverse search. Any tapped word can be saved to a built-in FSRS-5 algorithm-based review deck. It supports direct integration with WaniKani for kanji study sync and allows for importing and exporting Anki decks with full scheduling history preserved, creating a closed-loop study ecosystem from reading to review.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: The disruptive workflow of switching between a reading app, a dictionary app, and a flashcard app hinders language immersion and fluency development. Learners often struggle with unknown kanji/hanzi, lack of reading aids on native content, and the inability to easily save and review vocabulary from context.
2. Target Audience: The primary user personas are intermediate to advanced Japanese (JLPT N5-N1) and Chinese (HSK 1-6) language learners who have moved beyond textbook exercises and seek to engage with authentic materials like news articles, web novels, literature, videos, and podcasts.
3. Use Cases: A user reading a Japanese news article on NHK directly within the app can tap unknown words for instant definitions. A learner watching a Chinese drama on YouTube can use the interactive subtitles to pause, replay lines, and tap words for pinyin. A student can import a Chinese novel in EPUB format, read it with pinyin aids, and save unfamiliar words directly to their SRS deck for later review, all within one application.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike browser extensions or online tools, Toku Reader is a fully self-contained, privacy-focused iOS/macOS app. It differs from competitors like LingQ or ReadLang by offering superior offline performance, a wider range of content sources (including video/podcasts), and deep integration with established SRS platforms (Anki, WaniKani) without mandatory subscriptions or cloud dependency.
2. Key Innovation: The key innovation is its unified, on-device processing pipeline. By running its own JP/CN NLP engine locally, it delivers near-instantaneous word lookups and reading aids across any content type (text, web, video, audio, image) while guaranteeing user privacy. The synced, tappable transcript for audio and video content is a particularly unique feature for shadowing and listening practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Toku Reader require an internet connection to look up words? No, Toku Reader's core functionality—including word tokenization, furigana/pinyin generation, and dictionary lookups from bundled JMDict and CC-CEDICT/MoEDict databases—works completely offline. An internet connection is only needed for browsing the web, streaming video/podcasts, or downloading new content library items.
2. Can I import my existing Anki vocabulary deck into Toku Reader? Yes, Toku Reader supports direct import of Anki .apkg files. The import process preserves your card scheduling history, tags, deck structure, and custom fields, allowing you to continue your reviews seamlessly within the Toku ecosystem.
3. How does Toku Reader handle Traditional vs. Simplified Chinese? The app fully supports both Chinese scripts. The dictionary tab displays Simplified and Traditional characters side-by-side. The reading engine can process text in either script and provides correct pinyin and definitions. It also includes Taiwan's MoEDict dictionary for Traditional Chinese-specific definitions.
4. Is there a free version of Toku Reader, and what are the limits? Yes, Toku Reader is free to download and use for reading, watching, and listening. The free plan includes up to 50 word lookups per day across all features. A premium subscription removes this daily lookup limit and provides unlimited use.
5. What video and podcast platforms does the Watch/Listen feature support? The Watch tab primarily supports YouTube. The Podcasts tab allows you to search, follow, and download episodes from a curated directory of over 100 Japanese and Chinese language shows, functioning as a dedicated podcast client within the app for language learning.