Regarding the dictionary app: I prefer the app Nihongo on iOS. Looking up words works similar to Jisho, but the UI is less buggy. The app also includes audio recordings from native speakers for many words, instead of relying entirely on text-to-speech.

https://apps.apple.com/de/app/nihongo-japanese-dictionary/id881697245?l=en-GB

Anime for teenagers and adults generally uses more complex language. At least in my experience, this makes it very hard to get started. Kids shows, on the other hand, often use very simple forms, which makes it easier to get a grip on things. I try to see them as exercises, so I can get to the better shows that I want to be watching. Hopefully, someone else can prove me wrong. I, too, could use some recommendations that are not just kids’ anime.

Do you have an example of a book that makes problems? I can try it on my e-book readers