If you love anime, you have probably searched things like “where can I watch anime for free”, “free anime streaming sites,” or “watch anime online free.” When you do this, you see many different websites and apps. Some are legal and safe. Others are illegal and risky.

The good news is that you can watch a lot of anime online for free by using legal anime streaming services that show ads instead of charging you money. You do not need to depend on dangerous pirate sites.

This guide will explain:

• The difference between legal and illegal anime websites
• Common illegal anime sites and why you should avoid them
• The best legal websites and apps to watch anime free with ads
• Extra ways to watch anime online legally without paying
• How to stay safe while watching anime online

Legal vs. Illegal Anime Streaming Sites

When you look for free anime websites, it is important to know what type of site you are using.

Legal anime streaming sites are platforms that have licenses to show anime. They sign contracts with anime studios and distributors. They make money from ads, subscriptions, or both. Examples include services like Crunchyroll, Tubi, and Pluto TV. When you use them, you are watching anime online legally.

Illegal anime streaming sites (also called piracy sites) do not have permission to stream the shows. They upload and stream anime without paying the people who made it. This is copyright infringement.

Using legal sites is much better because:

• Your device is safer from viruses and malware.
• You usually get better video quality, with clear subtitles and dubs.
• You support the anime industry, so more shows can be created.

Illegal sites might sound tempting because they claim you can watch anime online free in HD with no ads, but they create many problems for you and for the people who make anime.

Common Illegal Anime Sites (Use at Your Own Risk)

You may hear people mention names like 9anime, HiAnime/AniWatch, Gogoanime, Kissanime, or Zoro.to when talking about free anime streaming sites. It is important to understand what these really are: they are illegal anime websites, not legal streaming platforms.

Here is how they are often described by users online:

• 9anime – Known for having a large anime library, but it streams shows without licenses from the creators.


• HiAnime / AniWatch – A huge piracy site that has even passed some legal streamers in visits, but it does not pay creators.


• Gogoanime – Another very popular site among fans who want unlicensed free anime; it is illegal in many countries.


• Kissanime – Was one of the most famous pirate anime platforms in the past. It has been shut down several times and often returns under new domains.


• Zoro.to – Streamed anime without permission, faced legal issues, and has changed names or gone offline.

Why These Sites Are Illegal and Risky

All of these unlicensed anime streaming sites share the same main problems:

1. Copyright Infringement: They stream anime without paying studios or distributors. This breaks copyright law and hurts the anime industry. Voice actors, artists, writers, and animators do not get paid for the views.

2. Security Threats: These sites are often packed with:

• Malicious ads
• Pop ups and redirects
• Fake “Play” and “Download” buttons

3. Unreliable Access: Because they are illegal, these websites are often shut down by governments, internet providers, or copyright owners. They then reappear with new names or web addresses. Your favorite show, or even your watch history, can vanish overnight.

Because of these issues, it is much smarter to avoid illegal anime streaming sites like 9anime, Gogoanime, HiAnime/AniWatch, Kissanime, and Zoro.to, and instead use legal free anime streaming websites.

Best Legal Websites to Watch Anime Online Free

You do not need illegal sites to enjoy anime. There are several legal anime streaming services that let you watch anime online free with ads. You get a safer experience and help support the people who make the shows.

Crunchyroll (Free Plan)

Crunchyroll is one of the best known anime streaming platforms. It has thousands of episodes and movies, including many recent hits.

With the free plan, you can:

• Watch many subbed anime series with ads
• Get good video quality (often HD)
• Use a free account to save your watchlist

Tubi

Tubi is a completely free, ad supported streaming service. It offers movies, live TV, and a growing anime section. You do not need to pay for a subscription.

On Tubi you can find:

• Classic and older anime shows
• Some dubbed anime and subbed anime
• A mix of genres, from action and fantasy to romance and comedy

Pluto TV

Pluto TV is another free, ad supported service. It works like live TV. Instead of picking every single episode, you can choose from live channels, including anime channels, and see what is playing right now. There is also a smaller on demand section where you can pick certain shows.

Pluto TV is good if you like to discover random anime without spending time scrolling. It is 100% legal and available in many regions.

RetroCrush

If you enjoy older shows, RetroCrush is a great choice. It focuses on retro anime from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. You will see series that can be hard to find on bigger platforms.

RetroCrush is free with ads, and some titles also have a dubbed option. There is a paid tier too, but you can watch a lot without it. This is one of the top classic anime streaming sites.

Anime Planet

Anime Planet is mostly an anime database and community site. You can use it to:

• Track what you have watched
• Read reviews
• Get anime recommendations

Official YouTube Channels

You can sometimes watch anime for free on YouTube through official channels. Anime studios, TV networks, or licensed distributors may upload:

• First episodes of new shows
• Full seasons of older series
• Anime movies, specials, or extra content

Free Anime Apps for Phones and Tablets

If you prefer watching on your phone or tablet, there are many free anime apps that are legal and safe. Most of the big legal streaming services have their own apps.

You can search the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for:

• Crunchyroll – Free with ads; lots of subbed anime and some dubs.
• Tubi – Free movies, TV shows, and anime; easy to use.
• Pluto TV – Live anime channels and some shows on demand.
• RetroCrush – Great for classic anime fans.

Other Legal Ways to Watch Anime Without Paying

Besides regular free streaming sites and apps, there are a few more ways to watch anime online legally without spending money directly.

One method is to use free trials from paid streaming services. Platforms like Crunchyroll Premium or Hulu (depending on your country) sometimes offer a free week or a free month to new users. During that time, you can watch anime in high quality with fewer or no ads.

If you try this, remember to:

• Read the terms of the trial
• Set a reminder to cancel before it renews, if you do not want to pay

You should not make many fake accounts just to get endless free trials. That breaks the rules and does not support the anime creators.

Another method is through library streaming apps. In some places, public libraries let you use apps like Hoopla or Kanopy for free if you have a library card. These apps sometimes include anime movies and series in their catalog. The selection is smaller, but everything there is legal and free for library users.

How to Stay Safe While Watching Anime Online

Whenever you type “watch anime free” or “free anime websites” into a search engine, you will see both legal and illegal results. To stay safe:

Stick to well known legal anime streaming sites like Crunchyroll, Tubi, Pluto TV, RetroCrush, Anime Planet, and official YouTube channels.

Be careful of websites that flood you with pop ups, try to force downloads, or promise “every new anime in 1080p, no ads, no sign up.” These are usually illegal anime streaming sites like 9anime, Gogoanime, HiAnime/AniWatch, Kissanime, or Zoro.to.

Do not enter your passwords, email, or payment details on random streaming pages

Do not download strange “players” or unofficial anime apps just to watch a show. Legal streaming should work in your browser or in an official app.

You usually do not need a VPN just to use legal anime services in your own country. Some people use VPNs to get around region locks, but that can break the site’s terms of service.

Final Thoughts: The Best Way to Watch Anime Online Free

If you want to watch anime online for free, you do not need to risk your device or break the law with piracy sites. Legal options like Crunchyroll (free plan), Tubi, Pluto TV, RetroCrush, Anime Planet, and official YouTube channels give you a lot of anime at no cost, supported by ads.

Illegal sites such as 9anime, HiAnime/AniWatch, Gogoanime, Kissanime, and Zoro.to may seem attractive, but they are unsafe, unreliable, and harmful to the anime creators you enjoy.

By choosing legal free anime streaming websites and apps, you get:

• Safer streaming
• Better quality
• A chance to support the people who make your favorite shows