Watching anime series and movies online is a popular pastime for fans of any age. As a result, there are now numerous services that allow users to stream or download their favorite dubbed and subbed anime for free or as part of a monthly paid subscription plan.
Here are some of the best places to watch anime online.
Netflix
Most people don’t think of Netflix as a source of anime but the streaming service has a large library of licensed anime series and movies. It has even begun producing its own Netflix Original anime by funding several animation studios in Japan.
Also provides access to regular movies and shows, making it a great value for the money.
Lacks a lot of mainstream anime series due to many American anime companies choosing to keep their series and films as exclusives.
Some anime series and movies to check out on Netflix are Aggretsuko, Attack on Titan, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Knights of Sidona, and Glitter Force, the Netflix-produced English dub of the popular Japanese anime, Pretty Cure.
Netflix has official apps on almost every device imaginable from smart TVs and Blu-ray players to gaming consoles and smartphones. You can also stream anime via the Netflix website. Monthly subscription fees start at $8.99 with a 30-day free trial for first-time users.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is one of the biggest and longest-running anime streaming services. Looking to watch all 1,000+ episodes of the One Piece anime series or maybe all 500+ episodes of Naruto Shippuden? Crunchyroll has you covered, and then some.
Regularly offers new episodes of popular anime series for viewing minutes after airing in Japan.
Servers often have a hard time keeping up with user demand when a new anime episode debuts on the platform, resulting in poor image and sound quality.
Simulcast episodes—which air concurrently in Japan—look the same as they do on Japanese TV but have English subtitles. This is great for hardcore anime fans who don’t want their favorite series spoiled for them. Many anime shows also offer the English-dubbed version for those that don’t like to read subtitles while watching TV.
Crunchyroll offers free anime streaming to all users. However, those who pay for the Premium subscription ($6.95/month) are given access to anime simulcasts, ad-free viewing, and HD image quality. Official Crunchyroll apps are available on most major gaming consoles, iOS, and Android smartphones and tablets, Chromecast, and Roku. Users can also watch anime online via the Crunchyroll website.
Microsoft Store
The Microsoft Store is Microsoft’s digital marketplace for apps, ebooks, video games, movies, and TV series. It’s available on Windows 10 PCs and tablets, Windows phones, and Xbox consoles. Buying content on one device, such as a PC, makes it available on other devices that use the same Microsoft account, such as an Xbox One.
Once an anime film or TV episode is purchased, it can be downloaded onto a Windows 10 PC or tablet for viewing offline.
Frequently offers the first episode of a series for free.
Download option not available on Xbox One consoles, meaning you’ll need a reliable internet connection to stream content in real-time.
Servers nowhere near as fast as Netflix’s, so you may encounter some buffering and image distortion if your connection is slow.
The store has an impressive collection of dubbed and subbed anime shows and movies available from niche series to more popular ones like Dragon Ball Super and Boruto.
After purchasing an anime season or movie in the Microsoft Store app on your Windows 10 device or Xbox console, you can watch it through the Movies & TV app.
FUNimation
FUNimation is a major distributor of anime in North America and is involved in the English dubbing and subbing of popular anime series like Dragon Ball Z, Fairy Tail, and My Hero Academia. They also offer an online streaming service of their large library, with both a free and paid account option.
The free option is fantastic for anime fans on a budget.
Notorious for reusing the same voice in English anime dubs, which can be distracting for viewers who notice that characters in different series sound the same.
Free selection of anime shows is ad-supported and not as large as it is for users who pay.
Free FUNimation accounts get a small selection of anime series for viewing with ads while those who pay the $5.99 monthly fee for FUNimationNow Premium gain access to the entire anime catalog, ad-free viewing, and early access to English dubs.
HiDive
HiDive may not be as well-known as other streaming services, but it’s a solid option for those looking to watch anime online in either subbed or dubbed format. HiDive has a lot of niche series that hardcore anime fans will enjoy, but it also has some popular franchises such as Cutie Honey and Initial D that casual anime viewers will recognize. And it’s quite affordable.
No free option for HiDive, but the $4.99 monthly fee makes it one of the cheapest paid streaming services available.
Official HiDive apps for Apple TV, Fire TV, iOS, and Android devices.
To stream some anime online on another device such as a computer or gaming console, you’ll need to use a web browser. This isn’t the best user experience, especially on a console.
The $4.99 monthly fee gives subscribers access to HiDive’s full library of English and Japanese language anime series and films. Official apps are available for Apple TV, Fire TV, iOS, and Android.
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