8 Best Apps to Watch Anime on Android

Watching anime is now easier than ever, thanks to the variety of streaming apps available, in addition to website-based platforms. These apps offer an exciting catalog of anime, making it easier to reach a broader audience.

If you're unsure which app to use for streaming anime on your Android device, I've compiled a list of the best recommendations. Curious? Keep reading to find out more!

1. Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is a legal anime streaming platform offering a vast collection of anime, ranging from popular titles to the latest releases. The app even features a simulcast option, allowing users to watch the newest episodes just hours after they air in Japan.

Each simulcast episode includes English subtitles created by professional translators, minimizing the chances of translation errors. This feature is one of the reasons why Crunchyroll is a favorite among anime fans.

While full access is only available to premium subscribers, Crunchyroll still offers a free version with some limitations. Free users can watch several premiere episodes from various anime series.

When I tried it, I was able to adjust the streaming quality from 240p to 1080p. Additionally, some anime offer multiple language options, including Italian, French, Thai, Indonesian, and more.

For those who prefer to watch anime offline, Crunchyroll also includes a download feature for each episode. This allows me to enjoy my favorite anime anytime, even without an internet connection.

What I like about Crunchyroll:

• The simulcast feature streams the latest anime episodes just a few hours after they air in Japan.
• A legal app for watching anime.
• It has a fairly complete anime collection, covering various genres.
• Some anime have English dubbing.
• It streams both popular and lesser-known anime.

Things to consider about Crunchyroll:

• Free users can only watch the first few episodes of each anime.

2. Bilibili

Bilibili can be seen as an anime-focused version of YouTube. Initially, its concept was similar to YouTube, serving as a platform for people to share a variety of videos.

Over time, however, Bilibili has evolved to focus more on anime and game-related content. As a result, it has become a popular, legal anime streaming platform, in addition to featuring gaming videos.

In addition to well-known Japanese anime, I also discovered a variety of donghua titles (Chinese-made anime) on the app. The selection includes not only anime series but also films across various genres.

In terms of quality, Bilibili offers streaming resolutions ranging from 144p to 1080p. However, free users are limited to a maximum resolution of 480p.

The app also features a notification system that alerts you whenever the latest episode of an anime on your watchlist is released. Unfortunately, Bilibili does not yet support casting, meaning you can't directly connect it to devices like TVs.

Additionally, the app lacks support for PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode, which means you can't multitask while using other apps. However, you can still enable background playback, allowing the anime's audio to continue even if the app is minimized.

What I like about Bilibili:

• It streams a lot of Japanese anime and donghua.
• Streaming quality goes up to 1080p HD.
• It offers a wide range of anime genres.
• An active user community allows interaction through comments on each episode in the form of danmaku (comments scrolling on the screen).

Things to consider about Bilibili:

• It doesn’t support casting to other devices like a TV.
• Free users can only watch a few initial episodes of each anime.
• It doesn’t support Picture-in-Picture mode, although users can still activate background playback.

3. iQIYI

This Baidu-made app presents an interesting alternative for anime streaming, and iQIYI offers very affordable subscription prices.

iQIYI features a dedicated tab that showcases a range of classic, popular, and the latest anime. Within this tab, you'll also find a variety of popular donghua, iQIYI’s original donghua, and other Asian animated shows.

What sets iQIYI apart is its unique way of categorizing anime. Instead of grouping them solely by genre, you can find anime organized by specific tropes. For example, categories include isekai anime, superhero-themed anime, inspirational anime, and more.

The app also offers flexible search filters, allowing you to search by genre, subtitle type, and whether the content is free or paid. Yes, iQIYI even has several anime titles available for free, which is great news for those who prefer not to subscribe.

Even better, iQIYI offers Dolby-quality audio for VIP package subscribers. With a subscription, you also get broader, uninterrupted access to various anime titles.

What I like about iQIYI:

• An alternative for watching anime and donghua.
• The subscription cost is quite affordable.
• It offers a variety of classic, popular, and latest anime.
• Anime is grouped based on tropes, not just genres.
• Dolby-quality audio is available for VIP packages.
• Some shows are available for free.

Things to consider about iQIYI:

• For free users, there are quite a lot of ads, and their duration is long, so patience is required if you're disturbed by the ads.

4. Netflix

As one of the largest streaming platforms in the world, Netflix is keen to provide a dedicated category for anime. To attract anime fans, Netflix offers a variety of original anime titles that are exclusive to the platform.

Some of Netflix's popular original anime include A Whisker Away, Ajin: Demi-Human, Baki, Beastars, and Dorohedoro. The platform also regularly streams the latest anime series that are currently trending.

Although Netflix doesn’t always release the latest anime simultaneously with Japan, and sometimes a few days later, its presence is still significant. Since Netflix is an all-in-one platform, you can easily switch to another show after finishing your favorite anime.

One of Netflix's advantages is its automatic streaming quality adjustment. Without the need to manually select a resolution, the platform will adjust the video quality based on your internet connection.

In addition, Netflix features a Moments function, allowing users to save and share video clips from the anime they are watching. This feature replaces the screenshot function, which Netflix previously banned to protect copyrights.

What I like about Netflix:

• The anime collection is quite large, ranging from popular titles to exclusive original anime.
• The streaming system automatically adjusts the video quality based on your internet connection.
• The Moments feature allows users to share scene clips without needing a screenshot.
• The available subtitles are created professionally, making them more comfortable to follow.

Things to consider about Netflix:

• The latest anime usually premieres a bit later than in Japan.

5. YouTube

YouTube can be a great "escape" for watching anime for free. While the platform doesn't always feature the latest popular anime, there are several official channels that legally stream a variety of anime titles, both new and classic.

Let me share a few YouTube channels that frequently offer anime content. These include Muse Asia, Ani-One, and Crunchyroll Dubs. In addition, some legendary anime have their own official channels, such as the Atashin'chi Official Channel, Official Chibi Maruko Channel, and GundamInfo, which stream all their episodes.

Many of these channels also provide multilingual subtitles, allowing audiences from different countries to enjoy the shows. The streaming quality is also quite good, meeting YouTube's standards. Plus, YouTube's Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode adds flexibility to the viewing experience, allowing you to multitask while watching.

What I like about YouTube:

• Many official channels stream anime for free.
• The streaming quality is generally good.
• Some channels provide multi-language subtitles.
• Free access to almost all available anime.

Things to consider about YouTube:

• It rarely streams the latest popular anime.
• There’s no genre-based category, so finding anime can be a bit harder.

6. Disney+ Hotstar

While Disney+ Hotstar is primarily known for streaming Disney, Pixar, and Marvel content, it also offers a selection of anime. You can find popular titles like Tokyo Revengers, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Ao Ashi, and Fruits Basket on the platform.

You don’t have to worry about quality, as Disney+ Hotstar supports streaming in resolutions up to Full HD (1080p), ensuring a clear and enjoyable viewing experience.

Each available anime comes with English subtitles, making it easy to follow the story. The platform also supports casting, allowing you to display your favorite anime on a TV or other larger devices.

Although Disney+ Hotstar's anime collection isn’t as extensive as some other platforms, many popular anime titles are available for extended periods, so you don't have to worry about your favorite shows disappearing from the catalog.

What I like about Disney+ Hotstar:

• It streams several popular anime with high-quality graphics.
• Streaming in Full HD quality up to 1080P.
• All anime have English subtitles.
• It supports casting features for larger screens.

Things to consider about Disney+ Hotstar:

• There is no free access to all available anime titles.
• The anime collection is still limited compared to other platforms.

7. Prime Video

The "Anime TV" tab on Prime Video shows that the platform is eager to attract anime fans. Although the anime selection is relatively limited, around 50 titles when I checked, Prime Video still offers various popular anime from different genres, including several classic series that remain beloved today.

Titles like Demon Slayer, Bleach, SPY x FAMILY, Dororo, and Initial D are available on the platform. Additionally, Prime Video provides English dubbing for all its anime titles, along with a diverse range of subtitle options.

However, unlike some other platforms, Prime Video doesn’t always focus on the latest anime trends. Instead, it prioritizes well-known titles with a large, established fan base.

What I like about Prime Video:

• It features various popular anime, including some classic ones.
• It provides English dubbing for all anime, with plenty of subtitle options.

Things to consider about Prime Video:

• It doesn’t always stream the latest anime.
• Its anime collection is limited.

8. Viu

In addition to being known as a platform for streaming dramas and movies, Viu also offers an anime collection for you to enjoy. By heading to the "Anime" category, you'll find popular titles like Horimiya, No Game No Life, and Fate/Zero. If you're a fan of Detective Conan, Viu even provides full episodes of this long-running series!

While Viu’s anime collection may not be as extensive as some other platforms, it has a significant advantage: it's completely free to watch! You just need to register an account, and you can start streaming all episodes at no additional cost.

For the viewing experience, Viu offers Full HD quality, multi-language subtitles, and the ability to cast to a larger screen. Unfortunately, the platform currently lacks a playback speed feature to adjust video speed.

What I like about Viu:

• It offers several popular anime that are fun to watch.
• It's free! Just register an account, and you can enjoy all episodes.
• The streaming quality is clear, similar to other premium platforms.
• You can download episodes to watch offline anytime.

Things to consider about Viu:

• The anime selection is still limited, so don’t expect a collection as large as other platforms.
• There’s no playback speed feature.

These are some of the best anime apps available for Android smartphones. Each app provides a wide range of anime titles, many of which can be streamed for free, especially if you opt for their premium subscription.

Simply choose the app that fits your budget and offers the anime catalog you enjoy the most!