Want to watch anime without breaking the law or risking malware? You’re not alone. Millions of fans around the world are tired of shady sites, pop-ups, and sketchy downloads-but still don’t want to pay for a subscription. The good news? There are plenty of legal, free ways to watch anime right now, and they vary depending on where you live.
Why Legal Streaming Matters
Piracy isn’t just illegal-it’s risky. Many free anime sites are filled with malware, phishing scams, and hidden crypto miners. Even if you avoid the viruses, you’re hurting the creators. Anime studios, voice actors, animators, and writers depend on licensing revenue to keep making new shows. When you stream legally, even for free, you’re helping the industry survive.
Legal platforms also offer better quality. HD video, accurate subtitles, no buffering delays, and new episodes drop at the same time as in Japan. Some even include exclusive dubs or bonus content you won’t find anywhere else.
Free Anime Options in the United States
In the U.S., Tubi and Crunchyroll’s free tier are the two biggest players.
Tubi offers a rotating library of over 100 anime titles, including classics like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. It’s ad-supported but clean-no pop-ups, no redirects. You just need to create a free account.
Crunchyroll Free gives you access to hundreds of titles with ads. While it doesn’t include the latest simulcasts (those require a paid plan), you can watch full seasons of older hits like Naruto, One Piece (up to episode 1000+), and My Hero Academia (seasons 1-4). The interface is smooth, and you can download episodes for offline viewing-even on the free plan.
Other options include Pluto TV (has a dedicated anime channel with curated blocks) and YouTube (official channels like Funimation and Aniplex upload full episodes legally, often with ads).
Canada: More Choices Than You Think
Canadians have access to the same U.S. platforms, but also get CTV’s Crave free tier. Crave offers a limited selection of anime like Attack on Titan and Death Note without a subscription. It’s not huge, but it’s legit.
Also worth checking: Shomi (now defunct, but some content migrated to Bell Media platforms) and Global TV’s app, which occasionally airs anime as part of its late-night programming block. You can stream these for free with a Canadian IP address.
United Kingdom and Europe
In the UK, Netflix’s free trial (still available for new users) is a common way to catch up on anime like Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen. But if you want truly free options, BBC iPlayer occasionally features anime as part of its international programming-usually older titles like Neon Genesis Evangelion or Fullmetal Alchemist.
For the rest of Europe, Pluto TV and YouTube are your best bets. In Germany, ARD Mediathek and ZDF Mediathek have aired anime like Monster and Haikyu!! during special events. In France, M6 and France.tv offer legal streams of dubbed anime during weekend afternoons.
Don’t overlook Amazon Freevee (formerly IMDb TV). It’s available across Europe and carries a solid selection of anime including Black Lagoon, Blue Exorcist, and Trigun.
Australia and New Zealand
Australians can use 9Now (from Nine Network) to stream anime like One Punch Man and My Hero Academia for free. The catch? You need a local IP address and a free account.
ABC iview (Australia’s public broadcaster) sometimes features anime as part of its youth programming-especially classics like Studio Ghibli films and Death Note. In New Zealand, TVNZ+ offers a small but growing anime section with titles like My Hero Academia and Fire Force.
Latin America: The Hidden Gems
Many fans assume Latin America has no legal free options-but that’s not true.
In Mexico, Claro Video offers a free tier with anime like Dragon Ball Super and One Piece. In Brazil, Globoplay has a rotating selection of anime, including Attack on Titan and Chainsaw Man. In Argentina, Telefe and Paramount+’s free tier (available in select countries) include dubbed anime on weekends.
YouTube is especially powerful here. Official channels from Crunchyroll and Funimation are widely used and often upload full episodes with Spanish or Portuguese subtitles.
Asia: Where It All Started
In Japan, Niconico and AbemaTV offer free anime with ads. AbemaTV has exclusive early access to new shows before they hit paid platforms. In South Korea, Wavve and TVING have free tiers with licensed anime like My Dress-Up Darling and Blue Lock.
India has MX Player and SonyLIV offering free anime with ads. Titles include One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. In Southeast Asia, iflix (now merged with Viu) still has a free tier with anime like My Hero Academia and Black Clover.
How to Access Region-Locked Content
Some platforms restrict content by country. If you’re in the U.S. and want to watch something only available in Japan, you might be tempted to use a VPN.
Here’s the truth: using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions violates the terms of service of most platforms. While it’s technically possible, it’s not risk-free. Some services detect and ban VPN users. Others reduce video quality or block downloads.
Instead, stick to global platforms like YouTube, Pluto TV, and Amazon Freevee-they’re available in most countries and have wide libraries. If you’re traveling, use your local streaming services while you’re there. Many platforms let you download content to watch offline later.
What’s Missing? Why Some Anime Isn’t Free
You won’t find the newest season of Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man on free platforms. Why? Because those are simulcasts-released the same day as Japan-and studios charge premium licenses for them.
Free services typically carry older shows (2+ years old) or titles with lower licensing costs. New hits go straight to paid services like Crunchyroll Premium, Hulu, or Netflix. But once a season finishes airing and licensing deals settle, it often moves to the free tier.
So if you’re waiting for My Hero Academia Season 7 to go free? It’ll likely happen in late 2026 or 2027.
Top 5 Free Anime Platforms Worldwide (2025)
| Platform | Available In | Library Size | Ads? | Offline Downloads? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crunchyroll Free | Global (except China) | 500+ titles | Yes | Yes |
| Tubi | U.S., Canada, Australia, Mexico | 100+ titles | Yes | No |
| Amazon Freevee | U.S., UK, Germany, Austria | 80+ titles | Yes | Yes |
| Pluto TV | Global | 50+ titles (live channel) | Yes | No |
| YouTube (Official Channels) | Global | Varies by region | Yes | Yes (via mobile app) |
How to Stay Updated
Free anime libraries change often. Shows rotate in and out. To keep track:
- Subscribe to Crunchyroll’s free newsletter-they email when new titles are added.
- Follow r/FreeAnime on Reddit (users post weekly updates on what’s available).
- Check the official social media pages of platforms like Tubi and Freevee-they announce new additions.
- Use JustWatch.com and filter for "Free" and "Anime"-it shows real-time availability in your country.
What to Avoid
Never use sites like:
- AnimeFlv
- 9anime
- Gogoanime
- AnimeDao
- Any site with pop-ups, “Download Now” buttons, or requires a browser extension
These sites are not just illegal-they’re dangerous. They often bundle spyware, steal personal data, and even lock your device with ransomware. There’s no reward worth that risk.
Final Tip: Use the Free Tier to Build Your Watchlist
Free platforms are perfect for discovering anime you might not pay for. Try a few shows you’ve never heard of. You might fall in love with Mob Psycho 100 or Blue Exorcist and decide to upgrade later. Or you might realize you’re happy sticking with free content.
Either way, you’re supporting creators, staying safe, and watching anime the right way.
Can I watch new anime episodes for free legally?
New anime episodes usually require a paid subscription at launch. Platforms like Crunchyroll and Hulu offer simulcasts the same day as Japan-but only to paying members. Free tiers get older seasons, typically 1-2 years after release.
Is Crunchyroll’s free tier worth it?
Yes. With over 500 titles, including full seasons of major series like Naruto and My Hero Academia, it’s the largest free anime library globally. You’ll see ads every 15-20 minutes, but you can download episodes to watch offline-even on the free plan.
Are there any free anime apps for iPhone or Android?
Yes. Crunchyroll, Tubi, Pluto TV, and Amazon Freevee all have official mobile apps. Just search for them in your app store. Avoid third-party apps claiming to offer free anime-they’re almost always illegal or unsafe.
Why is some anime not available in my country?
Licensing rights are sold by region. A studio might sell the rights to Crunchyroll for North America, but to a different company for Southeast Asia. That’s why the same show might be on YouTube in Japan but on Tubi in the U.S. It’s not a technical issue-it’s a legal one.
Can I use a VPN to access free anime from other countries?
You can, but it’s against the terms of service. Many platforms detect and block VPNs. Some reduce video quality or disable downloads. It’s better to stick with global platforms like YouTube or Pluto TV that work in most regions without a VPN.