Navigating the vast sea of streaming services can be overwhelming, especially when hunting for the best anime to watch online. In 2025, the landscape is even more fragmented with major titles often spread across multiple platforms. Whether you're a seasoned otaku or a newcomer to the genre, we've curated a list of the top sites and apps to help you find your next anime adventure. From comprehensive libraries to cost-effective or free options, there's something for every anime enthusiast.
Crunchyroll
Best Anime Streaming Service Overall
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If you're seeking the ultimate anime streaming experience, Crunchyroll stands out as the premier choice. Boasting an extensive library of anime movies and series, this service caters to fans craving a wide variety of content. Crunchyroll is renowned for quickly adding new episodes of popular shows like Demon Slayer, often just hours after their Japanese broadcast. Whether you're revisiting classics or catching the latest releases, Crunchyroll delivers with its subscription model.
Crunchyroll offers three subscription tiers, all of which provide access to their full catalog without ads. New users can enjoy a 14-day free trial before settling into a plan starting at $7.99 per month. Additionally, Crunchyroll offers some free content with ads, featuring shows like Chainsaw Man and My Hero Academia.
Anime Recommendations on Crunchyroll:
Dragon Ball: DAIMA
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Jujutsu Kaisen
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Solo Leveling
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My Hero Academia
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Tubi
Best Free Anime Streaming Service
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For those looking to enjoy anime without breaking the bank, Tubi emerges as an excellent free option. Supported by ads, this platform offers a diverse selection of anime, including beloved series like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Naruto. Tubi's catalog is rich with both classic and contemporary anime titles, all accessible at no cost. Simply register with your email or Google account to dive into their offerings, which extend beyond anime to include a broad range of movies and TV shows.
Anime Recommendations on Tubi:
Death Note
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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
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Inuyasha
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Yu-Gi-Oh!
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Hulu
Best All-in-One Streaming Service
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While Hulu may not boast the largest anime library, its strength lies in its comprehensive entertainment offerings. A Hulu subscription grants access to a wide variety of movies, TV shows, and anime. Popular series like Dragon Ball, Attack on Titan, and Naruto are available in both subbed and dubbed formats. Hulu also features recent releases such as Spy x Family and Chainsaw Man. Choose from two plans: ad-supported for $7.99 per month or ad-free for $14.99 per month, and enjoy Hulu's diverse content.
Anime Recommendations on Hulu:
Chainsaw Man
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Attack on Titan
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Cowboy Bebop
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Spy x Family
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Netflix
Best for New Original Anime
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As the world's largest streaming service, Netflix offers a robust selection of anime, including hits like One Piece, Hunter x Hunter, and Demon Slayer. What sets Netflix apart is its array of original anime, which includes critically acclaimed titles like Bubble and video game adaptations like Tekken: Bloodline. Amidst ongoing changes to its subscription model, Netflix's ad-supported plan remains affordable at $7.99 per month, with standard and premium options offering additional features like offline downloads.
Anime Recommendations on Netflix:
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
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Devilman Crybaby
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Cyberpunk Edgerunners
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Violet Evergarden
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Max (HBO Max)
Best Streaming Service for Anime Movies
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Since HBO Max rebranded to Max, finding its anime selection has become trickier. However, Max remains a top choice for anime movie enthusiasts, particularly for its complete collection of Studio Ghibli films. From Princess Mononoke to Howl's Moving Castle, these cinematic treasures are all available to stream. Max offers three subscription tiers, starting at $9.99 per month for the ad-supported option.
Anime Recommendations on Max:
The Boy and the Heron
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Spirited Away
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Suicide Squad Isekai
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Uzumaki
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Anime Streaming Sites FAQ
What are the best sites to watch anime for free?
In addition to Tubi and the limited free offerings on Crunchyroll, other platforms provide free anime streaming. RetroCrush specializes in "vintage" anime and cartoons, featuring classics like Astro Boy, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and City Hunter. Sling TV's FreeStream also includes several anime channels with on-demand series such as Fruits Basket, Maid-Sama, and Ghost Stories.
How can I watch anime live in the U.S.?
Most anime airs live in Japan before becoming available in the U.S. Crunchyroll's licensing agreements enable it to stream new episodes within a day of their original airtime, making it the go-to service for timely anime viewing. For exclusive content that may eventually appear on Netflix or Hulu, Crunchyroll typically gets it first. If you're eager to watch a new episode or special live, consider using a VPN to access Japanese channels like FujiTV.
For more anime recommendations, explore our guides to the best horror anime and the saddest anime of all time.