15 Best 9Anime Alternatives that Work in 2025

For many years, 9Anime was the one-stop destination for anime fans to watch their favorite anime shows and movies. It had an intuitive and well-designed interface, an extensive library, and offered regular content updates.

However, in 2025, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, a global coalition, banned 9Anime due to its copyrighted content. In 2023, the site rebranded itself to a new name, “AniWave,” but it shut down, too, leaving many fans to look for other suitable options.

If you’re one of them, keep reading to discover the 15 best sites like 9Anime to watch your favorite anime online. However, be aware of the ads and malware risks present on each of these websites.

The Best 9Anime Alternatives in 2025: Quick List

Short on time? Here’s a quick list of the best 9Anime alternatives working in 2025:

How to Stream Safely on Sites Like 9Anime?

There are many risks associated with using free streaming websites. Most contain malware and can compromise your security and privacy. Others are geo-restricted, so it can be hard to access them from some places.

However, a VPN provides a simple solution for anime fans. Here’s how to bypass geo-blocks and stream content on 9Anime or its alternative sites:

Other steps to take:

What is 9Anime, and What Happened to it?

9Anime was a well-known anime streaming website that launched back in 2016. It brought anime closer and made its name popular with fans worldwide, reaching about 39 million monthly visits during its peak in 2020. Due to its role in the illegal but global distribution of anime, it was thus called “a major player in anime piracy.”

9Anime’s popularity largely stemmed from a growing global anime audience and extremely limited or premium anime streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, Funimation, and VRV. Most fans, therefore, switched to the site and its numerous mirrors and proxies, costing studios millions of dollars. This made shutting down the 9Anime a priority for copyright enforcement organizations.

While many enforcement agencies have targeted the website, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment was the most relentless and long-lasting. They targeted the website several times, especially in 2022 and 2023. Towards the end of 2023, 9 Anime started redirecting to a new website called AniWave, which also offers anime content.

In August 2025, 9Anime and several other copyright-violating websites finally went offline. This was after intense pressure from the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment and the Vietnamese police, where it’s reported that the app is based.

15 Best Anime Platforms Like 9Anime: Detailed List

1. AniWave

AniWave is the new look and website of 9Anime. It retains all the qualities of its predecessor, such as a great selection of anime shows and a highly intuitive interface. The platform is accessible worldwide and is also available for a larger audience.

Streaming content is totally free, but you can also sign up and join anime-related conversations. However, as it doesn’t ask for a subscription, it displays a lot of ads that can be malicious and sometimes redirect you to inappropriate content whenever you try to stream a title.

While AniWave offers a plethora of features, it’s still an unlicensed site that has been shut down many times. However, it continues its operations through many of its proxy links. We advise users not to click on any ads they see, as they can harm their devices. Also, it’s better to hide your IP address with a VPN like ExtremeVPN.

2. Tubi

Tubi is a popular 9Anime alternative that offers a vast library of anime movies and TV shows online. Not only does it host movie titles, but it also offers licensed anime content for fans. You can enjoy popular shows like Naruto, One-Punch Man, and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure on this site without any legal issues.

The platform has a well-organized mobile app and website that is compatible with almost all devices and systems. It also offers limited parental control features, allowing you to record shows and even manage your watchlist.

However, Tubi only works in the US. If you’re anywhere outside of the US, you will need a VPN to access its content. Moreover, as it is a free service, it might not offer all seasons of shows, and the library can change with time.

3. Chia-Anime

While there are many free anime streaming platforms available, only a few are as convenient and user-friendly as Chia-Anime. With this website, you can quickly scroll through its list of classic and recent anime productions and easily select and stream the one you want.

While reviewing Chia Anime, we liked that clicking on any link takes you directly to what you wish to watch, unlike most websites that redirect you to inappropriate web pages. The only ad you’ll encounter on this website is well-positioned toward the side of the screen and doesn’t interfere with your browsing or streaming.

Another great thing is that you don’t need to depend on subtitles to watch anime every time, as it offers English dubbed versions for most of its content. The site also has a search button if you have a particular anime title in mind.

Users can also filter shows by studio, genre, season, status, and categories. The videos available on the platform are relatively of high quality, similar to 9Anime. However, you may not find the recent anime titles here.

4. Anime-Planet

Anime-Planet is a free and legal alternative to 9Anime. Unlike other entries on this list with no known owners or sources, it is run by fans for fans, has major social media pages, and even manages a Patreon where you can support its activities.

Due to partnerships with production studios like VIZ Media and Crunchyroll, the platform is able to offer its shows and series for free. However, this significantly limits the shows you can choose from and prevents you from accessing the trending and newest anime releases, like One Piece and Bleach (the rereleased version).

The shows on the website are available in moderately high quality. You can also create an account and join conversations around the show you just watched or start discussions. On Anime Planet, you can discover new shows, add them to your list, and see recommendations for similar series to the ones you’ve selected.

5. GoGoAnime

GoGoAnime ranks among the best free anime sites like 9Anime. Its dark interface gives it a sleek and visually appealing look, which is further enhanced by its well-organized website. The site allows you to stream virtually every famous and obscure anime title. Even OVAs and feature films are available for dedicated anime fans who want to expand their understanding of a series.

GoGoAnime also provides direct links to KissAnime and 9Anime, two of the biggest streaming platforms for anime in the world. So, if there’s any show you can’t find on the platform, you can easily switch to either of these sites and find the show there. However, note that the 9Anime link is a proxy site, so you should take certain security measures.

The website can sometimes redirect you to harmful websites, so you must be cautious when leaving your digital footprint. Or you can explore GoGoAnime alternatives to have a more seamless streaming journey.

6. AniWatch

AniWatch is another great option to watch recent episodes of popular anime TV shows and even new releases. The website adds episodes to its database the moment they air in Japan, and you can typically stream them a couple of hours after release.

AniWatch has many useful features, various key selling points, and competitive advantages. It has a spotless interface designed for quick and easy navigation. It also doesn’t have ads on its web pages, although it redirects to other websites when you sometimes click buttons. Streaming any show on the site is free, but you may need to create an account to join conversations.

7. Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll is one of the best 9Anime alternatives to stream any possible anime show or movie available. Already an established platform, it acquired Funimation, its closest competitor, in 2022, further expanding its dominance of the industry. Thus, it is the de facto home of anything classic or modern anime.

Crunchyroll is a legal, ad-supported platform, which means you won’t be facing any legal trouble watching content here. If you don’t want the ads, you may need to subscribe to its premium plan, costing around $7.99/month. If you want an anime title you can’t find here, it may be time to travel to Japan.

The platform provides subbed and dubbed versions of anime, catering to a diverse audience and quelling arguments. New series are added here only one hour after they air in Japan, and they are available in high quality. However, it has geo-restrictions and you’ll need a VPN to access it from some parts of the world.

Crunchyroll even allows users to play anime-based games, adding an extra element of fun. It has been the top streaming choice for fans of anime, winning multiple awards in the process. However, as its free plan is limited, you must create an account and pay periodic subscription fees to explore premium offerings.

8. Animeland

Animeland gives you free access to some well-known and unknown anime series. Despite some of its drawbacks, like an outdated UI and being overrun with ads, it provides some unique features like a vast library of dubbed anime, video downloading, and even movies, making its name popular among anime lovers.

The ads littered throughout this website, though, make it very difficult to navigate and hinder a pleasant streaming experience. Aside from having a premium and working VPN service like ExtremeVPN, you should also consider having an ad blocker that automatically disables or blocks all these harmful ads.

9. AnimeFrenzy

AnimeFrenzy is the latest anime streaming site with great promises. While it is not necessarily in the same category as 9Anime in terms of popularity, catalog, and features, it still offers many great features. It boasts modern and well-followed anime and manga titles, like Kaiju No 8, Solo Levelling, and Jujutsu Kaisen.

Users can also explore the “AZ list,” though it is the only category available. The website has a very basic and linear structure compared to others on this list. However, if you prefer functionality over aesthetics, this would not matter much to you.

AnimeFrenzy doesn’t provide any sorting or filtering options, but if you know the anime’s title, you can find it using the search box. Also, the site hosts pirated content, which makes it illegal to stream. Make sure to hide your IP address with a VPN like ExtremeVPN so that your ISPs don’t track you while watching anime here.

10. KickAssAnime

KickAssAnime is another great site similar to 9Anime that has a massive catalog of anime content, both old and new. The platform is infamous for the Not-Safe-For-Work (NSFW) materials spread throughout the website.

The homepage contains a plethora of animated titles and provides quick navigation links to trending and random animes and other popular shows. Its search bar is located at its top center, making it easy to search and even easier to find your desired shows.

Beyond the NSFW materials, this website also contains many pop-up ads and notifications. It redirects to various harmful websites where your information could be stolen, so it is crucial to use an antivirus and connect to a VPN like ExtremeVPN while browsing the site.

11. KissAnime

KissAnime holds a special place in the hearts of many anime fans. It is one of the oldest and most dependable free anime streaming sites. Although it has faced its fair share of attacks by copyright enforcers and has been shut down on occasions – it has managed to remain active and avoid further bans and blocks by leveraging mirror and proxy links.

As an old platform, KissAnime has undergone numerous changes, although all have stayed true to the original. You can browse through its wide range of anime series and movies by scrolling up and down on the homepage or using a quick filter on the right side to find a title faster.

You can also see the all-time most popular animes for the week and month. Additionally, the site allows you to schedule series to watch later, bookmark them, or even switch between light and dark mode at the top right corner.

The website occasionally experiences downtime and may not be accessible at times. Hence, users go with other sites similar to KissAnime to continue streaming.

12. AnimeLab

AnimeLab is among those free and legal sites that let you watch anime and other East Asian content in high quality. A treasure trove, the site offers every category of shows across different ages and genres. Streaming is almost instantaneous, and you can even download anime shows to your device to stream later.

The original site was acquired by Funimation and is now a subsidiary of Crunchyroll, further expanding its streaming empire. The current active sites look like mirror links and may not have direct ties to the original network.

So, while AnimeLab offered its services in partnership with production studios, these mirror websites display inappropriate ads and scammy redirects to stay active. This makes them extremely dangerous, and we recommend using an antivirus and a VPN when streaming here.

13. AnimeFreak

AnimeFreak is a top 9Anime alternative, offering subbed and dubbed anime for a wide variety of content. The site offers anime for Chinese and Korean mangas or manhwas. Users can also explore categories like “Trending,” “Top Airing,” and “Popular.”

Anime Freak also has a solid reputation, having been around for long with very little law enforcement attention. However, it has also been shut down and banned on one or two occasions.

The greatest concerns regarding this website revolve around its safety and security and the sheer number of ads. There are so many ads and interruptions that simply clicking the play button on an anime episode is a serious hassle.

14. HiAnime

HiAnime aims to provide a safe and clean space for anime enthusiasts – most of whom have nothing more than to settle for the many unsafe and spammy websites online.

There was an increase in searches related to anime topics, indicating more interest in the media and HiAnime is capitalizing on this by hosting anime across different categories on its website.

This platform stands out for being safe and ad-free, providing an enjoyable streaming experience. Although it may lack some major names or recent releases, it makes up for all of that with an intuitive user interface and seamless streaming sessions.

15. Anime Heaven

Anime Heaven is a site that allows you to watch subbed anime. It lets you discover non-mainstream anime titles with surprisingly interactive plots and even better animation.

Anime Heaven has a compact design, allowing you to scroll through its featured anime quickly. If there’s a series not available on this page, you can easily search for it. Being a free site, though, you may encounter ads on occasion or not find some titles. Also, most of its content available is pirated, so it has legal issues and risks.

Why You Should Look for an Alternative to 9Anime?

9Anime has captivated many fans with its features, making it a number-one hub for anime content worldwide. These features include, but are not limited to, its global availability, ease of use, wide range of content, and high-quality videos. However, you may need an alternative for it for various reasons. These include:

• Geo-blocks: The site is blocked in various parts of the world, so you may not access it if you live in any of those regions.
• Server downtimes: Due to the lack of proper security measures, the site’s servers lag sometimes, making it difficult to watch anime episodes.
• Security and legality issues: Since 9Anime is a free website, it offers content without proper rights. Plus, it displays many ads that contain harmful software that can affect your device.

To be safe online, always ensure you’re using a top-notch VPN like ExtremeVPN. It hides your IP address and protects malicious identities to track your location.

Why Use a VPN for Streaming on Platforms Like 9Anime?

As mentioned above, free anime websites usually contain harmful advertisements and malware. Plus, most of these are illegal and banned in several countries worldwide. Thus, they are often subject to shutdowns or legal concerns.

ISP throttling is another issue you might face on free services. Your internet service providers (ISPs) might throttle your internet speed to reduce bandwidth congestion. Users can also get fined for streaming on platforms that are illegal in their country.

The problems aren’t just limited to free websites, though. Even if you pick a premium platform, it often contains geo-blocks, like Tubi is only available in the US. So what to do in this situation? A VPN is the most dependable tool that solves all these issues and more.

A premium VPN like ExtremeVPN protects you and your devices from online threats. It hides your IP address from internet service providers, governments, and other entities, thus preventing ISPs from throttling your internet connection and tracking online activities.

Plus, with over 6,500 servers in 78 countries worldwide, you can easily bypass geo-restrictions. Just connect to a privacy-friendly country like Switzerland and access any platform you want from anywhere.

How to Choose the Best Alternatives to 9Anime

With so many options available, choosing the right one can become difficult. Hence, we considered the following features when looking for 9Anime alternatives:

• Content catalog: Websites with a broader range of content offerings provide users with more options and have a higher chance of making this list. Some platforms that particularly excel in this area are Crunchyroll and GoGoAnime.
• Free streaming: Every website mentioned here is free, except that of Crunchyroll. This is not to say that Crunchyroll is fully paid – it offers a free plan with ads, but it requires you to make a payment to enjoy its premium experience.
• Streaming quality: All the sites on our list offer high-quality videos to enhance the streaming experience. Some let you stream in quality up to 720p, while others allow up to 1080p.

Is 9Anime Safe?

9Anime is a free streaming website that displays the same characteristics that are now typical of virtually all other free anime sites. It contains a boatload of inappropriate ads, redirects to spammy and scammy sites, and has numerous popups. All of these make the platform unsafe, as they could potentially lead to data loss, data theft, or hacking.

Rather than using 9Anime, we recommend legal and safer options like Tubi and Crunchyroll, which both have strong data protection policies and some free shows. If you must use 9Anime, consider observing certain security measures, including enabling an antivirus, setting up a VPN, and avoiding dropping your personal details and information everywhere.

9Anime Proxy Sites (Updated 2025)

Although 9Anime official website shut down due to copyright infringement, it still operates through several of its proxy websites. These websites offer the same content catalog and share a similar web design.

Here are the top 9Anime mirror sites that are working at the time of writing:

Sr No.	Mirror/Proxy	Status
1.	https://9animetv.to/	Active
2.	https://9anime.org.lv/	Active
3.	https://9anime-tv.com/	Active
4	https://wvv4.9anime.com.pl/	Active

Note: These proxy links contain malicious ads and redirects that can compromise your device’s security. If you wish to visit them, be aware and don’t click on any popups or ads. Also use an antivirus and a VPN like ExtremeVPN.

Are Alternatives to 9Anime Illegal?

9Anime and every other similar site to it are illegal under many jurisdictions. They violate numerous copyright protection laws and are notorious for piracy. This is why they’re frequently targeted by enforcement agencies.

Some free anime sites like Tubi, Crunchyroll, Anime-Planet, and AnimeLab are legal as they host content with proper rights. However, those sites that offer content without the consent of owners are considered illegal in many parts of the world.

We recommend checking the site’s legality status before you wish to stream anime on any of these sites. In areas with stern copyright protection laws, you could face jail terms if caught using these websites.

Where the laws are more flexible, the penalty could be fines or light sentencing. In any case, it’s important to protect yourself by checking whether or not you’re allowed to stream on these sites.

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