Anime has become an international cultural phenomenon, bringing us well-crafted tales, eye-popping visuals and all sorts of genre fiction. No matter whether you’re interested in action-packed shonen, heart-melting romance or slice-of-life, there’s an anime for you. But one of the most frequently asked questions by fans is: where to watch anime free?
In this guide, we will tell you about the best free anime websites where you can watch your favorite series and movies online and in some cases even download or stream them for free. We’ll guide you through the best official sources for anime – from blockbusters to underground hits, from purveyors of should-be classics to cheap-and-cheerful library-fillers and community favorites – keeping you and your loved ones safe and off the pirates’ radar, and leaving more time for watching more anime.
Why It Matters What Anime Website You Use
With an explanation of why the right platform makes a difference out of the way, let’s get to the list:
- Security –Not all sites that stream free anime are safe. Proper sites keep your data and devices safe.
- Video Clarity: Trustworthy sites provide HD clarity between buffering (no eternally waiting).
- Library Size: A great anime site should have a large library that is routinely updated officially.
- Subtitles/Dubs: Watching with subtitles can increase your enjoyment.
So with that said, here are the 20 best free anime streaming websites.
Crunchyroll (Free Version)
Website: www.crunchyroll.com
Where to watch: Subtitled anime fans
Ainime streaming service Crunchyroll is a big name in the anime world. It has a premium subscription, but also includes thousands of episodes for free with ads. You’ll see popular titles such as Naruto, Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen.
Pros:
- Legal and safe
- Large anime catalog
- Simulcasts (latest: 0) Users \(old: 4177\) Available in: — Simulcasts (latest): 0 Users (old): 4177 Available in: —
Cons:
- Ads can be frequent
- Limited dubbed options
Funimation (Now that it’s merged with Crunchyroll)
Website: www.funimation.com
Best for: Dubbed anime fans
While Funimation’s library of content is getting siphoned off by Crunchyroll,
it still has a collection of dubbed anime which remain free with ads or by signing up for a 14-day free-trial. Dragon Ball Z, My Hero Academia and One Piece are big here.
Pros:
- High-quality English dubs
- Intuitive interface
Cons:
- Features and availability may differ region by region
- Ads on free content
YouTube (Official Animated Channels)
Website: www.youtube.com
There’s not as much to choose from, but it’s still best for: Old-school anime and little clips
YouTube also houses a number of official anime channels, including Muse Asia, Ani-One and Nozomi Entertainment. These are legal channels that upload episodes of classic and popular animes with subtitles.
Pros:
- Completely free and legal
- No registration required
Cons:
- Limited full series
- Not all content is available in all countries
Tubi TV
Website: www.tubitv.com
Best for: Old-school and niche anime 5.
Tubi TV is a free, ad-funded streaming platform that features a growing library of anime titles. It includes titles such as Berserk, Akira, Vampire Princess Miyu, and some other lesser-known treasures.
Pros:
- No subscription required
- Legal and accessible
Cons:
- Smaller collection of anime than some others
- Some ads are long
RetroCrush
Website: www.retrocrush.tv
Ideal for: Lovers of classic anime
If you’re a fan of classic anime from the ‘70s, 80s and 90s, then RetroCrush is a must-see. From Lupin III to Project A-Ko, it’s a nostalgia trip for anime old-timers.
Pros:
- Unusual books seldom offered elsewhere.
- Completely free
Cons:
- No modern titles
- Limited subtitle/dub options
Anime-Planet
Website: www.anime-planet.com
Ideal for: Discovering and streaming anime in one place
Anime-Planet also offers free anime streaming from Crunchyroll on its own web site. Beyond streaming, it’s a nice way to keep track of anime watching progress and read user reviews.
Pros:
- Lawful an official partners with authorised distributors
- Best UI for blot anime tracking
Cons:
- Limited streaming library
Pluto TV
Website: www.pluto.tv
Live-streaming anime channels componentDidDeBest For: Editorial anime channels
Pluto TV has live anime channels you can just jump into whatever episode is on. Although you can’t choose individual episodes, it’s classic TV in the way it’s presented.
Pros:
- No account needed
- Anime marathons in curated channels
Cons:
- No on-demand selection
- HiDive (Free Trial Option)
Website: www.hidive.com
Ideal for: Obscure and limited edition titles
HiDive is a premium anime service with a 14-day free trial, providing access to series you might not find on Crunchyroll or Netflix. It counts the looking-for-a-cure Legend of the Galactic Heroes, women-hunting Akame ga Kill and others.
Pros:
- Exclusive anime content
- High-quality streaming
Cons:
- Only free for a limited time
- Very few library vs big ones
9anime (Unofficial)
Website: www.9anime.to
Best for: Nearly any anime title you can think of
Risky to download and use, of course, but 9anime is one of the favourites of fans thanks to its huge library and rapid updates. Worth noting, however, that being unofficial comes with risks.
Pros:
- Massive anime library
- New items are available faster
Cons:
- Contains ads and pop-ups
- Questionable legality, despite being based on your country
Gogoanime (Unofficial)
Website: www.gogoanime.fi
Best for: Subbed, dubbed new anime
Another popular unofficial site is Gogoanime. It’s famous for providing ongoing anime series‘ subbed and dubbed versions.
Pros:
- Fast uploads
- Easy to navigate
Cons:
- Legal gray area
- Ad-blocker recommended
Final Words: Where Can You Watch Anime for Free?
Where Can I Watch Anime for Free? For those who want to throw some money at the industry and stay on the right side of the law, platforms like Crunchyroll, official channels on YouTube or Tubi work great.
But if you’re looking for particular titles that either haven’t seen an official release or are geo-blocked, unofficial sites (such as 9anime and Gogoanime) also remain popular — albeit at a cost.
