12 Top Free Sites to Watch Anime in 2026
Ashley Wood- 14 January, 2026
- Blog
Love watching anime for free online? If you're looking for free anime websites to watch, this guide is perfect for you — it lists 12 best free sites to watch anime, so you can enjoy your favorite anime series and movies easily.
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💡💡Comparison Table of 12 Top Free Anime Sites
| Website | Safe | Anime Library | Max Quality | ML Subs* | Ad-free | Price |
| Crunchyroll | ✅ | 1,500+ | 4K (paid) | ✅ | ✅(paid) | Free Premium $7.99+/mo |
| Tubi TV | ✅ | 200+ | 1080p | ❌ (English Only) |
❌ | Free |
| RetroCrush | ✅ | 100+ | 1080p | ❌ (English Only) |
✅(paid) | Free Premium $4.99/mo |
| Pluto TV | ✅ | 150+ | 720p | ✅ | ❌ | Free |
| meWATCH.sg | ✅ | 150+ | 1080p | ✅ | ✅(paid) | Free Premium $5.94+/mo |
| Bilibili.tv | ✅ | 2,000+ | 4K (paid) | ✅ | ✅(paid) | Free Premium $4.99+/mo |
| Animax Asia | ✅ | 300+ | 720p | ✅ | ✅ | Free |
| Netflix | ✅ | 350+ | 1080p | ✅ | ✅(paid) | Free Premium $7.99+/mo |
| 9Anime | ⚠️ Risk |
10,000+ | 1080p | ✅ | ❌ | Free |
| AniWatch.to | ⚠️ Risk |
10,000+ | 4K | ✅ | ❌ | Free |
| AnimeKAI.to | ⚠️ Risk |
10,000+ | 1080p | ✅ | ✅ | Free |
| Zoro.to | ⚠️ Risk |
15,000+ | 4K | ✅ | ❌ | Free |
*ML Subs: Multi-Language Subtitles
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1. Legal Free Anime Websites (Safe & Licensed)
Legal free anime websites are the best for easy and safe watching. You won't get into copyright problems with them. These sites have official anime shows, so you can watch your favorite ones without stress.
1.1 Crunchyroll — Legal Free Anime with Simulcasts
Ratings: 
How to access: https://www.crunchyroll.com/
Crunchyroll is the most prominent name in legal anime streaming and a top pick among the best free sites to watch anime. It has over 1,500 popular anime titles, and you can watch anime free online here — new episodes come just hours after they air in Japan.
The free version has ads, plus subtitles in many languages and clear 1080p videos, so it's a trusted choice for fans everywhere.
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What Makes It Great
- 1,500+ licensed anime titles.
- Free 1080p streaming for all users.
- Supports desktop, mobile, and smart TV streaming.
- Same-day simulcast of new episodes from Japan.
- Subtitles and English dubs for popular shows.
Limitations
- Free tier has ads every 5–10 minutes.
- Premium anime and latest episodes are locked.
- 4K only available with a paid subscription.
1.2 Tubi TV — Free HD Anime with Fewer Ads
Ratings:
How to access: https://tubitv.com/
Tubi TV is a flexible, ad-supported streaming platform and one of the most accessible free anime websites to watch, with a great collection of anime — plus movies and TV shows. The best part is you don't need to sign up at all, so you can watch anime free right away with no extra steps.
It features classics as well as lesser-known picks, all in HD quality. Even though there are ads, they're not as annoying as those on many other free anime sites.
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What Makes It Great
- No sign-up needed for streaming.
- Features classic anime.
- Subbed and dubbed anime available.
- 1080p HD quality for most titles.
- Includes Studio Ghibli and indie anime movies.
- Supports major devices and web browsers.
Limitations
- Library smaller than Crunchyroll.
- No simulcasts; new episodes delayed weeks/months.
- Subtitles mostly limited to English.
- Some older titles lack HD remasters.
- Not all anime has both sub and dub versions.
- Contains ads during playback.
1.3 RetroCrush — Free Retro 70s-90s Anime with HD Remasters
Ratings:
How to access: https://www.retrocrush.tv/home
RetroCrush is a niche platform and a great pick for the best free sites to watch anime, made just for fans who love old-school 70s, 80s and 90s anime. It's a paradise for nostalgia lovers, focusing on restoring and streaming rare classic anime titles that you can't easily find on other free anime websites.
Best of all, it's totally free with only a few ads, and has HD remasters of these beloved old shows.
What Makes It Great
- Specializes in retro anime.
- HD remasters for most titles.
- No sign-up required for streaming.
- Categorized by decade and genre.
- Free rare retro anime movies.
Limitations
- No modern anime or simulcasts.
- Subtitles mostly English-only.
- Smaller library than general free sites.
- Some titles region-locked to North America.
- 1–2 ads per episode.
1.4 Pluto TV — Free Anime with 24/7 Channels & On-Demand
Ratings:
How to access: https://pluto.tv/
Pluto TV is a free, ad-supported streaming service and one of the best free websites to watch anime — you can watch anime free here with zero sign-up or subscription. Owned by Paramount, it's 100% legal, no sketchy pop-ups or bad subtitles.
It has linear TV channels, on-demand anime and a dedicated anime channel, plus a curated licensed library with hits like My Hero Academia and classics like Cowboy Bebop, in subbed/dubbed 720p. Ideal for casual viewers who love channel surfing.
What Makes It Great
- 24/7 dedicated anime linear channel.
- On-demand with popular anime titles.
- Subbed and dubbed anime available.
- No sign-up needed.
Limitations
- Limited on-demand title library.
- No new episode simulcasts.
- Linear channel has fixed schedules.
- Linear channel ads more frequent than on-demand.
- Max 720p (no 1080p/4K option).
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2. Region-Specific Free Anime Websites
Next up, let's talk about free anime websites to watch that only work well in certain areas of the world. These sites have anime made for local fans, and sometimes even new anime shows on the very same day they come out in Japan. You can't use them if you're not in their target regions, but they're perfect for fans who live there and want to watch anime free online.
2.1 meWATCH.sg — Singapore Free Anime with Japan Simulcasts
Ratings:
How to access: https://www.mewatch.sg/
meWATCH.sg is a popular free anime website in Singapore, and one of the region's top picks for watching anime for free. It features licensed anime titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Spy x Family, with same-day releases as Japan. There are multilingual subtitles available, though the platform is geo-blocked, ideal for anime fans living in Singapore.
What Makes It Great
- Same-day Japan simulcasts.
- English & Chinese subtitles.
- 1080p HD for most titles.
- No sign-up for free anime.
- User-friendly mobile app.
- Covers extra content: dramas, variety shows, news.
Limitations
- Smaller library than global free platforms.
- Free tier has frequent ads.
- Some anime titles are time-limited.
- Sign-in required for full access.
- Limited to Singapore.
2.2 Bilibili.tv — Asian Free Anime with Bullet Comments
Ratings:
How to access: https://www.bilibili.tv/
Bilibili.tv is the international edition of China's well-known Bilibili platform for Asian viewers, one of the most fun free anime websites to watch. Here, you can watch anime free online and enjoy thousands of licensed Japanese anime, plus Chinese donghua and Korean aeni, a top pick for fans in Southeast Asia.
It has subtitles in English, Indonesian, and Thai, and its cool "bullet comment" feature lets you chat with other viewers in real time. Best of all, it's totally free, though you can get a premium plan if you want to skip ads.
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What Makes It Great
- Thousands of licensed anime titles.
- Multi-Asian language subtitles (English, Indonesian, Thai, Malay).
- Unique bullet comment feature.
- Most anime free (ad-supported).
- 1080p HD quality.
- Covers extra content: dramas, variety shows, news.
Limitations
- Occasional simulcast delays.
- Some anime locked behind premium.
- 4K require payment.
- SEA and select Asia region lock.
2.3 Animax Asia — SEA Free Anime with Top Licensed Titles
Ratings:
How to access: https://www.animax-asia.com/
Animax Asia is a free website to watch anime for South and Southeast Asia. It offers popular licensed hits like Jujutsu Kaisen — no login needed. You can watch anime free in full HD with English, Malay or Mandarin subtitles.
There are live channels running all day and a pick-what-you-want section for bingeing, but it only works if you're in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines or Indonesia.
What Makes It Great
- Licensed top titles
- Same-week Japan releases.
- English, Malay, Mandarin subtitles.
- Mobile-optimized interface.
- No sign-up for free streaming.
Limitations
- Region-locked to SG, MY, PH, ID, TH.
- Smaller library than global platforms.
- Free tier has frequent ads.
- Max 720p (no 1080p/4K).
- No English dubs available.
2.4 Netflix Free Section — Regional Free Anime with Popular Titles
Ratings:
How to access: https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/6721?bc=83
Netflix is mainly a paid subscription service, but in some places like India, Thailand and Vietnam, it has a free section with anime shows. It's a handy choice among free websites for people who want to watch anime free.
It has popular titles like Castlevania and Violet Evergarden with local subtitles and dubs. It's also a great way to try out different anime before you decide to sign up for a paid plan.
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What Makes It Great
- Up to 1080p quality streaming.
- Regional subtitles & dubbing.
- Free access to popular anime titles.
- User-friendly with parental controls.
Limitations
- Limited to select regions (India, Thailand, Vietnam)
- Small rotating monthly library.
- No latest episode simulcasts.
- Some titles have only sub or dub.
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3. Unofficial Free Anime Sites (Unlicensed)
These unofficial free anime websites to watch have tons of new and old anime shows. A lot of them let you watch anime free online without ads. But these sites don't have official permission to show the anime, so they're in a legal gray area.
⚠️Disclaimer: Using these unlicensed sites might break local copyright rules. Stick to legal platforms to stay safe and support creators.
3.1 9Anime — Free Anime with Daily Simulcasts
Ratings:
How to access: https://9animetv.to/
9Anime is a great pick for fans who want to watch anime free online. The site adds new anime shows every day — even the ones that just came out in Japan. You'll get some pop-up ads, though the site isn't exactly legal.
What Makes It Great
- 10k+ anime titles with latest simulcasts.
- Subbed and dubbed anime available.
- Smart search & genre/year filters.
Limitations
- Unlicensed content (copyright risks).
- Third-party ads carry malware risks.
- Occasional broken streaming links.
- Not a legal free anime site.
- Frequent domain changes disrupt access.
3.2 AniWatch.to — Free Anime with 4K Ultra-HD
Ratings:
How to access: https://9animetv.to/
AniWatch.to has a wide range of anime genres, from action-packed to romantic stories. Unlike many similar unlicensed sites, it only shows one ad to cover server costs, keeping interruptions minimal.
What Makes It Great
- 4K ultra-HD for select anime titles.
- Diverse genres (action, romance, slice-of-life).
- Watch history and favorites features included.
Limitations
- Unlicensed content with legal risks.
- Peak-hour server downtime.
- Minor delays for latest episodes.
- Region-locked in select countries (US, UK).
- Not a legitimate free anime site.
- 1–2 ads per streaming session.
3.3 AnimeKAI.to — Ad-Free HD Anime (10k+ Titles)
Ratings:
How to access: https://animekai.to/
AnimeKAI.to is quickly known for its totally ad-free experience. It includes handy features like watch history and auto-play next episode, and works great for fans who want to watch anime for free.
What Makes It Great
- 100% ad-free streaming.
- 10k+ anime titles with daily updates.
- Subbed and dubbed anime available.
- Watch history, auto-next & filters included.
Limitations
- Unlicensed content with copyright risks.
- Smaller library than 9Anime and Crunchyroll.
- Occasional buffering from server load.
- Not a legal free anime website option.
3.4 Zoro.to — Free Anime with 4K & Custom Playback
Ratings:
How to access: https://www.zoroto.se/
Zoro.to has more than 15,000 anime shows. You can set your own playback speed and bookmark the series you love. Pop-ups appear now and then, but way fewer than on other free sites.
What Makes It Great
- 15k+ anime titles including rare OVAs and specials.
- Up to 4K streaming.
- Multi-language subtitles (English, Spanish, French, etc.).
- Custom playback speeds.
Limitations
- Unlicensed content with copyright risks.
- Occasional pop-ups.
- Some links redirect to malicious sites.
- No official app, browser-only streaming.
- Not a legitimate free anime website.
4. Download Anime Movies in MP4 for Offline Viewing
While many free anime websites don't offer official download options, third-party tools like Flixicam allow you to download your favorite anime movies for offline viewing — perfect for when you can't watch anime online.
FlixiCam StreamOne is a powerful video download tool designed for anime fans. It works with 1000+ websites, including all the big anime platforms like Crunchyroll and Bilibili.tv. It supports downloading from both legal and unofficial platforms. You can download anime movies and shows as MP4 or MKV files in 1080p HD quality, retaining multi-language audio tracks and subtitle options.
What Make FlixiCam the Top Choice:
- Download videos from over 1000 sites including Crunchyroll, Tubi, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu and more in MP4/MKV format.
- Built-in web player for direct search & playback.
- Keep downloads forever for offline access.
- Support batch download videos in 5x speed.
- Transfer MP4 files to any devices such as TVs, tablets, USB drives, and more.
- Remove ads from downloads regardless of your plan.
- Comes with multilingual subtitles support for flexible viewing.
Compatibility: Windows 7/8/10/11, macOS 10.15 or later.
Tutorial: How to Download Anime Movies from Crunchyroll with FlixiCam
- Download FlixiCam and open it. Choose Crunchyroll platform in the main interface.
- Search for the anime titles you want to download on Crunchyroll. You can watch, search and browse the anime directly in FlixiCam built-in browser.
- Personalize the output settings so as to better manage your selection of anime.
- Click the download to start the downloading process. Here you can make batch download.
- FlixiCam supports 5x download speed. After downloading anime, you can check the anime in the library which is locally and permanently saved.
5. FAQs About Free Anime Sites
1. How can I avoid ads on free anime sites?
Legal free anime sites may force you to watch ads on their free tiers; a subscription is needed to remove ads. For unofficial free anime websites, you can use an ad-blocker to block most ads. But some sites detect ad-blockers and block access. For a smoother, ad-free anime watch, we recommend using FlixiCam to download anime shows to MP4 for offline playback.
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2. Are free anime sites safe to use?
Legal free anime websites to watch (like Crunchyroll and Tubi TV) are totally safe to use. They have official permission to show anime, so there's no malware at all. These are the best free sites to watch anime if you want to enjoy shows without any worry.
3. Can I watch anime for free in 4K resolution?
Yes, but most free anime websites to watch with 4K quality are unofficial ones like AniWatch.to and Zoro.to. The legal best free sites to watch anime usually only go up to 1080p. You need to pay for a premium subscription if you want 4K on those legal sites.
4. Why are some anime titles region-locked?
Region-locking happens because of copyright and licensing rules between streaming sites and Japanese anime studios, so an anime you can watch for free on top sites in Southeast Asia may be unavailable in other regions.
5. Do free anime sites offer dubbed content?
Most free websites to watch anime offer subbed and dubbed versions. Legal platforms like Crunchyroll have tons of dubbed shows, while unofficial ones such as 9Anime have even more options. Note that some old or niche anime may only be available with subtitles.
Final Words
I'm sure one of these 12 anime websites will be perfect for you to easily watch all your favorite anime movies and shows. If you prefer to enjoy anime without ads, use FlixiCam to download anime in MP4 format — it will make watching anime so much more fun!
Ashley Wood | Senior Writer
