Is Textfugu worth buying?

Hi everyone!

First off, this is my first time posting on Jref so sorry for anything that seems out of place.

Anyways, I have been researching into learning Japanese online, looked at many different sites,and while there are many, it seems that Textfugu has the most all-around cohesive, simple, and fleshed out online "textbook" for the price. There also loads of free sites that offer just a simple introduction to the language, or have the very basics but not anything else, but that's simply not good. Just over $100 for a lifetime subscription to the site is what I would be investing in, and while it does seem a bit pricey, it seems like it would be worth it in the long run. Will I be able to pass N1 on the JLPT if I buy this? Will I be tearing my hair out cause I wasted $100? Somewhere in between? What I'm asking is if anyone who has bought Textfugu for any amount of time has opinions on it, or suggestions from any and all for another site that you think is better. Sorry is this seems like a specific question, but I have tried to find reviews for Textfugu and all I ever get is a scant few words or something.

But anyways, thanks in advance, everyone!

I looked at the site. I am no master of pedagogy so take what I say with a barrel of salt, but it seems to be a lot of talk about learning Japanese, and not a lot of actual learning of Japanese. That being said I didn't look too deeply into it.

Will it help you pass N1? Possibly, if it has a listening component. Many Japanese sites are heavy on kanji and grammar and light on listening (and of course speaking is next to impossible without an actual person to speak to). JLPT doesn't test speaking, though. I think your focus should be not on passing a test, but actually being able to use the language in real life.

Anyways, $100 could get you a variety of Japanese materials. If I were you, I would compare Textfugu to other premium sites such as JapanesePod101.com and see which offers the most balanced approach that suits your learning style.

I don't think there's any one source that will take you all the way from beginners to N1.

TextFugu | Lessons
- only goes up to "Season 8" which appears to be teaching you how to tell the time. I would say if this is all that is listed, it's not really going beyond the basics. It's certainly not going to take you anywhere near N1. And I personally wouldn't pay $100.

I'd say start with the free stuff (Tae Kim, Erin's Challenge etc.), and perhaps also look to see if you can track down a free (library) or cheap (secondhand, ebay, etc) textbook.

You could try out livemocha. It's like a free Rosetta Stone, where you learn based on pictures matched with text/audio.

Whether or not that kind of thing works is really a personal learning modality thing, but it also has exercises where it asks you to answer questions or respond to prompts (either in text or speech form). Other people on the site get a chance to listen/read what you've said/written and then can offer corrections or suggestions. You can also meet people from around the world and maybe get someone to study with.

There is some paid content on the site, but you can earn their site currency (slowly, but still...) by helping others. Anyway, I just think it's kinda interesting and I never see it mentioned here.

Thanks for the replies everyone, its just the kind of input I was looking for. I actually have started Tae Kim's lessons, and I'll be sure to check out the rest of those sites. I almost always learn better from books, for whatever reason, so maybe that is a better choice...

Thanks again for the advice. Have a great day!