8 Best Anime Streaming Sites

As a way of showing appreciation to the animators, seiyuu (Japanese voice actors), and the entire creative team behind the scenes, we should support anime by watching it through legal platforms.

Anime available on official websites is licensed, meaning every episode we enjoy helps support its creators. In fact, the subscription fees we pay directly contribute to the anime industry, enabling them to continue producing fresh and engaging stories.

If you're looking to watch your favorite anime legally, the Carisinyal team has compiled a list of the best sites you can visit. Check out our top recommendations below!

1. Crunchyroll

If you're looking to watch anime legally with one of the most comprehensive collections available, Crunchyroll is the perfect choice! This platform offers various anime titles, from popular classics to the latest releases. It even features a simulcast option, allowing you to watch new episodes just hours after they air in Japan.

Searching for the newest anime? Crunchyroll has a dedicated category sorted by release date, making it easy to stay up to date with the current season.

While full access is reserved for premium users, Crunchyroll also offers a free version with some limitations. You can watch the first few episodes of various series and even enjoy a 7-day free trial to explore all the premium features without restrictions.

Things I like about Crunchyroll:

• You can watch the latest episodes just a few hours after they air in Japan.
• A legal platform for watching anime, streaming music videos, and even playing games.
• A massive anime library with all kinds of genres, from popular hits to underrated gems.
• Some anime are available with English dubbing.

Things to note about Crunchyroll:

• Free users can only watch the first few episodes; the rest requires a premium subscription.

2. iQIYI

The iQIYI streaming platform features a dedicated anime section that includes classic titles, popular series, and the latest releases. In addition to Japanese anime, iQIYI also offers a variety of donghua (Chinese animation), including original productions and other Asian cartoons.

What sets iQIYI apart is its unique way of organizing anime, not just by genre, but also by trope! For example, within the romance category, you might find tropes like “Admit it, my heart is racing for you!”, alongside sports anime, isekai, and more. This makes it easier to discover shows that match your preferences.

Another fun feature is the interactive comment section available on each episode, where you can chat and share reactions with fellow fans. Plus, iQIYI allows users to edit subtitles, so if you spot a mistranslation, you can help improve it right away. Pretty exciting, right?

Things I like about iQIYI:

• A fun alternative for watching anime and donghua legally.
• More affordable subscription prices compared to other platforms.
• A fairly complete collection of classic, popular, and new anime.
• Trope-based categories make it easier to find anime that matches your taste.
• Some shows are available for free without a subscription.

Things to note about iQIYI:

• Free users have to deal with a lot of long ads.

3. Netflix

Netflix isn’t just a go-to platform for dramas, movies, and documentaries, it’s also steadily growing its anime library. In fact, Netflix now offers exclusive original anime that you won’t find anywhere else!

The platform also regularly features trending and newly released anime. However, keep in mind that Netflix often releases new episodes a few days after their original air date in Japan. This slight delay is typically to ensure higher-quality subtitle translations, enhancing your overall viewing experience.

One of Netflix’s standout features is its smart recommendation algorithm. Based on your viewing history, Netflix will automatically suggest similar anime you might enjoy, so you won’t have to spend time searching for your next favorite show!

Things I like about Netflix:

• A wide anime collection, from popular titles to original series.
• Professional-quality subtitle translations.
• Smart algorithm that recommends anime based on your preferences.

Things to note about Netflix:

• New anime episodes often release a few days after their premiere in Japan.

4. YouTube

I consider YouTube one of the best platforms for streaming anime, thanks to its free access and decent, clear streaming quality. Several official channels on YouTube offer various types of anime, including some that are currently ongoing.

While it’s rare to find popular ongoing anime available for free on YouTube, the platform is still a great option for fans of niche series and classic favorites.

Let me share a few YouTube channels that offer a variety of anime titles: Muse Asia, Ani-One, and Crunchyroll Dubs. These channels provide tons of anime to watch for free, complete with English subtitles. Muse even runs additional regional channels, such as Muse Indonesia and Muse India, catering to specific language preferences.

Things I like about YouTube:

• Some channels officially stream anime for free.
• YouTube offers excellent streaming quality.
• Subtitle translation settings enhance the viewing experience.
• Supports Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode.

Things to note about YouTube:

• Rarely features popular ongoing anime.
• Doesn’t have genre-based categories for anime.

5. HiDive

HiDive is often seen as a solid alternative to Crunchyroll, even though its anime library isn’t quite as extensive. However, if you’re into underrated titles or enjoy exploring specific genres, HiDive can be a great choice. In fact, it even offers a selection of adult-themed anime that you might not find elsewhere.

One reason many fans gravitate toward HiDive is its large collection of English-dubbed anime. Plus, the platform now includes a download feature, allowing you to watch your favorite shows anytime, even without an internet connection.

What makes HiDive stand out is its unique interface design. It features a catalog organized by release date, so you can quickly see which episodes are airing on a given day. This is especially useful if you like binge-watching multiple episodes at once.

Things I like about HiDive:

• Focuses on niche and underrated anime.
• Unique UI design with a catalog organized by release date.
• Many anime titles are already dubbed in English.

Things to note about HiDive:

• Its collection of popular anime is smaller compared to other platforms.

6. Disney+ Hotstar

Did you know that Disney+ Hotstar also offers a selection of popular anime in both series and movie formats? You can find some big-name titles like Demon Slayer, Dr. Stone, and Spy x Family available on the platform.

When it comes to streaming quality, Disney+ Hotstar doesn’t disappoint. It supports up to Full HD resolution, delivering sharp and clear visuals. Plus, all anime come with English subtitles at the very least, so you can easily follow the story.

While the anime library may not be as extensive as other platforms, the titles featured on Disney+ Hotstar tend to remain available for a long time. So, you won’t have to worry about your favorite shows disappearing anytime soon.

Things I like about Disney+ Hotstar:

• Streams several popular anime series and movies with high-quality graphics.
• Smooth streaming experience, up to Full HD quality.
• All anime titles come with English subtitles.

Things to note about Disney+ Hotstar:

• No free access for any anime titles.
• The anime catalog is still limited compared to other platforms.

7. Prime Video

Prime Video isn’t just available as an app, it can also be accessed through a streaming website, offering the same comprehensive content. Unlike other platforms that often prioritize the latest releases, Prime Video leans more toward classic and well-loved anime with established fan bases.

Some of the popular titles you’ll find here include Rurouni Kenshin, Jujutsu Kaisen, Wotakoi, Ranking of Kings, and many more. While free access is quite limited, subscribers can enjoy high-quality streaming, up to 4K for select shows.

Another great feature is that Prime Video allows you to use a single account across multiple devices, so you can watch your favorite anime anytime, anywhere.

Things I like about Prime Video:

• Offers many popular anime with large fan bases.
• Streaming quality can reach up to 4K for certain titles.
• Can be used on multiple devices with a single account.

Things to note about Prime Video:

• Rarely features the latest anime releases.
• The anime collection is still limited compared to other platforms.
• Doesn’t offer free access.

8. Viu

Viu is arguably a user-friendly streaming platform as it provides free access to lots of content, including anime. You only need to register a Viu account to get this free access.

Although it doesn't always show the latest hyped anime, Viu still has a collection of popular classic titles, such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Detective Conan, and Horimiya.

One of Viu's advantages is the variety of subtitles. Besides English, each regional version has subtitles in their respective national languages.

In terms of features, Viu is also quite comprehensive. There are Bookmarks that allow you to continue watching from the last part, as well as HD streaming quality support.

Things I like about Viu:

• Multi-language subtitles, including regional languages like Javanese and Sundanese.
• A catalog of anime featuring well-known classic titles.
• Plenty of free content available without a subscription.

Things to note about Viu:

• It does not stream ongoing anime series.
• The anime selection is still quite limited.

What do you think about the legal anime streaming services discussed by the Carisinyal team? Are you interested in trying one of them, or have you already decided to subscribe and start enjoying anime?