The anime industry continues to grow exponentially, reaching over $19 billion in 2023, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Fortunately, fans can enjoy a wide range of anime series and movies for free, although this might mean missing out on some exclusive Netflix originals. Whether you're curious about the buzz around "Solo Leveling," eager for a "Naruto" marathon, or looking to revisit classics like "Sailor Moon," there are plenty of legal options to explore.
If you're an anime enthusiast, you're likely aware of the numerous "risky" anime sites that often operate in legal gray areas or engage in outright piracy. However, the following list includes only those free anime sites that have secured legal streaming licenses, ensuring a safe and enjoyable viewing experience.
Here are the top platforms where you can watch anime for free:
Crunchyroll stands out as the premier streaming service for anime, offering a free, ad-supported tier that provides access to a selection of its vast library. The available content on Crunchyroll's free tier rotates with seasonal releases, making it an excellent way to catch up on the latest anime hits. Currently, you can enjoy the first season of popular series like "Solo Leveling," "Jujutsu Kaisen," and "Chainsaw Man." If a particular Premium show catches your interest, you can also opt for a 14-day free trial of Crunchyroll Premium.
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East Blue (Episode 1-61)
Tubi is renowned as one of the best free streaming platforms, offering a robust selection of anime thanks to licensing deals with Crunchyroll, Konami, GKIDS, and Viz Media. You'll find a mix of classics like "Naruto," "Pokémon," and "Sailor Moon," as well as beloved shoujo series such as "Toradora" and "Maid-Sama," and comedies like "Daily Lives of High School Boys." Tubi also boasts an impressive collection of anime movies, including works by acclaimed directors Satoshi Kon and Naoko Yamada.
Sling TV's Freestream platform consolidates various free streaming channels into one convenient service. Among these is RetroCrush, a dedicated free anime site focusing on nostalgic classics like "Ghost Stories" and "City Hunter." Additionally, Freestream offers previews of programming from Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, including the highly anticipated "Uzumaki" anime and the final season of "Attack on Titan."
Season 4
Viz Media, a key distributor of anime and manga in North America, offers free manga chapters on its website, but for anime, you'll need to look at physical releases. However, the Viz Media YouTube channel provides a substantial selection of free anime, including complete series like "InuYasha," "Naruto," and "Sailor Moon" movies.
Unfortunately, due to licensing agreements, ads are a necessary part of free streaming platforms. If you come across a streaming site without ads, it's likely operating in a legally questionable space. No judgment here, but be cautious.
Beyond Viz Media's official channel, YouTube is a treasure trove of free anime. While I won't direct you to specific content (or alert the copyright police), it's worth exploring to see if something you're interested in is available there.