I don't see how making and reviewing notes is that different from making and reviewing cards. The more important aspect of using a system like Anki is leveragin

I don't see how making and reviewing notes is that different from making and reviewing cards. The more important aspect of using a system like Anki is leveraging the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve. Maybe if you already have the habit of making, organizing and reviewing notes you don't need a system on top of it like Anki?