Bilibili Guide: How Foreigners Use Bilibili App

The thing that makes Bilibili different from streaming platforms is that it is all about the community. Bilibili has a system called danmaku, which is like a conversation where people can write comments that appear on the screen while they are watching a video.

Imagine you are watching a video and something funny happens. Then you see what all the other people who are watching think about it at the time. It is like you are all watching the video together. If you have ever used Netflix and thought that it was boring, or if you have used Crunchyroll to watch anime and wanted something new, then you should try Bilibili!

What Is Bilibili?

Bilibili, also known as B-site or B 站, started in 2009. It was a video-sharing platform inspired by Japans Nico Nico Douga. At that time, it was mainly for fans of anime, comics and games to share content and hang out.

You might have heard of Bilibili in Singapores otaku communities. Or you might have seen those videos with comments flying across the screen. That's what Bilibili is about.

Now Bilibili has become really massive, with a very different feel and a great community. Bilibili has a vibe that sets it apart.

Why Are Singaporeans Obsessed With Bilibili?

So you are probably thinking. "Another streaming app? I've already got Netflix, Disney+, YouTube Premium, and three different anime services. Do I really need one more?"

That is a question. Let me tell you why Bilibili is different from streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube Premium, and those anime services, and why Bilibili is worth making space on your phone.

1. The Anime Library Is Insane (and Cheaper Than You Think)

Singapore has a cool anime community. Bilibili is aware of this. The website has a collection of anime in Southeast Asia. You can find anime and old anime.

Bilibili Premium is very cheap. It costs about S$5 a month. This is cheaper than the bubble tea you buy. For people in Singapore who like anime Bilibili Premium, it is a deal. You get to watch a lot of anime for a price.

2. Danmaku: The Feature You Never Knew You Needed

I mentioned danmaku earlier, but it deserves its own section because it's genuinely game-changing.

Danmaku (弹幕，literally "bullet curtain") are real-time comments that scroll across the video screen from right to left, synced to the exact moment they were posted. 

Here's what makes it special:

• It feels like you are watching with lots of friends even when you are by yourself on the MRT.
• You get reactions. People flood the comments, with "2333" when something funny happens.
• There is good content. Fans add translations, explanations or jokes to make the video better.
• It is customisable. You can turn comments off. You can adjust the speed. You can change the font size. You can even filter out words.

Pro tip: If you're watching with subtitles, switch danmaku to "top" or "bottom" mode so the comments don't cover the text. Thank me later.

3. It's Not Just Anime – The Content Range Will Surprise You

Don't let the ACG origins fool you. Bilibili has exploded into a full-on lifestyle platform with content across every category you can imagine:

• Gaming: From mobile game guides to esports tournaments, Bilibili is a gamer's paradise. Over 40% of daily active users watch gaming content
• Music & Dance: Cover songs, original music, and incredible dance performances – especially the popular "house dance" scene
• Technology & Science: Deep dives into tech, science explainers, and DIY projects
• Food & Cooking: Recipe tutorials, street food tours, and mukbangs (eating shows)
• Knowledge & Education: University lectures, language lessons, and fascinating documentaries – many available for free
• Fashion & Beauty: Lookbooks, makeup tutorials, and street style from across Asia
• Movies & TV Dramas: Chinese dramas, films, and even some Western content

And because Bilibili's creator ecosystem is different from YouTube's, you'll find types of content that just don't exist on Western platforms. Think elaborate parodies, animated shorts, and incredibly niche deep dives into obscure topics.

4. The Community Vibe Is Unmatched

Here's the thing that keeps people coming back: Bilibili's community is different.

On other platforms, comment sections can be toxic, argumentative, or just plain boring. On Bilibili? The danmaku system creates this weirdly wholesome collective experience. People make jokes together, help each other understand references, and even create collaborative art using the advanced danmaku features.

How to Use Bilibili?

Okay, here's the part everyone asks about: "But I don't speak Chinese! Can I even use Bilibili?"

Short answer: Yes, absolutely.

Option 1: Bilibili.tv

This is the international version of Bilibili, designed specifically for users outside mainland China. It's the simplest option for English speakers in Singapore.

Pros:

• English language interface
• No VPN required
• Local pricing in SGD
• Content licensed for Southeast Asia
• Works with local payment methods

Cons:

• Smaller content library than the main site
• Less community activity
• Fewer creator uploads

If you're mainly here for anime and don't want to hassle with translations, bilibili.tv is perfect. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play, sign up with your email or phone number, and you're good to go.

Option 2: Bilibili Main App

If you want the full Bilibili experience – all the content, all the creators, all the danmaku – you'll want the main Chinese app. And yes, you can absolutely use it in Singapore without a VPN.

Here's how to set it up:

1. Download the app: Search "哔哩哔哩" or "Bilibili" on your app store. The icon is the little TV face.
2. Sign up for an account:
3. • You can use your Singapore phone number (select +65 from the country code dropdown)
   • Or sign up with email
   • No Chinese ID required for basic viewing!
3. Navigate the interface:
4. • The home page will show you recommended videos
   • Bottom navigation: Home (首页), Channels (分区), Messages (消息), My (我的)
   • Use the search bar (magnifying glass icon) to find content
4. Language workarounds:
5. • You can change the language to English in settings

Pro tip for anime fans: Even if you can't read the titles, you can usually recognise the artwork. Search for anime by their Japanese or English names – the search function works with both!

Understanding Danmaku Culture

Bilibili Premium: What Do You Get?

The free tier of this service is really cool. It comes with a lot of things.

• You can watch most of the content. Sometimes you cannot watch it because of where you live.
• This means you can watch videos that're up to 1080p on some of them.
• The free tier also has Danmaku and community features.
• The free tier has search and discovery.
• This means you can look for things you want to watch and find things with the free tier.

Premium (~S$4.48/month) adds:

• Ad-free experience: No pre-roll ads, no mid-roll interruptions
• Early access: Watch new episodes hours or even days before free users
• Higher quality: 1080p HD, 4K, and high frame rate options where available
• Offline downloads: Save videos to watch on the go (perfect for Singapore's MRT dead zones)
• Premium danmaku options: More colours, special effects, and priority display
• Exclusive content: Some originals and licensed titles are premium-only

If you watch a lot of episodes each week, then yes. The ad-free experience alone is worth it, in my opinion.

Content Recommendations on Bilibili for Users

Here are some types of content that Singaporean viewers tend to love:

Anime to Binge First

• Latest seasonal anime: Bilibili gets most new shows within hours of Japanese broadcast
• Chinese donghua: Don't sleep on Chinese animation – shows like The King's Avatar and Mo Dao Zu Shi are incredible
• Classic series: Everything from Naruto to Attack on Titan is there

Gaming Content

• Genshin Impact guides and showcases: Huge community on Bilibili
• Mobile game gameplay: Honkai: Star Rail, Arknights, Azur Lane – you name it
• Esports tournaments: Lots of Chinese and SEA tournament coverage

Lifestyle & Food

• Street food tours: Chinese street food content is wildly popular (and mouth-watering)
• Cooking tutorials: Learn to make everything from dim sum to Sichuan food
• Travel vlogs: Explore China and other parts of Asia from your couch

Learning & Self-Improvement

• Language lessons: Tons of free Chinese, English, and Japanese learning content
• Tech reviews: The latest gadgets reviewed in depth
• Documentaries: High-quality docs on history, science, and culture

Should You Download Bilibili?

If you've made it this far, you probably already know the answer is yes.

Trying it out does not cost you anything. Download the app. Just browse around. Watch a few videos with danmaku turned on. I think within a week you will be wondering how you ever watched anime without those flying comments.