The rise of anime can be noticed worldwide — animating the world with the colorful characters and compelling storylines. The more people want to explore this fun-filling world – more interested they become to know where they should watch anime from? Thankfully, anime streams are easier to access than ever, with many platforms offering streaming deals for both casual and die-hard fans. Scroll on to discover where to stream anime legally and for free, the kind of content that might entice you to a subscription service, and how to stream that anime like a pro.
What Are Anime Streams?
Anime streams are digital media providers that allow anime viewers to watch shows and movies that they want, whenever they want to watch them. Such platforms cover all kinds of genres—from action, romance to horror anf slice-of-life. Users may have access to subtitled (sub) or dubbed (dub) versions of certain shows, the (HD) quality of the sub, exclusive anime content, and simulcast, or simuldub content instead of a vacation.
Whether you’re a fan of mainstream classics like Naruto, Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan, or one of the tens of thousands of other anime out there, there’s never been a better time to wade through the vast digital library and find quality legally available anime.
Where Can I Watch Anime? Top Legal Platforms
So if you are looking for where to watch anime legally then you are waiting to check on these best anime streaming services:
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is one of the most popular anime streaming websites in the world. It has a huge library of over 1,000 titles, including simulcasts — episodes available just after airing in Japan.
- Free Version: Yes (with ads)
- Preminium Plans: From $7.99 per month
- Key Titles: One Piece, Chainsaw Man, My Hero Academia
(Funimation, currently being consolidated with Crunchyroll)
Funimation had a robust library of dubbed anime before it joined with Crunchyroll. While most content migrates to Crunchyroll, the brand is still available in certain regions.
Free Version: Yes (with ads)
- Premium Plans: Starting at $5.99/month
- Best For: Dubbed anime and classics.
Netflix
Netflix has expanded its anime series both through licensed and original anime. Thanks to its clean interface and browsing history, and the fact that you can access it everywhere you have an internet connection, it’s perfect for occasional viewers.
- Free Version: No
- Subscription Plans: Begin at $6.99/month
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Hulu
With an excellent mix of both anime and Western TV shows and movies, Hulu is simply a great place to get it all. Ideal for viewers looking for variety in a single subscription.
- Free Version: No
- Subscription Plans: Starting From $7.99/month
Popular Anime: Bleach, Naruto Shippuden, Tokyo Revengers
HiDive
HiDive is a service for the most extreme of anime fans. It has unique library content not available on the mainstream services, especially older or more obscure shows.
- Free Version: No
- Price of Subscription: $4.99 per month
Best Series: Clannad, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Bloom Into You
Free and Legal Places to Stream Anime
If you’re looking for free anime to stream, here are a few places you can find it online, safely and legally.
Tubi
Tubi is building an increasingly large library to free anime with no subscription needed. The service does feature ads, but the video quality is acceptable.
- Cost: Free with ads
- Most Popular Series: Sonic X, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Berserk
Pluto TV
Pluto TV has 24/7 channels for anime as well as on demand titles common with premium services. If you like live-streaming formats, this is a good option.
- Cost: Free with ads
- Available: Action, fantasy, romance
RetroCrush
RetroCrush Caters to classic anime fans with a library of favorite vintage series and movies from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
- Price: Free (with ads); ad-free is also available as premium tier
- Perfect For: Fans of nostalgic anime
Youtube channels where you can find free legal anime
Some studios and distributors post full episodes or entire series on YouTube legally. Some recommended channels are:
- Muse Asia – Free anime streaming with subtitles for Southeast Asia.
- Ani-One Asia – Yet another YouTube page with free legal anime streaming.
- Toei Animation –Classic episodes of Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk are available.
How to Watch Anime Smoothly (Without Crunchyroll)?
To make sure you can enjoy your anime streams to the fullest, keep these tips in your backpocket:
- Connect to the Internet from a Strong Signal Source
For watching anime online in HD or 4K the connection must be stable and fast. Watch with 5 Mbps speed (for HD) or 25 Mbps (for 4K) to avoid buffering.
- Enable Subtitles or Dubs
Opt for either subbed (the original Japanese with subtitles) or dubbed (voice-overs in your language). On most platforms, it’s easy to switch.
- Create Watchlists
On most mainstream anime streaming platforms you can make a list of shows you want to watch. This is good if you want to keep your anime queue in order.
- Turn on Parental Controls (optional)
Certain animes have adult content. If kids are also watching, enable parental controls or filter by content ratings.
How to Watch Anime Without Breaking the Law
Though there are a number of websites which feature free anime streams, they aren’t all legal. Your device can be exposed to malware on pirate sites and it hurts the anime industry. It is best to encourage legal services that pay creators and rights holders.
Avoid sites that:
- Too many pop-ups or redirects
- Require suspicious downloads
- Provide low quality videos or without licensing details
The Future of Anime Streaming
So, the way we watch anime is quickly changing. Amid a growing global hunger for anime, platforms are sinking ever more money into exclusive content, simulcasts and even AI-driven recommendations. More alliances between Japanese studios and Western streaming behemoths also mean that fans around the world can finally watch same-day releases.
The sort of merging services like Crunchyroll and Funimation are up to simplify anime into fewer platforms with more customers, and tighter pricing.
Final Thoughts
So, where can I watch anime now? The response is: practically all over — legally and inexpensively. Whether you favor free ad-supported services like Tubi and RetroCrush or want the premium treatment with Crunchyroll and Netflix, there’s a streamer convenient to your tastes.
In 2020, anime fans have more of a choice than ever, so there is no better time to dig into something popular or obscure. As long as you pick a legal source for anime streams, you’re not only guaranteeing yourself a safe viewing experience, but you’re also helping to support the animation industry that creates these great stories.
