Listen to Kakuyomu Stories With Text-to-Speech
To listen to a Kakuyomu story, download it as an EPUB with WP Downloader and open the file in an app that can read it aloud.
Download the Kakuyomu story as an EPUB
WP Downloader is a free web tool, and you do not need to install anything. For Kakuyomu, it downloads whole stories rather than individual chapters or lists.
Copy the story’s Kakuyomu URL. It should look like this:
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/12341234123412341234Then:
- Open the Kakuyomu downloader.
- Paste the story URL into the box.
- Choose whether to include the story’s images.
- Download the EPUB.
You do not need to sign in to Kakuyomu. EPUB downloads are free for everyone. WP Downloader can also create a PDF after a free Discord sign-in, but it does not create MOBI, AZW3, or TXT files.
When the author adds new chapters, download the story again to get them. WP Downloader cannot update an EPUB you already downloaded. See the Kakuyomu download guide for more help with the download.
Listen on an iPhone or iPad
Apple Books opens EPUB files and works with the built-in Speak Screen feature.
Turn on Speak Screen
- Open Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Select Spoken Content.
- Turn on Speak Screen.
Open the EPUB in Apple Books, then swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen. Speak Screen will read the page aloud using a text-to-speech voice installed on your device.
Listen on Android
You can use Android’s Select to Speak feature or an EPUB reader with a read-aloud mode.
Use Select to Speak
Open Settings, select Accessibility, and turn on Select to Speak. You can then tap items on the screen to hear them read aloud.
Use Moon+ Reader
Moon+ Reader opens EPUB files and has a built-in text-to-speech mode. Open the Kakuyomu EPUB and use the app’s read-aloud option.
Use @Voice Aloud Reader
@Voice Aloud Reader can also read EPUB files aloud. Open or import the Kakuyomu EPUB, then start the reading function.
These options use the text-to-speech voices installed on your Android device. The installed voices determine how natural the narration sounds.
Listen on Windows, macOS, or Linux
Thorium Reader and calibre can open EPUB files and read them aloud.
Use Thorium Reader
Thorium Reader is free and available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Open the EPUB in Thorium Reader and start its read-aloud feature.
Use calibre
calibre is a free desktop program with an e-book viewer. Open the Kakuyomu EPUB in the viewer and use the Read aloud feature.
Both programs use the text-to-speech voices installed on your computer. If the Japanese narration sounds unnatural, check which voices are installed.
Choose a reading option
On an iPhone or iPad, use Apple Books with Speak Screen. Android users can choose Select to Speak, Moon+ Reader, or @Voice Aloud Reader. On a computer, use Thorium Reader or calibre.
You can also follow the guides for sending a Kakuyomu story to Kindle or reading one on Kobo.
FAQ
Can WP Downloader turn a Kakuyomu story into an audiobook?
WP Downloader creates EPUB and PDF files. To listen, open the EPUB in a compatible app and use the app’s read-aloud feature or your device’s text-to-speech feature.
Do I need a Kakuyomu account?
No. You can download a Kakuyomu story without signing in.
Can I download only one Kakuyomu chapter?
No. WP Downloader downloads the whole story from Kakuyomu. It does not download individual chapters or lists.
Why does the narration sound different between devices?
The apps use the text-to-speech voices installed on each device. Those voices determine how natural the Japanese narration sounds.
Will my EPUB update when Kakuyomu adds new chapters?
No. Download the story again with WP Downloader to get the new chapters.