# JPDB > JPDB’s fit as a Japanese vocabulary and kanji SRS that ranks words by media frequency instead of asking you to build decks. Canonical: https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/jpdb Last updated: 2026-09-10 JPDB is a web vocabulary system for learners who want supplied media decks and frequency ranking without owning Anki card design. Our team owns Inku. [Disclosures](https://studyjapanese101.com/disclosures) Published: 2026-08-13 6 min read beginner · intermediate · freemium · moderate · Flashcards & SRS · Vocabulary · Web [Visit JPDB](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/jpdb) [Compare SRS tools](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-flashcard-and-srs-apps) ## Key facts | Fact | Details | | --- | --- | | Best for | Learners who want a supplied vocabulary path from anime, visual novels, or novels | | Avoid if | You need custom card templates | | Pricing | Free entry is advertised; check current account terms | | Platform | Web | | Ease of use | moderate | ## Pros - Learners who want a supplied vocabulary path from anime, visual novels, or novels - People ranking words by media frequency - Anki users who dislike deck maintenance ## Cons - You need custom card templates - You want a full grammar course - You need a native mobile app or offline desktop collection JPDB is a Japanese dictionary and spaced-repetition site that teaches vocabulary and the kanji needed to read those words. The official homepage, checked 10 Sep 2026, describes prebuilt decks from anime, visual novels, light novels, and web novels, plus paste-in text that becomes a chronological word list. It is a vocabulary job, not a complete Japanese course. ## What job it does You study prepared vocabulary with spaced review. Frequency lists and media tags help you choose words that appear in the books, shows, or visual novels you actually use. The site also says it can suggest media where you already know a high share of the words, and that it can turn vocabulary into i+1 sentence cards. That is a different job from [Anki](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/anki). Anki can hold any card you design. JPDB decides more of the material and presentation. It can partially import an existing Anki database, per the homepage. It is also a different job from [WaniKani](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/wanikani). WaniKani is a fixed radical-to-kanji sequence. JPDB says there are no predefined levels and no preset order. ## Limits JPDB does not replace grammar study, speaking practice, or a reading habit. The FAQ, checked the same day, says there is currently no mobile app. You can add the website to a home screen. Review audio exists; autoplay depends on the browser. The homepage advertises free entry. Check current account terms for limits or paid options. If you already have a stable Anki deck that matches your reading, switching only adds a second queue. ## How to test it Sign in, pick one media deck or a short pasted text, and review a small daily amount for two weeks. Watch whether the words show up in your actual Japanese input. The offer path is [/go/jpdb](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/jpdb). ## Sources checked Product details can change. Evidence pages and their individual check dates appear below. Profile reviewed 2026-09-10. - [JPDB official site](https://jpdb.io/) - official product · checked 2026-09-10 · Official dictionary plus learning system for vocabulary and kanji, text extraction, prebuilt media decks, frequency ranking, i+1 sentence cards, Anki import, and no preset order. - [JPDB FAQ](https://jpdb.io/faq) - official docs · checked 2026-09-10 · Official statement that there is currently no mobile app, with home-screen install as the phone option, and review audio autoplay notes. ## Alternative tools - [Inku](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/inku) - Japanese flashcards on iPhone and the web, with ready-made decks, custom cards, pronunciation audio and spaced review. - [Anki](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/anki) - A programmable review system for cards you create, import, or mine. - [Clozemaster](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/clozemaster) - Fill-in-the-blank sentence practice for Japanese vocabulary in context. ## Related - [Inku](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/inku) - Japanese flashcards on iPhone and the web, with ready-made decks, custom cards, pronunciation audio and spaced review. - [Japanese flashcard and SRS resources](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/flashcards-srs) - Start with Inku for prepared Japanese review on iPhone or the web. We recommend it over Anki for most learners; custom cards, media mining, and specialist kanji or grammar study have their own tools. - [5 Best Anki Alternatives for Japanese: Inku Is Our Pick](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/anki-alternatives-for-japanese) - We recommend Inku first for most Japanese learners who want prepared daily review on iPhone. Renshuu fits a broader Japanese study system, JPDB fits media vocabulary, WaniKani fits a fixed kanji path, and Bunpro fits grammar retrieval. Protect your Anki collection before testing a replacement. - [6 Japanese SRS Apps: Why Inku Is Our First Pick](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-flashcard-and-srs-apps) - We recommend Inku over Anki for most Japanese learners who want a prepared daily review routine on iPhone or in a browser. Choose Anki for advanced card customization and imports, JPDB for media vocabulary, WaniKani for a longer kanji sequence, Bunpro for grammar retrieval, or MaruMori for a broad course. - [Anki](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/anki) - A programmable review system for cards you create, import, or mine. - [WaniKani](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/wanikani) - A prepared kanji and vocabulary sequence with memory stories and scheduled reviews.