Anime fans used to have it rough outside Japan, specifically in the US. Only a handful of shows made it to TV, and even those were usually changed with weird edits or subpar dubs. For the rest, fans had to trade fuzzy VHS tapes illegally or watch low-quality, blurry RealPlayer files of their favorite anime on scratched CDs. Looks like it wasn’t really easy to watch shows.
Thankfully, all that changed as legal video streaming services came into the picture. These platforms now offer extensive libraries of anime that you can freely explore from the comfort of your home. Not long after the Japanese premieres, anime fans could access dubbed and subtitled versions for the first time.
If you wish to start streaming your favorite titles online, we have tested and are now highlighting the 7 best legal anime websites to watch your desired anime content.
Top Legal Anime Streaming Websites – Quick List
Check out this list of the 7 best platforms offering Japanese anime in 2025.
- Hulu: The absolute best site for all your favorite classic animes, including Pokemon, Slayers, Trigun, and Cowboy Bebop. Its live TV option also has over 70 channels.
- Crunchyroll: Best platform to watch anime for free with subtitles. You will love its sizeable catalogue of over 1300 animes.
- Tubi: A completely free service that allows you to stream content legally.
- Netflix: Arguably, it is the best video streaming service offering entertaining anime, movies, and TV series. It also offers many high-quality originals.
- Hidive: A slightly obscure platform known for hosting less-known content.
- RetroCrush: Offers an incredibly fantastic free collection of vintage anime. This is the perfect place to find classics that may not be available elsewhere.
- Max: Best for its complete Studio Ghibli anime library.
The Best Anime Streaming Platforms – Detailed List
Before proceeding, you should note that some streaming services may be blocked or unavailable in your country. However, as long as there’s a will, there will surely be a way. Using a virtual private network (VPN), you can easily bypass the geo-restrictions and access your desired content on the service.
Besides helping with geo-blocks, VPNs are also very useful in protecting your privacy and data online. ExtremeVPN stands out as the best VPN for streaming anime in 2025.
1. Hulu
$9.99/month (with ads)
Offers discount for students
The basic plan contains ads
First on the list is Hulu, with a strong lineup of your favorite anime content. Hulu boasts over 300 anime series and movies in the four major genres–Isekai, Seinen, Shounen, and Shoujo. You can easily watch the dubbed version of Naruto and Boruto on this platform. Hulu hosts classic anime shows like Pokémon, Akira, and Sailor Moon.
If you’re a parent concerned about what your kids watch, you can also find many child-friendly content here. Then, you can rest assured about finding appropriately rated content on Hulu with shows like Banaya, Digimon, and Yu-Gi-Oh in its extensive catalog. Other shows on Hulu include Tengoku Daimakyo, its original series, adapted from a Japanese manga about man-eating monsters in a dystopian landscape.
Hulu has a massive content catalog at an affordable subscription fee compared to other streaming services. Aside from its remarkable collection of anime content, it also has a vast library of movies and TV shows. Hulu offers over 70 entertainment, news, and sports channels, making it perfect for anybody seeking streaming convenience without abandoning traditional live TV.
How much does it cost?
Hulu does not have a free version. However, it does offer a 30-day free trial that you can try out before committing to a paid subscription. The basic on-demand plan starts at $9.99 per month, but occasional ads might pop up here and there with this plan. If you don’t want distractions while streaming your anime, you can opt for the ad-free version, currently priced at $18.99 monthly.
What’s more exciting is that Hulu offers a discount for students. If you’re a college or university student, you can get the ad-supported version for only $1.99 monthly. Live TV add-ons are also available on the platform. So, you can buy the Hulu + Live TV plan at $82.99 per month. This plan combines Hulu’s TV service with the ad-supported streaming plan.
That’s not all. All Hulu subscribers also enjoy the Enhanced Cloud DVR, which extends the available storage to up to 200 hours. Hulu allows only two simultaneous streams on all its plans. If you’d like to enjoy streaming on more than two devices, add the Unlimited Screens package to your current plan for an additional $9.99 monthly.
2. Crunchyroll
$7.99/month
All plans support HD streaming
User interface is a bit cluttered
As a diehard streaming enthusiast, Crunchyroll could be the best place to watch anime. It offers the biggest anime collection yet, with over 1,300 titles in its library. You’ll also love it because it offers a legal and convenient way to watch anime content that would not have been freely available in the West years ago.
The platform has a vast collection of anime movies, series, manga, and foreign dramas. Popular shows you can expect to find here include Death Note, Attack on Titan, FLCL, One-Punch Man, Hunter X Hunter, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Yuri!!! on Ice, and many Naruto Series.
Besides hosting anime content, Crunchyroll has original series, such as The Rising of the Shield Hero, In/Spectre, and A Place Further Than the Universe. The majority of the content on Crunchyroll is subtitled. However, that shouldn’t be a problem if you’re an anime purist who prefers the original voice actors to dubbed versions. The platform also maintains a solid lineup of up to 40 simulcast shows.
Most of the content here has subs, but since it absorbed Funimation and VRV, Crunchyroll’s dubbed library is much more extensive. Besides streaming anime, you can also buy relevant manga, merch, and more from the Crunchyroll shop.
It also has apps you can download on various streaming devices, like iOS and Android for mobile phones and Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, and Fire TV for your desktop or notebook. What’s more? Crunchyroll offers apps for many gaming consoles, including PS5, Xbox series, and Nintendo Switch.
How much does it cost?
Crunchyroll has a free version, thankfully. Both free and paid versions of this platform allow you to stream anime in HD quality. However, you must subscribe to a premium plan to eliminate ads. Premium plans range from $7.99 to $15.99 per month and will let you access a wider range of content and features.
For example, you can enjoy up to 6 simultaneous streams and offline downloads on multiple devices. Take advantage of the 14-day free trial to fully explore the paid plan’s offerings.
3. Tubi
Next on our list is Tubi, another great streaming service. However, unlike Crunchyroll, it has no paid versions. Yes, it’s totally 100% free. The platform not only hosts anime but also features an extensive library of movies and TV shows across various genres.
You can enjoy popular shows like Naruto, One-Punch Man, and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure with Tubi. You should know that not all seasons of the shows may be available on the platform, and the library can change with time.
Tubi is the perfect option if you’re looking for a free anime streaming service that doesn’t feel cheap. The mobile apps and website have clean interfaces, with all content organized neatly into descriptive categories. Parental control features are also available on Tubi, even though they’re limited. What’s more? Tubi records the animes, movies, or series you watch and allows you to 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. ExtremeVPN offers hundreds of US servers that you can connect to.
Our only major concern with Tubi is that the streaming resolution does not exceed 720p quality. Also, as you may have expected, it doesn’t support offline downloads for mobile devices. However, the ads and resolution limitations on Tubi are a small price to pay for the top-tier, free viewing experience it delivers.
How much does it cost?
Tubi is a completely free streaming service. It offers no paid plans.
4. Netflix
$7.99/month (with ads)
High-quality original programs available
Has regional restrictions
As one of the best anime streaming services of 2025, Netflix does host an impressive content catalog. It has about 200 anime movies and series as part of its massive library, including several originals like Cyberpunk 2077 – a global hit that renewed people’s in the video game it was based on. Netflix’s sizeable anime catalogue includes Yasuke, Aggrestuko, Beastars, and Cannon Busters.
You can also find Japanese favorites like the Vinland Saga or South Korean series like Lookism, which are based on high school life. If it’s child-friendly animes you seek, Netflix has you covered with shows like My Neighbour Totoro and Naruto. Explicit shows that are definitely not for youngsters, like Baki and Devilman Crybaby, are also plenty on Netflix.
Then, we have the platform’s constantly growing library of original programming, which outclasses other streaming services. All in all, Netflix should be one of the top places to look when streaming your favorite animes or any American movie or series. It is undoubtedly an industry standard for streaming video content, with new titles featuring monthly on the platform.
Netflix stole the hearts of many anime lovers by having popular anime titles on the platform that hadn’t been found anywhere for years. It’s worth mentioning that users in some parts of the world may suffer from geographical limitations. Using a VPN, you can effortlessly bypass the restrictions and stream away. ExtremeVPN works best with Netflix and unlocks unlimited content regardless of location.
That being said, since anime licenses are often pricey, Netflix might not be an ideal go-to place to watch all your favorite latest series. For example, Attack on Titan is still only in its first season on Netflix, whereas other services like Crunchyroll have all the seasons. Also, anime shows that aren’t Netflix originals don’t appear on the platform as quickly as others. So, if you’re looking to stream a new episode or newly released anime movie, chances are Netflix doesn’t have it yet.
How much does it cost?
Netflix is for people willing to pay premium prices to enjoy premium content. It recently increased the cost of two of its advanced subscription plans. The basic plan on Netflix starts from $7.99 per month. This plan lets you stream unlimited standard content on just one device.
The Standard tier, which costs $17.99 monthly (raised from $13.99), allows you to stream HD-quality content and supports concurrent streams on up to two devices. The best-in-class Premium tier now costs $24.99 monthly (raised from $17.99). This plan supports simultaneous streaming on up to four devices and lets you access 4K content when available.
Notably, Netflix doesn’t offer a free trial anymore.
5. Hidive
$6/month
Offers dubs and simulcast shows
Only a few recognisable titles
Hidive hosts a library of less popular content, so chances are you’ll find that scarce anime here. This website’s library has titles that excite anime lovers looking to dig deep. Some shows you can see here include Made in Abyss, Food Wars!, and Darwin’s Game.
Cultural standards often differ across countries, so as an anime fan, you must be used to some level of censorship on some anime streaming services. Well, you can rest easy knowing that Hidive is an uncensored platform. It even contains mature exclusives if that’s more to your taste.
We agree that Hidive’s interface one-ups Crunchyroll’s. While Crunchyroll lists subs and dubs of the same show as separate seasons, Hidive works more like Netflix, allowing you to switch easily between dubs and subs while watching the show. To watch your animes comfortably on Hidive, we recommend using the browser rather than the app.
How much does it cost?
Hidive doesn’t offer any of its content for free. It has no free version. If you want to watch any anime on this platform, subscribe to its paid plans, starting from $6 monthly. Either that or at least sign up for its 7-day free trial.
6. RetroCrush
Free
Offer simultaneous streams on multiple devices
Small content library, even with paid plan
Classic anime should be seen as a genre in itself. As you can probably tell from the name, RetroCrush offers a carefully curated trove of vintage series and full-length anime features. Due to the platform’s focus on older movies and series, you won’t find much of its collection on any other site.
RetroCrush is a free anime streaming service that can help you enjoy your favorite shows. For a free service, you would expect tons of ads to pop up on the site, but the user experience is surprisingly decent. You can watch all the shows in its library without enduring too many ads.
That being said, while RetroCrush is top tier in classics, its entire library is not very impressive compared to other anime streaming platforms. RetroCrush currently has around 100 shows and 40 movies of dubbed and subbed content in its library.
If you don’t like what the newbies are into these days, anime from 20 to 30 years ago will surely give you a nostalgia blast. Some series you can expect to find on RetroCrush include Golgo, Urusei Yatsura, and Devil Lady. You should check out RetroCrush if you care more about these classics than popular shows like Attack on Titan.
How much does it cost?
RetroCrush offers a free anime streaming service. Recently, it has upgraded to offering a paid tier starting at $4.99 per month. This plan lets you eliminate ads and unlock access to exclusive, uncensored titles.
7. Max
$9.99/month (with ads)
Well-organized library
Uncertain corporate future
Last but not least on our list of the best anime streaming services is Max. We recommend this platform to anime fans mainly because of its Studio Ghibli library. However, you should hold your horses before rushing to Max for anime! While it houses the complete Studio Ghibli collection (think Howl’s Moving Castle and hidden gems like Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind), their future on the platform is shaky since Max has been shaking things up lately.
Since Discovery bought Warner Bros, they’re tidying their digital attic, sometimes throwing out even finished shows! It’s for tax reasons, so we don’t know whether the animes on the platform will disappear without warning. We should still give credit where it’s due. Besides Ghibli, they have excellent anime movies like Weathering With You, Promare, and even the 2022 film Belle.
However, for hardcore anime series fans seeking a huge library of titles, Max cannot provide that wholesome service at this point. The selection is small. You can consider it a bonus if you already have Max for its other offerings, like the HBO content, not specifically for anime. Overall, if Studio Ghibli is your jam, Max might be worth a peek. Otherwise, proceed cautiously, knowing their anime offerings might vanish like a ninja at night.
How much does it cost?
Max is not a free service and doesn’t offer a free trial. The pricing starts from $9.99 – $20.99 per month or $99.99 – $209.99 per year.
Which of the Streaming Services has the Best Anime?
One of the biggest and most obvious ways to differentiate between anime streaming services is their catalog sizes. Crunchyroll dominates the anime scene with a massive library of 1,300 series, boosted by its recent mergers with VRV and Funimation in 2022. While both Netflix and Hulu have respectable collections of around 200-300 titles of anime movies and series combined, they fall short of Crunchyroll’s crown.
Hidive also has about 500 not-so-common anime in its library. RetroCrush offers 100 shows and 40 movies. You can choose your anime adventure based on the library size that suits your cravings.
Anime Subs vs. Dubs: Which is Best?
There’s an ongoing battle between subtitle enthusiasts (the purists, if you will) and those favoring English dubs (considered by some as less authentic). This debate is as heated as Japan’s Meiji period or the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Luckily, many streaming services have recognized the value of offering both options. The truth is that both methods have their merits.
In 2016, the collaboration between Crunchyroll and Funimation led to Funimation handling dubs and Crunchyroll taking charge of subs. Now, with both services integrated into the single brand, anime fans can enjoy a convenient one-stop shop for subtitled and dubbed content.
Regarding Netflix, they’ve covered you with several languages and subtitles for most of their content. On the other hand, Hulu is a bit hit-or-miss with subtitled shows, but they offer Japanese language options for most anime. The catch is that videos with subtitles and dubbed versions on Hulu are treated as separate entities rather than integrated into the video player. Crunchyroll, RetroCrush, and Hidive follow a similar pattern, presenting subbed and dubbed videos as distinct options. It might be annoying, but you can choose.
How to Catch Anime in Real-time
Traditional television and movie imports always came with a hefty price tag and the frustrating wait for sporadic releases. Fortunately, the internet has ushered in a solution: simulcasts. The top streaming services dedicated to contemporary anime now offer some simulcast programming.
While the term might suggest an instant release, it’s typically a matter of hours after the episode premieres in Japan. Simulcasts keep fans at the forefront of the anime scene, fueling its popularity in a way that binge-watching can’t match.
Again, Crunchyroll is currently leading the pack with around 45 shows in its simulcast lineup. Other services offer far fewer.
Ever since its merger with Funimation, Crunchyroll has also introduced a unique feature called SimulDub. This service covers approximately 25 shows, releasing new English dubs on the same day they air in Japan. This is an impressive turnaround for dub lovers, and they’re hopeful that the newly united Crunchyroll will keep up the trend.
On Which Devices Can I Watch Anime Online?
Nowadays, your devices generally support most of the available streaming services. Simply use your laptop, tablet, or any web browser to effortlessly access the latest streaming services. Additionally, these services provide convenient apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing you to enjoy your favorite anime on the go. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the bus, at the park, or even during lunch breaks; you can always tune in to watch your favorite anime.
Most streaming services allow at least two concurrent streams, meaning a person can watch on the TV while another enjoys a separate show on a different device. Interestingly, RetroCrush doesn’t require you to create an account to use it. So, if you’re all about keeping it simple, it should be one of your top choices.
If you would rather download shows to watch offline, you would be happy to learn that Crunchyroll now supports video downloads for offline viewing on mobile. Other premium services also jump on the train with this same feature in their paid tiers.
The TV experience is not a major differentiator anymore, either. This is because watching anime on bigger screens is still possible as media streaming devices become more prevalent and affordable. You can access all the anime streaming sites mentioned in this article on Chromecasts, Apple TVs, Fire TV Sticks, and Rokus. However, support for game consoles is a different story. RetroCrush is unavailable on any gaming console, but you can access Hulu and Crunchyroll on the Nintendo Switch.
Services that Offer More than Just Anime
Some platforms go the extra mile beyond just offering anime since it’s a niche genre driven by enthusiasts. Take Crunchyroll, for example. Apart from hosting anime, it boasts an active community forum and an online store. Admittedly, the store’s layout could improve compared to other services, but opting for the premium tier comes with perks like bonuses and entries to special events.
Now, RetroCrush takes a simpler approach. It lacks some community features and doesn’t even have a shop, but that’s expected since it’s a free service. Hidive, however, allows you to create and share chat rooms where you can watch anime with others and even add your commentary.
Crunchyroll also has digital comics. It features an interesting digital catalog of mangas that you can read on a web browser. Also, with a DC Universe Infinite membership, you can access up to 25,000 comics online. The platform is now entirely focused on comics, as its original shows like Harley Quinn and Doom Patrol are now on HBO Max.
How to Find the Perfect Anime Streaming Platform
What works best for us might not be your own best option. You must seriously consider the following factors and your preferences to select the right service for you.
1. Pricing
Even budget-conscious viewers can enjoy anime thanks to platforms like Crunchyroll and Tubi, which offer free versions. However, the free tiers often come with ads and limited access. Most platforms require a subscription fee to enjoy an ad-free experience. On-demand services like Netflix and Max often offer more wallet-friendly prices than live TV services like YouTube TV and Fubo. You can watch for the pricing tiers on anime streaming sites and explore the additional features you can access for a little extra each month.
2. Simultaneous Streams for Household Viewing
Households with many different viewers will benefit from platforms that allow multiple streams simultaneously. Some services, like Crunchyroll, offer up to 6 concurrent streams in their paid tiers, whereas others, like Hulu, have more limitations. So, you may have to pay more to enjoy multiple streams on different devices. This trade-off is worth it if it will help avoid stupid remote-control fights at home.
3. Subbed or Dubbed Anime
The subbed or dubbed debate may continue forever among anime fans because people will always prefer two options. Some platforms cater to both preferences, offering both English-dubbed and subtitled content, while others only offer one or the other. Choose a platform that offers your preferred style for an immersive viewing experience.
4. Content Library
The heart of any streaming service lies in its content lineup. In this case, your focus should be the service’s anime library. If there are specific titles you crave, a bit of research goes a long way to find platforms that offer them. Consider how vital timeliness is to you; platforms like Hulu and Crunchyroll provide next-day access to certain titles.
Netflix, however, takes its time to upload content. You can tell that it still only has the first season of Attack on Titan, even though seasons two, three, and four are now available. Also, think about what other content the platform provides. If your household isn’t all about anime, a platform like Netflix or Hulu, offering a variety of genres, might be worth considering.
5. Parental Guidance and Control
Animated doesn’t always mean kid-friendly, so not all anime movies and shows are appropriate for a younger audience. Some anime titles contain scenes with violence, nudity, and other graphic content that you might want to keep away from kids.
Platforms like Netflix offer parental controls, empowering adults to manage their children’s content access and ensure age-appropriate viewing. Even some free services like Tubi offer parental control, though their features might be limited.
FAQs
