How to Download Niconico Videos (Even Longer than 2 Hours)

This article will look at how to download Niconico videos with higher quality.

Niconico is Japan's largest original video-hosting platform where cover multiple channels including anime, games, entertainment, cuisine, music, nature, and more. It let users easily watch popular anime like Naruto, Dragon ball, Pokémon, etc. as well as upload, and share own video clips. But the site often comes with low image quality and frequent lags during crowded hours. To solve it, you'd better download from Niconico with the best Nicovideo downloaders.

How to Download Niconico Videos with Computer Apps?

On Mac

Cisdem Video Converter is a safe and powerful Niconico video downloader for Mac. Not only does it allow you to download videos from Niconico but from YouTube, Bilibili, AcFun, Chrunchyroll, Twitch, Vimeo, Hulu, and more. It also has the ability to download any Japanese drama, anime, music, OST, and movies.

The downloaded Nico Nico videos are able to be converted and saved in other formats for the purpose of watching on iPhone, iPad, LG TV, Sony TV, Panasonic TV, Android phones, iPod, etc.

Free Download   Free Download

Cisdem best Niconico video downloader for Mac:

• Easily save 1080p and 4k videos for high spec devices
• Download from Nicovideo and other 1000+ websites
• In-built media player to view downloaded anime videos
• Convert Niconico to MP4, MP3, WAV, FLAC, MOV, etc.
• Compatible with a long list of formats (totally 300+)
• Batch download and convert videos from Niconico
• Trim, crop, rotate Nicovideo, and add watermark, subtitle to it
• Rip Nicovideo DVD to DRM-encrypted DVD to digital files
• Combine Nico Nico Douga videos of the same series into one

Steps to Download Niconico Videos on Mac:

Step 1. Download the app on your system. Launch it once the installation process is complete.

Free Download   Free Download

Step 2. Visit Niconico website on your browser and copy the URL of the video that you desire to download.

You can copy the URL from the white bar at the top of the browser. Or right click on the video and select the first option.

Step 3. Download Niconico videos on Mac.

Return to Cisdem Video Converter, and go to the "download" interface by clicking the button.

Paste the copied video address to the blank box at the bottom, and then click on the icon.

Pro tip: The software support batch Nicovideo download. You can continue to add other video links to it for download.

Step 4. Convert Niconico to MP3, FLAC, WAV, etc. (optional)

After downloading, you will get Nico Nico videos in MP4 format. If you intend to convert them to different kinds of media formats, you can:

1. Hit the icon to open the folder where store the downloaded Nicovideos.

2. Drag and drop videos to the "convert" interface.

3. Open the format drop-down box and choose the outputs.

4. Click the icon placed in the bottom right corner.

On Windows

Houlo Video Downloader is ideal for avid Nicovideo fans who want to save Nicovideo content for offline viewing on Windows. It's a lightweight and easy-to-use program that enables you to download Nicovideo and Nicosound in bulk. It also works with other 100+ websites, such as YouTube, Ustream.tv, LiveStream, FC2 Video, Rutube, Billboard, Watchbox, SchoolTube, and so on. You can set the max simultaneous download tasks.

This Windows Nicovideo downloader offer several output formats, including AVI, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MP4, 3GP, MOV, MP3, and MKV.

1. Download Houlo Video Downloader trial or full version to your Windows PC, then Install and initiate it.
2. If necessary, click “Settings”, and configure the “Folder Options”, “Download Options”, and “Miscellaneous”.
3. Head over to www.nicovideo.jp, and copy the URL of the video.
4. Switch to “Download Videos” panel. Paste the URL into the text field.
5. Enable "Video Conversion" mode. Choose one of a format as the output.
6. Hit the “Download” button.

How to Download Videos from Niconico Online?

Keepv.id is a free web service to download Niconico videos online. It includes more websites (200+), including YouTube, Twitter, Mixcloud, DVTV, Pear Video, Voot, YouNow, Vidme, Nowness, etc. Although the tool grabs all resolutions of a Niconico video and saves video within a few steps, it's merely able to download Nicovideo to MP4 format.

1. Visit https://keepv.id/.
2. Copy the video link from Nicovideo.
3. Paste the address into the video URL field of Keepv.id.
4. Hit on "Go" to loading the video.
5. Scroll down, and you can find that all output options are listed.
6. Choose the desired quality and click "DOWNLOAD".
7. You will be taken to the new page. In the lower right corner of the video, click the three vertical dots icon > "Download".

How to Download Niconico Videos Using Browser Extensions (or Add-ons)?

On Chrome

Awesome NicoNico Downloader is a Niconico video downloader for Chrome powered by fbion.com. The tool lets you download video, thumbnail, avatar from Nicovideo, and copy the video tags and owner id. As a multilingual extension, you are able to change it panel to a language you are familiar with.

However, it can merely download Nicovideo to TS format (no audio format options), which makes it incompatible with many portable devices. Plus, sometimes, I failed to save videos in my tests.

1. Go to Chrome web store. Search for Awesome NicoNico Downloader.
2. Click on “Add to Chrome”. In the confirmation window that pops up, select “Add extension”.
3. Open and play the Nico Nico video you wish to download. You will see a small download button at the top left of the video.
4. Click the button to redirect to the download page.
5. Choose the video resolution – 720p, 360p, or others, and download it.

On Firefox

Meidia Download Helper is a well-known Firefox add-on that's designed to download from Nicovideo, Facebook, VK, Dailymotion, SoundCloud, Tiktok, Twitch, Youku, OKru, etc.

Based on my test, it only empowers me to download Nicovideo playlist to M3U8 or extract MP3 audio from Nicovideo.

1. Navigate to addons.mozilla.org and look for Media download helper.
2. Click “Add to Firefox > “Add”. The add-on icon will appear in the upper right corner of the browser.
3. Open a Nicovideo and play it. Media download helper will catch the video.
4. Click the add-on icon to open the panel.
5. Choose the MP3 audio or Nicovideo playlist to download.

Like the Chrome plug-in, there are no particularly useful add-ons for Nicovideo download on Firefox. They all have various shortcomings. Awesome NicoNico Downloader also has the Firefox version. You can have it a try.

How to Download Nico Nico Videos through Android App?

Many video downloaders like Nukabira, Kode, VidMate, etc. on Android have geographic restrictions and do not allow you to open the Nicovideo website using its built-in browser. But iTubeGo YouTube Downloader for Android is such one that can work well with Nicovideo.

Don't be fooled by the name. Actually, it's also a decent Nico Nico video downloader for Android. The app makes it easy to save Nicovideo to MP4, MP3, AAC, and M4A. You can download multiple videos from Nicovideo at the same time.

1. Download the iTubeGo for Android on Cnet, Uptodown, or Aptoide.
2. Open the app, and directly search the Nicovideo you need to download in the app.
3. Tab the “download” button. The “Setting” menu will show up.
4. Select the output format, quality, and download limit (for Nicovideo playlist download).
5. Tap the “OK” button.

Things Need to Know about Niconico and Nicovideo Download

1) What’s Niconico?

Niconico, previously called Nico Nico Douga (ニコニコ動画), is designed to provide interesting Japanese video content. Its anime, computer games and pop music are widely loved by otaku. The biggest feature of Niconico is that it can publish real-time barrage (コメント机能, danmu, bullet comments). That means your comments responding to the events in the video will also be seen by viewers.

2) How to download Niconico videos in original quality?

To download the original Nico video, in addition to use a great Niconico downloader, another condition needs to be met as well. Upgrade to premium member or download video from Nicovideo at low peak.

Niconico carries out low-quality economy mode to save the line bandwidth, which lead to a low bit rate videos and sounds. Only VIP members can watch high image quality all the day, even during congestion. If general members want to get high-quality playback, you have to avoid peak periods (e.g. 10:00 - 22:00, holiday, weekend) to enjoy and download videos.

3) How to download paid Niconico videos?

I must emphasize that you can’t download paid Nico Nico videos. These videos are protected by copyright. Even if you are a premium member, you can only download JASRAC trust songs and the time-shift data of your own live user broadcast program.

4) Can I download Nicovideo and playlist via YouTube-dl?

Of course, you can! Some experienced Reddit users recommend download Niconico videos and playlists with the help of youtube-dl.

But…

You might just receive a 403-error message - ”JSON metadata file not found“. Not to mention that most of the general users don't have the knowledge to make youtube-dl work.

Conclusion

By reaching this line, you should have learned how to download Niconico videos on Mac/Windows/Android. I will always recommend the professional Nicovideo downloaders such as Cisdem Video Converter, which can download & convert hundreds of Nico Nico videos and preserve the quality. I am not very satisfied with the Chrome and Firefox plugins. They have many bugs during my tests.