Where to Watch Anime has entertained fans from around the globe, with storytelling that has embraced 300 years of innovations in animation, along with its essence of paint, ink and, animated motion. But if you’re an anime lover, in particular, the list of free anime websites can feel limiting. With dozens of services offering anime on streaming, it can be hard to pick the most ideal service that is safe and quality as we list the best legit and free sites to stream anime below.
To help steer you in the right direction, we’ve put together a list of the best free anime sites when it comes to finding a new place to find your favorite anime series online and watch on a whim.
Where to Watch Anime in Crunchyroll (Free Version)
Crunchyroll is one of the biggest and most legitimate anime streaming websites. Its free version allows users to watch a ton of anime, albeit with commercials, and there is also a premium plan.
- Pros —Huge selection, simulcast episodes, good sourcing of subtitles
- Cons: Ads on free plan, new episodes available after a delay
- High Profile Titles: Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, One Piece
If you’re looking for the best places to watch anime — especially free and legally — then Crunchyroll is the only place to start.
Tubi TV
Tubi TV is a free streaming service with a wide range of movies and TV shows, where you can find not just anime but a good selection of anime series and anime movies. It’s totally legal and you don’t need a subscription.
- Good video quality, legal platform, available in several devices
- Downsides: Limited selection of anime, ads between episodes
- Key Titles: Naruto, Cowboy Bebop, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Tubi is great for anyone who is just a casual fan of anime and wants to check out some legally, but without a subscription.
Aniwatch.to
If you’re in the market for a smooth layout and plenty of subbed and dubbed anime, Aniwatch. to is on top of the list.
- Pros: Huge catalog, slick interface, ad-free options available
- Cons: Unofficial software, legal grey area
- Licensed Series: My Hero Academia, Bleach, Tokyo Ghoul
If you’re looking for where to watch anime with minimal hassle, Aniwatch. to is an anime fan favorite.
Zoro.to
Zoro. to has taken the world by storm with its minimalistic look, fast loading times and huge anime collection. It provides subbed and dubbed content and runs smoothly on both mobile and desktop.
- Pros: Ad-free, HD streaming, large collection of shows and movies
- Cons: Not legally licensed content, legality may differ by country
- Key Titles: One Punch Man, Chainsaw Man, Black Clover
Not formally attached to any studios, Zoro. to ranks among the favorite anime sites in 2025 Animefans.
Where to Watch Anime in YouTube
It’s also, surprisingly, one of the places to watch anime — legally and for free. A lot of the studios and distributors post episodes or full seasons to their official channels.
- Pros: 100% legal content, works on all devices, curated channels
- Cons: Not much series, mostly older/promotional content
- Channels to Visit: Muse Asia, Ani-One Asia, TMS Entertainment
YouTube can be a gold mine of legal streaming that doesn’t require the setting up of an account.
9anime
An alternative to 9anime, because of its large library of anime and lightning fast streaming. It even allows various video resolutions.
- Pros: Huge content library, fast load times, several servers
- Cons: Ads and pop-ups; not officially licensed
- Hit Titles: Death Note, Fairy Tail, Haikyuu!!
When it comes to wherever to watch anime online for free, 9anime is one of the biggest hits in Reddit threads and anime forums.
AnimeDao
AnimeDao Another great source of free anime streaming. It’s beloved for its sleek design, quick updates and dependable English subtitles.
- Pros: Easy-to-use UI, lightweight, regularly updated
- Cons: Obscure rare stuff may not be available, not licensed
- Try Titles Notable For: Mob Psycho 100, Vinland Saga, Re:Zero
Great for people who are looking to get absorbed into anime viewing without any distractions.
Where to Watch Anime in Gogoanime
One of the veterans in the free anime scene, Gogoanime has also accumulated a huge following and content library over the years.
- Pros: Subbed/dubbed titles, sorted by year/genre, download feature
- Cons: Pop-up advertisements, murky legality
- Featured Series: Boruto, Dr. Stone, Sword Art Online
When it comes to choosing anime websites for searching and filtering it is another one of our go-go anime top choices to watch anime.
AnimeFreak
It has thousands of episodes of your favourite anime shows featuring anime that ranges from the most popular to the most obscure. AnimeFreak does not require you to log in or sign up.
- Pros: Ability to filter by genre or network, recent episodes included, mobile-friendly
- Cons: Heavy ads, outdated UI
- Key Titles: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
And if you want to binge-watch classic anime series without spending a dime, you must visit AnimeFreak.
CONtv Where to Watch Anime
CONtv Anime is an underground, totally legal anime streaming service, and all of its content is free. It’s a geek/comic culture-oriented niche platform and has a good amount of anime.
- Pros: No account required, Legal, Original titles
- Cons: Smaller selection than others
- Key Titles: Fist of the North Star, Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie
CONtv Anime is probably worth a look if you’re in the market for free and legal anime with a bit of a retro feel.
Tips for Safe Where to Watch Anime Streaming
When looking for where to watch anime, be mindful of these safety tips:
- Use an ad-blocker: Sometimes you may be redirected to a malicious site after clicking a pop-up while using 9anime, or Gogoanime.
- Don’t share personal info: Sites that are free shouldn’t request any kind of information like a credit card number or your full name.
- Use legal sources if you can: Services such as Crunchyroll, Tubi and YouTube better protect your privacy and device than unlicensed options.
Conclusion: Where to Watch Anime for Free (Over Updated Lifetime)
For a safe, legal and decent experience, Crunchyroll’s free plan and Tubi TV are great places to start. For those a bit more daring or okay with non-licensed platforms, Zoro. to, Aniwatch. to, and 9anime have superior libraries and user experience.
Ultimately, the best site for you depends on what you’re looking for — new releases, classic shows, dubbed content, or simulcast episodes. Just be sure to watch responsibly, and go to support official releases where possible, in order to keep the anime industry alive and well.
