Listen to syosetu (Narou) novels with text to speech
Shosetsuka ni Naro, known as syosetu or Narou, is a big site for Japanese web novels. Reader Friend can read the episode you have open in a Japanese voice, then move to the next one.
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Japanese web novels by ear
Syosetu hosts a huge number of serials, many with hundreds of episodes. Listening is a good way to follow them, and also a way for Japanese learners to practice listening while the text is in front of them. Reader Friend works on the page you opened, so you read the novel on the site as usual.
How to listen to syosetu with Reader Friend
- Install Reader Friend from Google Play, or add the Chrome extension on a computer.
- Open syosetu in the app browser (or in Chrome with the extension) and go to the chapter you want. If the chapter needs a sign-in, sign in on the site first.
- Tap the hand button and choose "Find main text". Reader Friend marks the story text and leaves out menus and comment sections.
- Tap play. The chapter is read aloud and the text is highlighted as it goes.
- Set up the Next chapter button once. Use the control that goes to the next episode. If it is not detected by itself, press and hold the button for about one second and choose "Add Click".
- Leave Repeat on Default. Reader Friend then keeps opening and reading the next chapter for as long as a Next button exists on the page.
Japanese voices and reading
Because the voice follows the language of the text, Japanese episodes are read in Japanese. Choose a natural on-device voice that supports Japanese, or a Japanese voice installed on your phone. Slow the speed down if you are learning. If a name or term is read wrongly, add a pronunciation rule once and it applies everywhere.
Notes for learners
- Keep the screen on and follow the highlighted text while you listen.
- Use the sleep timer if you listen at night.
- Turn the screen off once you want to listen without looking.
Good to know
Reader Friend is an independent app and is not affiliated with Shosetsuka ni Naro. It reads text that is already open in your browser, so follow the site’s terms of use and the author’s wishes.
A Japanese-language guide for web novel sites is also available.
FAQ
Can I listen to syosetu with the screen off?
Yes, on Android. Playback continues in the background with the screen off, like a music app, and a sleep timer can stop it after the minutes you choose. A browser’s built-in read-aloud usually stops when the screen locks.
Does it go to the next episode automatically?
Yes, once the Next chapter button is set. Reader Friend taps it when a chapter ends and keeps reading while Repeat is on Default. If the button is not found automatically, hold it for about one second and choose "Add Click".
Will the text be read in Japanese?
Yes. The voice follows the language of the text, so Japanese text is read by a Japanese voice. Install a Japanese voice on your phone or use an on-device voice that supports Japanese.
Is it useful for studying Japanese?
Reader Friend reads the text of the page you have open. For Japanese learners, listening while following the text on screen is a handy way to practice, and you can slow the speed down.
Does it work on iPhone?
It reads what you can already open in your browser. Reader Friend is an Android app and a Chrome extension, with no iPhone app at the moment.
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