Are Free Anime Streaming Sites Legal?
Let’s be clear: not all free anime streaming sites are legal.
Many platforms operate in a legal gray area or host pirated content. Using these can:
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Expose your device to malware
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Violate copyright laws
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Trigger ISP throttling or bans
Always prioritize legal or semi-legal platforms, and if you must use gray-area sites, use a free proxy VPN like UFO VPN to protect your identity.
30 Best Free Anime Streaming Sites: Safe & Quick
1. Crunchyroll (Free Tier)
One of the biggest names in anime streaming with a solid free plan (with ads).
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Pros: Massive licensed library, high-quality subs, simulcasts.
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Cons: Ads are long and repetitive.
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Content Library: 1,000+ titles (Naruto, Demon Slayer, One Piece).
2. Funimation (Free Tier)
Best for dubbed anime fans, with a legacy catalog.
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Pros: Extensive English dubs, smooth interface.
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Cons: Mostly only available in the U.S. and Canada.
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Content Library: 500+ dubbed anime series.
3. Tubi TV
A general streaming site with a surprisingly strong anime section.
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Pros: Free with minimal ads, no account needed.
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Cons: Limited new releases.
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Content Library: Older anime titles like Afro Samurai, Fist of the North Star.
4. RetroCrush
A nostalgic dive into 70s–90s anime classics.
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Pros: Niche classic content, ad-supported free access.
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Cons: Lacks modern anime.
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Content Library: Vintage series like Lupin III, Cyborg 009, Devilman.
5. Anime-Planet
An official partner of Crunchyroll with embedded streaming.
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Pros: Community features, reviews, manga section.
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Cons: Limited to what’s embedded via other sites.
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Content Library: 45,000+ legal streaming episodes.
6. YouTube (Official Channels)
Many studios stream legally on YouTube.
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Pros: Free, no sign-up.
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Cons: Disorganized, some channels region-locked.
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Content Library: Titles from Muse Asia, Ani-One, etc.
7. 9anime
A fan-favorite free anime site with extensive content.
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Pros: Massive library, fast updates.
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Cons: Ads, legality varies, use VPN & ad blocker.
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Content Library: Everything from current-season to old-school titles.
8. Zoro.to
Ad-free clone of 9anime, popular for clean UX.
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Pros: No pop-ups, mobile-friendly.
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Cons: Still unofficial; legality in question.
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Content Library: Complete seasons and movies in HD.
9. AniWatch (Aniwatch.to)
All-in-one streaming site with minimal ads and a lively community.
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Pros: HD, dub/sub filters, intuitive UI.
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Cons: May be geo-blocked.
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Content Library: Trending and classic anime.
10. AnimePahe
Clean interface, direct streaming and downloads.
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Pros: No registration, HD quality, fast loading.
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Cons: Can be hard to access in certain regions.
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Content Library: Popular titles like Attack on Titan, Bleach, Spy x Family.
11. Gogoanime
Long-time fan-favorite with huge archive.
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Pros: Fast updates, subs and dubs.
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Cons: Annoying pop-ups unless blocked.
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Content Library: Both mainstream and niche titles.
12. AnimeDao
Clean, minimalist alternative to Gogoanime.
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Pros: Fast load times, accurate subs.
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Cons: Limited download options.
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Content Library: Wide coverage of seasonal anime.
13. Kissanime.ru (Unofficial Mirrors)
Legendary site, now only accessible via mirrors.
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Pros: Huge archive still lives through mirrors.
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Cons: Inconsistent uptime.
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Content Library: Rare and mainstream anime.
14. AnimeLab (Australia/New Zealand)
Aussie-based legal anime platform.
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Pros: HD streaming, good dubs.
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Cons: Region-locked.
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Content Library: New releases and dubbed anime.
15. AniOne Asia (YouTube Channel)
Free legal anime distributor on YouTube.
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Pros: Free, high-quality, official.
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Cons: Region restrictions.
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Content Library: Recent titles (Horimiya, The Millionaire Detective).
16. Muse Asia (YouTube Channel)
Licensed content for Southeast Asia.
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Pros: Free, multilingual subtitles.
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Cons: Only available in some Asian countries.
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Content Library: Latest seasonal anime.
17. VRV (Free Plan)
Bundle of anime + geek content.
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Pros: Crunchyroll + other nerd culture channels.
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Cons: U.S. only.
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Content Library: Crunchyroll library plus more.
18. Plex (Anime Section)
Media platform with curated anime.
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Pros: Free, legit, no account.
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Cons: Smaller selection.
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Content Library: Random mix of indie and vintage anime.
19. Facebook Watch (Unofficial Uploads)
Fans sometimes upload entire episodes.
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Pros: Easy to access.
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Cons: Low quality, copyright risks.
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Content Library: Varies based on user posts.
20. Archive.org
Public domain anime and fan-uploaded series.
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Pros: No ads, downloadable.
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Cons: Limited modern anime.
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Content Library: 80s-90s anime and obscure OVAs.
21. Bilibili.tv (Outside China)
China’s top anime platform, now global.
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Pros: Free legal access in SE Asia.
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Cons: Some content only in Chinese or Japanese.
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Content Library: Simulcast anime, classic and indie shows.
22. AnimeHeaven
Easy-to-use, consistent site with dual audio.
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Pros: No sign-up, updated daily.
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Cons: Ad-heavy.
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Content Library: Ongoing and completed series.
23. Masterani
Lightweight interface, no clutter.
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Pros: Fast, categorized well.
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Cons: Mirror URLs change often.
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Content Library: Ongoing and classic anime.
24. Kickassanime
Built with fans in mind, offers schedule + news.
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Pros: Fast, community-focused.
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Cons: Sometimes slow servers.
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Content Library: Broad, includes movies.
25. AnimeTosho
Index of anime torrents and direct links.
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Pros: Lossless quality options.
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Cons: More for advanced users.
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Content Library: Almost every release from top fansub groups.
26. AnimeUltima
One-click anime without clutter.
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Pros: Stream or download, good filters.
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Cons: May go offline randomly.
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Content Library: Thousands of shows and films.
27. CartoonCrazy
Not just anime—also cartoons and dubs.
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Pros: All dubbed anime in one place.
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Cons: Less focused on subs.
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Content Library: English dubs of all major anime.
28. AnimeNova
Ideal for dubbed anime fans.
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Pros: Updated daily, minimal ads.
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Cons: Older interface.
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Content Library: Dub-heavy anime archive.
29. Animeland
Great for downloaders and offline viewers.
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Pros: Downloadable anime with dubs.
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Cons: Not always mobile-friendly.
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Content Library: Dubs of popular titles like Naruto, Bleach.
30. WatchCartoonOnline
Blends anime and Western cartoons.
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Pros: Smooth streaming, massive library.
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Cons: Pop-ups, legality unclear.
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Content Library: Anime, movies, cartoons.
How to Stream Anime Safely for Free
If you’re going to explore anime streaming platforms above, take some essential precautions:
Use a Trusted VPN
A VPN hides your IP and encrypts your traffic. We recommend UFO VPN with anime-optimized servers and the ad-blocker feature on mobiles and desktops.
UFO VPN is compatible with mobile and desktop devices. Download UFO VPN for iOS, UFO VPN for Android on mobiles or UFO VPN for PC, UFO VPN for Mac on your desktop. Install the app and sign up or log in.
Open the app, choose a server location with a Netflix VPN server or Fast VPN connections include a free US server, free UK server and free Australia server. Tap the button to connect.
After connecting, visit an IP lookup tool to see your current location and ensure your IP changes after using the VPN.
Once connected, visit your favorite shows and movies and start watching without geo-blocks or buffering!
Avoid Sharing Personal Info
Never enter your email, card, or phone number unless it’s a legit site (like Crunchyroll or YouTube).
Where Can You Access Free Anime Streaming Sites
Many free anime streaming platforms are geo-blocked, depending on licensing deals. Most platforms listed above can be reached in:
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United States
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Canada
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UK
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Australia
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Philippines
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India
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Malaysia
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Indonesia
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Brazil
Some platforms like Funimation are only available in the US or UK. Use a VPN to change your location and unlock more content.
UFO VPN - The best free VPN helps:
Unlock Any Website in one click
100% Free Plan with No Credit Card
Change your IP address to 100+ locations
Protects your personal data 24/7
Watch your favorite shows with 0 buffering
Connect accross mobiles & deskstops
Bonus: Find More Free Anime Sites or Codes
Besides the big names, Reddit and Discord communities are great for staying updated:
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Reddit: Subreddits like r/anime, r/AnimeWatch, and r/animepiracy (for discussion purposes) often share the latest links and working sites.
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Discord Servers: Many anime communities have private streaming channels or bots that suggest sites.
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MyAnimeList sometimes partners with services for free trials.
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Slickdeals and RetailMeNot: Occasionally post Crunchyroll premium or VRV discount codes.
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anime, Gogoanime, and Zoro.to often have mirrors like
gogoanime.film,9anime.to, oraniwave.to. -
Search keywords like “gogoanime proxy 2025” or “9anime mirror site” on Google.
Conclusion
You don’t need to break the bank to enjoy your favorite anime streaming site. Whether you stick to legal options like Crunchyroll and YouTube, or explore 9anime with a VPN, the key is to stream safely and responsibly.
FAQs
1. Is it safe to use 9anime or Gogoanime?
It’s safe if you use a VPN and ad-blocker. Without them, you risk malware and tracking.
2. What’s the best legal anime site that’s truly free?
Crunchyroll with ads is still the king for legal, high-quality anime.
3. Can I download anime from these free sites?
Only a few offer legal downloads — Crunchyroll Premium, Funimation Premium, and YouTube (with YouTube Premium).
4. Why do some anime disappear from these sites?
Licensing rights change often. Some shows may be region-locked or removed over time.
