If you love anime, you must have asked the question: “Where can I watch anime? With thousands of offerings and dozens of sites to choose from, the simplest way best sites to watch anime has become-stream it, of course. If you love action-packed shonen series, emotional slice-of-life reads, or even exciting isekai sagas, then this guide will ensure that you get to stream high-quality anime series online on the most reliable platforms to enjoy them on.
Crunchyroll - The Gold Standard of Anime Streaming
When it comes to anime viewing for anime lovers looking for where can I watch anime, Crunchyroll stands out as the top choice for many. It has one of the biggest catalogs of anime, including premieres airing in Japan.
Key Features:
- Huge index of who subbed what anime.
- Simulcasts for ongoing series
- Original productions
- Manga access
- On web, mobile, gaming consoles, and smart TVs
Pros:
- Free plan with ads
- High-quality subs
- Fast release of new episodes
Cons:
- Very few dubbed anime on the free version
Good for: Hardcore fans who favor early access and Japanese audio with subtitles.
Funimation – Dub Heaven
The bot: If you’re a fan of following anime in English, then Funimation is the service to watch. It houses a plethora of dubbed anime to choose from and is easily one of the best anime streaming sites available for non-Japanese speakers.
Key Features:
- Large dubbed anime library
- Exclusive licensing deals
- Offline watching with GoAnimate plans
Pros:
- High-quality English dubs
- Intuitive app interface
- SimulDubs (full English dubs soon after the original release)
Cons:
- Limited territories (primarily North America)
- A few older books are difficult to track down
Perfect for: Those who enjoy dubbed anime and are looking to stream with few hiccups.
Netflix – The New Criterion for Anime Netflix’s growing collection of anime titles has been absolutely amazing and a new criterion that more and more fans have been demanding of all streaming services alike.
Netflix is not dedicated to anime, but it’s slowly building up its library of both licensed and original anime and it’s becoming one of the better places to go for it.
Key Features:
- Netflix Originals exclusive to Netflix (eg Beastars, Castlevania)
- Various audio and subtitle options
- Global accessibility
Pros:
- High production value
- Popular mainstream titles
- Offline download support
Cons:
- Delayed simulcasts
- Smaller library from what CR/Funimation has to offer
Perfect for: Casual watchers and lovers of anime that appeals to the mainstream.
Hulu – For Anime and More
Hulu is general entertainment plus a strong roster of anime. If you want platform with series/movies and anime, it is nice fit.
Key Features:
- Anime from Funimation, Viz and others
- Subbed and dubbed options
- Bundle deals with Disney+ and ESPN+
Pros:
- Great variety
- Affordable plans
- Supports multiple profiles
Cons:
- Outside the U.S., not available.
- Fewer new anime releases
Best for: Someone looking for anime and live-action all in one subscription.
HiDive -For The Quirky & Old School stuff.
HiDive is a premium streaming platform that specializes in auteur-driven, off-the-beaten-path anime movies and series from around the world, some of which are hard to find anywhere else.
Key Features:
- Exclusive licenses
- Subbed and dubbed anime
- Clean and ad-free interface
Pros:
- Affordable subscription
- Rare and hard-to-find titles
- Dedicated anime platform
Cons:
- Smaller library
- Not beginner-friendly
Best for: Anime otaku seeking rarer or lesser-known shows.
Amazon Prime Video – Hidden Anime Gems By Jiro on March 31st, 2020 Share Twitter Facebook Google+ Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email + Amazon is known for its shopping but there are plenty of great things to watch with Amazon Prime Video too.
Amazon Prime is not necessarily a popular platform for anime streaming, but it is the home to several hidden gems and new releases that it has exclusive rights to.
Key Features:
- I mean such as Vinland Saga and such exclusive titles.
- Accessible globally
- Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books.
Pros:
- Prime members enjoy FREE Two-Day Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle
- Decent streaming quality
- Good mobile support
Cons:
- Poor anime categorization
- No dedicated anime section
Good for: Prime subscribers looking for anime to watch on occasion with their existing plan.
YouTube – Free Anime Channels
YouTube is home to numerous official channels including Muse Asia and Ani-One, as well as Crunchyroll’s own free uploads. It’s a legal and free way to watch anime online.
Key Features:
- Free episodes and series
- Subbed anime
- Comment interaction with fans
Pros:
- Free and accessible
- No signup required
- Legal alternatives
Cons:
- Limited library
- Ads can interrupt frequently
Best for: Fans on a budget, and newer anime watchers.
9anime – Free Streaming Website Everybody knows 9anime is the most popular free streaming site.
Though functioning in a gray area, 9anime is widely popular to watch anime online for free. It is home to a large library of new releases and classics with fast streaming and various video qualities.
Key Features:
- Massive anime library
- Subbed and dubbed versions
- Multiple mirror servers
Pros:
- No subscription required
- Updated frequently
- Easy to navigate
Cons:
- Pop-up ads
- Legality concerns
- In some regions, A VPN might be necessary.
Best for: People seeking access for free, who don’t mind the occasional ad or potential danger.
AnimeLab (Some regions merged with Funimation)
AnimeLab used to be wonderful in Australia and NZ. Since then, it’s been combined with Funimation, but that hasn’t stopped many users from mentioning it when it comes to the fluidity of its interface and its solid curatorial efforts.
Features & Access:
- Regional limitations
- Merged with Funimation
- Formerly among the fastest with simulcasts
Good for: Australian anime fans currently dependent on Funimation.
Ani-One & Muse Asia – Official-YouTube-Streaming-legally-2081113976-caret-left Kids on the Slope
Ani-One and Muse Asia both post new, English-subtitled anime for free, legally, on YouTube. However, these channels are particularly handy for fans in Asia.
Pros:
- Legal and safe
- High-quality subtitles
- Free to access
Cons:
- Region-restricted content
- Limited titles only
Best for: Southeast Asia and India-based fans looking for free, legal streaming.
So, Is That the Conclusion: Where Can I Watch Anime?
If you’re thinking ”where can I watch anime?, your decision is up to your inclinations, whether that’s subtitles or dubs, free-watching, or premium-viewing, mainstream or niche favorites. Here’s a quick summary:
Whatever your budget or preferences, there’s a platform for every anime lover. Just make sure to consider the legal options when you can in order to help support the creators and anime industry.
