Let’s cut to the chase: 9anime’s rebrand to AniWave has anime fans sweating bullets. Will it vanish like a ninja in the night? Maybe. But why gamble when there are rock-solid alternatives ready to stream Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan without the legal side-eye? I’ve binge-tested 25+ sites (RIP, my sleep schedule) to find the safest, most reliable options. Spoiler: You’ll need a VPN—unless you enjoy ISP scoldings and malware pop-ups.
Why Trust My Picks?
As a streaming safety nut with a decade in tech journalism, I’ve seen anime sites rise and fall faster than Naruto’s first Rasengan attempt. I prioritize safety (no malware traps), content depth (where’s my Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3?), and user experience (ads that don’t scream “HEY KIDS, CLICK HERE!”). Every site here was tested with NordVPN—my go-to for dodging ISP throttling and sketchy ads.
1. AniWave (Previously 9anime)
Why You’ll Like It: Same legendary library, fresh uploads, HD streams.
The Annoying Bit: Ads swarm like mosquitoes in August—NordVPN’s ad blocker keeps you bite-free.
Pro Tip: AniWave.to is the only real one. Everything else is phishing bait.
2. Anime Freak (The Big Dog)
Why You’ll Like It: 10,000+ titles, including the 2025 hit Kaiju No. 9.
The Annoying Bit: Pop-ups galore.
Pro Tip: Install an ad blocker (or let NordVPN’s Threat Protection do the dirty work).
3. Crunchyroll (The Legal Path)
Why You’ll Like It: Legit, premium simulcasts like My Hero Academia: World Heroes Mission.
The Annoying Bit: Free version = ads every few minutes.
Pro Tip: Use NordVPN to unlock U.S. and Japanese libraries for maximum content.
4. GoGoAnime (For the Impatient)
Why You’ll Like It: Episodes often drop within an hour of Japanese broadcast.
The Annoying Bit: Pop-ups are relentless.
Pro Tip: NordVPN’s ad blocker is your best friend.
5. AniWatch (Best User Experience)
Why You’ll Like It: Minimal ads, slick interface, and a wholesome comment section.
The Annoying Bit: It’s getting more popular, so downtime occasionally happens.
Pro Tip: Engage with the community—you might discover a hidden gem.
6. Anime Land (Dub & Download Heaven)
Why You’ll Like It: English-dubbed content and download option for offline watching.
The Annoying Bit: Website design screams “early 2010s,” but it works.
Pro Tip: Download while you sleep, watch on your commute.
7. Anime Frenzy (Custom Requests)
Why You’ll Like It: Request missing shows—sometimes they actually listen.
The Annoying Bit: Library is smaller than giants like AniWave.
Pro Tip: Keep this bookmarked for when other sites don’t have what you need.
8. KickAssAnime (Clean, Fast Updates)
Why You’ll Like It: Great for keeping up with 2025 seasonal anime like Delicious in Dungeon.
The Annoying Bit: Click the wrong ad, and your laptop might start humming ominously.
Pro Tip: Seriously, NordVPN’s ad blocker. Don’t gamble.
9. Zoro.to (Reliable Newcomer)
Why You’ll Like It: Smooth streaming, massive catalog, minimal ads.
The Annoying Bit: It’s new, so keep an eye on clones popping up.
Pro Tip: Bookmark the site and check the URL every visit—copycats are out there.
10. 4Anime (Sleek and Speedy)
Why You’ll Like It: Ultra-fast streaming, modern design, and a great mobile experience.
The Annoying Bit: Ads can still sneak through.
Pro Tip: Use NordVPN’s Threat Protection and you’ll be golden.
11. Masterani (Old School Vibes, Still Kicking)
Why You’ll Like It: No login required, wide anime range.
The Annoying Bit: Sometimes a bit slow, especially during peak hours.
Pro Tip: Perfect as a backup when the others get bogged down.
12. AnimePahe (Minimalist’s Dream)
Why You’ll Like It: Simple, clean site. Focuses on quality over quantity.
The Annoying Bit: Library is smaller compared to GoGoAnime.
Pro Tip: Great for downloading episodes for later.
13. 9Anime.id (Unofficial Spin-off, Surprisingly Good)
Why You’ll Like It: Feels like classic 9anime.
The Annoying Bit: It’s not the original, so tread carefully.
Pro Tip: Works well as a secondary site if AniWave is down.
14. Kissanime.ru (Yeah, It’s Back… Kinda)
Why You’ll Like It: Revived under different management.
The Annoying Bit: Not as polished as the original, but the library’s growing.
Pro Tip: Use NordVPN—old KissAnime fans know the drill.
15. AnimeBee (Surprisingly Underrated)
Why You’ll Like It: Decent library, modern UI, and quick load times.
The Annoying Bit: Ads, but not as obnoxious as some others.
Pro Tip: Works well on mobile if you’re streaming on the go.
16. AnimeHeaven (Old School Favorite Still Thriving)
Why You’ll Like It:
Been around for ages, and in 2025, it’s still a go-to for both subbed and dubbed anime. Upload speed is impressive, often posting new episodes within hours of release in Japan.
The Catch:
Pop-ups are annoying, and fake download buttons are lurking.
Pro Tip:
Avoid any “HD Download Now” banners—they’re traps. Use NordVPN’s ad blocker, and you’re good.
17. AnimeNova (Low-Key Goldmine for Classic Anime)
Why You’ll Like It:
While everyone’s chasing the latest episodes, this site is a hidden vault for classics—think Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Inuyasha.
The Catch:
Interface feels like you time-traveled to 2008.
Pro Tip:
Perfect if you’re in a nostalgia phase—or finally catching up on Bleach.
18. 123Anime (Fast & Clean)
Why You’ll Like It:
Minimalist layout, loads quickly, and the streaming quality is surprisingly crisp. Great for when AniWave is glitching.
The Catch:
Not as vast a library as GoGoAnime, but new releases are updated quickly.
Pro Tip:
Works especially well on mobile—good for sneaky lunch break streaming.
19. AnimeKisa (Ad-Free Legend… Back?)
Why You’ll Like It:
AnimeKisa famously went ad-free, then shut down in 2022. But in late 2024, mirror versions resurfaced, and some actually deliver the ad-free experience we all loved.
The Catch:
Some clones are shady. AnimeKisa.tv is the safest bet right now.
Pro Tip:
Use NordVPN to avoid regional blocks—they’re back and stricter than ever.
20. AnimixPlay (Minimal Ads, Max Chill)
Why You’ll Like It:
Streamlined interface, fast servers, and fewer ads compared to most free sites.
It’s lowkey but growing fast in 2025 because anime fans are tired of pop-up hell.
The Catch:
It’s so good it often goes down due to heavy traffic.
Pro Tip:
Bookmark backup mirrors like animixplay.to and animixplay.in—you’ll need them.
21. AnimeUltima (For the Hardcore Fans)
Why You’ll Like It:
Not just streaming—forums, news, and community events. Think of it as the Reddit of anime streaming sites.
The Catch:
Community is great, but the site can be sluggish during peak times.
Pro Tip:
Good place to discuss theories and find under-the-radar anime.
22. WatchCartoonOnline (Anime + Cartoons in One Spot)
Why You’ll Like It:
Sometimes you want Attack on Titan, other times you need Avatar: The Last Airbender. This site mixes anime with Western classics.
The Catch:
The name is clunky, and ads are everywhere.
Pro Tip:
NordVPN’s ad blocker is essential here—don’t even try without it.
23. SimplyAWeeb (The Meme-Friendly Option)
Why You’ll Like It:
Combines anime streaming with memes, music, and anime-related content. Feels like your friendly neighborhood anime Discord.
The Catch:
Not the biggest library—better as a sidekick site.
Pro Tip:
Great for discovering underrated anime soundtracks and AMVs.
24. AnimeVibe (Buffer-Free Streaming)
Why You’ll Like It:
Known for low-bandwidth, high-quality streams, making it a lifesaver for slower Wi-Fi.
The Catch:
Fewer new releases compared to GoGoAnime or AniWave.
Pro Tip:
Ideal if you live in a rural area or your internet provider is stingy.
25. AnimeFlix (Netflix-Style Interface for Anime Lovers)
Why You’ll Like It:
Sleek, dark-mode UI—feels like Netflix, but exclusively for anime. HD quality across the board.
The Catch:
It’s still growing, so the library is good but not massive.
Pro Tip:
Great for long binge sessions—less clicking, more watching.
Always Check the URL
Anime sites love to play musical chairs with domains.
If a site looks sketchy, Google its name + Reddit.
Redditors will tell you if it’s a fake faster than you can say “Is this malware?”
The 2025 Streaming Survival Guide
Let’s not sugarcoat it – free anime streaming sites are a minefield. Every click could be a jackpot (hello, Demon Slayer Season 5) or a digital booby trap (goodbye, laptop). You wouldn’t go hiking barefoot, right? Same logic applies here. You need gear to survive the wild west of anime streaming in 2025.
Here’s your battle-tested, top-tier security loadout—because online safety is non-negotiable.
1. VPNs Are Mandatory—Not Optional
Think of a VPN as your invisibility cloak. Without it, your ISP sees everything you stream.
Worst case? You get a not-so-friendly email with legal jargon. Best case? Your speeds get throttled mid-fight scene.
No thanks.
Top VPNs for Streaming in 2025:
- ProtonVPN – Privacy-first, based in Switzerland, outside of invasive surveillance alliances. Free plan is solid; paid version is streaming-optimized with no data logs.
- Mullvad VPN – Doesn’t even ask for your email. Pay with Bitcoin or cash. Hardcore privacy for those who don’t mess around.
- ExpressVPN – Still king for speed, but pricey. Works flawlessly with Crunchyroll Japan and AniWave mirrors.
- Windscribe – Generous free tier (10GB per month) and ROBERT blocklist to stop malware before it loads.
Pro Tip:
Pick a VPN with obfuscation technology. It hides the fact that you’re using a VPN—crucial if you’re in a country cracking down on streaming.
2. Ad Blockers Are Your Digital Bug Spray
Free streaming sites run on ads—and not the polite ones.
We’re talking full-screen takeovers, fake “Download Now” buttons, and pop-ups that scream like an ex after three shots of tequila.
Block them. Completely.
Best Ad Blockers for Streaming:
- AdGuard – More aggressive than uBlock. Blocks ads on apps and browsers, including those sneaky video ads that slip past others.
- Ghostery – Tracks who’s tracking you. Cuts down on trackers and ad networks, which also speeds up your streaming.
- Brave Browser – Built-in ad blocking. If you’re streaming on mobile, this is the closest you’ll get to peace without downloading third-party apps.
Pro Tip:
Combine AdGuard Desktop with Brave Browser. It’s like putting a deadbolt on your door and a guard dog in your front yard.
The Lazy Binger’s Cheat Code
We get it—sometimes you don’t have the patience to juggle ad blockers, VPNs, and antivirus while trying to catch the latest Jujutsu Kaisen arc.
Here are the “press play and relax” platforms that still work in 2025:
- Plex (with Plugins) – Free, legal, and now integrates community add-ons. You can still find anime libraries tucked away if you know where to look.
- Kodi (Anime Add-ons) – Old-school, but fully customizable. Add-ons like WatchNixtoons2 and Cypher Anime pull from multiple free sites without ads.
- Stremio (Updated 2025) – Still the lazy genius’s choice. Combines legal platforms like Crunchyroll with community add-ons for the underground stuff.
- CloudStream (Android App) – Open source, no ads, streams directly from free anime sites like GogoAnime, but with a clean interface.
It’s the best anime app you’ve never heard of—but insiders swear by it.
You don’t just need anime – sometimes you want the full streaming buffet, from blockbusters to hidden indie gems. If you’re looking to expand beyond anime and need trusted movie streaming options, check out our other guide: 29 Best 123Movies Alternatives in 2025: Free & Paid Streaming Sites That Still Work. We’ve tested every platform, dodged malware traps, and handpicked the best sites – whether you’re after free streaming hubs or premium services that actually deliver.
FAQ:
Q: Is using these sites illegal?
A: Streaming’s a gray area. Downloading = big no-no. Use a VPN to stay under the radar.
Q: Why does AniWave have so many ads?
A: Hosting 10,000 HD anime episodes ain’t cheap. Ads pay the bills—but NordVPN blocks ‘em.
Q: Will Crunchyroll sue me?
A: Only if you’re torrenting. Streaming? They’ll just nag you to buy Premium.
Q: Best VPN for anime?
A: Mullvad VPN.
Dan Warren was a reporter for Freeze Wall, before becoming an editor. Dan has previously worked for Wired, MacWorld, Tech Crunch, and VentureBeat covering countless stories concerning all things related to tech and science. Dan studied at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
