The anime industry continues to expand, reportedly reaching over $19 billion in 2023, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. With such growth, it's great news for fans who can enjoy a plethora of anime series and movies without spending a penny. While you might miss out on some exclusive Netflix originals, there's no shortage of free content to explore.
However, navigating the world of free anime can be tricky. Many sites fall into a legal gray area or outright piracy, but fear not! We've compiled a list of reputable, legally-licensed platforms where you can watch anime for free. Whether you're eager to dive into the phenomenon of Solo Leveling, plan a marathon of Naruto, or revisit classics like Sailor Moon, these sites have you covered.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Free Tier
Crunchyroll stands out as the premier streaming service for anime enthusiasts, offering a robust free tier with ad-supported streaming. The selection available on Crunchyroll's free tier fluctuates with seasonal releases, ensuring a fresh lineup of the latest anime hits. Currently, you can enjoy the first season of popular series like Solo Leveling, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and more. If a Premium show piques your interest, you can also take advantage of a 14-day free trial of Crunchyroll Premium, just remember to cancel if you don't want to continue.
Free Anime on Crunchyroll:
Solo Leveling - Season 1
Jujutsu Kaisen - Season 1
Chainsaw Man - Season 1
Spy x Family - Season 1
Vinland Saga - Season 1
One Piece - East Blue (Episodes 1-61)
Tubi
Anime on Tubi
Tubi is a top-tier free streaming platform, boasting a strong collection of anime thanks to licensing agreements with Crunchyroll, Konami, GKIDS, and Viz Media. Whether you're into classics like Naruto, Pokémon, and Sailor Moon, shoujo favorites such as Toradora and Maid-Sama, or looking for a laugh with comedies like Daily Lives of High School Boys, Tubi has you covered. The platform also offers a remarkable selection of anime movies, including works by acclaimed directors Satoshi Kon and Naoko Yamada.
Free Anime on Tubi:
Naruto
Sailor Moon
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Daily Lives of High School Boys
Paprika
Liz and the Blue Bird
Sling TV Freestream
Sling Freestream
Sling TV's Freestream platform is a new hub that aggregates various free streaming channels into one convenient location. Among its offerings is RetroCrush, a fantastic resource for fans of vintage anime, featuring classics like Ghost Stories and City Hunter. Additionally, Freestream provides "sneak peeks" at programming from Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, including the eagerly anticipated Uzumaki anime and the final season of Attack on Titan.
Free Anime on Sling TV Freestream:
Uzumaki
Attack on Titan: Season 4
Ghost Stories
Rick and Morty: The Anime
Maid-Sama
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
Viz Media
Viz Media
Viz Media is a key player in distributing anime and manga in North America. While their website focuses on manga and physical anime releases, their YouTube channel is a goldmine for free anime content. You can watch full series like InuYasha, Naruto, and even catch some of the Sailor Moon movies without spending a dime.
Free Anime From Viz Media:
InuYasha
Hunter x Hunter
Death Note
Vampire Knight
Naruto Shippuden: The Movie
Sailor Moon R: The Movie
Free Anime Sites FAQ
Are there any free anime sites without ads?
Unfortunately, due to licensing agreements, ads are a common feature on free streaming sites. If you find a site without ads, it's likely operating in a legally questionable manner. It's always best to stick with reputable platforms.
Is there free anime on YouTube?
Beyond Viz Media's official channel, YouTube hosts a vast array of free anime content. While I won't direct you to specific channels to avoid any copyright issues, exploring YouTube can lead you to a wealth of anime series and movies at no cost.